FOLK-LORE MEDICINAL PLANTS of DUMKA (BIHAR) Received
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View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by PubMed Central Ancient Science of Life, Vol. IV, No.3 January 1985, Page 181-185 FOLK-LORE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF DUMKA (BIHAR) K.CHANDRA, B.N. PANEY and V.K.LAL Regional Research Institute (Ay.), Agam Kuan, Patna, Bihar. Received: March 15, 1983 Accepted: April 16, 1984 ABSTRACT: The present paper reports medicinal properties of 69 plants of Dumka forest division of Dumka district of Bihar. The information is gathered from the tribals and local physicians inhabiting the forest. Introduction 76.2 to 274.32m.a.s.l, sometimes isolated hills without thick vegetation are also The entire protected and demarcated forests noticed. The elevation in reserve forest, in of Dumka forest division stretch from general varies from 152.4 to 243.84 m.a.s.l., 23o45’ to 25o15’ north latitude and from o o some hills attain an altitude of 457.20 meters 86 55’ to 87 55’ east longitude. The tract and a few of them like Mahuwagarhi and has 662.511 square kms. Of demarcated Champapahar rises to 502.92 m.a.s.l. The forests out of total forest areas of 620.815 entire area falls in the santhal pargana of square kms. Dumka district. Major part of the The Dumka district is an upland tract with a population is of tribals (santhals and central block of hilly country extending Paharias). from north to south. Out of approximately Cultivated lands are few and scattered. 5179.98 square kms. Of this hilly block of They are mostly dependent upon the forests country the areas of government estate is for their living hood such as collection of 3511.94 square kms. With a width of about Mahuwa flowers, kendu leaves, wild grass, 48.28 kms. At the centre narrowing to the bamboos etc. north and south to about 48.28kms. at the centre narrowing to the north and south to Minerals: Economic minerals found in the about 24.14kms. this estate consists of hills, area are coal building stone, Road Metals, plateau, Valleys and ravines. All the nalas Ornamental stones, hooting lime etc. including big rivers like Gumani and kajhia originate from the central ridge draining to Climate: The area has usual three tropical pakur and Godda. The ride eventually seasons namely the hot, the rainy and the terminates at the river Bansloi. cold, the humidity being very high during the rains and very low during the hot The area is moderately unduiated and weather, typical of the Bihar Gangetic plain, forested several hills are found rising from in the hot season the temperature rises to a Page 181-185 maximum of 64oc (115oF) and in the winter Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. (L.Kapu, season the temperature drops to 20oc. S.Varahikanda, O. Nijhore Nala). Wildlife: In the past when the forests were Pounded tubers are taken internally as thick, wild animals such as tigers, bears, stomachic. leopards, deer, samar, wild boars etc. were common. Desmodium parvifolium DC. (L. Sukrisonda, P. Lada). At present the forest has started deteriorating due to overfelling, illicit cutting, fire etc. Its roots are pounded with black piper and the fauna also started disappearing due to taken internally in dysentery. destruction of habitat, indiscriminate Desmodium gangeticum DC. (L shalparni, S. shooting and customary tribal shikar. Of Saliparni, P. Masanjore). these only a few wild bears and very few leopards are found in the sheltered areas. Pills prepared from its roots and roots of Piper betal are given after 45days of De to constant association with forest delivery or after 2.4 days of menstruation to environment the tribals have occurred make a women sterile. considerable knowledge of plants and their utility especially for medicinal purposes. Eclipta alba Hassk. (L Bhangra, S. The uses of many of the medicinal plants are Bhrngaraja, P. Dangapara). restricted to their community. The fresh juice of whole plant is taken Purpose of the present paper is to record this internally to cure haematuria. information for further investigation by the Ficus religiosa Linn. (L. Pipal, S. Asvattha plant chemists and pharmacologists. Present P. Susni). paper deals with the detailed information collected on folk-lore claims of the plants After application of coconut oil the powder available in the district Dumka of Bihar. of bark is applied over severe burns of the Latin name of the plant, local name and body. Sanskrit name alongwith its uses and process of preparation and administration Gardenia turgid Roxb. (L.Karhutta, P.Susni) and place of collection of the claim are Pounded roots are taken internally for given here. bodyache and general inflammation of the Cassia Occidentalis L. (L. Kadhari, S,. body. Kasamarda, P. Masanjore) Acacia farnesiana willd. (L. Gabur P. A paste of whole plant is applied over teeth Kathikund) and gums in the case of toothache and Powdered bark is spread near the house to swelling of gums. ward off snakes. Page 181-185 Albizzia procera Benth. (L.Shirish, S.Sirisa, Andragraphis paniculata Nees. (L. P. Saldaha). Chisayta, S Kalamegha, P. Masanjore). Decoction of the bark is used to gargle for Whole plant is powdered and taken toothache. internally as stomachic blood purifier and liver corrective. Amorphophyllus companulatus Blume. Asparagus racemosus willd. (L. Kalmula, S. (L. Bansuran, S. Surana, P.Champapahar). Satavari, P. Kathikund). Pounded tubers in small quantity is given to Its roots, piper nigrum and the roots of women after delivery to remove coagulated Zizyphussps are pounded together and taken blood from uterus. internally to cure haematuria. Antidesma ghaesamvilla Gaertn. Aegle marmelos correa. (L. Sinjo, S. Bilva, (L.Amtuasag, p. Narganj). P, Kathikund). Pounded leaves are given to bulls in case of Hot fomentation of the leaves of Aegle intestinal disorders. marmelos and ocimum sanctum, Nerium Costus speciosus Smith. (S.Kemuka, indicum and salt (boiled in water) is taken to P.Silingi). cure sprains. The paste of the rhizomes is applied Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (L. Nim S. externally and also taken internally in the Nimba, P. Godda). case of headache. Its leaves and heated alum are powdered and Celastrus paniculatus willd. (L. Gujari, S. pills prepared from it are given for in Jyotismati, P. Narganj). malaria. Fruits are pounded and given internally to Abrus precatorious Linn. (L. Kanwe, S. newly born calf of buffaloes to prevent it Gunja, p. Masanjare). Whole plant is from getting infected with intestinal worms. powdered and applied externally in muscle pulling and paralysis. Cissampelos pareira Linn. (L. Tejumala, S. Patha, P. Mahuwagarh). Achyranthes aspera Linn. (L. Chirchira, S. Apamarga, P. Masanjore). Pounded roots is taken internally in the case of diarrhoea and dysentery. Its seeds are powdered and taken internally for piles. Aristolochia indica Linn. (L. Godh, S. Isvarimula, P. Digal Phar). Hemidesmus indicus Br. (L. Dudhilata, S. Anantmula, P. Masanjore). Roots kept in house is said to ward off snakes. A paste of its roots is applied Whole plant is pounded and taken internally externally for snake bite. an also applied over head for headache. Page 181-185 Helecteris isora Linn. ( Marodphali, P. relieve burning sensation of the body of Masanjore). women (after delivery). Fruits are kept in custard oil and the oil is Ocimum sps. (L. Virtulsi, P Masanjore). applied over stomach in the case of intestinal spasm o children. Pounded whole plant is taken internally to relieve burning sensation of the body of Moringa oleifera Lamk.(L. Saijana, S. women (after deliver). Sahiujana, P. Digal Pahari). Ricinus communis Linn. (L. Arandi, S. Pounded bark is spread near house to ward Eranda, P. Kunjabana). off snakes. Pounded roots are taken internally and stem Mimosa pudica Linn. (L Jhaphi, S. Lajjalu, bark is tied over neck to check vomiting P. Masanjore). Salmalia malabarica schott and Endl. Pounded roots are applied over head and (LSemar, S.Salmali, P. Nijhore Nala). taken internally in the case of malaria. Pounded root is taken internally to cure haemeturia. Martynia diandra Glox. (L Kaknasa, P. Kathikund). Piper betel Linn. (L. Pan, S. Pan). Roots of piper betel, roots of Borassus flabellifer and Mustard oil heated with its fruits is applied saccharum (Jharughas) are pounded and externally to heal up wounds. pills (about 1gn. Each). Prepared from it are Madhuka indica J.F.Gmel. (L Mahawa, S. given internally after menstruation for three Madhuka P. Saldaha). menstrual cycles to make women sterile. Its bark and barks of Eugenia jambolina, Soymida febrifuga A. Juss (L Rakat Rohan, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Butea superb, S. Rakta Rohini, P. Khairbani). shorea robusta and roots of smilax prolifera A fomentation of decoction of bark cures pounded with l=black peper (Piper nigrum) sprain. is given to women to remove coagulated blood from uterus (after elivery). Semicarpus anacardium Linn. (L Bhilawa, S Bhallataka, P.Kathikund). Nerium indicum Mill (L. Kaner, S. Karavira P. Masanjore). Its fruits are warmed and applied over injuries to check bleeding; Its flowers and flower of Gulabchin (Plumeria acutifolia) are pounded and taken Solanum Xanthocarpum Schrad and wendl internally to relieve burning sensation of the (L rangaini janum, s kantakari P. Amrapara). body of women (After delivery). Its roots are fried and taken internally to Ocimum sps. (L. Virtulsi, P. Masanjore). cure cough. Pounded whole plant is taken internally to Page 181-185 Trichosanthes palmate Roxb. (L Desmodium parvifolium DC. Kenmohkab, S. Indrayana, P. Masanjore). (LShukrisondha, P. Masanjore) Pounded roots are given internally. Also the Tender leaves are pounded and applied roots are tied around neck in the case of externally to cure fistula. allergic reactions due to fish poisoning. Adhatoda vasica Nees. (L. Basak, S. Terminalia tomentosa W.& A. (L. Asan, Vasaka, P. Kunjabana).