Vol52 5/1 (2005) 52 - 58

JOURNAL OF NATURAL REMEDIES

Folk herbal practices among Toda tribe of the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, India.

S. Rajan1*, M. Jayendran2, M. Sethuraman2

1. Survey of Medicinal and Collection Unit, 112, Government Arts College Campus, Ooty- 643 002, TN. 2. Division of Medical Anthropology, Tribal Research Center, Tamil University, Thanjavur- 613 005. TN, India.

Abstract:

Objectives: To examine ethno-medicobotany of Toda tribe in the Nilgiri hills of South India. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical field survey and personal discussion methods have been made use of in the collection of data. Results and discussion: A list of 32 botanicals (30 dicots and 2 monocots) plants belonging to 31 genera, 29 families and 32 species are employed for therapeutic purposes by the Toda tribe of Nilgiri hills, South India. The Parmelia caperata a type of moss paste is applied to wounds caused by animal bites for healing. In analyzing ethno-medicobotanical information, we present here data on various ethnomedicinal claims and method of applications to treat a host of ailments are underlined here. A short description of plants, their habitat, family and local names are also summarized here.

Key words: Ethno-medicobotany, Toda tribe, Nilgiri hills, South India.

1. Introduction

The Nilgiri hills venerated as “THE BLUE They are Todas, Kotas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyas MOUNTAINS” is a treasure-trove for medico- and Kattunayakas. The total tribal population of ethnobiological and anthropological studies. the district was 25,048 [1] of which Toda It has prismatic plans propagating both native population constitutes 1600 persons. It is and exotic flora of good medicinal value. The apparent in the earlier studies that these groups annual rain fall of the Nilgiri district ranges have lived in the western ghats from 700 BC [2] from 1600 - 1800 mm which gives support to and in the Nilgiris from 1200 BC. [3] the growth of evergreen rainforest. The rich In contemporary times, there is a resurgence diversity of medicinal herbs and other of interest in medico-ethnobotanical data in interesting floristic elements in this region is reference to non-literate primitive note-worthy. communities. A great deal of research activity The district comprises all in all six primitive dwells on ethnobotany of simple folk groups ethnic groups of pivotal anthropological interest. [4]. Many studies concerning the medico-

* Corresponding author E.mail: [email protected] S. Rajan et al. / Journal of Natural Remedies, Vol 5/1 (2005) 52 - 58 53

ethnobotany of Toda tribe in the Nilgiri hills In the enumeration, the correct name of the have been attempted in the past [5-10]. species is followed by its local name and family. A succinct description of the plants is also The purpose of this work is to top up useful furnished for easy reference. The tribal name data by providing additional information about is abridged as ‘T’. The voucher specimens of time-honored remedies which are still all plants have been deposited in the herbarium popular with them. Against this background, it at the Survey of Medicinal Plants and is felt necessary to undertake this study on the Collection Unit (SMPCU), Udhaga-mandalam, Toda tribe. for future reference.

2. Ethnography 4. List of phytoremedies Todas constitute one of the six primitive hill Achyranthes bidentata Blume T.: Kithoop tribes of the Nilgiri district. They are [AMARANTHACEAE] An erect herb or sub professional dairymen, pastoralists and lacto- shrub. opposite, decussate, vegetarians. The community has two sub- oblanceolate, sparsely hirsute along the divisions namely Tarthar and Teiveli and each nerves on both sides. Flowers pink. Fruit a division has ten and five clans respectively. They utricle; single seed. tenaciously maintain their rich folk cultural The paste is applied to wounds for rapid heritage and religious identity. They worship healing. sacred buffaloes and dairymen. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7537 dated: The main occupation of Toda men is to farm 14.7.2002. semi-wild buffaloes and women engage themselves as house-keepers and in needle Ageratum conyzoides Linn. T.: Kedsthoor work activities. Todas possess good knowledge [ASTERACEAE] An erect herb. Leaves of medicinal herbs and flowers. The interesting opposite, broadly ovate to obovate. Flowers and possibly significant aspect of Toda tribe is white. Fruit an achene’s sparsely scabrous. that sacred buffaloes play a symbolic role in The tender leaf juice is smeared on wounds all the phases of Toda life. They live in for healing. traditional houses called “Munds”. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7536 dated: 3. Methodology 14.7.2002.

The data have been collected on ethno-medico- Anaphalis wightiana DC. [ASTERACEAE]: An botany of Toda tribe living in the Nilgiri hills of erect herb. Leaves alternate, elliptic covered South India. In analyzing ethnobotanical data, with white wool, base obtuse. Flowers white we present here information about 32 plants tinged when fresh with pink or yellow. Fruit belonging to 31 genera, 29 families and 32 an achene’s with white hairy. species that are widely used by the Toda tribe The leaf paste is laid on the swollen parts to in their traditional system. The input furnished reduce edema. here is based on our field surveys carried out on them during the months of May – August, Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7794 dated: 2002. The settlements included in the present 2.8.2003. study are Garden mund, Bikahatty mund, Arisaema leschenaultii Blume T.: Puthuasak Muthanad mund, Neergassh mund, Pudu mund [ARACEAE] An erect, bulbous herb. Leaves and Taranad mund. single with long petiole, elliptic- oblong to 54 S. Rajan et al. / Journal of Natural Remedies, Vol 5/1 (2005) 52 - 58

obovate – lanceolate. Flowers greenish with The whole plant extract is a refrigerant. It is white strips. Fruit a 2-3 seeded. also useful for treating reeling symptoms. The whole plant extract is a useful external Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7682 dated: application for antiseptic purposes in 29.12.2002. buffaloes. The fruits are toxic according to Ceropegia ciliata Wight T. : AFEHL their folk belief. [ASCLEPIADACEAE]. A small tuberous herb. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7537 dated: Leaves linear – lanceolate or lanceolate, hairy 14.7.2002. on both the surfaces. Flowers pale purple. Asclepias curassavica Linn. T.: Thoor Fruit a follicle paired, cylindrical. [ASCLEPIADACEAE]. An erect, branched The juice of the whole plant is used for herb. Leaves opposite decussate, lanceolate. treating fever. Flowers red. Fruit a follicle, tapering at both Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7776 dated: the ends; seeds winged, coma silky. 29.7.2003. The leaf extract is employed as a remedy for Ceropegia pusilla Wight & Arn. T.: Kafehl would healing purposes. [ASCLEPIADACEAE]. An erect, small Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7795 dated: tuberous herb. Leaves crowded with small 2.8.2003. linear bracts at the base. Flowers dark purplish brown with dark purple, white Berberis tinctoria Leschen. T.: THIKMUI ciliate. Fruit a follicle, swollen in the middle. []. A shrub or small tree. Leaves obovate, entire or with a spiny teeth, The leaf and flower extracts are mixed and glabrous, purplish when young. Flowers taken orally as a remedy for correcting yellow. Fruit a sausage-shaped berry, purple nervous weakness. when ripe. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7677 dated: The leaf extracts of both B. tinctoria and 29.7.2003. Rubus elipticus (Rosaceae) are orally given Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn. T.: Pthoori to relieve fever and gastric discomfort. [CHENOPODIACEAE]. An erect, strongly Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7793 dated: aromatic herb. Leaves alternate, oblong- 2.8.2003. lanceolate. Flowers greenish. Fruit small, globose, and green. Beta vulgaris Linn. T.: Beetroot [CHENOPODIACEAE]. An erect, annual or The root extract is useful for febrifugal biennial tuberous herb. Leaves ovate to purposes. oblong-ovate, bract linear. Flower many Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7779 dated: greenish. 29.7.2003. According to their folk medical system, the Commelina benghalensis Linn. T.: Kogul roots are useful for haematinic purposes. [COMMELINACEAE]. A prostrate herb. Specimen Examined: Cultivated. Leaves ovate or oblong – ovate, lower clustered or one, funnel-shaped. Flowers Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban T.: Kudivsvar blue. Fruit a capsule, ellipsoid. [APIACEAE]. A prostrate herb. Leaves simple in rosettes, orbicular-reniform. Flowers The flowers are useful for treating certain purplish. Fruit a mericarp laterally flattened. ailments in magico-religious ways. S. Rajan et al. / Journal of Natural Remedies, Vol 5/1 (2005) 52 - 58 55

Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7780 dated: whorled above and linear to lanceolate. 29.7.2003. Flowers greenish. Fruit a capsule.

Coronopus didymus (Linn.) Smith T.: Mers The latex is applied externally for healing [BRASSICACEAE]. A prostrate annual herb. sores. It is also believed to promote hair Leaves pinnatisect. Flowers minute, white or growth. The whole plant is a good insect greenish-white. Fruit small, reniform and repellent. ovoid. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7665 dated: The paste of whole plant is applied on the 7.12.2002. forehead for headache. Galium asperifolium Wallich T.: Kurdithol Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7648 dated: [RUBIACEAE]. A climbing herb with 20.11.2002. quadrangular stem. Leaves whorled, oblong- linear, and sessile. Flowers white. Fruit a Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. T.: Neliche capsule. [HYPOXIDACEAE]. An erect, small, The juice of the whole plant is useful for rhizomatous herb. Leaves lanceolate. treating fever. Flowers yellow. Fruit small, pericarp membranous. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7612 dated: 25.9.2002. Root paste is applied externally for treating all types of skin afflictions. Glochidion neilgherrense Wt. T.: Kokvu Specimen Examined: Rajan, 5342 dated: [EUPHORBIACEAE]. A medium-size 26.6.1996. branched monoecious tree. Leaves alternate, elliptic oblong. Flowers yellow. Fruit a Datura stramonium Linn. T.: Yemmuth capsule with six stigmatic points. [SOLANACEAE]. An erect, bushy herb or subshrub. Leaves lobed. Flowers white. Fruit The stem bark is chewed to get relief from very spiny, opening in 4-valves. severe toothache. The tender leaf paste with fruits intact is Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7549 dated: prepared and applied to anal region as a cure 1.9.2002. for piles. Gnaphalium polycaulon Pers. T.: Neranbu Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7809 dated: chedi [ASTERACEAE]. An erect, densely 9.8.2003. white-pilose herb. Leaves alternate, oblong- Emilia scabra DC. T.: Thori [ASTERACEAE]. spathulate, pilose above, densely so below. An erect herb. Leaves radical, crisped- Flowers pink. Fruit an achene, shortly pubescent, base obtusely auriculate. Flowers beaked; pappus white. pink. Fruit an achene pubescent. The leaf paste is a useful remedy for healing The leaf paste is a good remedy for clearing nerve related injuries. dark spots in the skin. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 5550 dated: Specimen Examined: Rajan, 2526 dated: 8.11.1996. 29.10.1988. Habenaria longicornu Lindl. T.: Salamaestis Euphorbia rothiana Spreng. T.: Kopot kizhangu [ORCHIDACEAE]. An erect, [EUPHORBIACEAE]. An erect, branched herb bulbous herb. Leaves cauline, linear-oblong with milky latex. Leaves alternate below, to lanceolate. Flowers white. 56 S. Rajan et al. / Journal of Natural Remedies, Vol 5/1 (2005) 52 - 58

The dried bulb powder mixed with milk is The leaves of this plant and the bark of given orally for restorative purposes. (Eugenia jambolana) are together made into Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7569 dated: a paste with buttermilk. This extract is taken 14.9.2002. orally as remedy for fever. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7668 dated: Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. (Kullu) 7.12.2002. [FABACEAE]. - Dolichos biflorus Lam. A climbing, bushy, annual herb. Leaves Physalis peruviana Linn. Urechithuvar pinnate; leaflets ovate – rhomboid. Flowers [SOLANACEAE]. An erect, branched herb. white, pale violet and purple. Cultivated. Leaves cordate, velvety, margin sinuate, scarcely lobed. Flowers yellow. Fruit a berry The seed decoction is a useful remedy for marked with purplish veins. treating menstrual discomfort. Leaf paste is smeared on wounds for quick Specimen Examined: Part used commercial healing. samples. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7785 dated: leschenaultii Wall. ex Wight T.: 29.7.2003. Thoori [BERBERIDACEAE]. A shrub or small Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Wight T.: Thovutto tree. Leaves in circles at the end of the [MYRTACEAE]. A small bushy shrub. Leaves branches; compound; leaflets ovate, lobbed lower often in threes, upper opposite, sub and spiny. Flowers yellow in dense. Fruit sessile. Flowers pink. Fruit globular yellowish globular. when mature. The bark juice is applied externally for The tender leaf extract in buttermilk is a treating dental ailments. The leaf extract is useful antidysentric remedy. given to women for checking post-natal problem, fever, cold and other Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7764 dated: complications. 29.7.2003. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7666 dated: Ruta chalepensis Linn. T.: Thitish [RUTACEAE]. 7.12.2002. An aromatic woody herb or sub shrub. Leaves alternate ovate. Flowers yellow. Malaxis densiflora (A. Rich) Kuntze T.: Fruits globose, immature green mature Nelnethch [ORCHIDACEAE]. An erect herb. brown. Planted. Leaves long five to seven nerved at the base, The leaf is chewed orally as a remedy for acute or acuminate. Flowers purple, fragrant. fever. Fruit a capsule. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7965 dated: The leaf paste is spread on the wound to 4.11.2003. quicken healing. Solanum anguivi Lam. var. multiflora Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7397 dated: Chithra comb. Nov. T.: Ascicithoor 5.9.2001. [SOLANACEAE]. An erect, bushy, thorny Peperomia reflexa (Linn. f) Hook. & Arn. T.: herb or sub shrub. Leaves ovate, lobed and Manpanum [PIPERACEAE]. An erect, small, densely tomentose underneath. Flowers epiphytic herb. Leaves 4 per node, ovate- violet. Fruit dark purple. rhomboid. Flower (spike) greenish. Fruit a The decoction of fried fruit powder is orally globose berry. taken to relieve dental problems. S. Rajan et al. / Journal of Natural Remedies, Vol 5/1 (2005) 52 - 58 57

Specimen Examined: Rajan, 6489 dated: A list of 32 plant species belonging to 31 genera, 29 families and 32 species are furnished Swertia trichotoma Wall [GENTIANACEAE].: here. Out of 32 plant species surveyed, it is An erect herb. Leaves opposite, decussate, noteworthy to record that Parmelia caperata oblanceolate to elliptic. Flowers bright blue. type of moss paste is applied by them to heal Common. wounds caused by animal bites. The overall The leaf extract serves as a remedy for study sample exhibits that more wild species wormicidal use in animals. are sought after by them for medicinal uses. Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7670 dated: 7. This creates a dual necessity for both cultivation 12. 2002. and conservation of therapeutically significant Syzygium calophyllifolium Walp. T.: Kers plants. [MYRTACEAE]. A tall, much-branched, With the advent of modern medicine, evergreen tree. Leaves broadly elliptic or ethnomedical applications in regard to plant obovate, obtuse or apex retuse, acute at base. drugs have become considerably less in the Flowers white. Fruit dark purple, juicy. present day. A model for revitalization of A piece of stem bark is placed in the aching indigenous knowledge, skills, folk beliefs need tooth for relief. to be evolved by networking Toda populations Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7662 dated: living in different settlements of the Nilgiri 20.11.2002. district is to be planned on priority basis. Trifolium repens Linn. T.: Pulth [FABACEAE]. A cross-cultural similarity between the Toda A stoloniferous herb. Leaves 3-foliolate; tribe and Koruku tribe of Maharastra is observed leaflets obovate, notched. Flowers white or concerning the utility of orchid Habenaria. The light pinkish in globose heads. former consume dried bulb powder of H. The leaf paste is applied to wounds for longicornu mixed with milk for restorative healing. purposes while, the later use the bulbs of two allied species namely, H. grandifloriformis and Specimen Examined: Rajan, 7996 H. gibsonii for analogous purposes [11]. It is dated:20.11.2003. hoped that that these botanicals provide a rich 5. Conclusion potential for future phytotherapy research Todas constitute one of the six primitive hill development. tribes of Nilgiri hills of South India depend on 6. Acknowledgements ambient flora to a larger extent till date for food, medicine and shelter. An explorative ethno- SR is thankful to the Director, Central Council medico botanical survey conducted on them for Research in Homeopathy, New Delhi for revealed many interesting ethno medical his encouragement and for providing claims in regard to medicinal plants. The data necessary facilities to carryout this work. MS presented here indicate a rich folk knowledge is grateful to the Vice-Chancellor, Tamil of the study group in reference to various time- University, Thanjavur, for his valuable support. honored herbal remedies which are still We thank all Toda informants who helped us popular with them. this study. 58 S. Rajan et al. / Journal of Natural Remedies, Vol 5/1 (2005) 52 - 58

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