Ethno Botanical Polypharmacy of Traditional Healers in Wayanad (Kerala) to Treat Type 2 Diabetes

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 11(4), October 2012, pp. 667-673

Ethno Botanical Polypharmacy of Traditional Healers in Wayanad (Kerala) to treat type 2 diabetes

Dilip Kumar EK & Janardhana GR* Phytopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Studies in Botany University of Mysore, Manasagangothri, Mysore-570006, Karnataka, India E-mail: [email protected]

Received 30.06.10, revised 15.05.12

The aboriginal medical system prevalent among traditional healers of Wayanad has demonstrated a good practice, so bright future in the therapy of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, present study focused on identification validation and documentation such Ethno botanical polypharmacy prevalent in the district. A total of 47 species belonging to 44 genera comes under 29 families were identified being utilized in 23 different compound medicinal recipes for diabetic healthcare in Wayanad. These preparations and the herbal ingredients need scientific evaluation about their mechanism of action in living organism in heath as well as disease condition to confirm their activity against type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, Traditional medicine, Polypharmacy, Wayanad district IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K, A61K 36/00, A01D 16/02, A01D 16/03

Local herbal healers of Wayanad (Kerala), India have communities that directly depend on it. The present numerous prescriptions aims directly to treat and study documented some of the ethno botanical manage type 2 diabetes (old age diabetes). This remedies for the management of diabetes so as includes over 150 herbal preparations including to protect it within the aboriginal repository of simple and compound folk recipes and diets. This knowledge (ARK) programme and also shed light traditional medical knowledge has demonstrated a on a traditional culture that believes that a healthy potent therapeutic system for the management of lifestyle is found only at a healthy environment 1. diabetes and the symptoms associated. Despite antidiabetic, many of this therapeutics have not Methodology been pharmacologically validated to ascertain their Wayanad is a panoramic hill of Malabar, at the therapeutic potential. Unlike modern medical system northern part of Kerala (India), lies at 11º 55’ N, this aboriginal medicines proffer integrated care latitude and 75° 59’ E, longitude with an altitude rather removing the disease symptoms. ranging from 950m-1350m above sea level. Recently the socio-economic upliftment of tribal Temperature goes down to 16° C during the winter and traditional communities in light of legislations on season and to 30° C during the summer months. domestic patenting act and intellectual property rights, The annual rainfall ranges from 300 mm-1000 mm. there is an ever increasing necessity in the qualitative The forest types are semi-evergreen, ever green and grass lands. and quantitative evaluation of uses and management The study focused on gathering, validation and traditional medicinal wealth. Ethno biology has documentation of ethno botanical polypharmacy of therefore attained momentum as a distinctive area of tribal in Wayanad (Kerala). For the convenience of scientific research to experimentally assess and derive the study, Wayanad district was broadly divided benefits from the existing natural wealth, the into two ecological zones, wet and the dry. This science also helps us to understand conservation of division was on the basis of edaphic, climatic and natural resources, while protecting the rights of the biogeographic features. Among the 6 sites selected 4 —————— were in wet zone and 2 were in dry zone (Table 1). *Corresponding author Preference was given to wet zone because of the 668 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 11, NO 4, OCTOBER 2012

Table 1—Profile of the study sites and the respondents referral centre, Department of studies in Botany, Ecological Name of the Socio- Gender groups Total University of Mysore and voucher specimens were Zones area cultural number of deposited. Males Females group informants Separate transact walks were under taken with the Wet Zone Thavinzhal Kurichya 3 1 4 traditional healers at different seasons of the year to Tirunelli Kattunaika 5 3 8 identify and collect different antidiabetic medicinal Mananthavadi Kurichya 5 2 7 plant ingredients of the recipe. A detailed information Edavaka Kurichya 4 4 8 Vellamunda Paniya 6 2 8 on availability of medicinal plants, people’s preference Panamaram Kurichya 6 3 9 for one species over the other and the gender Kaniyambetta Kurichya 10 2 12 difference in the collection and processing of Kottathara Paniya 4 4 8 medicinal plants are also obtained5 are presented Vengappally Kurichya 10 1 11 in the Table 2. A preliminary validation of ethno Kalpetta Kuruma 6 2 8 medicinal practices was considered as preliminary Muttil Kurichya 4 0 4 step to establish which plants are safe, effective and Dry Zone Mullankolly Paniya 8 2 10 Sulthanbattery Kattunaika 5 2 7 should be discontinued. It also ensures that clinical Nenmeni Kuruma 5 5 10 trials will not be wasted on plants that are used for Noolpuzha Paniya 4 2 6 cultural or religious purpose. The validation of remedies was conducted by non experimental method 6. Total 85 (70) 35(30) 120 Validation scores of each ethno botanical therapeutic *Values given in parenthesis represent per cent population. is mentioned in Table 3. abundance of tribal communities and species richness in terms of plant diversity. From the selected study Results sites 16 hamlets were selected, of these 16 hamlets Traditional healers of Wayanad formulate their 12 belongs to wet zone and 4 belongs to dry zone. therapeutics keeping in mind the conditions of Selection of the study site was on the basis of a grided sickness and the healing properties of the individual map of the district 2. The profile of the study sites and ingredients. It is important therefore, that herbal respondent are summarized in the Table 1. medicines and preparations should be taken with the A total of 120 traditional healers (85 men and considerations of their holistic therapeutic approach. 35 women) of post reproductive age group were The study revealed a total of 44 plant species belongs interviewed on traditional therapy of type 2 diabetes to 41 genera comes under 28 plant families being (old age diabetes). 6-8 trips were arranged in a season, used in their 23 antidiabetic preparations. Among queries were made only to 2 to 3 informants a day. the 23 angiosperms 04 species were monocots and Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) method was used 37 were dicots. There was only 01 gymnosperm. Among for obtaining the data 3. The target group includes full the medicinal species there were 27 trees, 3 shrubs, time and part time herbalists. Specific questions were 11 herbs, 05 climbers and 01 large scramble. The asked in the interview as the questions mentioned study revealed the use of roots in 18 plant species, in the questionnaire designed in the Department of stem bark in 12 species, wood in 04 species, rhizome Studies in Botany, University of Mysore, Mysore, 01 species, corm in 01 species, gum exudates in Karnataka, India (Table 2). Prior informant consent 01 species, flowers in 02 species, fruits in 03 species, (PIC) was obtained from the informants in view of pith in 01 species, whole plant in 02 species, and reproducing the medicinal information. Information seeds in 04 species. In 04 plant species juice were supplied by the informants was recorded when at least used as medicine, paste in 01 species, decoction in 5 informants independently report the use of a recipe 42 species, powder in 02 species, infusion in 01 species in the treatment of type 2 diabetes 4. Plant specimens and extract in 01 species. Of the 23 medicinal recipes were collected when available to verify their common 21 were compound recipe in liquid form and 02 were name, scientific name and authenticity. Validated compound recipe in dry tablet form, 04 plant species therapeutic prescriptions were recorded stressing on, were the constituents in 01 recipe, 03 plant species plant ingredients of the recipe, part of the plant used, were the constituents in 18 recipes and 02 plant method of preparation of the recipe and the prescribed species were the constituents in 04 recipes. In 21 dosage. Plants were identified at the Herbarium preparations 03 ml of the recipe was advised and in DILIP KUMAR & JANARDHANA: ETHNO BOTANICAL POLYPHARMACY OF TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN 669 WAYANAD (KERALA) TO TREAT TYPE 2 DIABETES

Table 2—Questionnaire used to survey on antidiabetic medicinal plants Department of Studies in Botany University of Mysore, Mysore-570 006 1 Name...... Address...... 2 Occupation...... Date of collection...... Collection No...... 3 Taxon...... Family...... 4 Local names (s) specify language or dialect...... 5 Locality (specific) …….. Height...... Diameter...... 6 Other characters 7 Bark characteristics...... 8 Smell ………………….. Latex...... Colour of the latex...... 9 Tree part used in Medicine ………………. 10 Root ………………….. Stem...... Twig...... Root Bark …………… Stem Bark...... 11 Flower ………………… Fruit...... Seed...... 12 How plant is used ……... Fresh...... Dried...... Boiled …………………. 13 Other plant or tree ingredient added to it ….. 14 Method (s) of preparation for use: Extracted with cold water Powdered:...... …………………... 15 With hot water ………… Boiled...... Extracted with local gin. Any other...... 16 Mode of administration... Dosage...... 17. Any other comment on information…………….. 2 preparations 02 gm was advised. Medicinal recipe 4 shrubs species there was Ixora coccinia Linn. was advised for 2 months in 02 recipes, 04 weeks in (Rubiaceae), Salacia fruiticosa Laws. (Caelastraceae), 03 recipes, 03 weeks in 09 recipes, 02 weeks in Woodfordia fruiticosa Kurz. (Lytheraceae), Asparagus 05 recipes and 01 week in 03 recipes. Among the racemosus Wild. (Liliaceae). Climbers represent medicinal plant species Cedrus deodara belongs to 5 species, Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. gymnosperms. Four families as Arecaceae, Liliaceae, (Menispermaceae), Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Orchidaceae and Poaceae are of monocotyledons and Miers ex. Hook .f. & Thoms. (Nyctaginaceae), the remaining are dicotyledons. Trees were the Rubia cordifolia Linn. (Rubiaceae), Marsdenia dominant population representing 27 species such as tenacissima W. & Arn., Gymnema sylvestre R.Br. Arenga wighti Griff., Areca catechu Linn. (Arecaceae), (Asclepiadaceae). Herbs represented 11 species, Acacia catechu Willd., Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Mimosa pudica Linn. (Fabaceae), Oryza sativa Linn. Laud., Cassia fistula Linn., Erythrina variegata Linn., (Poaceae), Tribulus terrestris Linn. (Zygophyllaceae), Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., Pseudarthria viscida Nervilia plicata Schltr. (Orchidaceae), Boerhaavia (Linn.) Wight and Arn. (Fabaceae), Terminalia arjuna diffusa Linn. (Nyctaginaceae), Desmodium gangeticum (Roxb) Wight & Arn., Terminalia bellarica (Gaertn.) (Linn.) DC. (Fabaceae), Eclipta alba Hassk., Roxb., Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae), Inula racemesa Hook.f., Saussurea lappa C B Clarke. Syzygium caryophyllum (Linn.) Alston., Syzygium (Asteraceae), Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers. cumini Linn. (Myrtaceae), Salix tetras Erma (Fabaceae) and Solanum indicum Linn. (Solanaceae). Roxb. (Salicaceae), Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Vent. The ethno medicinal plants used in Wayanad (Kerala) (Bignoniaceae), Bombax ceiba Linn. (Bombacaceae), for the treatment of type 2 diabetes are summarized Calophyllum apetalum Willd. (Cluciaceae), Shorea in the Table 3. robusta Gaertn. f. (Dipterocarpaceae), Phyllanthes emblica Linn. (Euphorbiaceae), Azhadirachta indica A. Discussion and conclusion Juss. (Meliaceae), Ficus glomerata Roxb. (Moraceae), Findings of the present investigation were in Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud. (Pinaceae), Aegle agreement with the findings of Erasto et al., studied marmelos Correa ex. Roxb. (Rutaceae), Madhuca ethno botanical use of anti diabetic plants used by longifolia (Koen.) Macber. (Sapotaceae), Symplocos traditional healers, herbalists and rural dwellers at laurina Wall. ex. Rehd. & E.H.Wils. (Symplocaceae), Eastern Cape Province. Two types of treatments were Premna latifolia Roxb. (Verbinaceae). Among the widespread among traditional healers in Wayanad, 670 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 11, NO 4, OCTOBER 2012

Table 3—Ethno Botanical Therapeutics used by the tribal healers in Wayanad for the therapy of diabetes SL Botanical name, family, Local name Part used and Preparation of medicine Dosage Validation No habit and part used. score 1 Arenga wighti Griff., Jnetti, i. Crush 20gm, fresh young roots of Areca using Three ml of preparation 4 Arecaceae, Tree, Pith. wooden mortar and pestle to yield 10 ml of juice is advised once in a day Areca catechu Linn., Adakka, on squeezing, and taken for one Arecaceae, Tree, Roots. ii. Boil 15gm, dried crushed roots of Mimosa in month. Mimosa pudica Linn., Thottalvadi, 100 ml of water for 2 minutes, Fabaceae, Herb, Roots. iii. Add 10gm of Arenga pith powder to Areca, Mimosa extract mixture.

2 Coscinium fenestratum i. Take 15gm, dried crushed wood of Coscinium in Three ml of medicinal 4 (Gaertn.)Colebr., Maramanjal, 100ml of water and boil for 3 minutes to preparation used twice Menispermaceae, Climber, Wood. separate the extract, in a day and continued. Acacia catechu Willd., Karingali, ii. Take 10 gm, dried crushed heart wood of Acacia Fabaceae, Tree, Wood. and Ficus in 100ml of water and boil for Ficus glomerata Roxb., aalmaram, 3 minutes to separate the extract, Moraceae, Tree, Wood. iii. Finally, mix extracts i and ii.

4 Terminalia chebula Retz., Kadukka, i. Boil 10gm each, dried crushed stem bark of Three ml of medicinal 3 Combretaceae, Tree, Bark. Azhadi and Terminalia, in 100 ml of water and preparation is advised to Azhadi rachta indica A juss., Veppu, boil for 3 minutes. take twice in a day and Meliaceae, Tree, Bark. continued.

5 Symplocos laurina Wall.ex. Rehd.& i. Take 10gm of dried crushed bark of Symplocos, Three ml of decoction is 4 E.H.Wils., Pachotti, Syzygium and dried powdered root of Mimosa in advised thrice in a day Symplocaceae, Tree, Bark the fold of a clean cotton cloth and boil in 100ml and continued for two Mimosa pudica Linn., Thottalvadi, water for 3 minutes. week Fabaceae, Herb, Root. Syzygium caryophyllum (Linn.) Alston., Njaral, Myrtaceae, Tree, Bark.

6 Cassia fistula Linn., Konna, i. Boil 5gm each dried crushed bark of Cassia, Single tablet is advised 4 Fabaceae, Tree, Bark. dried crushed bark of Terminalia and dried twice a day after food Terminalia arjuna (Roxb) Wight & crushed bark of Coscinium in 100ml of water and continued for three Arn., Neer maruth, Combretaceae, for 3 minutes, weeks. Tree, Bark. ii. Add about 300gm of fine rice bran powder to Coscinium fenestratum (Gartn.) the infusion and blend thoroughly, Coleb., Maramanjal, iii. Prepare spherical tablets of 3gm weight by Menispermaceae, Climber, Bark. rolling on cleaned palm white. Oryza sativa Linn., Nellu, Poaceae, Herb, Rice bran.

7 Mimosa pudica Linn., Thottalvadi, i. Take 10gm, dried crushed roots of Mimosa and Single tablet is advised 4 Fabaceae, Herb, Roots. dried crushed bark of Terminalia in the fold of a to take twice in a day Terminalia arjuna (Roxb) Wight & clean cotton cloth and boil in 100ml water for after food for two Arn., Neer maruth, Combretaceae, 3 minutes, weeks. Tree, Bark. ii. Add about 300gm of fine rice bran powder to Oryza sativa Linn., Nellu, the infusion and blend thoroughly, Poaceae, Herb, Rice bran. iii. Prepare spherical tablets of 3 gm weight by rolling the preparation on cleaned white palm.

8 Ixora coccinia Linn., Thetti, i. Boil 10gm each dried crushed roots of Ixora in Three ml of decoction is 4 Rubiaceae, Shrub, Roots. 100ml of water for 3 minutes, advised to take twice a Erythrina variegate Linn.,var . ii. Boil 10 gm each dried crushed bark of Erythrina day after meal and orientalis (Linn.) Merr., Murukku, and dried crushed flower of Woodfordia in continued. Fabaceae, Tree, Bark. 100 ml water for 3 minutes for decoction, Woodfordia fruiticosa Kurz. iii. Finally, mix preparations i and ii. Thathiri, Lytheraceae, Shrub, Flowers.

(Contd.)

DILIP KUMAR & JANARDHANA: ETHNO BOTANICAL POLYPHARMACY OF TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN 671 WAYANAD (KERALA) TO TREAT TYPE 2 DIABETES

Table 3—Ethno Botanical Therapeutics used by the tribal healers in Wayanad for the therapy of diabetes (Contd.)

SL Botanical name, family, Local name Part used and Preparation of medicine Dosage Validation No habit and part used. score 9 Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud., i. Take 10gm each of the dried crushed heart wood Three ml of decoction is 4 Devatharam, Pinaceae, Tree, Heart of Cedrus, dried crushed roots of Rubia and advised to take twice a wood. dried crushed flowers of Woodfordia, in the fold day after meal and of clean cotton cloth and boil in 100ml of water continued. for 3 minutes.

Rubia cordifolia Linn., Manjetty, Rubiaceae, Climber, Roots.

10 Madhuca longifolia (Koen.) Macber., i. Boil 10gm each of the dried crushed seeds of Three ml of extract is 4 Ilippa, Sapotaceae, Tree, Seeds. Madhuca and powdered gum of Shorea in advised to take twice in Shorea robusta Gaertn f., 100ml of water for 3 minutes, a day after meal and Chenchalyam, Dipterocarpaceae, ii. Soak 10gm dried crushed bark of Bombax in continued. Tree, Gum. 100ml of water overnight to get infusion on the Bombax ceiba Linn., Ilavu, next day, Bombacaceae, Tree, Bark. iii. Finally, mix preparations i and ii.

Tribulus terrestris Linn., Jnerinjil, i. Take 10gm each of the dried crushed fruits of Three ml of prepared 4 11 Zygophyllaceae, Herb, Fruits. Tribulus and dried crushed roots of Salix in the mixture is advised to Boerhaavia diffusa Linn., fold of a clean cotton cloth and boil in 100 ml of take twice in a day after Thazhuthama, Nyctaginaceae, Herb, water for 3 minutes, meal and continued Roots. ii. Boil 10 gm dried roots of Boerhaavia in 100 ml Salix tetrasperma Roxb., Vanchi, water for 3 minutes, Salicaceae, Tree, Roots. iii. Finally, mix preparations i and ii.

12 Cedrus deodara loud., Devatharam, i. Take 10gm each of the dried crushed wood of Three ml of prepared 4 Pinaceae, Tree, Wood. Cedrus in the fold of a clean cotton cloth and mixture is advised take Cassia fistula Linn., Konna, boil in 100ml of water for 3 minutes, twice in a day after Fabaceae, Tree, Bark. ii. Boil dried crushed bark of Cassia and dried meal and continued. Terminalia bellarica (Gaertn.) crushed seeds of Terminalia in 100 ml of water, Roxb., Thanni, Combretaceae, Tree, iii. Finally, mix preparations i and ii. Seeds.

13 Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) i. Take 10gm each of the dried crushed roots of Three ml of prepared 4 Pers.,Uzhinja, Fabaceae, Herb, Roots. Tephrosia and dried crushed roots of Marsdenia mixture is advised to Eclipta alba Hassk., Kayoonyam, in the fold of a clean cotton cloth and boil in take twice in a day after Asteraceae, Herb, Root. 100 ml of water for 3 minutes, meal and continued. Marsdenia tenacissima W.&Arn., ii. Crush 20gm of young fresh shoots of Eclipta in Maruva, Asclepiadaceae, climber, coconut milk to produce 25 ml of juice, Roots. iii. Finally, mix preparations i and ii.

14 Solanum indicum Linn., i. Take 10gm each of the dried crushed bark of Three ml of mixture is 4 Cheruchunda, Solanaceae, Herb, Solanum, dried crushed roots of Inula and dried advised to take thrice a Bark. crushed rhizome of Saussurea in a fold of clean day after meal and Inula racemosa Hook.f., cotton cloth and boil in 200 ml of water for continued. Pushkaramoolam, Asteraceae, Herb, 3 minutes to prepare a mixture of extract. Root. Saussurea lappa C B Clarke., Kottam, Asteraceae, Herb, Rhizome.

Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Laud., i. Crush 20gm of fully bloomed flowers of Butea Three ml of prepared 3 15 Chami, Fabaceae, Tree, Flowers. in 20ml of water to get 10ml extract, mixture is advised to Terminalia chebula Retz., Kadukka, ii. Take 10gm each of the dried crushed fruit wall of take thrice a day after Combretaceae, Tree, Fruit pulp. Terminalia and dried crushed roots of Mimosa in meal and continued. Mimosa pudica Linn., Thottalvadi, the fold of a clean cotton cloth and boil in 200ml Fabaceae, Herb, Roots. of water for 3 minutes to get the extract, iii. Finally, mix preparations i and ii.

(Contd.)

672 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 11, NO 4, OCTOBER 2012

Table 3—Ethno Botanical Therapeutics used by the tribal healers in Wayanad for the therapy of diabetes (Contd.)

SL Botanical name, family, Local name Part used and Preparation of medicine Dosage Validation No habit and part used. score 16 Syzygium caryophyllatum (Linn.) i. Take 10gm each of the dried crushed bark of Three ml of decoction is 4 Alston., Jnaral, Syzygium and Terminalia in the fold of a clean advised thrice a day Myrtaceae, Tree, Bark. cotton cloth and boil in 200ml water for after food for three Terminalia arjuna (Roxb) Wight & 3 minutes to get the extract. weeks. Arn., Neermaruth, Combretaceae, Tree, Bark.

17 Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., i. Take 10gm each of the dried crushed bark of Three ml of extract is 4 Venga, Fabaceae, Tree, Bark. Pterocarpus and Symplocos in the fold of a advised to take thrice in Symplocos laurina Wall.ex. clean cotton cloth and boil in 200ml of water for a day after meal and Retd.& E.H. Wils., Pachotti, 3 minutes to get the extract, continued. Symplocaceae,, Tree, Bark. ii. Extract is cooled in a water bath.

18 Terminalia chebula Retz., Kadukka, i. Take 10gm each of the dried crushed fruit wall of Three ml of extract is 4 Combretaceae, Tree, Fruit pulp. Terminalia and dried crushed stem bark of Cassia advised to take thrice in Cassia fistula Linn., Konna, in the fold of a clean cotton cloth and boil in a day after meal and Fabaceae, Tree, Stem bark. 200ml water for 3 minutes to get the extract, continued. Bombax ceiba Linn., Ilavu, ii. Boil 10gm of dried powdered gum of Bombax in 100 ml of water to separate the extract, Bombacaceae, Tree, Gum. iii. Finally, mix extracts i and ii.

19 Mimosa pudica Linn., Thottalvadi, i. Crush 20gm each of the Chopped whole plant of Three ml of mixture is 4 Fabaceae, Herb, Whole plant. Mimosa and Chopped dried tuber of Asparagus advised to take thrice in Asparagus racemosus Willd., in 50 ml of water to squeeze out 20 ml of a day after meal and Sathavari, Liliaceae, Shrub, extract, continued. Tuberous roots. ii. Crush 10gm dried crushed seeds of Calophyllum Calophyllum apetalum Willd., Punna, in 10 ml of ethyl alcohol to separate the extract, Clusiaceae, Tree, Seeds. iii. Finally, mix extracts i and ii.

20 Aegle marmelos Correa ex Roxb., i. Take 10gm of bark of Agile in the fold of a clean Three ml of mixture is 3 Koovalam,Rutaceae, Tree, Bark. cotton cloth and boil in 200ml water for advised to take thrice in Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Vent., 3 minutes to get the extract, a day after meal and Palakapayyani, Bignoniaceae, ii. Boil 10gm each dried crushed roots of Oroxylum continued. Tree, Roots. and dried crushed roots of Premna separately as Premna latifolia Roxb., above and mixed together, Munja,Verbenaceae, Tree, Roots. iii. Finally, mix preparations i and ii.

21 Desmodium gangeticum (Linn.) DC., i. Take 10gm each of the dried crushed roots of Two ml of mixture is 4 Moovila, Desmodium and Pseudarthria in the fold of a advised to take thrice in Fabaceae, Herb, Roots. clean cotton cloth and boil in 200ml water for a day after meal and Pseudarthria viscida (Linn.) Wight 3 minutes to get the extract, continued. and Arn., Moovila, ii. Crush 20gm of fresh whole plant of Boerhaavia Fabaceae, Tree, Roots. to squeeze out 20 ml of extract, Boerhaavia diffusa. Linn., iii. Finally, mix preparation i and ii. Thazhuthama, Nyctaginaceae, Herb, Whole plant

22 Phyllanthus emblica Linn., Nelli, i. Crush 20gm of fresh fruits of Phyllanthus to Three ml of mixture is 4 Euphorbiaceae, Tree, Fruits. squeeze out 10 ml of juice, advised to thrice in a Asparagus racemosus Wild., ii. Crush 10gm each of the roots of Asparagus and day after meal and Sathavari, Liliaceae, Shrub, Roots. Tinospora in a wooden mortar to squeeze out continued. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. 5 ml of juice, Ex. Hook.f.& Thoms., Amrutha, iii. Finally, mix preparation i and ii. Menispermaceae, Climber, Root.

(Contd.)

DILIP KUMAR & JANARDHANA: ETHNO BOTANICAL POLYPHARMACY OF TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN 673 WAYANAD (KERALA) TO TREAT TYPE 2 DIABETES

Table 3—Ethno Botanical Therapeutics used by the tribal healers in Wayanad for the therapy of diabetes (Contd.) SL Botanical name, family, Local name Part used and Preparation of medicine Dosage Validation No habit and part used. score 23 Gymnema sylvestre R.Br., i. Take 10gm each of the dried crushed roots of Two ml of prepared 4 Chakkarachedi, Gymnema and dried crushed bark of Syzygium mixture is advised to Asclepiadaceae, Climber, Roots. in the fold of a clean cotton cloth and boil in take thrice in a day after Syzygium cumini Linn., Jnaral, 200ml water for 3 minutes to get the extract, meal and continued. Lauraceae,Tree, Bark. ii. Boil dried crushed root of Salacia in 100 ml of Salacia fruticosa Laws.,Ekanayakam, water to get the extract, Celastraceae, Shrub, Roots. iii. Finally, mix extracts i and ii.

24 Nervilia plicata Schltr., Nilathamara, i. 10 gm of dried under ground Nervilia stem is Three ml of the 4 Orchidaceae, Herb, Rhizome. boiled in 100 ml of water for 3 minutes and preparation is advised to Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) the extract is added to 50 ml of Coscinium take once in a day for Colebr., Maramanjal, stem infusion. one month and Menispermaceae, Climber, Stem. continued. herbalists with their herbal polypharmacy and curing elements. Despite of their antidiabetic ritualists with correct dose of herbal medicine property, many of the therapeutics have not been accompanied by ritual. The ceremonial associated pharmacologically validated to ascertain their with prescription long 3-4 hrs, the medical men with therapeutic potential. his acquaintances and the community head decide the treatment and rituals on diagnosis. Specific dose of Acknowledgement medicine with suitable adjuvant were advised to Authors are thankful to the Chairman, Department revive health. Recipes were obtained mixing fixed of studies in Botany, University of Mysore, Karnataka, amount of wet or dry medicinal plant ingredients for the herbarium facilities and library consultation. in suitable adjuvants. Collection of medicinal Authors are also thankful to the local traditional ingredients was under taken by elders during early healers and herbalists helped in gathering valuable hours of the day or late hours of the evening traditional medical knowledge. depending on disease and the treatment. Certain herbal ingredients need purification in substances like References lemon juice, turmeric, local jin, cattle urine etc. Plants 1 Cheryl A Lans, Ethno medicine used in Trinidad and Tobago were harvested at the home provinces or at the forest for urinary problems and diabetes, J Ethno biol Ethno med, 2 (2006) 45-48. on sustainable basis. 2 Narayanan R, Ratheesh MK, Swapna, MP & Anil Kumar N, Local herbal healers of Wayanad (Kerala), India Dimensions of Wild Food Management in Wayanad, Kerala, have numerous medicinal prescriptions aimed directly M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Wayanad, 1(2004) 1-37. to treat type 2diabetes. There are over 150 herbal 3 Sajem AL & Gosai K, Traditional use of medicinal plants by preparations including simple and compound recipes the Jaintia tribes in North Cachar hills district of Assam, and diets for diabetes healthcare. This traditional north east India, J Ethnobiol Ethnomed, 14 (2006) 2-15. medical knowledge has demonstrated a potent 4 Erasto P, Adebola PO, Grierson DS & Afolayan AJ, An ethno botanical study of plants used for the treatment therapeutic system for the treatment of type of diabetes in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, 2 diabetes. Unlike modern pharmacy, aboriginal Afr J Biotechnol, 4 (2005)1452-1460. polypharmacy offers integrated care of the body 5 Ganesan S, Suresh N & Kesavan L, Ethno medicinal survey rather removing the disease symptoms. Healers of the of lower Palani hills of Tamil Nadu, Indian J Tradit Knowle, 3(2004) 299-304. area bear sound belief on herbal polypharmacy. 6 Idu M, Gill LS, Omonhinmin CA & Anjela E, Ethno According to them correct mixing of plant ingredients medicinal use of trees among Bachama tribe of Adamawa with suitable adjuvant causes evolution of disease State, Nigeria, Indian J Tradit Knowle, 5 (2005) 273-278.