Vidyabharati International Interdisciplinary Research Journal 12(2) 44 - 4 7 ISSN 2319-4979 ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES ON THE FAMILY BORAGINACEAE AMONG TRIBALS IN KERALA T. Jose1 and V.T Antony2 1Centre for Research and Evaluation, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, TN, India 2Research and Development Centre, S.B. College, Changanacherry, Kottayam, Kerala, India [email protected] ________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Ethnobotany is the branch of science that embraces the study and evaluation of interdependence among humans and the flora in all facets of life. Currently ethnobotany have stretched out its zone of study into diverse spheres like archaeology, anthropology, economics, ecology, medicine, cultural, religious and many more directions. A significant portion of the human race still depends on the traditional treatment systems for many ailments. The present study is an attempt to grab and document ethnobotanical information’s concerning the family Boraginaceae. 20 tribal groups across the state Kerala have been screened for grasping the ethnobotanical figures. A total of 6 members of the family Boraginaceae are used by the 10 tribal groups across the state of Kerala for treating various ailments. Considering the varied treatment modalities that have been espoused by discrete tribal clutches, the distinct medicinal formulations are practiced. The study have collected and recorded significant ethnobotanical data that will be a footing stone for new research and innovations in drug industry. ________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: Ethnobotany, Boraginaceae, Kerala, Tribal, Indigenous. Introduction individual family of the order Boraginales J.W. Harshberger (1895) introduced the term among the Asterids. According to George ethnobotany to specify plants utilized by the Benthem and Joseph Dalton Hooker, indigenous populations. It comprises the study Boraginaceae is included in the cohort and assessment of interrelationships between Polemoniales among the series Bicarpellatae humans and the flora in all aspects of life. (Subrahmanyam, 2009). The state Kerala Schultes (1962) explained ethnobotany as “the harbours 9 genera with 26 species of the family study exists among people of primeval Boraginaceae (Sasidharan, 2012). societies and their plant environment”. Now a The state Kerala is well known for rich days ethnobotany have extended its area of biodiversity and its traditional systems of study into various spheres like archaeology, medicine. The tribals in various parts of the anthropology, economics, ecology, medicine, state harbours indigenous treatment modalities cultural, religious and several other directions. grounded on plant based formulations. Though The research aspects of ethno pharmacological lot of ethnobotanical information’s are studies are overwhelming, as it is an available, the authentic documentation is very ambidextrous system in therapeutics for little. Also the younger generations of these decades (Abbasi et al., 2010). In the present indigenous groups are almost unaware about scenario also, a considerable portion of the their rich ethnobotanical experience. The human population rely on the indigenous present study aims to document the available treatment methods for many ailments traces of ethnobotanical information among the (Albuquerque et al., 2012). tribals in Kerala. The study points to explore The family Boraginaceae Juss., Gen. Pl. mainly the ethnobotanical data related to the [Jussieu] 128 (1789), nom. cons., usually members of the family Boraginaceae. Many of termed the borage or forget-me-not family the Boraginaceae members are a part of clamps 145 genera that embraces around 2,000 indigenous treatment modalities. species with a universal distribution (Luebert et Methodology al., 2016). Based on the APG IV system of Tribal groups are distributed among various classification (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, districts around the state. Simple random 2016), the family Boraginaceae counted as an sampling is used to select the tribal groups for June 2021 44 www.viirj.org Vidyabharati International Interdisciplinary Research Journal 12(2) ISSN 2319-4979 the study. The selected tribal groups are for gathering ethnobotanical information are explored and ethnobotanical information’s are Adiyas, Eravallans, Hill pulayas, Irulars, collected mainly through designed interviews, Kadars, Karimaplan, Kattunaikan, Koraga, discussions and conversations with key Kurichyar, Kurumbars, Malasars, informers. Field notes have been prepared Malamalasars, Malavettuva, Maratti, Mavilan, concerning the information’s gathered. The Mudugars, Mullukruma, Muthuvans, Paniyas collected ethnobotanical data comprises and Urali. Altogether, 6 members of family vernacular name of the plant, ethno botanical Boraginaceae are used by the 10 tribal groups uses, plant parts used, mode of preparation and across the state of Kerala for treating various treatment methods and medicinal formulations. ailments. Based on the diverse treatment Results modalities that have been adopted by different tribal groups, the different medicinal The present study documented the traditional formulations are used. The details of tribal usage pattern of the members of family groups and plant used are given in Table 1. Boraginaceae among 20 tribal groups across the State of Kerala. The tribal groups explored Table 1: Details of plants in the family Boraginaceae used by tribal groups Sl. Plants Vernacular Use Parts used Tribal group No. name/Common name 1. Rotula aquatica Kallurvanchi Stones in the Roots Paniayas, Kadars Lour. Kidney, Urinary problems 2. Heliotropium Thekkida Skin infections Whole Kurichyar indicum L. plant 3. Heliotropium Thelkkada Scorpion bites Leaves Kurichyar keralense Sivar. & Manilal 4. Cordia wallichii Avi, Edible Fruits Eravallans, Irulars, G. Don Puzhuventhekku, Kadars, Kurumbars, Kokkamani, Malamalasars, Malasars, Periyaviri, Mudugars and Muthuvans Virimaram, Cheruthekku 5. Cordia obliqua Veerusham, Edible, medicine Bark, Eravallans, Irulars, Willd. Pasakamaram, Viri Fruits Kadars, Kurumbars, Malamalasars, Malasars, Mudugars and Muthuvans 6. Cynoglossum Mudichilooram Diarrheal infection Roots Kurichyar zeylanicum (Vahl and gastrointestinal ex Hornem.) ailments Thunb. Ex Lehm. Discussion present inquiry among tribals has explored The indigenous treatment modalities that have much indigenous information about their been practiced in various ethnic groups have a diverse treatment modalities. The study long history and it is the footing of many drug surveyed a total of 20 tribal groups distributed inventions (Leonti et al., 2003). The treatment across the state of Kerala. The study modalities of plant origin is the premier health documented the ethno botanical experiences of care method for a major portion of the 6 Boraginaceae family members. Majority of population and it is well established that the tribal groups are using medicinal around 2500 species of plants have medicinal formulations of plant origin as a primary properties (Choudhary et al., 2008). The treatment method for various ailments even June 2021 45 www.viirj.org Vidyabharati International Interdisciplinary Research Journal 12(2) ISSN 2319-4979 today. The indigenous populations in the Garhwal districts, U. P. (Maheshwari and surveyed area are using plant based medicinal Singh, 1984), in Kheri district, U. P. by Tharus formulations for treating conditions like kidney (Maheshwari et al., 1980), in Haryana (Morni stones, skin infections, scorpion bites, diarrheal and Kalesar) (Jain, 1984). In Eastern Rajasthan infection, gastrointestinal ailments and urinary Upadhyay et al., (2010) conducted problems. These results are at par with ethnopharmaco-statistical ethnobiological previous ethnobotanical explorations (Dutta inquires, also pharmacognosy studies on and Dutta, 2005; Mahmood, et al., 2011). Cassia sp. have been done (Sharma et al., Though these treatment modalities are purely 2012a and 2012b). Ethnopharmacological rooted on plant based formulations, a scientific applications in the field of drug development authentication is needed. Hence a thorough were explored by Farnsworth (1990). Studies study in the field of phytochemistry and using drugs of plant origin have been carried cytotoxicity of the plant formulations used in out on diseases like leprosy, infections on the the treatment methods are required to reveal skin, malaria, gastrointestinal disorders etc., by the scientific aspects. The knowledge explored Upadhyay et al., (2008); Saini et al., (2010) will be a footing stone for new drug and Sharma and Kumar (2011 and 2012) with innovations. Many of these indigenous commendable outcomes. treatment modalities confined to these tribal Conclusion groups are not documented properly. Government projects on the tribal settlements All the time the new ethnobotanical uplifted the social status of the group. information’s engrained on plant based Establishment of primary health centres in medicinal formulations, related to the treatment tribal settlements leads to a change in the of various infirmities, is an asset to the modern selection of treatment methods from traditional medicinal innovations. The present study to the modern allopathic medicine. Moreover gathered and documented the ethnobotanical the information’s related to the indigenous usage of the family Boraginaceae among the treatment modalities are narrowed to the tribal groups across the State of Kerala.