Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 42(1), January - February 2017; Article No. 46, Pages: 274-299 ISSN 0976 – 044X Research Article A Study on Medicinal Plants in Kozhenchery Taluk, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala Antony Nitheesh, Asha Paul, Fathima K.M, Aravind.R, Sreeja C Nair* Department of Pharmaceutics, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amrita University, Kochi-682041, India. *Corresponding author’s E-mail: [email protected] Received: 28-07-2016; Revised: 23-11-2016; Accepted: 15-01-2017. ABSTRACT The paper is based on the medicinal plants used by the natives in Kozhenchery Taluk, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. The people have good knowledge of medicinal plants in surroundings. A total of 190 plants were documented during the survey. This helps the newer generation to know about the traditional treatment and medicinal plants used by the primitives. Keywords: Medicinal plants, kozhenchery taluk, pathanamthitta, kerala INTRODUCTION METHODOLOGY he primitive generation in Pathanamthitta district The work also included field study; conducted for two has knowledge of medicinal properties of plants months in the year 2014-2015. that are commonly available. T The initial phase of the study was done in the This knowledge was passed from one generation to kozhenchery taluk where locals with knowledge in the another by orally. field were contacted. Now this knowledge about plants does not transfer The identification of local vernacular names of many properly due to developmental activities. species were done. In this back ground the study of medicinal plants used The usage of the indigenous flora were recorded. commonly in this district was undertaken and Further study was the collection of chemical and documented. taxonomical data’s of plants from Internet, Journals, The common plants have a key role in the local Ayurvedic books and specialist in botany. communities in this district. It is observed that the common plants have high nutritional value and medicinal properties. The local communities rarely use the synthetic medication because of the availability of medicinal plants from the surroundings. They prefer traditional treatment for the common diseases and cold that provided by vaidyans.1 Study Area The Pathanamthitta district occupying an area of 2697.15 sq km lies between 9’5”N latitude and 76’38’ and 77’ 16” E longitude. This district is divided into five taluks; Thiruvalla, Mallapally, Ranni, Kozhenchery, Adoor. The topography is with hills and valleys. Altitude ranges from 5-1200m and temperature varies from 26-36’C. Forests occupy 645 of the total area of the district. This district is also home to 6 native tribal communities 1 who are well versed in the usage of medicinal plants. Figure 1: Study Location Map International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net 274 Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net © Copyright protected. Unauthorised republication, reproduction, distribution, dissemination and copying of this document in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 42(1), January - February 2017; Article No. 46, Pages: 274-299 ISSN 0976 – 044X Enumeration Table 1 gives a detailed description about medicinal plants in study area.2-32 Table 1: Enumeration of Medicinal Plants in Study Area Medicinal Uses or S. No. Vernacular Name Botanical Name Family Chemical Constituents treatment of Anti asthmatic Anti diabetic Phenols, Tannins, Steroids, Alkaloids, Flavanoids, Vit K, Aminoacids, Beta Setosterol, D- Anti diarrhea 1. Aalmaram Ficus religiosa Moraceae Glucoside. Anti epileptic Gastric problems Anti inflammatory Anti diabetic Anti aging 2. Aambal Nymphaea nouchali Nymphaeaceae Alkaloids, Saponins, Tannis, Flavanoids. Rejuvenation Menstrual irregularities Anti cancer Dermatitis 3. Aathapazham Annona squamosa Annonaceae Vit C, Diterpenoids, Alkaloid(Astisine), Oxophoebine, Reticuline, Atidine, Hetrophylline. Astringent Drastic purgative Cough & cold Anti asthmatic 4. Adalodakam Adhatoda beddomei Clarke Acanthaceae Alkaloids, Tannins, Phenolics, Flavanoids, Vasicine, Quinazoline, Alkaloids, Trypsine. Anti spasmodic Anti diabetic Sedative Purgative 5. Alasaipomaram Delonix regia Leguminoseae Flavanoids, Tannins, Cardiac Glycoside, Amino Acids, Alkaloids. Anti inflammatory Arthritis Tonify the spleen Reduce internal fever 6. Amara Lablab purpureus Leguminoseae Protein, Carbohydrates, Vit B1, Minerals (Iron, Magnesium, Calcium). Anti diarrhea Anti cancer Anti inflammatory Fever Betasitosterol, Stigmasterol, Squalene, Lutenin, Aminoacids, Saponins, Tannins, 7. Amarchakoti Cayratia carnosa Vitaceae Neuralglia Glycosides. Spleenopathy Cardiac disorder 8. Ambazham Spondias mombin Anarcardiaceae Tannins, Essential Oils, Beta Caryophyllene, Humelene, Cardinene. Anti inflammatory International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net 275 Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net © Copyright protected. Unauthorised republication, reproduction, distribution, dissemination and copying of this document in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 42(1), January - February 2017; Article No. 46, Pages: 274-299 ISSN 0976 – 044X Diuretic Purgative Leprosy Immuno stimulant Tonsillitis 9. Amrytu Tinospora cordifolia Menispermaceae Dierpenes, Polyphenols, Polysacchrides (Arabinogalactin). Anti cancer Pharangitis Ulcers Anti inflammatory 10. Anamrytu Anamirta cocculus Menispermaceae Quarternary Alkaloids (Berberine), Palmitine, Magnoflorine, Picrotoxin (Toxic). Chronic skin disease Bronchitis Anti epileptic Anti asthmatic 11. Anapparuva Pothos scandens Araceae Fixed Oil, Proteins, Alkaloids, Glycosides, Phenolics. Snake bite Malarial fever Smallpox Anti microbial Laxative 12. Anjilichakka Artocarpus hirsutus Moraceae Flavanoids, Alkaoids, Terpenoids, Saponins. Snake bite Skin disease Anti inflammatory Fever 13. Aranamaram Polyalthia longifolia Annonaceae Clerodane Diterpenes, Protoberberinalkaloids, Steroids, Phenols. Skin disease Anti diabetic Skin disease Anti diabetic 14. Asoka Saraca asoca Caesalpiniaceae Tannins, Glycosides, Lyoniside, Cyanidin, Fatty Acids, Flavanoids. Scabesian Anti inflammatory Astringent Carminative 15. Athi Ficus racemosa Linn Moraceae Sterols, Triterpenoids (Lanosterol), Alkaoids, Tannins, Flavanoids, Beta Sitosterol, Lupeol. Vermifuge Anti dysentery Anti tumor Flavanoids, Gallic Acid, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Triglycerides, Ricinolien, Ricin (Toxic), Anti oxidant 16. Avanaku Ricinus communis Linn. Euphorbiaceae Ricinine. Anti diabetic Purgative Trachispermum Anti septic 17. Ayamothakom Apiaceae Essential Oils, Sabinene, Terpinen-4-Ol, Ligustilide, Terpinene. roxburghianum Anti spasmodic International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net 276 Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net © Copyright protected. Unauthorised republication, reproduction, distribution, dissemination and copying of this document in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 42(1), January - February 2017; Article No. 46, Pages: 274-299 ISSN 0976 – 044X Stimulant Stomach ache Anti asthmatic Stomatitis Skin diseases Oils, Proteins, Micro & Macro Nutrients, Fatty Acids, Tannins, Flavanoids, Kaempferol, Anti diarrhea 18. Badam Terminalia catappa Linn Combretaceae Quercetin, Saponins, Phytosterols. Rheumatism Dysentery Headache Burning sensation Anti diarrhea 19. Chama Panicum sumatrense Poaceae Protein, Fat, Crude Fibre, Carbohydrate, Lipids. Dysentry Dyspepsia Wounds & ulcers Nervine tonic Saponins, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Bhamoside, Glucose, Sedative 20. Brahmi Centella asiatica Umbelliferae Arabinose. Anti Spasmodic Anti stress Leucoderma Anti emetic Essential Amino Acids, Crude Carbohydrates, Fat, Fibre, Phenols, Tannins, Phytic Acid, Anti diabetic 21. Irul Xylia xylocarpa Mimosaceae Hydrogen Cyanide, Trypsin Inhibitor. Fever Obesity Pruritus Eye disease Chronic fever Leucorrhoea Glucoside, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Palmitic, Stigma Sterol, Steroids, Triterpene, 22. Chamatha Butea monosperma Fabaceae Anti epileptic Flavanoids. Leprosy Anti fungal Expectorant Sesquiterpenes, Lactone, Parthenolide, Costunolide, Magnograndiolide, Quercetin, Astringent 23. Champakam Michelia champaca Magnoliaceae Flavanoid Glycoside. Stimulant Rheumatisim Snake bite Volatile Compounds, Alpha and Beta Santalol, Cedrol, Esters, Aldehydes, Phytosterols, Inflamed skin 24. Chandanam Santalum album Lin Santalaceae Squalene, Vicenin, Vitexin, Isovitexin, Orientin, Isoorientin. Dysentery Removal of pimples Carotenoids, Triterpenoids, Ascorbic Acid, Resveratrol, Piceatannol, Pallidol, Taraxeryl 25. Changalaparenda Cissus Quadrangularis Linn Vitaceae Anti bacterial Acetate, Taraxerol, Phenol, Tannin, Carotene, Vitamins. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net 277 Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net © Copyright protected. Unauthorised republication, reproduction, distribution, dissemination and copying of this document in whole or in part is strictly