EIHNo-MEDTcTNAL PL.lNrrs Uspo ns PnvrorHERApEUTrc AcBNrs pon CunrNc

Vlnrous WOUNoS IN TIm HIr,r,y RBcTON Or Pa,scmlr MrorNpUn DrSrrucr,Wnsr Bnuc.tL, INpr,t

Pijush Kanti Das And Amal Kumar MondalPlant Taxonomy, Biosystematics and Molecular Taxonomy Laboratory, Department of Botany and Forestry, Vidyasagar

University, Midnapore-721102, West Bengal, India.

Emaal: pijush.dasbot@ yahoo. co. in, amalcaebotvu@ gmail. com

The present study deals with 17 ethno-medicinal plants species which are traditionally used to cure various

wounds like septic, burning etc. by the people of two hilly regions Belpahari and Kankrajhore of Paschim

Medinipur district. The basis of information are observations, interviews, discussion with local and ethnic

people and cross checking with other folk practitioners. In the present world of science and technology and

availability of modem medical facilities, the documentation and preservation of these practices are essential

and are neededfor conservation and preservation of these plants, otherwise we are bound to lose this indigenous

knowledge forever.

Key Words : Biodiversity conservation; ethno-medicinal plants; traditional; ethnic people;

folk practitioners; indigenous knowledge.

Introduction

People have been using plants or plant products

since time immemorial and have been tryingcontinuously to exploit it by modifying its physical

and genetical characters according to their need. Amajor part of the total population in developingcountries still uses traditional folk medicine obtained

from plant resources (Farnsworth 1994 & Srivastava

et al. l995)'Medicinal plants are gaining popularities

because of several perceived advantages such as

fewer side effects and better patient compliancePaschim Medinipur district under the state of West

Bengal is a part of Chotonagpur plateau.TheJhargram Subdivision is popular for being rich inbiodiversity and tribal communities among the foursuMivisions of this district. The two hilly regions

Kankrajhore and Belpahari are situated under Binpurtr (community development block). This zone istargely surrounded by the Sal (Shorea robustaLint.)forest. Normally the tribal communities use the

plants in their daily life as foods, fiber, fuel, cloths,

shelter and for the treatment of various humanailments. Most of the tribal communities have

trditional tribal council, which plays an importantrole in the social and religious life. Plants play an

important role in their medical-lore (Rao and Henry1996). The various tribal communities of this districtuse these plants parts for curing various wounds

like cuts, burns, abrasion and ulcers etc. in theirdaily life. Discovery of antibiotic drugs is onarending spiral in recent past because of the lack

of cures for chronic diseases and side effects

especially of western drugs, a search is made toseek alternative medicine. The traditional or ethno-

medicine has gained importance again in modern

times. Few works on medicinal plants has been done

in this area prior to the author's own work (Das

and Mondal 2009, 2012). The author carried outinvestigation in two hilly regions Kankrajhore and

Belpahari in Paschim Medinipur district and focus

about the traditional medicinal uses of different plantparts by the ethnic or tribal communities for curingvarious types of wounds.

Materials and Methods

The present data is an outcome of extensive

investigation of ethno medicinal plants in the twohilly regions Kankrajhore and Belpahari of Paschim

Medinipur district (Fig. 1) during the period of June

2008 to luly 2012. The study area Kankrajhore(under Bhulaveda gram panchyat) lies between22"42'13" N Latitude and 8tr36'24" E Longitudeand Belpahari (gram panchyat) (Fig. 3) lies between

22"41'lO" N Latitude and 86"36'56" E Longitudein Binpur II block under the Jhargramsubdivisionof Paschim Medinipur district. Themedicinal uses and mode of administration to cure

various wounds were gathered from ethnic or tribalcommunities of this district like Santals Lodhas,

Mundas and Oraons etc. The collected data were

verified with standard literature. The informationwas further verified by cross checking from otherknowledgeable person whose empirical knowledgewas more respected by everyone in thestudy area.

ETHNOBOTANICAL STI]DIES IN INDIA

Results

The study revealed that 17 plant specierbelonging to 15 families distributed in 17 genera(Fig. 4-20) were generally used for ffeatment ofvarious wounds by the local and ethnic people inthese two hilly regions of Paschim Medinipurdistrict. During the survey it was observed har

ethnic or tribal people use the plant parts like rootsleaves, bark, flowers and fruits for preparation ofmedicine to treat various kinds of wounds like cuts"septic wounds, burning sensation, ulcers etc. Theparts of these plants were used alone or incombination with other herbal material directly as

fresh or dried form. The mode of application ismostly used directly to the affected parts as freshform of the plant parts. In this enumeration thescientific names of the 17 plants species are arranged

Study area- Belpahari and

Fig. l-The circle showing the study area of Paschim Medinipur district (Hilly regions-Belpahari and Kankrajhore)

The plant specimens were identified and collected alphabetically and also includes the family name.data were compared with the help of flora or local name, a brief description of the speciesstandard literature (Chatterjee and Pakrashi, l99l- reflecting only the distinguishing characters, plants2001; Chopra et al., 1956: Paria (Ed.), 2005 and parts used and mode of preparation of drugs.Das and Mondal, 2Ol2). T\e identification were Scientific name: Achyranthes aspera Liwt.further confirmed by the Botanical Survey of India,Srbpur, Howrah. TLe voucher plant specimens are Family: Amaranthaceae

deposited in the Botany Department of Vidyasagar Local name: Rechari, Buridatrum (Lo-.); chir-chifrUniversity, Midnapore, West Bengal, India. (Or.-), Sitirkad (San. -)

Paschim Medinipur

213

I

ETHNO-MEDICINAL PLANTS USED AS PHYTOTHERAPEUTIC AGENTS FOR CURING VARIOUSWOI]NDS IN THE HILLY REGION OF PASCHIM MEDINIPUR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL. INDIA

[f,scripfion: An erect, diffrrse herb, fine pubescent,.I aves simple, opposite, obovate-orbicular, entire,rounded. Flowers greenish white, in terminalqikes.Fruits deflexed; seeds shining.

lhnt parts: leaves

Iiode of preparation of drugs: Crushed leavesapplied to fresh cut wounds and ulcers as ahepmostatic to stop bleeding.

Scjenffic name: Amaranthus viridis Linn. Syz. A.gracilis Desl

family: Amaranthaceae

[.ocal name: Notya-ara (Lo.)

Description: Herbs; leaves alternate, simple,deltoid-ovate,; flowers in terminal or axillary spikes,pale green; fruits utricles, orbicular, compressed;seeds black

Plant parts: Root

Mode of preparation of drugs:Root juice appliedon cut wounds to stop bleeding.

Scientific name: Asparagus racemosus Willd.Family: Asparagaceae

Local name: Gai-sira, satawax (Lo.); FinajaperifMu.

.&Lo.)

Description: Scandent, spinous shrubs; spines suberect; cladodes 2-7 together, slightly compressed;flowers in recemes, small white; fruits berries,globose.

Plant parts: Root

Mode of preparation of drugs: Roots paste appliedon wounds,

Scientific name: Azadirachta indica A. Jws.Family: Meliaceae

Local name: Neem-daru (Lo.); Nim, bokom-dare(San.)

Description: A large tree. Leaves imparipinnate;leaflets ovate -lanceate, asymmetrical, serrate.Flowers white, in axillary recemose panicles. Drupesovoid -oblong, l-seeded.

Plant parts: [ravesMode of preparation of drugs: Leaves decoctionis used for washing septic wounds.

Scientific name: Bauhinia vahlii (Wight & Arn.)Benth.

Syn.Phanera vahlii (Wt. & Arn.)Benth.

Family: Caesalpiniaceae

Local name: Chihurlata, Sihar, Jom (San.)

Description: A large woody climber with circinatetendrils, young parts pubescent. Leaves simple,deeply bilobed, cordate. Flowers white, in terminalcorymboserecemes. Pods woody, flat, valvetyPlant parts: Stem bark

Mode of preparation of drugs: Stem bark pasteapplied to cure bone fracture

Scientific name: Carissa spinarum Linn.Family: Apocynaceae

Local name: Karowan (lo.); Karonda (San.)

Description: Shrubs; stems with milky juice andforked tlrons; leaves opposite, simple, elliptic-ovate;flowers in axillary and terminal cymes; white,tubelor. Fruits berries; dark purple when ripe.

Plant parts: Root

Mode of prtparation of drugs: Rootbarks paste tocure malignant ulcers and septic wounds.

Scientffic name: Cayratia trifolia (L.) Domin.

Syn. Wrrs fifu liaLinn.,Vti s c arno s a( Roxb. ) Watl., C.carno s a(l,lall.) Gagnep

Family: Vitaceae

Local name: Baiong (Lo.); Dabir (Or.); Goal (Mu.)

Description: A Perennial herbaceous climber;Tendril branched; leaves 3 foliate; leaflets ovate-lanceolate, obtuse; flowers small, axillary paniclewith divaicate cymes. Petals 4, oblong, white; Berryturbinate, black; seeds triangular.

Plant parts: Roots, leaves and stem

Mode of preparation of drugs: Root paste appliedto wounds and scabies. Leavesjuice applied on freshcuts to stop bleeding. Stempaste applied to healbone fracture.

Scientific name: Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.)Benth & Hook. f. Syn. kbidieropsis orbicularisMuell.-Arg.

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Local name: Karlajuri, Kargalli (San.)

Description: A small deciduous tree. Leaves simple,elliptic-obovate, retuse. Flowers pale yellow, in

zt4 ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES IN INDIA

axillary spikes. Capsules 3-locular

Plant parts: Stem bark

Mode of preparation of drugs: Stem barkdecoction in water applied for washing septicwounds; paste applied to cure sore in betweenfingers.

Scientific name: Cryptolepis buchanani R. Br. ex

Roem & Schult.

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Local name: Utridudhi, Laba(San.); Babeha (Or.);

Andati (Mu.)

Description: Larges twiners; stems with brownbarks, old barks peels off; leaves opposite, simple,

elliptic-oblong. Flowers in panicle cymes, paleyellow; clavate fleshy; pollinia minute.Fruitsfollicles; seeds black with silvery comas.

Plant parts: Root, leaf, stem

Mode of preparation of drugs: Root, leaf and stempaste applied on ulcers.

Scientific name: Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Local name:Tarmuli (San.); Talmuli (Lo.);Dralukuna (Mu.)

Description: Herbs; rootstock tuberous like leadpencils; leaves alternate, simple sessile, long,linear-lanceolate; flowers in recemes yellow,; fruitscapsules; seeds oblong, black shinning.

Plant parts: Root

Mode of preparation of drugs:Roots paste applied

on scorpion bites, to stop bleeding from cuts also

paste with long pepper given to cure stomach ulcers;

root bark juice mixed with milk and sugar given totreat bleeding piles.

Scientific name: I-annea coromandelica (Houtt.)

Menill Syn. L. grandis Engl.

Family: Anacardiaceae

Local name:Dhoka (San.): Jibal (Lo.)

Description: A big deciduous tree; stems with thickbark; leaves pinnately compound; flowers small,purplish; fruits drupes, red when ripe; seeds stony,

obovoid.

Plant parts: Stem bark

Mode of preparation of drugs: Stem bark pon^.kwith neem oil applied on ulcers.

Scientific name: Leea macrophyl/a Roxb. elHornem.

Family: Vitaceae

Local name: Hati-lor (Lo.), Bir-kanda, Harlr:.r'(San.)

Description: A large shrub. Leaves decompounds".

leaflets ovate to ovate-lanceate, ssrrate, acuminareFlowers white, in terminal corymbosecymes.

Plant parts: Tuberous root

Mode of preparation of drugs: Tuberous root pa-$r

applied in wounds to stop effusions of blood.

Scientific name: Morindaci trifulia Linn. S1a.

M. bracteata Roxb.

Family: Chaili (San.)

Local name: Rubiaceae

Description: Small trees; leaves opposite; rareItrinatelyverticillate, broadly elliptic. Flowers rrdense ovoid heads, white; fruits drupes.

Plant parts: Fruit and roots

Mode of preparation of drugs: Paste of unripefruit mixed with common salt used to treat wounilr..Decoction of roots applied for washing septicwounds.

Scientilic name: Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken"

Syn. S. trijuga Willd. & Klein.

Family: Sapindaceae

Local name: Baru (Sa.)

Description: A large tree; young parts bright redLeaves paripinnate; leaflets elliptic-oblong, entire-cuneate at base, obtuse-round at apex. Flowers pale

yellow, in axillary cymes. Drupes ovoid, blackishpurple when ripe.

Plant parts: Stem bark

Mode of preparation of drugs: Stem bark paseapplied to cure ulcerous wounds.

Scientific name: Urenalobata Linn.

Family: Malvaceae

Local name: Bhidijanetet, Bherilat (San.); Mindi-jata (Lo.)

ETHNO-MEDICINAL PLANTS USED AS PHYTOTHERAPEUTIC AGENTS FOR CURING VARIOUSWOUNDS IN THE HILLY REGION OF PASCHIM MEDINIPUR DISTRICT. WEST BENGAL. INDIA

215

Description: An erect undershrub. Leaves simple,Jeeply palmilobed. Flowers pink, solitary or 2-3i-lowered clusters. Schizocarp globose; seedsreniform.

Plant parts: Frresh leaves

\Iode of preparation of drugs: Fresh leaves juiceapplied to treat bone fracture, sprains; paste appliedto septic wounds.

Scientific name: VentilagodenticulataWilTd. Syn.V.maderaspatafla auct.non. Gaertn.; V. calyculataTttlsane

Family: Rhamnaceae

Local name: Banga-sarjom, Sanga-sarjom (Lo.);),ladnaru (San.)

Description: Scrambling shrubs; branchlets coiledinto tendrils; leaves alternate, simple, elliptic,pubescent; flowers in axillary and terminal recemes,

-rreenish. Fruits nuts like, linear-oblong, winged

Plant parts: Roots and stem bark

Mode of preparation of drugs: Root bark paste

applied to cure wounds. Stem bark decoction withblack pepper to treat stomach ulcer; paste with paste

of ginger used to heal bone fracture, paste appliedto all over body pain.

Scientific name: Vitex negundo Linn.

Family: Verbenaceae

Local name: Sinduari, Bengunia (San.).Bengunia-ba (Lo.)

Description: A small trees, leaves oppposit,palmately compound with aromatic shell.

Flowers bluish white, in pedunculate cymes.Fruitsdrupes, globose, black.

Plant parts: Leaves

\Iode of preparation of drugs: Decoction of leavesused for washing pox wounds.

Lo.- Lodha, Or..-Oraon, San.--Santal, Mu. --Munda

Discussion

For last few decades it has been observed thattraditional medicines are important resources ofhealth care worldwide in spite of increasing accessto modern medicine. The present investigationshows that local or tribal people maintain their

health through the use of various plants as medicineand have developed a close relationship to the plantsworld. During the survey 9 traditional medicinalpractitioners came across who gave the ethnictraditional knowledge to treat the various types ofwounds. Few of the wild plant specimens Asparagusracemosus Willd.; Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.)Benth & Hook.f.; Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.)Merrill; Cryptolepis buchanani R. Br. ex Roem &Schult.l Morindacitri folia Linn. Syn. M. bracteataRoxb; Ventilago denticulata Willd. are found in opendry deciduous forest areas in this hilly region. Butin recent times these plants are becoming rarebecause the people use the plants as fuel. Theknowledge of the use of plants to curing woundshas been with the age old people for generation butit has not been recorded. New generation are notwell aware of the uses of these plants. There isneed for researcher to explore and uncover all themedicinal potential of these indigenous plants.

Acknowledgement

The Authors are thankfull to the local or ethnicpeople of this study area for lucid discussions andcompleting the questionnaire. The authors are alsograteful to Dr Sanjukta Mondal (Parui), Departmentof Zoology (Biochemistry), Lady Brabourne college,Kolkata-7O0 017, West Bengal and Shri Tushar KanfiDas, Forest Ranger, Silviculture (South) Division,West Bengal for gathering valuable information.

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ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES IN INDIA

Fig. 2: The way of Kankrajhore forest; Fig. 3: The dry deciduous forest areas of Belpahari; Fig. 4z Achyranthes aspera Linn.Fig. 5z Amaranthus viridis Linn.; Fig. 6: Asparagus racemosus Willd.

) ,.a i

f {:irlj

ETHNO-MEDICINAL PLANTS USED AS PHYTOTHERAPEUTIC AGENTS FOR CURING VARIOUS

WOUNDS IN THE HILLY REGION OF PASCHIM MEDINIPUR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL' INDIA

Fig. 8 Fig. 9.Ii,-'i1,1!''r l:* -iIa S&g**rg**;

Fig. 10

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218 ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES IN INDIA

Fig. 18

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Fig. 18: Urena lobata Linn.

ETHNo.MEDICINALPLANTSUSEDASPHYTOTHERAPEUTICAGENTSFoRCURINGVARIoUS"w&$S IN iHE HILLY REGION OF PASCHIM MEDIMPUR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL' INDIA

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Fig. 20: Vitex negundo Linn.