ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS OF …

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Kumar et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS OF

HARYANA, INDIA

Gitika1 and Manoj Kumar

2*

1Department of Botany, JJT University,Vidyanagari, Jhunjhunu, 333001, Rajasthan, India.

2Department of Botany, Pt. N. R. S. Govt. College, Rohtak, 124001, Haryana, India.

ABSTRACT

The present study reveals the ethnobotany and traditional medicinal

uses of some medicinal plants of Haryana state, during different

seasons in 2015-2016. In the survey, a total of 66 plant species

belonging to 30 families were identified on the basis of their

ethnomedicinal importance revealed by the local informants. For each

plant species necessary information‟s like botanical name, family of

plant species, local name, hindi name, habit, plant part used and their

medicinal uses are given. In the present study the most dominating

families of the area are Moraceae with 6 species. The collected

medicinal plants showed a different life forms (habit) - herb, shrub,

tree and climber. Among the different parts of the plant, leaves are the most widely used part

of the plant for the medicinal values. Medicinal plants which are used by the local inhabitants

to cure various human diseases. As the rural folk and old aged peoples have long been using

plants for their various human ailments, but this information related traditional medicinal

uses of plants are not well documented. There is an urgent need for documenting these

folklores and traditional knowledge in some form before such valuable knowledge becomes

inaccessible and extinct.

KEYWORDS: Ethnobotany, Haryana, Medicinal plants, Diseases.

INTRODUCTION

Ethnobotany word is made from two words ethno and botany and the term was coined by

John William Harshberger in the 1890. Ethnobotany is the study of people and plants; this

represents good relationship between wild plants and tribal‟s. Ethnobotany is the branch of

Ethnobiology and complete information about plants and their medicinal uses is given by

WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

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Volume 5, Issue 8, 1717-1736 Research Article ISSN 2278 – 4357

*Corresponding Author

Dr. Manoj Kumar

Department of Botany, Pt.

N. R. S. Govt. College,

Rohtak, 124001, Haryana,

India.

Article Received on

16 June 2016,

Revised on 06 July 2016,

Accepted on 26 July 2016

DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20168-7420


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ethnobotanical studies.[1]

Plants represent an enormous pool of natural resources that can

produce various products and chemicals for the advantage of all other life forms, and

ethnobotany reveals historical and present plant use to fulfill a wide variety of human

needs.[2, 3]

The nature has bestowed human being with a rich source of different plants which

are utilized for various purposes, especially as medicines by ethnic people.[4]

The allopathic

medicines which may cause serious side effects and also have decreased the ethnomedicinal

knowledge of the people and the roles of plant from the medicinal point of views.[5]

Due to lack of the specific research and awareness, the people at the concerned site are not

getting full benefits from this ancient heritage. In this regard with the help of local people, it

needs to be taken and documented. The plant at the site are facing threat of loss due to

ignorance and various mismanagement activities of human beings as overgrazing, timber and

fuel wood harvesting, etc. The documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge is important for

species conservation and sustainable use of resources. Furthermore, such studies are often

significant in revealing locally important plant species, sometimes leading to the discovery of

crude drugs

The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) reported that 80% of the world populations rely

chiefly on indigenous medicine and that the majority of traditional therapies involve the use

of plant extracts or of their active constituents.[6]

There are over 20,000 species of wild edible

plants in the world, yet fewer than 20 species now provide 90% of our food.[7]

Utilization of

plants for medicinal purposes in India has been documented long back in ancient literature

because they are essential for human survival.[8]

The first record of medicinal plants was

recorded in the Rig Veda between 4500-1600 BC and Ayurveda between 2500-600BC.[9]

According to the National Medicinal Plants Board, Govt. of India, a number of 17,000 to

18,000 species of flowering plants are estimated of which 6,000 to 7,000 species are found to

have medicinal uses in folk and documented systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani,

Siddha and Homoeopathy.[10]

Because of the fast acceleration of market demand for herbal

medicines, and recent controversies related to access, benefit sharing and biopiracy, the

documentation of indigenous knowledge is of urgent priority. Many ethnobotanical studies

have been carried out in different parts of India and abroad.[1, 11-32]

The local inhabitants have enormous knowledge about medicinal uses of plants is mostly

undocumented and transmitted orally from generation to generation. Therefore, it is urgent to

explore and document this unique and indigenous, traditional knowledge, before it diminishes


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with the knowledgeable persons. Further, documentation of indigenous and traditional

knowledge is very important for future critical studies which lead to sustainable utilization of

natural resources.[33]

Keeping these aspects in mind, the present study was proposed to

document the ethnomedical knowledge of traditional healers in, Haryana. Related

information like botanical name, family of plant species, local name, hindi name, habit, plant

part used and their medicinal uses are also documented for future reference.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

(A) Study Area

Haryana state is rich in plant biodiversity and provides habitat for a significant number of

medicinal plants, so, the study was carried out in Haryana (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Map of Haryana state

It is located between 27°37' to 30°35' N latitude and between 74°28' and 77°36' E longitude.

The altitude varies between 700 to 600 ft (200-1200 meters) above sea level. Haryana is

divided into four physical divisions - (1) Shivalik Hills, (2) Plain areas, (3) Sandy areas, and

(4) Dry areas of Aravalli Ranges. Since Haryana is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas,

so the climate in winters is extremely cold and even touches 0 degrees, but the summers here

are extremely hot and the temperature goes above 40 degrees sometimes touching even 47

degrees. Haryana consist of eight rivers with Ghaggar and Yamuna being the main rivers of

the state. About 80% of the rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. An area of 1,553 km is

covered by forest and dry, deciduous thorny shrubs can be found all over the state. In

Haryana, there is a great biodiversity of medicinal plants. Major population resides in villages

where life supporting facilities are lacking. The people are mostly dependent on plant


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resources for their livelihood including the native therapy for health care. Traditional

medicines based on herbal remedies have always played a key role in the health system of

many countries.[34]

The aim of the present study, conducted for the documentation of

ethnobotanical data of some medicinal plants carried out by regular surveys of Haryana,

during the year 2015-2016.

(B) Methods of information and data collection

The present study will be carried out with repeated field surveys in the different areas of

Haryana, and the basis of plant selection is their uses in traditional and Ayurvedic system of

medicines. The ethnobotanical information is collected through several informal interviews

and discussions with the traditional healers, Vaidhyas, Hakims, tribes and older rural herbal

practitioners in and around the study area. The information about local name, part used, and

its medicinal importance will be collected. Specimens of all species were collected,

photographed and identified with the help of available floras.[11,35]

The medicinal uses of

plant species were cross checked from the available literature.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

In the present study, a total of 66 medicinal plant species belonging to 30 families were

identified on the basis of their ethnomedicinally importance revealed by the local people in

Haryana. In the following account these species have been listed with- botanical name,

family, local name, hindi name, habit, parts used, and medicinal uses (Table 1).


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Table 1. List of medicinal plants for treating human diseases in the study area, Haryana, India.

S.N. Botanical Name Family Local name Hindi name Habit Part(s) Used Medicinal uses

1. Barleria cristata L. Acanthaceae Kala Bansa Kala Bansa Shrub Whole plant

Inflammations, fever, bronchitis,

blood diseases, biliousness,

tympanitis and asthma.

2. Barleria prionitis L. Acanthaceae Piya bansa Katsareya,

Vajardanti Shrub

Leaves

Skin eczema, relieve toothache,

prevent feet maceration and cracking

in the monsoon season.

3. Trianthema portulacastrum

L. Aizoaceae Santhi Salsabuni Herb Whole plant

Bronchitis, heart diseases, blood

diseases, inflammations, piles and

ascites. The root is applied to cure the

eyes, corneal ulcers, piles, itching,

dimness of sight, night blindness and

cathartic.

4. Daucus carota L. Apiaceae Carrot Gajar Herb Root and seeds

Kidney troubles, dropsy, blood

cleanser, good for eyes, biliousness

and jaundice.

5. Catharanthus roseus (L.)

G.Don Apocyanaceae Sadabahar Sadabahar Herb Whole plant

Anticarcinogenic agent for some

specific types of cancers such as

leukemia. Used in menorrhagia and

relief of pain due to a wasp sting and

control hypertension.

6. Carissa canandas L. Apocyanaceae Karaunda Karaunda Shrub Fruits Intestinal worms and relieve fever.

7. Rauvolfia serpentina (L.)

Benth. ex Kurz Apocyanaceae Sarp gendha Nakulikanda Shrub Root

Scorpion-sting, snakebite and

employed in labors to increase

uterine contractions.

8.

Tabernaemontana

divaricata (L.) R.Br. ex

Roem. & Schult.

Apocyanaceae Chandani Jasmine Shrub Root bark Urinary discharges, venereal sores

and rheumatic pains.

9. Thevetia peruviana (Pers.)

K.Schum. Apocyanaceae Pila Kaner Kanar Shrub

Stem and root

bark. Treatment of skin boils or ringworms.


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10. Calotropis gigantea (L.)

Dryand. Asclepiadaceae Safed-aak Safed Aak Shrub

Stem bark,

flowers, leaves

and root

Dysentery, diarrhea, mental

disorders, cough, cold, scorpion-

sting, fever and jaundice.

11. Leptadenia pyrotechnica

(Forssk.) Decne. Asclepiadaceae Khip Khip Herb Leaves and root Asthma and spermatorrhoea.

12. Ageratum conyzoides Linn. Asteraceae Gandheli Gandheli Herb Whole plant Skin boils, sores and inflammation.

13. Erigeron canadensis L. Asteraceae Palita Palita Herb Whole plant Diarrhea and stomach pain.

14. Sonchus asper (L.) Hill Asteraceae Dodhak Sahadevibari Herb Whole plant Wounds, boils, emollient and breast

to increase lactation.

15. Xanthium strumarium L. Asteraceae Chirchita Chhata Dhatura Herb Root, leaves,

fruits

Cancer, scrofula, ulcers, boils,

abscesses, diuretic, diaphoretic,

demulcent and small pox.

16. Brassica rapa L., Brassiaceae Sarson Sarson Herb Seeds oil Earache, relieve sneezing, itching,

soothing and cooling agent.

17. Opuntia dillenii (Ker

Gawl.) Haw. Cactaceae Nagphan Nagphani Shrub Whole plant

Asthma, tuberculosis, whooping

cough, gonorrhea, skin tumors and

skin boils.

18. Bauhinia variegata L. Caesalpiniaceae Kachnar Kachnar Tree Stem bark Sore throat and cough, hemorrhagic,

bleeding piles and blood in urine.

19. Senna occidentalis (L.)

Link Caesalpiniaceae Kasaundi Barikasondi Herb

Leaves,

flowers, roots

and seeds

Wooping cough, malaria, fever,

yellow fever, headache,

conjunctivitis, snake bite

antibacterial, diuretic, antimutagenic,

antiplasmodial, anticarcinigenic,

night blindness, and skin diseases.

20. Saraca indica L. Caesalpiniaceae Asok Asok Tree Stem bark

Uterine diseases, menorrhagia,

dysmenorrheal amenorrhea and

internal hemorrhoids of the uterus.


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21. Cannabis sativa L. Cannabaceae Bhang Bhang Herb Whole plant

Asthma, cystitis, diarrhea, dysentery,

gonorrhea, gout, epilepsy, malaria,

fevers, diuretic, anodyne, anti-

inflammatory, antispasmodic,

cholagogue, emollient, hypnotic,

hypotensive, laxative, narcotic,

ophthalmic relieving side effects of

cancer of anorexia nervosa and

sedative.

22. Canna indica L. Cannaceae Keli Sabbajaya Herb Root Demuicent, stimulant, diaphoretic,

diuretic and dropsy.

23. Capparis decidua (Forssk.)

Edgew. Capparidaceae Kair Karer Shrub

Stem, root,

flowers and

fruit

Toothache, gum decay, gastric

trouble, bleeding piles, swelling of

rheumatic joints, dyspepsia and

asthma.

24. Chenopodium album L. Chenopodiacea

e Bathu Chukander Herb

Leaves and

flowers

Cough, cold, relieves indigestion,

laxative, blood purifier, anthelmintic,

intestinal ulcers, piles, throat and eye

trouble, tonic, diuretic, and

aphrodisiac, biliousness, hepatic

disorder, spleen enlargement,

antiseptic, stomach troubles,

weakness in children.

25. Combretum indicum (L.)

DeFilipps Combretaceae Rangoon ki bel Climber

Leaves

Leaves are given in a compound

decoction for the flatulent distension

of the abdomen.

26. Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.

ex DC.) Wight & Arn. Combretaceae Anjani Tree

Leaves, stem

bark and fruits

Astringent, diuretic, febrifuge, anti-

dysenteric, relief in symptomatic

hypertension, cirrhosis of liver,

fevers, fractures, contusions, cardiac

tonic, fruits tonic, deobstruent and

cure earache.


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27. Terminalia bellirica

(Gaertn.) Roxb. Combretaceae Behara Behara Tree

Stem bark and

fruit

Digestible, laxative, anthelmintic,

anaemia, leucoderma bronchitis, sore

throat, biliousness, inflammations,

strangury, asthma; diseases of the

eye, nose, heart, and bladder.

28. Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt Cucurbitaceae Ram Kachri Kanduri Climber Fruits and roots Cough and sore throat and diabeties.

29. Lagenaria siceraria

(Molina) Standl. Cucurbitaceae Ghia, Lauki Lauki Climber

Leaves, fruits,

flowers and

seeds

Headaches, pimples, boiled in oil,

rheumatism, baldness, stomach

acidity, indigestion, ulcers, antidote

to poison, dropsy, vermifuge and

boils.

30. Momordica balsamina L. Cucurbitaceae Jangli karela Karela Climber Fruits Stomachic, anthelmintic and cure the

wounds.

31. Momordica charantia L. Cucurbitaceae Karela Karela Climber Leaves and

fruit

Relief of burning of soles of the feet,

nightblindness, leprosy, piles,

jaundice, rheumatism, blood diseases,

anaemia, urinal discharges, asthma,

ulcers,bronchitis, diseases of liver

and spleen, dysmenorrhoea, burns,

boils and roundworms.

32. Phyllanthus emblica L. Euphorbiaceae Amla Amla Tree Fruits and milk

Jaundice, relieves leucorrhea, urinary

infections, dysentery, cough and

bronchitis.

33. Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Dodak Dudhi Herb Whole plant

Cure gastro-intestinal disorders,

asthma, bronchial affections,

respiratory diseases, conjunctivitis,

demulcent, hypertensive,

hypoglycaemic, local parasiticide,

affections of childhood, bowel

complaints, cough, postnatal

complaints, failure of lactation, breast

pain, cardiovascular system, a


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sedative effect on mucous membrane

of respiratory and urinogenitory tract.

34. Euphorbia prostrata Aiton Euphorbiaceae Prostrate

spurge Dudhi Herb

Whole plant

Diarrhoea, haemorrhage, anti-

inflamatory, blood purifier, relieve

pain of insect bite, burning,

ringworms and fever.

35. Phyllanthus fraternus

G.L.Webster Euphorbiaceae Bhumi amla Bhuinavalh Herb Whole plant

Diabetes, dropsical disorders,

gonorrhoea, genitourinary diseases,

cleaning offensive sores, snake bites

jaundice, constipation, stomachache,

malarial fevers dyspepsia and

dysentery.

36. Mentha spicata L. Lamiaceae Pudina Pudina Herb

Roots and stem

(juice)

Leprosy, cardiac debility,

haematemesis, cough, bronchitis,

anaemia, ulcers of skin and mucous

membrane, seminal weakness and

general debility, jaundice and other

bile disorders.

37. Ocimum basilicum L. Lamiaceae Marua Marua Herb Grains Dysentery and diarrhea.

38. Ocimum americanum L. Lamiaceae Nagad

Bawari Nagad Bawari Herb Leaves

Stomachic, anti-neuralgic. Treatment

of stomach cancer, fevers, headaches

and digestive disorders.

39. Ocimum tenuiflorum L. Lamiaceae Tulsi Baraunda Herb Leaves and

seed

Constipation, sore throat, respiratory

disorders, stress and reduction of

blood cholesterol level.

40. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. Lilaceae Aloe Ghiguvara Herb Leaves Fever and thirst.

41. Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. Liliaceae Piazi Piazi Herb Leaves

Stomachic stimulant, croup, catarrh,

bronchitis, cardiac stimulant, diuretic,

malaria, gastric diseases of children,

disorders of the liver, destroy

intestinal worms, genito-urinary

systems and cures skin diseases.


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42. Abutilon indicum (L.)

Sweet Malvaceae Kanghi Kanghi Herb Leaves

Gonorrhoea, spermatorrhea and

leucorrhea.

43. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. Malvaceae China Rose Jasum Shrub

Mainly the

central tissue of

the leaf, which

contains Aloe

gel.

Healing abilities internally, stimulates

immune system, stomach disorders,

destroying abusive bacteria and fungi

in the intestinal tract, laxative, pain

reliever, ability to restore body

tissues, wound healing, dandruff and

facial edema.

44.

Malvastrum

coromandelianum (L.)

Garcke

Malvaceae Kharenti Kharenti Herb Whole plant Relieve in bite of bees and wasps.

45. Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. Mimosaceae Kiker Kiker Tree Leaves and root

Kidney stones, fever, restlessness,

diarrhea, sore throat and hoarseness

of voice.

46. Mimosa pudica L. Mimosaceae Chhui-mui Lajwanti Herb Whole plant

Regulate menstruation, stimulate

blood circulation, liver disorders,

high blood pressure and in

aphrodisiac, headache, arthritis, boils

and coughs, wounds and ulcers.

47. Artocarpus heterophyllus

Lam. Moraceae Kathal Kathal Tree Whole plant

Diaphoretic, emollient, cooling,

analgesic, antidysenteric, anti-

inflammatory and used in jaundice,

sores, wounds and ulcers.

48. Ficus benghalensis L. Moraceae Bargad, Bar Bar Tree Gum Emollient, burns, sore nipples and

hemorrhage from leech bites.

49. Ficus carica L. Moraceae Fig (Anjir) Anjir Tree Whole plant,

roots and seeds.

Diarrhoea, fever, headache,

haemorrhage, stomachache, sensation

of body, diarrhoea, dysentery,

asthma, biliousness, vaginal and

uterine complaints haemophilic

conditions, leucorrhoea, piles and


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fistula, scorpion sting, morbid

conditions of vagina; aphrodiasiac,

vulnerary and antiseptic.

50. Ficus racemosa L. Moraceae. Gular Gular Tree Fruits

Acrid, oleaginous, tonic, fattering,

aphrodisiac, carminative, tonic;

useful in “kapha”, biliousness,

“vata”, leprosy, ulcers.

51. Ficus virens Aiton Moraceae. Pilkhan Pakar Tree

Stem bark,

latex, milk and

aerial root

Painful piles, exudation of puss,

diarrhea, dysentery, diabetes,

rheumatism, heel cracks, toothache,

painful joints, decay between the

toes, decrease blood sugar, relief

from ringworm and micturition.

52. Morus alba L. Moraceae White

mulberry Tutri Tree

Stem, leaves,

fruit and milk

Soothing the mucous membranes of

our respiratory tract, relieve acidity,

blood purification, removal of warts

and skin boils.

53. Moringa oleifera Lam. Moringaceae Sainjna Sainjana Tree Fruits

Relieves bleeding piles, dysentery

and gonorrhea in woman, strengthens

gums and relieves bad mouth odor.

54. Callistemon lanceolatus

(Sm.) Sweet Myrtaceae Bottle brush Botal brush Tree

Leaves, stem

bark and roots

Treat frequent and scanty urinary

discharges, woman genital to treat

foul smell, gargle in sore throat,

common cold and cough.

55. Syzygium cumini (L.)

Skeels Myrtaceae Jamun Jamun Tree

Fruit, leaves,

stems, bark

Hypoglycaemic, treat colds, sore

throats, flu, eye infections,

nosebleeds, rheumatic pains, spasms,

high blood pressure, relieve

toothache, treatment of urinary

incontinence, diabetes, dizziness,

tinnitus and hypertension.

56. Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Papilionaceae Shisham Shisham Tree Root and stem Anorexia, verminosis, paralysis,


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bark flatulence, inflammations, ringworm

and abortion.

57. Tephrosia purpurea (L.)

Pers. Papilionaceae Jhojru Sarphonka Herb Leaves Inflammation.

58. Saccharum officinarum L. Poaceae Ganna Ganna Herb Fruits, seeds

and leaves

Treatment of pain and bleeding

during urination, diabetes, pimples,

skin disease, dysentery and headache.

59. Sorghum bicolor (L.)

Moench Poaceae Jawar Jowari Herb Root Asthma and scabies.

60. Punica granatum L. Punicaceae Anar Anar Shrub

Fruits, flowers,

stem bark, root

bark

Tonsillitis, acidity, dysentery and

treatment to tapeworms.

61. Murraya koenigii (L.)

Spreng. Rutaceae. Kari patta Gandhela Shrub Leaves Dysentery.

62. Datura innoxia Mill. Solanaceae Safed

Dhatura Safed Dhatura Herb

Leaves, roots,

flowers and

seeds

Inflammation, asthma, relieve eye

pain, headache, nose trouble,

enlargement of testicles, boils,

leucoderma, skin diseases, ulcers,

itching, bronchitis, biliousness,

jaundice and piles.

63. Physalis minima L. Solanaceae Palpotan Chirpoti Herb Leaves

Useful in inflammations, ear-ache,

enlargement of the spleen and

abdominal troubles.

64. Solanum nigrum L. Solanaceae Makoi Makoi Herb

Whole plant

and leaves

Cure corroding ulcers, anthrax,

rheumatic joint pains, inflammation

of the kidneys, bladders, gonorrhea,

rheumatic and gouty joints, skin

diseases, dysentery, vomiting,

asthma, bronchitis, leucoderma and

urinary discharge.


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65. Solanum virginianum L. Solanaceae Chhoti

Kateri Katai Herb

Whole plant,

roots and fruits

Stomachic, cough, asthma, pain in

chest, fevers, stones of bladders,

bronchitis, muscular pains,

enlargement of liver and spleen,

blood cancer, vomiting, and fever,

carminative and used in burning feet.

The roots are carminative and form a

constituent of Ayurvedic preparation

„Dasmula”.

66. Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae Ragadd Tulsidal Shrub Flowers, stem

and root

Antidote to snakebite and antipyretic

to relieve high fever.


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In the present ethnobotanical study, the most dominating families of the area are

Apocyanaceae with 7 species followed by Asteraceae, Moraceae and Solanaceae each with 6

species, then Euphorbiaceae and Papilionaceae with 5 species each, Cucurbitaceae,

Lamiaceae and Verbenaceae each with 4 species, Caesalpiniaceae. Combretaceae, Malvaceae

and Poaceae each with 3 species, Acanthaceae, Apiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Brassiaceae,

Chenopodiaceae, Lilaceae, Mimosaceae, Myrtaceae and Rutaceae with 2 species each,

Aizoaceae, Amaranthaceae, Cactaceae, Cannabaceae, Cannaceae, Capparidaceae, Caricaceae,

Casuarinaceae, Moringaceae, Polygonaceae, Punicaceae, Sapotaceae and Simaroubaceae are

represented by one species (Figure 2).

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Nu

mb

er o

f p

lan

t s

pecie

s

Families

Figure 2: Number of species in different families of medicinal plants

The collected medicinal plants showed a different life forms (habit)- herb, shrub, tree and

climber. In the present study, herbs were the primary source of medicine (48%) followed by

trees (24%), shrubs (20%) and climbers (08%) (Figure 3).

Herbs

Shrubs

Trees

Climbers20 %

24 %

8 %

48%

Figure 3: Distribution of medicinal plant species according to their life form


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In the present study, most widely used medicinal part are the leaves, accounting 19% of the

reported medicinal plant uses, followed by whole plant (16%) and root (15%), root bark

(3%), seeds (7%), fruits (14%), stem (5%), stem bark (8%), flower (7%) and others (6%)

(Figure 4 ).

Leaves

Whole plant

Stem

Stem bark

Root

Root bark

Fruits

Flowers

Seeds

Others

16%

3%

14%

7%

15% 8%5%

7% 19%6%

Figure 4: Percentage of different plant parts used in traditional medicine

A result that is in general agreement with many ethnobotanical studies.[36-38]

The leaves are

the main photosynthetic organs containing photosynthates which might be responsible for

medicinal values.[39, 40]

The indigenous communities throughout the world, mostly utilized

leaves for the preparation of herbal medicines. Collection of leaves and then using them as

medicine is very easy as compared to roots, flowers and fruits.[41, 42]

. Another reason of using

leaves could be concerning conservation of the plants as digging out roots might be the cause

of death of the plant and putting the species in a vulnerable condition.[43-45]

With the help of these medicinal plants a wide range of several human ailments like asthma,

blood diseases, anorexia nervosa, loss of appetite, constipation, cholera, cough, cold, cancer,

conjunctivitis, cirrhosis of liver, cardiac debility, dimness of sight, diabetes, dysentery,

enlarged liver and spleen dysentery, expel intestinal worms, fever, gonorrhea, genitourinary

diseases, heart diseases, inflammations, jaundice, kidney troubles and stones, leprosy,

leucorrhea, malaria, mental disorders, night blindness, nervous debility, nausea, pimples,

postnatal complaints, reduce profuse menstruation, rheumatism, relieving earache, respiratory

disorders, stomachache, seminal weakness, spider bites, snakebite, skin boils or ringworms,

small pox, skin tumors, sore throat, stomach acidity, stimulate blood circulation, toothache,

treatment of intestinal worms, tuberculosis, treatment of dandruff, uterine contractions,

ulcers, internal hemorrhoids of the uterus, venereal sores, vomiting, whooping cough, etc.

problems were common.


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In the present investigation, it was found that the plant materials in combination with other

plant materials are also used to prepare some medicines. Some medicines were found to be

prepared by using other substances, such as sugar candy, curd, honey, hair oil, milk and

turmeric powder. In addition, at instances warming or heating is also recommended. This

type of suggested way of taking the herbal medicines might be to enhance the efficacy of

herbal remedies or to make the remedy more palatable masking the undesirable taste when

taken orally. The medicinal plants are usually collected from wild habitat, when there is a

need.[46]

In spite of the rich wealth of bioresources, development is far from meeting the expectations

of local people, mainly in terms of existing health care facilities and herbal industries that

will generate employment and development of the state. The information generated from the

study regarding the use of medicinal plants by the villager‟s need, a thorough phytochemical

investigation, including alkaloid extraction and isolation along with few clinical trials. This

could help in creating mass awareness regarding their conservation, promotion of ethno-

medico-botany knowledge within the region besides contributing to the preservation and

enrichment of the gene bank of such economically important species before they are lost

irrevocably.[47]

CONCLUSION

The present study reveals that the plants are still a major source of medicine for the people of

the study area, and are used to cure several human health problems. The information given

could be useful for researchers in the field of ethnobotany, taxonomy and pharmacology. The

modern generation is inclined towards the use of allopathic medicines and it seems that

traditional knowledge of medicinal plant could be lost. There is a threat of losing this wealth

of knowledge in the near future. The awareness and documentation about the medicinal

floristic wealth or plant medicinal values will helpful in the preservation of traditional

medicinal practices and the plant wealth of the concerned site. The traditional medicinal

knowledge not only play an important role in community health care, but is also important for

the present and future plans for the drug development.

COMPETING INTERESTS

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors express their sincere thanks to the Principal, Pt. N.R.S Govt. College, Rohtak for

cooperation and encouragement. The authors also gratefully acknowledge Professor S.

Srivastava, Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India for

suggestion and guidance.

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ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS OF …