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REVIEW OF LITERATURE

CHAPTER - II

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2.1. Review of Literature: The World

Anderson (1985) investigated ethnobotany of Akha tribes of Thailand and

reported 121 species and their medicinal uses. Dele Olowo Kudeio (1987) presented a brief

account of 21 medicinal plant species collected from the wild for expelling intestinal worms.

An ethnobotanical survery was carried out by Bonet and Valles. J (2003) in the ―Massif of

Monteseny‖, which is situated in north-east Catalonia (Iberian Peninsula) from 1993 to 2000.

They interviewed 180 people and collected ethnobotanical information for about 351

medicinal plants, with 4023 medicinal uses. Through comparison with a large set of studies,

501 unreproted or uncommon uses that corresponded to 201 plant species, 57 of which had

never or very rarely been cited as medicinal plants or toxic were reported.

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out by Chooi (1994) among the Temuan

Orang Asli. a tribe of indigenous people found in the central region of Peninsular Malaysia.

Traditional medicine, as practiced by the Temuan, involves three aspects: Spiritual, Physical

(massage and ritual movements) and Chemical (the use of medicinal plants). Medicine men

(known as Bomoh), the offspring of medicine men, and others studying traditional medicine,

were interviewed and the medicinal plants used to treat a variety of ailments were collected

for identification. In some cases, the dried plant material used by the medicinal men was also

collected. The Temuan do not cultivate medicinal plants: plants are collected from the forests,

forest fringes, and secondary vegetation. Gill and Nyawuiame (1994) reported 103

leguminous plants commonly used in ethnomedicinal practices in Nigeria.

Rivera and Obon (1995) collected samples of plants and prepared a local

herbarium. The specimens were collected from the wild or from plantations. The sample of

multipurpose complex mixtures were sold in plastic bags of 50g each. The infusion made

with this mixture is used as an analgesic for headache, as a tonic, as a febrifuge and for

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influenza. Bhattarai (1995) studied the folk medicinal uses of plants for respiratory diseases

in Central Nepal. George (1995) studied pharmacopoeia of 108 medicinal plants from 52

families.

El-Kamail and Khalid (1996) reported the use of 68 commonly prescribed

medicinal plants from Central Sudan. Yazicioglu and Tuzlaci (1996) worked on folk

medicinal plants of Trabzon (Turkey) and reported 67 species used as folk medicine. Several

field trips were organized, covering various remote localities in different seasons.

Zainon and Ong (2000) conducted an ethnobotanical study to document the

useful plants used by two aboriginal communities in Tapah, perak (Malaysia) The plants were

divided into four categories used for 1. food, 2. medicine, 3. general purposes and 4. rituals.

A total of 116 collections were found at Musoh, of which 41 species were utilized for food,

29 for medicine, 34 for general purposes and 12 for rituals. Of 107 collections recorded in

Gedong, 45 species were used for food, 23 for medicine, 24 for general purposes and 15 for

rituals.

Thirty seven plant species belonging to 22 families were identified by Nwosu

(1998). The study of Manandhar (1998) showed the use of 42 species from 24 families for

curing 17 types of diseases by the tribes of Western Nepal.

Nwosu (1999) reported 30 plants belonging to 21 families used in Southern

Nigeria by herbalists for the management of mental disorders. Ong and Norzalina (1999)

documented information on the use of 54 plant species, for different ailments during a survey

of the Malay herbal medicine in the Negi Sembilan State of Malaysia. Mac Donald Idu et al.

(1999) showed the traditional use of sorrel drinks for hypertension in northern Nigeria made

from the fleshy calyx of Hibiscus sabdorifa. The ethnobotanical survey among tribals of

Bangladesh by Rehman (1999) yielded 53 vascular plants, which cure several diseases. Diallo

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et al. (1999) enlisted 40 plant species belonging to 23 families used in the treatment of skin

diseases, malaria, cardiovascular problems, digestive disorders, and respiratory complaints by

the Gourma population of Mali

Otero et al. (2000) identified 101 species of plants to treat snake bites in North

West Region of Columbia. Medicinal plants are an important local resource for the

Washambaa of the Werstern Usambara Mountains in Tanzania. Schlage et al.(2000)

undertook ethnobotanical fieldwork carried out over 15 months. This study presented for the

first time in an analysis of medicinal plants used in Africa with a ranking of the taxa by the

frequency of their reported use. A total of 328 taxa were collected and yielded 2260

individual use reports. The most popular species were: Myrica saaalicifolia and Toddalia

asiatica. Subsequently, the use of reports were arranged into 9 groups of medicinal uses

based on the types of illness treated.

2.2. Review of literature: India

India has a vast knowledge of tribal and folk medicine, which utilized around

7500 species of plants as medicine. Ayurvedic and other traditional system of Indian

medicines fully depend on wild plants for preparation of drugs. Bibliography of ethnobotany

(Jain and Puri. 1984) contains nearly 2000 references covering almost all the major

publications in Indian as well as foreign. Field work has been done in different parts of the

country, during the last 35 years, and data on tribal-plant relationships have been recorded by

Jain (1991). Jain and Sikarwar (1997) gave a comparative account on ethnobotany of India

and South American plants used as medicines.

The medicobatanical study of 143 species of Tumkur district of Karnataka was

published by Yoganarasimhan et al. (1982). However, Khan and Chugtai (1982) reported

some plants used for curing skin afflictions in Madhya Pradesh. Jain and Puri (1984)

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explored the ethnomedicinal properties of 100 plants of Jaunsar Bawar hills of Uttar Pradesh.

Sebastian and Bhandari (1984) reported 69 species of ethnobotanical importance from Mount

Abu, Rajasthan. Rama Rao et al.(1984) reported 7 unknown or less known medicinal plants

used for various ailments by the aboriginals. Dixit and Pandey (1984) described 14 plants

used in the preparation of crude drugs in Jhansi and Lalitpur section of Bundelkhand region

of Uttar Pradesh.

Tribals of western Maharashtra are familiar with about 12 remedies for insect

bites. The ethnobotanical data were collected through interview with ethnic commnities by

Upadhye Kulkarni (2004). According to Jain (2000) there is global resurgence of interest in

ethnomedico-botany, and India provides most favourable place for rich ethnomedico-botany.

Hemadri (1981) studied 22 plants used for rheumatism by the aboriginals of

Andhrapradesh, Madhyapradesh and Orissa states. Maheshwari et al. (1981) surveyed about

five Tharu villages and gathered ethnomedicinal data on various plants, from the herbarium

of NBRI, Lucknow. Hemadri et al. (1987 a, b) based on medico-ethnobotanical explorations,

enumerated 117 well known medicinal plants widely used in different systems of medicine.

Bhoxa tribe of Nainital district, Uttarnachal revealed that the Bhoxas employ

nine herbal remedies for curing diphtheria in human beings. Information on medicinal value

of these plant species has been gathered through Bhoxa men and women of 90 villages by

Maheshwari and Singh (1984). Plant specimens have been collected, documented and

preserved in ethnobotanical herbarium. Das (1984) conducted ethnobotanical survey in the

area, which comprised of higher plants and studied a number of wild edible plants, used by

the Adi tribes of Arunachalpradesh. Negi (1986) studied edible wild plants of garhwal in five

districts of Himalaya. The use of 57 species was enumerated. Information about their uses

gathered through enquiries from the local folk was given and wild edible and medicinal

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plants are recorded. Ethnobotanical data were collected through medicine men of different

ethnic groups.

Pushapangadan et al. (1988) conducted detailed ethnobotanical study on Trichopus

zeylanicus used by kani tribes for long lasting health and vitality, and in 1990 on Amrithapala

(Janakia Arayalpatra). An intensive survey in the region on North Arcot, was conducted by

Viswanathan (1989) in Tamilnadu, where new uses of 7 plants for beliefs and taboos and

those of 22 plants for medicinal purposes were recorded. The information was gathered by

Jamir (1989), from local doctors or medicinal men and village folk, during field trips of

various places in Nagaland, including multipurpose uses as herbal medicine, Raja Sekharan et

al.(1989) studied two important species of plants (Aristolochia indica and Aristolochia

tagala) used by the Kani tribes of Tribandrum district of Kerala against snake poison and

insect bite.

The tribals and non-tribals of the Phulbani district, Orissa depend upon the forest and

vegetation for all major needs of life. Sahoo (1987) did extensive field work and recorded

900 uses of 236 plant species for various purposes in Orissa. Sonabera plateau in Orissa is the

cradle of Bhunjia culture. Tribal pockets of khariar forest in Kalahandi district were explored

for ethnobotanical data among the Bhunjia tribe. The Bhunjia tribe of Orissa was studied by

Girach et al. (1987). The Tharu tribe of Bahraich district, in the Himalayan foot hills were

surveyed. First hand information on medicinal plants was gathered and 40 plants were

documented by Singh and Maheshwari (1989). Some folk remedies involving less known

herbs, practiced by Bastar tribals for diarrhoea, join pains and antifertility agents were given

by Hemadri et al. (1989) in Madhyapradesh.

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2.3. Review of Literature: Andhrapradesh

Sudhakar and Rao (1985) surveyed east Godavari district and enumerated 98

species of medicinal plants. The tribal areas of Chittor district were surveyed and folklore

treatment for Jaundice was documented by Raja Reddy (1986 and 1988). Basi Reddy et al.

(1988) showed 64 crude drugs obtanined from the Chenchu tribes of Nallamalai forest in

Kurnool district. Intensive ethnobotanical field trips were organized covering different areas

of the region. Personal interviews were conducted with the local people. Madhava Shetty and

Rao (1989) reported 65 species of medicinal plants in adjacent regions of Chittor district.

Basi Reddy et al. (1989) investigated plant based crude drugs of Anantapur district and

reported 64 plant drugs. Raja Reddy (1989) described folklore use of 26 antidiabetic plant

species occurring in Rayalaseema region of Andhrapradesh.

Hemadri (1990) reported medicinal wealth of Karimnagar and Warangal

districts. Venkanna (1990) conducted a preliminary survey of medicinal plant wealth of

Krishna district. Nagaraju and Rao (1990) reported ethnomedicinal uses of 37 antiviral,

hepatitis plant species occurring in Tirupati hill of Chittor district. Arunee kumar and

Niteswar (1990) recorded 188 medicinal plant species from east Godavari district. Vedavathy

and Rao (1990) reported medicinal plants which are used by the village folk of Rayalaseema

for curing kidney ailments. Vadavathy et al. (1991) reported 25 plant species from

Rayalaseema region, used for family planning and birth control. Basi Reddy et al. (1989)

reported plants used in traditional medicine by local tribal people of Cuddapah district.

Vedavathy and Rao (1991) reported antipyretic activity of 6 indigenous medicinal plants of

Tirumala hills.

Hemadri (1990) reported the knowledge of tribals of Andhrapradesh on

nutritional and medicinal herbs. Iman et al. (1992) showed the use of folk medicines for

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snake bite in different forest areas of Andhrapradesh. About 97 selected species of plants

were used as medicines by the tribals of Prakasam district of Andhrapradesh. This study was

done by Krishna Mohan and Murthy in 1992. Niteswar (1990) reported medicinal plants used

in Ram Pachodavaran tribal area of east Godavari district, for curing diseases like cough,

cold, fever, skin disorders, anaemia, constipation and worm infestations.

Rana et al. (2003) reported the ethnobotanical studies, conducted by the tibals

of Andhrapradesh for food, fibres, timber, oil, medicine, gums, dyes and fuel wood.

Sudharsanam and Rao (1994) studied 31 crude plant drugs used by Yanadi tribe of Nellore

district of Andhrapradesh. Gupta et al. (1994) reported 200 plant specimens of medicinal

importance during ethnobotaical survey. Plants were reported by the tribals for the Anantagiri

hills. Forty folk medicinal claims were reported by the tribals for the treatment of diabetes,

jaundice, contraception, diarrhea and cancer. Balaji Rao et al. (1995) reported folklore use of

21 plant species in Rayalaseema region of Andhrapradesh, for curing dental ailments.

Vedavathy and Rao (1995) reported herbal therapies for conjunctivitis, diabetes, typhoid,

pneumonia, menorrhagia, hepatitis, leucorrhoea, whooping cough, malaria, chronic fever,

recorded from the herbal folk practitioners of Chittor district of Andhrapradesh.

Ethnobotanical studies were conducted by Reddy and others during 2001 in

the eastern ghats region of Andhrapradesh covering Chittor, Cuddapah, East Godavari,

Guntur, Khammam, Krishna, Kurnoo, West Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts and the

tribal population of Chenchus, Yerukalas, Koyas, Konda Reddis, Lambadas (Sugalis),

Nukadoras, Valmikis and Yanadis. The studies brought to light of the ethnic uses of 21

epiphytic and terrestrial orchids, namely: Acampe praemorsa, Bulbophyllum neilgherrense,

Cymbidium aloifolium, Dendrobium herbaceum, D. macrostachyum, Eulophia epidendria,

Geodorum densiflorum, Habenaria fursifera. H. longicorniculata, H. plantaginea, H.

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roxburghii, Luisia zeylanica, Malaxis acuminate, M. rheedii, Nervilia aragoana, N. plicata,

Oberonia wightiana, Peristylus lawii, Pholidota imbricate, Vanda tesellata and V. testacea.

Pullaiah and Dharma Chandra Kumar (1996) studied ethnomedico-botany of

Mannanur forest of Mahboobnagar district, and enumerated 21 plants used by the tribals in

curing asthma, diarrhoea and snake bite etc. Vedavathy and Mrudula (1996) examined the

traditional medicinal practices of Yanady tribe of Andhrapradesh. Hemambara Reddy et al.

(1996) surveyed crude plant drugs used for snake bite by Chenchus inhabiting Nallamalais

and documented 37 medicinally important species belonging to 27 families.

2.4. Review of Literature: Adilabad

India is very rich in ethonobotanical information. About 80% of the Indian population

lives in villages and a considerable proportion comprises tribals living in remote forest

areas. The population of several districts in central and eastern India is predominantly tribals.

The different traditions, beliefs, needs and cultures of various tribes and the diversity of flora

in India richly contribute to plant folklore. The use of 14 potential plant species from

Adilabad district, was given by Ravishankar and Henry (1992). Among scheduled tribes of

AndhraPradesh, Gonds, Lambada, Kolams, Pradhans, Manne, Naikpods, Thoties,

Yerikalas, Koyas are the major communities in the Adilabad District of which several

natural forest ecosystems in the district are Swarna , Sadharmat and Kaddem are well known

for their medicinal flora. Ravi Shanker and Henry (1992) published a note on the medicinal

plant wealth of Adilabad district. Later Pullaiah, et al., (1992)

reported Ethanomedicinal plants, the scientific and vernacular names of the Adilabad District.

Mubeen, et al., (2004 - 2005) studied the Medicinally important plants growing in and

around Adilabad district used in the treatment of different ailments. The Composition of

population in the state of Andhra Pradesh exhibit great diversity. Gonds are one of the major

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and largest tribe of Adilabad district, and numerically predominant tribal group in India. They

are found in larger areas of central India known after them as Gondwana. Important sub

divisions among Gonds are Muria Gond (found in Madhya Pradesh), Ra jGond and Durve

Gond (found in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa). All these sub division call

themselves as Koitur in their dialect like Koyas, another larger tribal group in Andhra

Pradesh. Naikapod is mentioned along with RajGonds in the approved list of Scheduled Tribe

which is located in tribal areas of Adilabad district,

2.5. Scope, Aims and Objectives of the present study of the present study

In the present work an attempt is made to document the ethnobotanical remedies for

various ailments of the ethnic tribes inhabiting in the study area Seethagondi at Adilabad

district of Andhra Pradesh. Of all the ethnic groups belonging to Adilabad district, the Gondu

group constitute a sizeable population in this area. The study of ethnobotany of Gondu tribe is

an interesting source of investigation. Only a little literature is practically available on this

subject. These tribal people have been maintain a very close relationship with the nature as

they solely depend on natural resources for their day to day essentials. On the other hand, the

marvelous achievements of science and technology, new discoveries and inventions, rapid

industrialization and exploration of the virgin forests have led to the serious ecological

imbalance throughout the world, thus threatening the very existence of man kind not to speak

of ethnobotany alone.

It has already been mentioned that modern synthetic drugs like, antibiotics etc. are not

at all free from long lasting side effects in the human body. But such lingering side effects are

believed to be nil or even much less with the medicines of herbal origin.

The aboriginal ethnic people being very close to the nature are less subjected to such

drug effects and radiation hazards. They always keep informations of medicinal plants which

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they have acquired from their ancestors. In recent times many such ethnic groups have been

subjected to socio-cultural and political pressures which have compelled them to change in

their mode of socio-cultural life Rahmani (1979). Schultes (1981) has rightly stressed, that

―notwithstanding the rapid acculturation and consequent loss of plant lore in many areas,

there remains much to be done before the abundance of knowledge shall for ever be

entombed with the culture that gave its birth‖. It is also a fact that many valuable

informations relating to the uses of plants have been lost in course of time due to ignorance in

the art of writings of the aborigins (Basu, 1918). The validity of indigenous drug is very often

questioned. This is because of the fact that a plant which is reported to be a remedy for a

disease is found to contain no active principle when tested in the laboratory. But it may be the

fact that a plant part or its crude extract may contain such curing properties in complex form,

which may not be exhibited in the various products during laboratory analysis. On the other

hand in traditional medicines a plant or a plant part is used in combinations with other plants

or plant parts in prescribing for a disease. Such combine plants or plant parts may have very

effective curing properties Chopra et al (1956). There are ample evidences that have

ethnomedicines provide clues to the discovery and selection of new drugs (Vakil, Wang,

1956).

Aims and Objectives of the present study of the present study:

1. Identification of the medicinal plants used by the Gondu tribes and their ancestry.

2. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the Gondu tribes.

3. Pharmacognostic study of the plants used by tribes.

4. Investigate the plants used by the tribes to cure the diseases.