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I.J.A.B.R, VOL. 3(3) 2013: 384-393 ISSN 2250 – 3560
384
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY KANI TRIBES OF THACHAMALAI HILL, KANYAKUMARI,
TAMILNADU, INDIA
Divya, V. V., Karthick, N. and Umamaheswari, S. Department of Biotechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Science Campus
Alwarkurichi, Tamil Nadu, India.
ABSTRACT
An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among Kani tribes of Thachamalai hill, Kanykumari Wild life sanctuary
TamilNadu. The present paper documents traditional knowledge of Kani tribes about medicinal plants along with their
family names and mode of preparation and uses .Information was collected through regular visits and interviews with
llocal people and traditional healers .The study offer information about 106 plants which are used to treat around 25
diseases. Kani tribes of Thachamalai hill have rich knowledge on traditional remedies which will be useful to divulge new
drugs for mankind.
KEY WORDS: Ethnobotanical survey, Kani Tribes, Kanyakumari, medicinal plants.
INRODUCTION
From the time of immemorial, the world population relies
mainly on the plants and herbal products for health care.
According to Turner (1995), ethnobotany may be defined
as the science of people‟s interaction with plants, where as
ethnopharmacology associate with experimental
investigation of indigenous drugs and their biological
activities. Harvey (2008) reported that there exist around
250000, higher plant species in the planet; whereas only 10% could be biologically studied. Side effects of several
allopathic drugs, development of resistance to currently
used drugs for infectious diseases, population rise, and
insufficient supply of drugs and unaffordable cost of
treatments have led to increased importance on the use of
plant materials as a source of medicines for a wide variety
of human ailments. Traditional systems of medicine
continue to be widely practiced on many accounts. It is
widely accepted that indigenous use of plants can offer
better clues about the biological activities of the plant.
Ethno medicinal studies have offered immense scope and
opportunities for the development of new drugs (Sivaperumal et al., 2010). In India 550 ethnic tribes
possess rich traditional and indigenous knowledge. The
tribal people are exploiting a variety of herbals for
effective curing of various ailments (Alagesaboopathi,
2011). Kanikkars, a tribal community in the Western
Ghats of South Tamil Nadu seems to have rich knowledge
of herbs and they depend on the forest resources to meet
their livelihood and health care needs. The aim of the
present study is to collect information on traditional uses
of medicinal plants used in the preparation of herbal drugs
by the Kanikkars settled at Thachamalai hill of Kanyakumari forest division.Kanyakumari Wild life
Sanctuary with adjacent areas of Kalakkad
Mundanthurai Tiger reserve and Neyyar wild life
Sanctuary of Kerala State constitute South most tip of
Western Ghats and approximately lies between 77010‟-
77035‟ east longitude and 805‟-80 35 north latitude. The
natural vegetation of this region represents biomass
ranging from southern thorn forests, dry deciduous, moist
deciduous, semi evergreen forest to ever green hill shoals
with grassy downs. In due recognition of the tremendous
biological potential, Kanyakumari forest division was
declared as Kanyakumari Wild life Sanctuary during 2002.
This forest forms the southern most ranges of Agastiamalai, a compact forested tract in the Southern
Western Ghats. Thachamalai is a hilly Kani settlement
which comes under Veerapuli reserved forest. Kanikkars
are also known as Kanikkaran or Kani with forty seven
tribal settlements located well within the sanctuary area
scattered mainly in Kilamalai and Veerapuli reserve
forests with an extent of 1282.29 hectares of reserve
forest. Each Kani settlement has a “Mootukani”, a
custodian of all social affairs and justice deliverance. The
problems pertaining to his people will be taken care by
him and he presides over the meetings where solutions to
the problems will be found. There is a „Pilathi‟ in each settlement who finds out the reason for a disease is due to
evil spirits or harm done to God. There is a Vilikani, an
informer who assembles people in a place, Chattumadam
to inform the orders of the Mootukani. The language they
speak closely resembles Malayalam (Palanichamy et al,
2010) with few Tamil words (Arun et al., 2007)
economically they are highly backward. They engage
themselves in cultivating tapioca, banana, coconut, mango,
jackfruit, cashew nut, areca nut, pepper, pulses along with
collection of bee wax, honey, cane etc.
MATERIALS & METHODS
Regular visits were made at different seasons throughout
the year in the Thachamalai hill during 2012-2013. The
ethno botanical data was collected through interviews and
Ethnopharmacological studies of Thachamalai Hill
385
discussions with Mootukani, the medicine man for the
tribals. Authenticated information was also collected from
the elder people (ladies and men) through video tapes for
the effective survey. Information regarding plants, parts
used, usage, mode of preparation and doses were
documented. Information thus gathered was cross checked between people in the subsequent visits. Sample
specimens and photographs were deposited in the
herbarium of the Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory,
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi,
Tirunelveli for future reference.
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
The study reveals that the tribal people of Thachamalai hill
have been preserving a rich heritage of information on
medicinal plants. Mootukani and other medicine men
exhibit great interest in sharing information about
medicinal plants and treatments. 106 plants were documented as medicinal plants for the treatment of
around 25 diseases (Figure 1 and Table 1).They generally
treat all kinds of diseases including gynecological
disorders and pediatric problems. Most of the plants are
used as single medicine. Common people never consult
Mootukani or other medicine men for simple ailments like
wounds, constipation, fever etc. Many plants are used in
more than one preparation. Same preparations are used to
cure different diseases also. Fresh leaf extracts are used for
many diseases and they are either consumed or applied as
such or mixed with milk, honey or rice soup water. They use herbal medicines not only for simple ailments like
cough, cold and fever but are also used to treat diseases
like leprosy, leucorrhoea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhea,
vitality, jaundice, liver problems etc. Such knowledge is
restricted to Mootukani. Plants are also dried and stored
for long periods. Decoctions are prepared from the dried
plant material. Generally they do not care to preserve or
cultivate medicinal herbs excepting those that are used for
insect or snake bites. They grow snake repellent plants
around their bamboo huts. For skin infections, they
mainly use coconut or gingelly oil as such or boiled with
some other plant pastes. Such simple medicated oil
preparations are made at home level. They give extra care
to pregnant ladies and nursing mothers. Some herbs are
made into paste with jaggery and boiled to form slurry and given to nursing mothers. This will stop extra bleeding
after delivery and these single herbal preparations are
made with different herbs which make it more delicious.
Few fruits like Baccaurea courtallensis (Wight) M.Arg
(Figure. 2) are consumed as seasonal fruits and many
leaves are cooked like side dishes and consumed with rice
or rice soup in their daily life. Solanum nigrum L, Cissus
quadrangularis L., Moringa oleifera, Dioscorea
oppositifolia etc which makes them healthier than other
people. They treat their domestic animals with herbal
remedies. For example, Bambusa arundinaceae is fed to
cattle to cure diarrheoa and Cissus quadrangularis is used for easy delivery and also to stop post bleeding after
delivery in cattle. Some plant products are consumed for
general health, for example tender coconut and toddy from
Coccos nucifera (L.) and Aringa wightii (Griff) (Figure 3).
20.14 % of the plants are used for skin infections and
19.08% plants are anti inflammatory. Many plants like
Crassocephalum crepidiodes (Benth.) (Figure 4),
Ravoulfia serpentina (L.) Benth (Figure.5) are being used
in variety of ayurvedic and Siddha formulations for years.
Besides medicinal use, they prepare herbal preparations
for cosmetic problems like hair fall, body odour, dandruff etc. For pimple, acne and fairness Curcuma aromatica
Salisb. paste is applied (Figure 6). Many plants are
endemic to the study area, for example Smilax ovalifolia
Roxb. (Figure 7) is reported nowhere in South India, while
the other species of the same genus Smilax zeylanica Linn.
(Figure 8) is reported at many parts of TamilNadu and
Kerala. Apart from herbal treatment they practice special
worships and offerings to cure diseases in their temple
„Chattumadam‟.
FIGURE 1: Number of plants used to cure different ailments by Kani tribes
I.J.A.B.R, VOL. 3(3) 2013: 384-393 ISSN 2250 – 3560
TA
BL
E 1
: Med
icinal p
lants u
sed b
y Kan
i tribes o
f Thach
amalai h
ill of K
anyak
um
ari Wild
life San
ctuary
Sl.n
o
Plan
t F
amily
V
ernacu
lar nam
e U
ses
1
Abru
s preca
toriu
s (L.)
Fab
aceae K
unnim
ani
Juice fro
m cru
shed
seeds (1
:100) is d
iluted
and ap
plied
on th
e eye lid
s for ch
ronic co
nju
nctiv
itis or
inflam
matio
n o
f mucu
s mem
bran
e of eyelid
s. Leaf p
aste is applied
over sk
in rash
es. 2
Abutilo
n in
dicu
m (L
.) M
alvaceae
Thuth
i D
ecoctio
n p
repared
from
the leav
es is used
in fev
er and co
ugh. D
ecoctio
n o
f stem is d
iuretic.
3
Aca
lypha in
dica
(L.
Euphorb
iaceae K
uppam
eni
Juice fro
m cru
shed
leaves is filtered
thro
ugh a w
hite clo
th an
d u
sed in
ternally in
case of sev
ere cough
as an
expecto
rant, to
expel w
orm
s and ap
plied
on th
e skin
durin
g sk
in in
fections.
4
Ach
yranth
us a
spera
(L.)
Am
aranth
aceae N
ayuru
vi
Deco
ction p
repared
from
the leaf, seed
and ro
ot is u
sed d
aily in case o
f severe co
ugh. T
he d
ecoctio
n
is diu
retic and cu
res dig
estive p
roblem
s. 5
Adath
oda va
sica N
ees. A
canth
aceae A
dath
odai
Roots o
f the p
lant are u
sed to
cure b
ronch
itis, asthm
a and v
om
iting. E
xtract fro
m th
e fresh flo
wers
fruits an
d leav
es induce m
enstru
al flow
, cause ab
ortio
n, an
d cu
res cough an
d rh
eum
atism. S
mokin
g
of leaf ro
lls is practised
to cu
re asthm
a. 6
Aerva
lanata
Juss. E
x S
chult.
Am
aranth
aceae C
heru
peela
Deco
ction p
repared
from
whole p
lant is b
oiled
with
cow
milk
until th
e volu
me b
ecom
es one cu
p.
This is co
nsu
med
twice a d
ay, early morn
ing an
d ev
enin
g, after six
th m
onth
of p
regnan
cy for easy
deliv
ery.
7
Alo
e voera
Mill.
Lilliaceae
Katar v
aazha
Jelly mass p
resent in
the flesh
y leaves is u
sed to
cure m
enstru
al pro
blem
. It is a laxativ
e and is u
sed
to ex
pel w
orm
s from
the b
od
y
8
Alp
inia
calca
rata
Z
ingib
eraceae S
itharath
ai D
aily consu
mptio
n o
f abou
t 1 g
m rh
izom
e pow
der w
ith jag
gery
will cu
re cough, co
ld an
d fev
er. F
resh p
aste from
rhizo
me can
be ap
plied
over in
flamm
ation an
d w
ill reduce p
ain.
9
Alsto
nia
schola
ris (L.) R
.Br.,
Ap
ocy
anaceae
M
ukkan
pala
Latex
is applied
over w
ounds to
expel fo
reign p
articles from
the w
ound o
pen
ing an
d to
heal th
e
wounds.
11
Am
om
um
zerum
bet (L
.) Z
ingib
eraceae K
attu C
hen
thi
Juice fro
m th
e rhizo
me is m
ixed
with
honey an
d co
nsu
med
for d
igestiv
e pro
blem
s. 12
Andro
gra
phis p
anicu
lata
(B
urn
.f.) Wall
Acan
athaceae
Kirisath
L
eaf extract is filtered
and co
nsu
med
three tim
es to g
et rid o
f fever. T
he d
ecoctio
n o
f root an
d leav
es to
geth
er will cu
re fever, so
re thro
at, indig
estion, liv
er pro
blem
s and co
nstip
ation
13
Areca
catech
u (L
.) A
recaceae
Kav
ungu
C
onsu
mptio
n o
f 1-2
tea spoons o
f pow
dered
nut w
ith w
ater will ex
pel tap
e worm
from
the b
od
y. Y
oung seed
s are laxativ
e
14
Arin
ga w
ightii (G
riff) A
recaceae
Aalath
engu
T
odd
y prep
ared fro
m th
e spad
ix is g
ood fo
r gen
eral health
(Fig
4).
15
Asp
ara
gus ra
cemosu
s Willd
L
illiaceae S
athav
ari B
oiled
leaf is mix
ed w
ith g
hee an
d ap
plied
over in
flamm
ation. D
aily consu
mptio
n o
f fresh leaf ju
ice
along w
ith m
ilk cu
res leuco
rrhoea an
d ex
cess bod
y heat. F
resh ju
ice from
root is b
oiled
with
milk
an
d co
nsu
med
for d
iarrhoea an
d tastelessn
ess. Consu
mptio
n o
f fresh ju
ice from
roots w
ith h
oney
reliev
es ulcer in
duced
pain
. D
ecoctio
n of
the
root
is a
good ap
petizer,
pro
motes
lactation after
deliv
ery, stops d
ysentery an
d is also
used
as a liver to
nic.
16
Bacca
urea
courta
llensis
(Wig
ht) M
.Arg
E
uphorb
iaceae M
ootu
ppazh
am
Fru
its are acidic an
d are ed
ible an
d u
sed fo
r infertility p
roblem
s. Consu
mptio
n o
f ripe fru
its also
cures m
outh
and sto
mach
ulcers (F
ig 2
17
Baco
pa m
onnieri,
plan
tagin
aceae B
rahm
i Ju
ice of
fresh
leaves
is giv
en
for
inflam
matio
n
of
muco
us
mem
bran
e an
d
severe
cough.
Consu
mptio
n o
f juice o
f fresh leav
es at empty sto
mach
is good fo
r mem
ory p
ow
er in ch
ildren
.
18
Bam
busa
aru
ndin
acea
e (Retz.)
Willd
P
oaceae
Mula
Paste p
repared
by m
acerating stem
applied
on th
e inflam
ed jo
int w
ill relieve p
ain an
d in
flamm
ation.
Deco
ction o
f the ro
ot in
duces u
rinatio
n. L
eaves are fed
to cattle fo
r dig
estive p
roblem
s and d
iarrhoea
19
Basella
alb
a (L
.) B
asellaceae P
asalakkeera
The co
nsu
mptio
n o
f cooked
leaves o
f the p
lant h
as a sooth
ing effect an
d p
rotects th
e alimen
tary tract by reliev
ing it
of
inflam
matio
n.
The leav
es are
used
intern
ally fo
r co
nstip
ation in
ch
ildren
an
d
preg
nan
t wom
en.
20
Bio
phytu
m sen
sitivum
(L.). D
C,
Oxalid
aceae M
ukkutti/
Kad
anth
akkan
ni
Cru
shed
leaves o
r pow
dered
seeds are ap
plied
over w
ounds. T
he d
ecoctio
n o
f the w
hole p
lant is a
diu
retic and d
issolv
es calculi. W
hole p
lant ex
tract is applied
over in
sect or sn
ake b
ite
386
Ethnopharmacological studies of Thachamalai Hill
387
21
Blep
haris m
adera
spaten
sis (L.)
Roth
A
canth
aceae V
ettuporu
nth
i Ju
ice from
crush
ed leav
es is applied
for w
ound h
ealing.
22
Bra
yophyllu
m p
innatu
m
(Lam
.)Kurz.
Craccu
laceae C
hudak
ku
Cru
shed
leaves are ap
plied
over w
ounds. S
lightly ro
asted leav
es are applied
over b
oils an
d in
sect bites
z23
Canth
ium
parviflo
rum
(Lam
.) R
ubiaceae
Kaarai
Cooked
leaves are g
ood fo
r stom
ach an
d cu
res dysen
try. Daily co
nsu
mptio
n o
f fruit red
uces b
od
y
heat
and stren
gth
ens lu
ngs an
d sto
mach
. L
eaves are
mad
e in
to paste
with
rice
and boiled
w
ith
jaggery. T
his p
reparatio
n co
nsu
med
by m
oth
ers soon after d
elivery
will stren
gth
en th
e whole b
od
y
and red
uce h
aemorrh
age
24
Card
iosp
ermum
halica
cabum
(L
.) S
apin
daceae
Uzh
inja
Boiled
extract o
f stem an
d leav
es is consu
med
for d
iarrhoea
. Leaf ex
tract is applied
over sp
rain area
and g
ently
massag
ed in
circular m
otio
n to
get relief fro
m sp
rain. Ju
ice from
han
dfu
l of cru
shed
leav
es is mix
ed in
rice soup an
d co
nsu
med
week
ly once u
pto
last month
of p
regnan
cy for fo
etal dev
elopm
ent.
25
Cassia
tora
(L.)
Leg
um
inosae
T
hak
ara keera
Leav
es are adm
inistered
to ch
ildren
in in
fusio
n fo
r intestin
al diso
rders m
ainly to
expel w
orm
s from
th
e body. E
xtern
al applicatio
n o
f root p
aste is good fo
r fungal in
fections
26
Cassyth
a filifo
rmis (L
.) L
auraceae,
Akaya
valli
Han
dfu
l of stem
is crush
ed an
d k
ept in
250 m
l of w
ater for o
ne d
ay. This w
ater is filtered an
d
consu
med
morn
ing o
r even
ing fo
r intestin
al ulcers. P
ow
der fro
m th
e whole p
lant is m
ixed
with
butter
and g
inger ju
ice and ap
plied
over w
ounds.
27
Cen
tella a
siatica
(L.)
Apiaceae
Vallara
Juice ex
tracted fro
m th
e plan
t applied
extern
ally for ab
norm
al swellin
gs in
all parts o
f the b
ody.
Deco
ction o
f leaves is v
ery good in
contro
lling h
air fall. Whole p
lant is m
ade in
to a p
aste and
consu
med
with
butter m
ilk in
the em
pty sto
mach
for a lo
ng p
eriod fo
r curin
g sto
mach
ulcers. It is
used
as a tonic fo
r impro
vin
g m
emory p
ow
er.
28
Cissu
s quadra
ngula
ris (L.)
Vitaceae
Piran
dai
Juice fro
m th
e stem is co
nsu
med
for leu
corrh
oea, sk
in d
iseases and b
one fractu
res. Stem
is fed to
cattle after d
elivery. A
side d
ish is p
repared
from
the stem
with
coco
nut.
29
Cleo
me visco
se (L.)
Cap
parid
aceae N
aikad
uku
- blu
e C
onsu
mptio
n o
f cooked
leaves an
d seed
s is usefu
l to cu
re arthritis, lo
ss of ap
petite an
d co
nstip
ation.
Consu
mptio
n o
f pow
dered
seed ex
pels w
orm
s from
the b
ody.
30
Clero
den
dru
m p
hlo
mid
es (L.)
Verb
enaceae
Thazh
uth
ama
Roasted
leaves are co
vered
in a co
tton clo
th an
d th
e heat is ap
plied
to sp
rain. T
akin
g b
ath in
slightly
hot w
ater boiled
with
the leav
es will elim
inate b
ody p
ain. R
oot is b
oiled
with
gin
gelly o
il and ap
plied
on k
nee jo
ints to
reduce arth
ritic pain
. 31
Clito
ria ternatea (L
.) F
abaceae
Kak
kalam
, C
han
gupush
pam
L
eaf infu
sion is u
sed fo
r ulcer, fev
er and lo
cal inflam
matio
n.
32
Coccin
ia in
dica
Wt. &
Arn
C
ucu
rbitaceae
Koval
Daily co
nsu
mptio
n o
f raw fru
its is advisab
le in d
iabetic p
atients. T
wo tab
le spoons o
f leaf extract is
mix
ed w
ith o
ne cu
p o
f curd
and co
nsu
med
for d
iarrhoea. C
hew
ing o
f tender fru
its atleast for 1
0-1
5
min
utes cu
res sores o
n th
e tongue. F
or sk
in in
fections, b
ody h
eat and b
urn
ing eyes, o
ne sp
oon o
f
pow
der p
repared
from
boiled
leaves is m
ixed
with
water an
d co
nsu
med
twice a d
ay
33
Cocco
s nucifera
(L.)
Arecaceae
T
hen
nai
Consu
mptio
n o
f jelly of th
e tender co
conut is reco
mm
ended
in in
testinal in
flamm
ations. E
arly stage
of co
conut p
aste is applied
to w
hole b
ody b
efore tak
ing b
ath to
cure sk
in rash
es and o
ther typ
es of
skin
diseases. C
oco
nut o
il is applied
for itch
ing, u
sed fo
r cookin
g an
d u
sed fo
r man
y med
icated o
il prep
arations
34
Codario
calyx m
oto
rium
(H
outt.)M
err F
abaceae
Thozh
ukan
ni
The w
hole p
lant ex
tract is used
for sn
ake b
ite. Leav
es are used
as a verm
ifuge.
35
Coleu
s aro
maticu
s Ben
th.
Lam
inaceae
Om
avalli
Han
dfu
l of th
e whole p
lant is cru
shed
and th
e juice is ap
plied
on th
e skin
for so
res, ulcers, b
oils,
sprain
, swellin
g an
d th
roat p
ain. F
resh leaf is ap
plied
on th
e foreh
ead to
reduce h
ead ach
e. 36
Cra
ssocep
halu
m crep
idio
des
(Ben
th.)
Asteraceae
Ban
tham
pach
ila L
eaves
are cru
shed
alo
ng
with
ro
ot
of
Musa
para
disia
ca
and
the
juice
is co
nsu
med
fo
r post
preg
nan
cy care(Fig
3).
I.J.A.B.R, VOL. 3(3) 2013: 384-393 ISSN 2250 – 3560
388
37
Crin
um
defixu
m K
er-Gaw
l A
marylid
aceae V
isha n
arayanan
Ju
ice from
the cru
shed
bulb
s is giv
en o
rally for sn
ake b
ites for th
ree days. U
se of lem
on, tam
arind
and tu
rmeric is av
oid
ed d
urin
g treatm
ent.
38
Cro
tala
ria verru
cosa
(L.)
Fab
aceae K
ilu k
iluppai
Whole p
lant p
aste is applied
for sk
in in
fections. In
fusio
n o
f leaves is g
ood fo
r vom
iting an
d d
iarrhoea
39
Cro
ton b
onpla
ndia
nus B
aillon
Euphorb
iaceae, M
ilakai p
oondu
Cooked
leaves are co
nsu
med
with
rice as a side d
ish fo
r constip
ation. C
onsu
mptio
n o
f water b
oiled
w
ith th
e leaves tw
o o
r four tim
es a day w
ill cure in
flamm
ation an
d sm
all tum
ours. C
onsu
mptio
n o
f th
e water o
btain
ed b
y boilin
g 5
0 g
m o
f the ro
ot w
ith 2
50 m
l of w
ater b
eing red
uced
to 1
00 m
l cures
arthritis an
d red
uces p
ain.
40
Cucu
rligo o
rchio
ides G
aertner
Hyp
ox
ydaceae
N
ilappan
a D
escaled ro
ot is p
ow
dered
and ab
out 5
gm
of th
e root p
ow
der is co
nsu
med
daily w
ith su
gar fo
r bod
y
pain
, wounds an
d sk
in in
fections.
41
Curcu
ma a
rom
atica
Salisb
Z
ingib
eraceae K
attu K
asthoori
man
jal
Rhizo
me p
aste is applied
over sp
rain to
relieve p
ain. R
hizo
me is g
enerally u
sed as an
antisep
tic and
applied
over in
sect bite. A
pplicatio
n o
f rhizo
me p
aste on face w
ill impro
ve co
mplex
ion an
d cu
re all kin
ds o
f skin
infectio
ns an
d p
imples (F
ig 5
). S
l.no
Plan
t F
amily
V
ernacu
lar nam
e U
ses 42
Cuscu
tta reflexa
Roxb
Convolv
ulaceae
M
oodillath
aali A
bout h
alf kg o
f the p
lant is b
oiled
in 2
0 litres o
f water an
d is u
sed to
take b
ath to
take care o
f bod
y
aches. T
he d
ecoctio
n o
f the p
lant is u
seful in
expellin
g w
orm
s from
the b
ody. W
hole p
lant p
aste is a very g
ood m
edicin
e for co
nstip
ation.
43
Cym
bopogan citra
tus (D
C.)
Stap
f. P
oaceae
Chukkunaari p
ullu
W
hole p
lant is b
oiled
in earth
en p
ots an
d th
e volatile o
il is applied
extern
ally to g
et rid o
f arthritic
pain
. Juice fro
m th
e leaves is tak
en in
ternally w
ith m
ilk fo
r expellin
g g
as from
the b
ody.
44
Cyp
erus ro
tundus (L
.) C
yperaceae
Muth
anga,
Korak
kizh
angu
Consu
mptio
n o
f about o
ne g
ram o
f root p
ow
der w
ith h
oney tw
ice a day
will m
ake ch
ildren
sharp
, in
duce
appetite
and im
pro
ves
bod
y health
. C
onsu
mptio
n of
paste
mad
e fro
m eq
ual
amount
of
descaled
roots an
d g
inger w
ill cure b
lood
y stool an
d k
ills intestin
al worm
s. 45
Datu
ra in
noxia
Mill
Solan
aceae U
mm
athai
Leav
es boiled
in co
conut o
il is used
for p
iles extern
ally; local ap
plicatio
n o
f crush
ed leav
es relieves
pain
and in
flamm
ation
46
Dio
scorea
oppositifo
lia (L
.) D
iosco
reaceae
Kav
alan k
izhan
gu
D
ried tu
bers are g
round an
d ap
plied
over sw
ellings. C
ooked
tubers are ed
ible.
47
Drim
ia in
dica
(Roxb) Jesso
p
Hyacin
thaceae
Kattu
lli B
ulb
s are diu
retic. The p
aste of b
ulb
is applied
over sn
ake an
d o
ther in
sect bites.
48
Eclip
ta a
lba
(L.)
Asteraceae
Karisilan
kan
ni
Fresh
plan
t deco
ction is u
seful in
asthm
a. One to
two tea sp
oon o
f fresh ju
ice from
the p
lant is u
sed to
cu
re oed
ema, fev
er, excess flu
id in
the b
ody an
d rh
eum
atism. F
resh ju
ice of leav
es is rubbed
on th
e scalp
to ch
eck h
air fall. Daily ap
plicatio
n o
f coco
nut o
il boiled
with
the cru
shed
plan
t will im
pro
ve
hair g
row
th.
49
Elep
hanto
pus sca
ber (L
.) A
steraceae A
anach
uvad
i F
resh ex
tract prep
ared fro
m cru
shed
leaves w
ill stop b
leedin
g fro
m cu
ts and h
elps in
wound h
ealing.
Whole p
lant is m
ade in
to p
aste along w
ith rice an
d b
oiled
until it b
ecom
es semiso
lid. T
he p
reparatio
n
is consu
med
for w
ound h
ealing after d
elivery.
50
Eryth
rina in
dica
(L.)
Fab
aceae M
ulm
urin
gai
Juice
from
boiled
young leav
es is
mix
ed w
ith jag
gery
an
d co
nsu
med
fo
r first th
ree m
onth
s of
preg
nan
cy. This w
ill stop b
leedin
g an
d h
elp fo
etal dev
elopm
ent.
51
Em
ilia so
nich
ifolia
(L.) D
C.
Asteraceae
Ezh
uth
anip
achila/
Muyalch
evi
Leaf ju
ice is filtered an
d u
sed in
eye sores an
d n
ight b
lindness. D
ecoctio
n o
f th
e whole p
lant is
consu
med
daily fo
r a week
for b
ow
el com
plain
ts. 52
Eupato
rium
odora
tum
, A
steraceae A
anav
anth
an
pach
ila L
eaf extract is ru
bbed
with
lime an
d is ap
plied
for w
ound h
ealing.
53
Euphorb
ia cya
thophora
E
uphorb
iaceae P
alazhi/p
alperu
kki
Daily co
nsu
mptio
n o
f cooked
leaves w
ill impro
ve lactatio
n in
nursin
g m
oth
ers. Cooked
leaves are
also u
sed to
cure co
nstip
ation.
54
Euphorb
ia h
irta (L
.) E
uphorb
iaceae A
mm
an p
acharisi
Juice o
f the w
hole p
lant is u
sed in
acute ab
dom
inal p
ain an
d sk
in d
iseases. Dec
octio
n o
f the stem
and
leaves is u
sed as a m
outh
wash
. Root p
aste is used
for sn
ake b
ite. Juice fro
m th
e crush
ed leaf is u
sed
to sto
p lo
cal bleed
ing.
55
Evo
lvulu
s num
mula
rius (L
.) C
onvolv
ulaceae
V
ishnukran
thi-
white
Deco
ction o
f the w
hole p
lant is u
sed fo
r fever an
d co
ld, d
ecrease of b
od
y heat. W
hole p
lant is u
sed in
hair o
il prep
arations.
Ethnopharmacological studies of Thachamalai Hill
389
56
Gard
enia
jasm
inoid
es Ellis
Rubiaceae
Nan
thyarv
attai Ju
ice from
crush
ed flo
wers is u
sed as eye d
rops fo
r eye infectio
ns. D
ecoctio
n o
f the ro
ot is u
sed fo
r gastric p
roblem
s and in
dig
estion. C
rush
ed flo
wer is a lax
ative an
d is u
sed as an
anti h
elmen
thic d
rug.
57
Glo
riosa
superb
a (L
.) L
illiaceae K
alappak
izhan
gu
Rhizo
me is an
ti helm
enth
ic and lax
ative. Ju
ice from
crush
ed rh
izom
e is used
to red
uce fev
er, induce
labour p
ain an
d cau
ses abortio
n. C
rush
ed tu
ber is ap
plied
extern
ally for sk
in d
iseases
58
Helio
tropiu
m in
dicu
m
Borag
inaceae
Thelk
odukku
Deco
ction o
f whole p
lant is co
nsu
med
for carcin
ogen
ic ulcers.
59
Hem
idesm
us in
dicu
s (L.) R
.Br
Asclep
iadaceae
Naru
neen
di-w
ild
Deco
ction o
f the ro
ot is u
sed to
reduce fev
er, rheu
matism
, diarrh
oea
and lep
rosy. L
atex o
f the p
lant is
adm
inistered
into
the eye to
check
inflam
matio
n.
60
Hib
iscus ro
sa-S
inen
sis (L.)
Malv
aceae C
hem
paru
thi
Deco
ction o
f roots is u
sed to
cure co
ugh an
d co
ld. Ju
ice from
the flo
wers is ap
plied
over w
ounds.
Paste m
ade fro
m le
aves, flo
wer an
d b
ud is u
sed to
prep
are hair o
il which
pro
motes h
air gro
wth
. Paste
from
leaves is u
sed as h
erbal sh
ampoo. F
low
er is boiled
in w
ater and co
nsu
mptio
n o
f this filtered
w
ater relieves b
reast pain
.
61
Hyb
anth
us en
nea
sperm
us (L
.) V
iolaceae
Orith
azh th
amara
Paste m
ade fro
m th
e whole p
lant is ap
plied
over b
oils. L
eaves are ch
ewed
with
milk
at the early
m
orn
ing fo
r 45 d
ays will cu
re leuco
rrhoea an
d im
pro
ves p
oten
cy. 62
Indig
ofera
tincto
ria (L
.) F
abaceae
Neela av
uri
Whole p
lant is a m
ain in
gred
ient in
oil p
reparatio
ns fo
r pain
and sp
rain. W
hole p
lant is a d
iuretic.
Leaf p
aste is mix
ed in
250
ml g
oat m
ilk an
d co
nsu
med
for th
ree days at em
pty sto
mach
to cu
re jau
ndice an
d n
ight b
lindness
63
Jatro
pha g
ossyp
ifolia
(L.)
Euphorb
iaceae K
aattu av
anak
ku,
Sim
ayavan
akku
Deco
ction o
f the b
ark p
rom
otes m
enstru
ation an
d cu
re irregular p
eriods. P
aste of th
e leaves is
applied
over b
oils, eczem
a and itch
es. The leav
es are boiled
in w
ater and is u
sed to
take b
ath to
red
uce fev
er 64
Lanta
na ca
mara
(L.)
Verb
enacea
e unnich
edi
Deco
ction o
f whole p
lant is g
iven
for rh
eum
atoid
arthritis an
d sev
ere fever.
65
Law
sonia
inerm
is (L.)
Lyth
raceae
Maru
than
ni
Leaf p
aste is boiled
in co
conut o
il and ap
plicatio
n o
f this p
reparatio
n o
n h
air impro
ves h
air colo
ur
and p
reven
t greyin
g o
f hair. G
arglin
g o
f water m
ixed
with
leaf paste is p
ractised to
cure m
outh
ulcers
and sm
all wounds o
n th
e mu
cosa. F
low
ers are kep
t in th
e bed
room
for in
som
nia.
66
Leu
cas a
spera
(L.)
Lam
iaceae T
hum
bai
Deco
ction o
f flow
ers reduces co
ugh, co
ld an
d fev
er. Total p
lant ex
tract is used
as an an
tihelm
entic
dru
g. F
resh ju
ice of th
e plan
t is applied
extern
ally to cu
re skin
infectio
ns.
67
Lip
pia
nodiflo
ra (L
); V
erben
aceae T
hali/ p
oduth
alai W
hole p
lant is b
oiled
with
gin
gelly o
il and is u
sed to
cure d
andru
ff and o
ther sk
in in
fections o
n th
e scalp
. Whole p
lant is m
ade in
to a p
aste with
equal q
uan
tity of cu
min
seeds an
d co
nsu
med
along w
ith
10 g
m o
f butter o
r butter m
ilk w
hich
cures leu
corrh
oea.
68
Melo
thria
madera
spata
na (L
.) C
ucu
rbitaceae
Mosu
mosu
kkai
Consu
mptio
n o
f dosai p
repared
by m
ixin
g th
e leaf paste to
the b
atter is practised
to cu
re cold
, fever
and co
ugh.
69
Merrem
ia trid
enta
ta (L
.) Hall.
F
Convolv
ulaceae
T
hiru
ppan
pullu
M
edicated
oil p
repared
by b
oilin
g th
e juice fro
m th
e crush
ed leav
es in g
ingelly o
il along w
ith few
oth
er herb
s is used
to cu
re lepro
sy and o
ther sk
in in
fections in
child
ren. W
hole p
lant is an
ingred
ient
in h
air oil p
reparatio
ns.
70
Mim
osa
pudica
(L.)
Mim
osaceae
Thottar v
adi
Leaf in
fusio
n is u
sed to
cure liv
er diseases, co
nstip
ation an
d k
idney p
roblem
. Han
dfu
l of cru
shed
leav
es and stem
is applied
over th
e scorp
ion stin
g to
reduce th
e pain
and sw
elling. W
hole p
lant p
aste is b
oiled
in co
conut o
il and ap
plied
for sk
in in
fections.
71
Mira
bilis ja
lapa (L
.)
Nyctag
inaceae
Nalu
man
i D
ecoctio
n is p
repared
from
20 g
m o
f root tu
ber in
1 litre
water an
d co
nsu
med
4-5
cups p
er day fo
r in
flamm
atory v
iral infectio
ns. Ju
ice from
fresh leaf is ap
plied
to w
ounds. P
ow
der fro
m d
ried flo
wers
and seed
s is used
for to
pical ap
plicatio
n in
inflam
matio
n.
72
Mom
ord
ica ch
ara
ntia
(L.)
Cucu
rbitaceae
(Pav
al Ju
ice from
the fru
its is used
to ex
pel w
orm
s from
the b
ody.
73
Morin
ga o
leifera (L
.) M
orin
gaceae
Murin
ga
Leav
es are boiled
in w
ater and co
nsu
med
to red
uce b
lood p
ressure, d
iabetes m
ellitus an
d fev
er.
Leav
es are applied
over sp
rain. F
ruits, leav
es and flo
wers are u
sed as fo
od.
I.J.A.B.R, VOL. 3(3) 2013: 384-393 ISSN 2250 – 3560
390
74
Murra
ya ko
enig
ii (L.)
Rutaceae
Kariv
eppilai
Bark
, root an
d leav
es are crush
ed an
d ap
plied
extern
ally to cu
re skin
eruptio
ns. T
he d
ecoctio
n o
f the
leaves is u
sed to
expel w
orm
s from
the b
od
y. Leav
es are grin
ded
with
rice and jag
gery
and b
oiled
to
mak
e th
ick
slurry
and
consu
med
fo
r w
orm
in
fections.
The
paste
of
the
leaves
is m
ixed
w
ith
butterm
ilk an
d co
nsu
med
for h
air gro
wth
. About 5
0 g
m o
f leaf paste is b
oiled
with
coco
nut o
il and
is applied
for th
ree month
s to red
uce h
air fall and
to attain
dark
colo
ur to
hair.
75
Musa
para
disia
ca (L
.) M
usaceae
Vazh
ai Ju
ice is
extracted
fro
m th
e ch
opped
tru
nk,
strained
an
d co
nsu
med
fo
r ren
al co
lic an
d help
s to
elim
inate k
idney sto
nes. T
his is a g
ood so
lutio
n fo
r excess h
air loss.
76
Ocim
um
sanctu
m (L
.) L
amiaceae
Krish
na th
ulsi
Leaf ju
ice is applied
extern
ally for rin
g w
orm
s and o
ther sk
in d
iseases. Han
dfu
l of leav
es is boiled
in
water an
d th
e hot steam
is inhaled
in sev
ere cold
. Leav
es are boiled
with
pep
per, d
ried g
inger an
d
jaggery an
d th
e prep
aration is co
nsu
med
daily to
reduce co
ld, co
ugh an
d fev
er. 77
Perg
ula
ria d
aem
ia (fo
rsk.)
Chio
v
Asclep
iadaceae
Velip
paru
thi
Juice fro
m leav
es reduce lo
cal itchin
g. L
eaves are co
vered
with
cotto
n clo
th an
d h
eat applied
to
affected area w
ill reduce arth
ritic pain
. Consu
mptio
n o
f milk
mix
ed w
ith ro
ot w
ill expel g
as and
worm
s . 78
Phylla
nth
us a
maru
s Sch
um
&
Thom
P
hyllan
thaceae
Keezh
arnelli
Han
dfu
l of leav
es is mad
e into
paste an
d co
nsu
med
for jau
ndice. D
ecoctio
n o
f youn
g leav
es is used
fo
r fever.
79
Physa
lis min
ima L
inn.
Solan
aceae K
utti th
akkali
Deco
ction o
f the w
hole p
lant is u
sed fo
r constip
ation, u
lcers and co
ugh.
80
Pip
er nig
rum
(L.)
Pip
eraceae M
ilagu
Deco
ction o
r infu
sion o
f the u
nrip
e berries is u
sed as a m
outh
wash
in to
oth
aches. A
prep
aration w
ith
Ocim
um
sanctu
m an
d jag
gery is v
ery effective in
reducin
g fev
er and co
ugh.
81
Plu
mbago in
dica
(L.)
Plu
mbag
inaceae
Neelak
oduveli
Deco
ction o
f root is an
appetizer, u
sed fo
r stom
ach p
ain, v
itality, ex
pulsio
n o
f gas fro
m sto
mach
.
The ju
ice of th
e root is m
ixed
with
coco
nut o
il and ap
plied
extern
ally to tak
e care of sk
in d
iseases. 82
Polya
nth
ia lo
ngifo
lia (T
hw
.) A
nnonaceae
N
ettilingam
D
ecoctio
n o
f the b
ark is effectiv
e in fev
er, skin
disease, d
iabetes. B
ark is im
mersed
in w
ater for o
ne
day an
d th
e filtered w
ater is used
as an an
tiseptic so
lutio
n fo
r cleanin
g w
ounds.
83
Psid
ium
guajav
a (L.)
Myrtaceae
Pera/k
oyya
Deco
ction o
f leaves is u
sed in
chro
nic d
iarrhoea, o
edem
a and u
terine h
aemorrh
age. D
ecoctio
n o
f youn
g sh
oot co
nsu
med
twice a d
ay (one cu
p each
at a time) w
ill cure d
ysentery, d
iarrhoea, ren
al diseases an
d u
lcers. 84
Punica
gra
natu
m (L
.) P
unicaceae
Mad
ulam
D
ecoctio
n o
f peel o
f fruits w
ill relieve sto
mach
pain
. Paste m
ade fro
m y
oung fru
it is used
to co
ntro
l diarrh
oea. P
ow
der m
ade fro
m fru
it peel is an
tipyretic.
85
Ravo
ulfia
serpen
tina
(L.)
Ben
th
Ap
ocy
naceae
A
malp
ori
Deco
ction o
f roots w
ill expel w
orm
s from
the b
od
y.
86
Ravo
ulfia
tetraphylla
(L.)
Apocy
naceae
P
aambukala/
Parach
andrik
a E
xtract o
f whole p
lant is m
ixed
with
castor o
il and ap
plied
to sk
in d
iseases and sn
ake b
ites.
87
Rhin
aca
nth
us n
asu
tus (L
.) K
urz.
Acan
thaceae
Nag
amalli
Whole p
lant ex
tract is consu
med
for b
lood d
isord
ers, poiso
nin
g an
d rin
g w
orm
infectio
ns.
88
Sala
cia o
blo
nga. W
all ex W
ight
& A
rn
Hip
pocrateaceae
Ponkoran
di
Bark
of th
e plan
t is used
to cu
re arthritis in
multi h
erbal fo
rmulatio
ns.
89
Sara
ca in
dica
(L.)
Caesalp
inaceae
Aso
kam
F
low
ers are boiled
in co
con
ut o
il and ap
plied
extern
ally for sk
in d
iseases, boils an
d rash
es. The p
aste
of th
e bark
is applied
over p
ainfu
l join
ts. The d
ecoctio
n o
f bark
is usefu
l in m
enorrh
oea, leu
corrh
oea,
and d
ysmen
orrh
oea.
90
Sauro
pus a
ndro
gyn
us (L
.)Merr.
Euphorb
iaceae M
adhurak
keera
Leav
es are edib
le. Cooked
leaves are ad
visab
le in co
nstip
ation. D
ecoctio
n o
f root is g
iven
to red
uce
fever.
91
Sid
a a
cuta
Burm
.f. M
alvaceae
Malath
angi
Leav
es are mad
e into
paste w
ith rice an
d jag
gery
and b
oiled
to m
ake slu
rry. This is co
nsu
med
durin
g
post d
elivery p
eriod in
ladies. W
hole p
lant ex
tract is giv
en fo
r leuco
rrhoea.
92
Sid
a a
lnifo
lia
Malv
aceae K
uru
rmth
otti
Fresh
whole p
lant p
aste is mix
ed in
milk
and co
nsu
med
in th
e last trimester o
f preg
nan
cy for n
orm
al deliv
ery. Root is u
sed fo
r arthritis, rh
eum
atism, tu
bercu
losis, in
multi d
rug fo
rmulatio
ns w
ith o
ther
herb
s. Deco
ction o
f root p
rom
otes stren
gth
and im
parts b
eauty to
the b
ody.
Ethnopharmacological studies of Thachamalai Hill
391
93
Sm
ilax zeyla
nica
(L.)
Sm
ilaceae K
aruvilan
chi- w
hite
Rhizo
me p
aste is consu
med
with
milk
for p
iles. Deco
ction o
f root an
d rh
izom
e is used
in v
enereal
disease, rh
eum
atism, arth
ritis and u
rinary co
mplain
ts. 94
Sm
ilax o
valifo
lia R
oxb
Sm
ilaceae K
aruvilan
chi- red
D
ecoctio
n of
root
and rh
izom
e is
consu
med
fo
r th
e ven
ereal disease,
rheu
matism
, arth
ritis an
d
urin
ary com
plain
ts.
95
Sola
num
nig
rum
(L.)
Solan
aceae (M
anith
akkali,
kuttath
ippazh
am
Juice fro
m th
e whole p
lant is co
nsu
med
for in
ternal u
lcers. Garg
ling o
f water b
oiled
with
fruits an
d
leaves is u
seful in
the treatm
ent o
f mouth
ulcers. T
he p
aste from
unrip
e berry is u
sed fo
r ring w
orm
in
fections. L
eaves are co
oked
as side d
ish fo
r rice. 96
Solan
um
torv
um
(L.) S
w.
Solan
aceae C
hunda
Fru
its are edib
le. Inhalatio
n o
f steam fro
m th
e boiled
fruits an
d seed
s will tak
e care of co
ugh, asth
ma,
and so
re thro
at. worm
infestatio
ns.
97
Sola
num
trilobatu
m (L
.) S
olan
aceae T
hooth
uvalai
Deco
ction o
f whole p
lant is u
sed in
asthm
a, bro
nch
itis, cough an
d co
mm
on co
ld. In
halatio
n o
f steam
from
leaves ex
pels sp
utu
m.
98
Sperm
aco
ce hisp
ida (L
.) R
ubiaceae
Tharav
u,
Nath
aichoori
Juice fro
m th
e whole p
lant is co
nsu
med
to ex
pel g
all stones. W
hole p
lant is u
sed in
multi d
rug o
il
prep
arations
99
Spila
nth
es acm
ella (M
urr.)
Asteraceae
Palv
alipoondu
F
low
ers and leav
es are crush
ed an
d th
e juice is ap
plied
in th
e den
tal canal to
get rid
of p
ain. C
hew
ing
flow
ers will g
ive relief fro
m th
roat in
fections.
100
Sta
chyta
rpheta
indica
(L.)
Verb
enaceae
Nayu
ruvi –
blu
e In
fusio
n o
f bark
is used
in d
iarrhoea an
d d
ysentery. Ju
ice from
crush
ed leav
es is filtered th
rough
white clo
th an
d u
sed as eye d
rops in
gen
eral ophth
almic p
roblem
s and ap
plied
extern
ally to cu
re ulcers.
101
Syzyg
ium
aro
maticu
m (L
.) M
yrtaceae G
rambu
Applicatio
n o
f clove o
il in th
e den
tal cavity
relieves to
oth
ache. C
love o
il is used
as a mouth
wash
. T
ea of clo
ves w
ill relieve n
ausea.
102
Tin
osp
ora
crispa
Willd
M
enisp
ermaceae
Kaattu
amru
thav
alli D
ecoctio
n o
f stem is u
sed fo
r gen
eral w
eakness, fev
er and in
flamm
ations. T
he d
ecoctio
n o
f the
pulv
erized fru
it is used
as a tonic an
d also
used
to co
ntro
l rheu
matism
and jau
ndice.
103
Tylo
phora
asth
matica
Wig
ht. &
A
rn
Asclep
iadaceae
Vallip
pala
Deco
ction o
f leaf is used
as expecto
rant in
bro
nch
itis and co
ugh.
104
Vern
onia
cinerea
(L.)
Asteraceae
Kuch
arikootam
L
eaves are cru
shed
and th
e filtered ju
ice is used
as eye dro
ps to
cure eye in
fections.
105
Vetiveria
zizanio
ides (L
.) P
oaceae
Vetiv
er, Ram
acham
B
oils cau
sed b
y sum
mer h
eat could
be treated
with
root p
ow
der sm
ade in
to a p
aste with
sandal w
ood
pow
der an
d w
ater and ap
plied
over affected
area. Root p
aste is applied
extern
ally for sw
ellings in
the
bod
y. 106
Vitex n
egundo (L
.) V
erben
aceae N
och
i D
ecoctio
n o
f the leav
es is used
as an ex
pecto
rant. L
eaf extract is ap
plied
over sw
ollen
join
ts in
rheu
matism
. Infu
sion o
f leaves is u
sed as v
ermifu
ge. D
ecoctio
n o
f the leav
es is used
for to
oth
ache,
rheu
matism
and eye d
iseases.
392
FIGURE 2: Baccaurea courtallensis (Wight) M.Arg
FIGURE 3: Aringa wightii (Griff).
FIGURE 4: Crassocephalum crepidiodes (Benth.)
FIGURE 5: Ravoulfia serpentina (L.) Benth
FIGURE 6: A Kani with Curcuma aromatica Salisb.
FIGURE 8: Smilax ovalifolia Roxb.
FIGURE 6: Smilax zeylanica Linn
I.J.A.B.R, VOL. 3(3) 2013: 384-393 ISSN 2250 – 3560
Ethnopharmacological studies of Thachamalai Hill
393
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are grateful to the Principal Chief Conservator
of Forest, Chennai for providing permission to carry out
this research, the tribal people of Thachamalai especially
Mr. Eechuttikani, the „Mootukani‟ and Mr. Pillalan, the
„Vilikani‟of the Kani settlement for sharing valuable information and needed help extended during the period.
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