Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources

Vol. 2(1), March 2011, pp. 110-115

Indigenous traditional knowledge recorded on some medicinal plants in Narendra

Nagar Block (Tehri Garhwal), Uttarakhand

L R Dangwal* and Antima Sharma

Herbarium and Plant Systematic Laboratory, Department of Botany, H.N.B. Garhwal Central University,

S.R.T. Campus Badshahi Thaul, Tehri Garhwal – 249 199, Uttarakhand, India

Received 16 February 2010; Accepted 6 October 2010

Garhwal Himalaya has been the reservoir of enormous natural resources including vegetational wealth. Local natives and

tribes who live in the vicinity of forest, being close to the nature, possess a deep practical knowledge on indigenous flora,

pertaining to curatives, culture, customs, ethos, cults, religion, belief, legends, myths as well as other miscellaneous uses.

The people in remote villages and tribal areas depend upon the folk medicines and household remedies to a great extent. The

prevalent practice of herbal remedies has descended down from generation to generation and includes the cure from simple

ailments to the most complicated one. The present communication pertains to the traditional knowledge on some medicinal

plants used for the treatment of various diseases i.e. dysentery, dysmenorrhea, obstetrical problem, piles, leucorrhoea, nasal

bleeding, ophthalmic disorder, alopecia, scabies, urinary disorder, bronchitis, lumbago, epilepsy, sleeplessness,

splenomegaly, galactagogue, etc.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, Narendra Nagar block, Natural resources, Traditional Health Care System, Traditional

knowledge, Vaidyas.

IPC code; Int. cl. (2011.01) A61K 36/00

Introduction

Plants have been used in traditional medicine for

thousands of years ago. The knowledge of medicinal

plants has been accumulated in the course of many

centuries based on different medicinal systems such

as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. In India, it is

reported that traditional healers use 2500 plant species

and 100 species of plants serve as regular sources

of medicine1.

During last few decades there has been an increasing

in the study of medicinal plants and their traditional

uses in different parts of the world2. Herbal remedies

are considered the oldest forms of health care known to

mankind on this earth. Prior to the development of

modern medicine, the traditional systems of medicine

that have evolved over the centuries within various

communities, are still maintained as a great traditional

knowledge base in herbal medicines3. Traditionally,

this treasure of knowledge has been passed on orally

from generation to generation without any written

document4 and is still retained by various indigenous

groups around the world.

Documenting the indigenous knowledge through

ethno-botanical studies is important for the

conservation and utilization of biological resources.

Ethno-botanical survey has been found to be one of

the reliable approaches to drug discovery5. Several

active compounds have been discovered from plants

on the basis of ethno-botanical information and used

directly as patented drugs6. As an indigenous cultures

are closely maintained by the tribal and other forest

dwellers throughout the world, the ethno-botanical

investigation is a prerequisite for any developmental

planning concerned with the welfare of tribal and

their environment. It is an urgent necessity to record

all the possible information about the plants and the

role of peoples in conserving them. The main focus of

the present study is to ascertain the detailed

information on the use of plants and their therapeutic

practices among peoples of study area.

Uttarakhand Himalaya is the most spectacular in its

natural assets, landform, water sedges, lush green

forest and floristic diversity. Uttarakhand state

comprises 13 districts and lies in between 28° 43′ to

31° 8′ N latitude and 77° 35′ to 81°

2′ E longitude. It

is surrounded to the North-west by Himachal Pradesh,

to the north by Tibet (China), to the east by Nepal and

——————

*Correspondent author:

E-mail: drlrdangwal@gmail.com, antimasharma82@gmail.com

DANGWAL & SHARMA: ETHNO-MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN NARENDRA NAGAR BLOCK, TEHRI GARHWAL

111

to the south by Uttar Pradesh. The large human

populace with diverse life styles, beliefs, traditions and

cultural heritage inhabiting in hilly region of

Himalayas has learnt to utilize natural resources and

products in various ways. Tehri Garhwal is one of the

hilly district of Uttarakhand state, India. It has nine

blocks. Out of these one of the block in the district

Tehri Garhwal is Narendra Nagar which sustains

unique and diverse vegetation in wide range of habitats

from Tarai- Bhabar tracts (275-1900m asl) to the high

range of lesser Himalaya. It lies in between 30° 10′-30°

17′ N latitude and 78° 18′-78°

30′E longitude and

covering in the area of 6, 8123 ha. It stretches from

Dhalwala to Than, Amsera, Jaikot, Gaja to Marora,

Nigyer and Dhalwala to Kauriyala, etc. Nomadic tribes

are Gujjars and Bhotiyas, the former dwelling in the

sub-montane zones during winters and moving towards

high altitude during the summer seasons. Bhotiyas less

often visit to the block. Traditional Health Care System (THCS) is the only

accessible form for majority of the population, both logistically and economically. Medicinal herbs are the main ingredients of local medicine and are thus of vital importance in Traditional Health Care System. Traditional Health Care System as practiced in the region consists of two system, viz. Folk stream and Classical stream. The folk stream system is based on oral tradition, practiced by local villagers and tribal communities (Non Codified System-NCS). The classical stream is based on theoretical knowledge, experimental and philosophical explanation provided by many learned physicians and surgeons of earlier time like Charak, Sushruta, Galen and Rhazes, etc. (Codified System–CS).

Ethno-medicinal plants have offered immense scope and opportunities for the development of new drugs. Some modern drugs have been deducted from folklore and traditional medicine

7-8. Several ethno-

botanist have been work out the traditional uses of plants in the Uttarakhand Himalaya

9-14. The study on

ethno-medicinal plants used to cure different diseases by the peoples has not been adequately worked out by earlier workers in a particular area. Therefore, the present communication deals with attempt to gather information on some traditional uses of medicinal plants from different villages of the Narendra Nagar block to document the medicinal uses of plants to cure the common diseases.

Materials and Methods Field surveys have been made during 2008-2010 to

gather data on traditional uses of medicinal plants

across various villages in the block. The information was gathered using semi-structured questionnaires about the types of ailments treated by the traditional use of medicinal plants and the preparation of herbal medical formulations. This information was also gathered from 60 traditional Vaidyas living in different villages of Narendra Nagar block, Tehri Garhwal. For interviews, the Vaidyas were selected randomly from a list of 200 traditional Vaidyas who were identified during community workshops. These Vaidyas resided across various villages of Narendra Nagar block such as Than, Amsera, Khari, Jajal, Jaikot, Ghar-gaon, Kathur (Gaja), Marora, Nigyer, Dhalwala, Shivpuri, Byasi, Bachelikhal, Chaka, Pokhari, etc. Five workshops were organized in different villages of Narendra Nagar block in various groups of indigenous people including Vaidyas were invited to participate through helping document their indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants. However, the information was also gathered in order to understand the attitude of the younger generation towards learning Ayurveda and also to identify the causes of decline in the tradition. The data were cross checked by interviewing more than three Vaidyas on the uses of specific plant species and preparation of herbal formulations. A participant observation method was employed to understand the methods and techniques adopted by Vaidyas in preparation of various herbal formulations. In order to verify the identity of local names of medicinal plant species field visits were undertaken with Vaidyas.

Standard method of collection, preservation and maintenance of specimens in the herbarium were followed

15,16. All the collected plant specimens

(Plate 1) were identified with the help of recent and relevant floras and confirmed from the authentic specimens, housed in the Herbaria of Botanical Survey of India, Northern Circle (BSD), Dehra Dun, Forest Research Institute (DD), Dehra Dun and Garhwal University Herbarium (GUH), Srinagar Garhwal. All the collected plant specimens have been deposited in the Herbarium of H.N.B. Garhwal Central University, SRT Campus Botany Department Badshahi Thaul, Tehri Garhwal and Botany Department Herbarium (GUH), Srinagar Garhwal. The plant species were arranged alphabetically with their botanical names with citations, family in brackets, local names, voucher specimen no. (SRTH), part used, diseases and mode of applications (Table 1).

Results and Discussion Although our ancient sages through hit and trial

method developed herbal medicines, the reported uses

INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2011

112

of plant species do not certify efficacy17

. The present preliminary report on ethno-medicinal uses of some plant species need to pharmacologically screened, chemically analyzed and tested for bioactive activities

18. Pharmacological screening of plant

extracts provides insight to both their therapeutic and toxic properties and helps in eliminating the medicinal plants or practices that may be harmful. The study provides information on 25 plants species belonging to 24 genera and 21 families (Table 1). Out of these plant species, 7 species are herbs, 7 are trees, 5 are under shrubs, 4 are shrubs and 2 are climbers. The

plant parts used for medical preparation were bark, flowers, rhizomes, root, leaves, seeds, gum and whole plant. In some cases the whole plant including roots were utilized. The most frequently utilized plant parts were leaves, followed by root, flower, bark, seeds and whole plant.

Some information recorded in the study particularly for Swertia chirayita, Calotropis procera and Solanum nigrum were found to be either not known or little known. The study area is rich in medicinal plant resources. An attempt was made to collect information on the traditional medicinal

Plate 1Some of the medicinal plants used in Narendra Nagar Block (Tehri Garhwal)

DANGWAL & SHARMA: ETHNO-MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN NARENDRA NAGAR BLOCK, TEHRI GARHWAL

113

Table 1Important ethno-medicinal plants of Narendra Nagar block

Botanical Name/Family Local name Voucher specimen no. Part used Disease/Mode of administration

Acacia catechu (Linn.f.)

Willd. (Mimosaceae)

Khair AS-SRTH -03 Bark, pod

and gum

Equal quantities of bark, pod and gum are

grinded and one teaspoonful of this powder is

given thrice a day with water in lumbago. It

gives relief from pain in the waist.

Achyranthes aspera Linn.

(Amaranthaceae)

Lichkuri AS-SRTH -01 Leaves a) In dysmenorrhoea 3 ml of fresh leaves

extract is given orally twice a day for 7 days.

This therapy is started on first day of beginning

of menstrual cycle and repeated for 5-7

consecutive cycle.

b) In leucorrhoea 3 ml of fresh leaves extract

mixed with curd is given orally before sunrise

for 21 days.

Adhatoda vasica Nees

(Acanthaceae)

Baisingu AS-SRTH -02 Leaves Decoction of leaves (20-30 g) mixed with 1g

powder of Piper nigrum Linn. is given to cure

severe bronchitis, bronchial asthma and

tuberculosis.

Argemone mexicana Linn.

(Papaveraceae)

Pili kateli AS-SRTH -12 Seed and

rhizome

Pounded seeds (2 g) of A. mexicana along with

rhizome of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. (1g) and

Acorus calamus Linn. (2g) made into paste are

applied on all kinds of skin diseases twice a day

till recovery.

Artemisia nilagirica

(C.B Clarke) Pamp.

(Asteraceae)

Kunja AS-SRTH -13 Leaves The leaves are crushed and 2-3 drops of the

extract are dropped in the nostrils to stop nasal

bleeding and it also cures the sinus problem.

Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.

(Nyctaginaceae)

Punarva AS-SRTH -14 Root a) Decoction of 50-100ml plant root is given to

the patient of sleeplessness.

b) Root paste mixed with ghee is applied as

eyeliner. It cures redness of eyes.

Calotropis procera

(Ait.) W. T. Aiton

(Asclepiadaceae)

Aak AS-SRTH -75 Flower 300g of fresh flower extract mixed with 300 g

of Piper nigrum powder and make its tablets. In

epilepsy these tablets are given 3-4 times a day

till recovery.

Cassia fistula Linn.

(Caesalpinaceae)

Simaru AS-SRTH -46 Leaves One teaspoonful of leaves extract is

administrated orally against jaundice thrice a

day after meals.

Cedrus deodara

(Roxb.ex D. Don)

(Pinaceae)

Devdar AS-SRTH -49 Wood Small pieces of heart wood (100-200 g) of

mature tree is dipped over night in 100-200 ml

of hot water, the resulting extract is given orally

for about 30 days to the patient suffering from

piles.

Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.

(Cuscutaceae)

Amerbel AS-SRTH -60 Whole plant 40-60g of plant decoction is given to the

pregnant women. It helps in easily eliminating

the placenta.

Datura Stramonium Linn.

(Solanaceae)

Datura AS-SRTH -61 Fruit,

branches

and leaves

The powder of dry fruits, branches and leaves

cures bronchial asthma.

Euphorbia hirta Linn.

(Euphorbiaceae)

Duthi AS-SRTH -62 Leaves and

flower

15 g of leaves extract mixed with 5-7 pieces of

Piper nigrum is given to the patient as an

antidote of snake bite. It nullifies the venom

immediately.

Gnaphalium affine D. Don

(Asteraceae)

Bugla AS-SRTH -15 Whole plant Whole plant is crushed and given orally to

infants suffering from diarrhoea.

Grewia optiva J.R. Drumm.

ex Burret (Tiliaceae)

Bhimal AS-SRTH -10 Leaves Fresh leaves are boiled in water to prepare

decoction which is further concentrated at low

temperatures. The concentrated paste is applied

to cure joint pains.

(Contd.)

INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, MARCH 2011

114

knowledge present with the local peoples. However,

more in depth information may be explored from the

peoples residing in the remote villages of the block.

This type of study will give new impetus to the

traditional system of healthcare. In view of the

importance of traditional medicine which provides

health services to 75-80% of the world population,

demand of herbal drugs by the pharmaceutical and

depleting natural plant resources is increasing. It is

high time to document the medicinal utility of less

known plants available in remote areas of the country.

Conclusion

Today, though the modern civilization is at high

pedestals in the field of medicine and treatment of

various ailments, these facilities have not reached to

aborigines or the people who live far away from the

towns, thus these societies still completely depends on

the traditional methods of treatment. It has been

observed that in some cases modern sciences is not

able to treat some of the chronic ailments and still depend on traditional medicinal therapy as an alternative therapy. The present investigation reveals that most of the Vaidyas who retained this traditional knowledge have crossed more than 70-75 years of age, therefore, if documentation of their knowledge will not be done urgently a day will come when this science will be lost irretrievably with the passing away of such people. Thus, it is expected that this investigation will be helpful to conserve the heritable knowledge in the field of herbal treatment and general uses of plants in village ecosystem.

Acknowledgements The authors are thankful to the people of Narendra

Nagar block for sharing their ethno-botanical knowledge and also thankful to the Botanical Survey of India, Northern Circle (BSD), Dehra Dun, Forest Research Institute (DD), Dehra Dun and the Department of Botany, S.R.T Campus Herbarium (GUH) for providing us herbarium facilities.

Table 1Important ethno-medicinal plants of Narendra Nagar block—Contd.

Botanical Name/Family Local name Voucher specimen no. Part used Disease/Mode of administration

Lantana camara Linn.

(Verbenaceae)

Kuri AS-SRTH -17 Leaves and

flowers

Decoction of leaves and flowers given for 21

days to cure rheumatism

Pinus roxburghii Sargent

(Pinaceae)

Chir AS-SRTH -20 Needles The green needles are grinded and sap is

extracted. It is taken to increase urine flow.

Plumbago zeylanica Linn.

(Plumbaginaceae)

Chitrak AS-SRTH -22 Whole plant 2 g powder of plant mixed with honey is given

to stop nasal bleeding.

Rhododendron arboreum

Smith (Ericaceae)

Burans AS-SRTH -31 Leaves 50-60 ml decoction of its leaves mixed with

blacksalt and cumin seeds is given to the patient

of splenomegaly.

Rubia manjith

Roxb.ex Flem.

( Rubiaceae)

Manjeet AS-SRTH -24 a) Root

b)Whole plant

a) A decoction of roots (10-20 g) as one dose is

used 2 -3 times daily in case of jaundice.

b) Sufficient amount of whole plant is mixed

with jaggery and given to the cattle for

increasing lactation.

Rubus ellipticus Smith

(Rosaceae)

Hinsaar AS-SRTH -26 Root Root is administrated orally for abortion.

Shorea robusta Roxb. ex

Gaertn. (Dipterocarpaceae)

Sal AS-SRTH -27 Gum The gum mixed with curd is used in dysentery.

Solanum nigrum Linn.

(Solanaceae)

Makoi AS-SRTH -28 Leaves 50-60 ml of leaves decoction, rock salt and

cumin seeds are added and given to the patient

of splenomegaly. Or juice of ripe mango with

honey mixed in it is given for the same purpose.

Solanum surattense

Burm. f. (Solanaceae)

Bhutakhanderi AS-SRTH -29 Leaves 20-50 ml juice of its leaves is mixed with honey

to use for massage in alopecia. Within few days

it kills the microorganism and skin becomes soft.

Swertia chirayita

(Roxb. ex Flem.)

Karst. (Gentianaceae)

Chirayita AS-SRTH -30 Twigs Twigs of the plant are soaked in the water

overnight and the same water is applied on

infected part of the skin. It cures severe itching

due to scabies.

Woodfordia fructicosa

(Linn.) Kurz

(Lythraceae)

Dhaula AS-SRTH -32 Flower In leucorrhoea, 2 teaspoonful powder of its

flower mixed with honey is given on empty

stomach in the morning and 1 hour before

dinner in the evening.

DANGWAL & SHARMA: ETHNO-MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN NARENDRA NAGAR BLOCK, TEHRI GARHWAL

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