Some medicinal plants used by the tribals of koraput, orissa
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Some medicinal plants used by the tribals of koraput, orissa
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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P.K. Das
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Some medicinal plants used by the tribals of koraput, orissa
Year: 1995
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The paper presents ethnobotanical observations from the Koraput district of Orissa, highlighting the use of approximately 49 medicinal plant species by the local tribal communities. With a population of over 2.4 million, a significant percentage (56%) consists of scheduled castes and tribes, primarily known for their traditional healing practices. These practices are still prevalent in remote areas, where tribal people often rely on local herbalists, referred to as Gunias, who employ a combination of spiritual and herbal remedies for various ailments. The study aims to address the underrepresentation of ethnobotanical knowledge in existing literature about the region, providing a detailed account of local plant usage and treatment methods.
Ethnomedicine and Plant Utilization
One of the prominent aspects covered in the study is the medicinal application of various plants by the tribal people. For instance, Acalypha indica is utilized to treat constipation in children by applying its juice to the anal region. Similarly, Aegle marmelos, a fruit known for its cooling properties, is given in cases of diarrhea to promote digestion. The variety of plants discussed, such as Azadirachta indica, commonly known as Neem, demonstrates their importance in treating skin diseases, where the leaves are applied to boils and the decoction is ingested for broader health benefits. The insights into the local methods of extracting and using these plants, such as decoctions and pastes, illustrate the deep-rooted ethnomedicinal knowledge possessed by these communities.
Conclusion
The paper underscores the significance of ethnobotanical studies in understanding how indigenous practices contribute to healthcare in rural settings. Despite the continued use of traditional medicine among tribal groups in Koraput, the exploration of these medicinal plants remains largely incomplete. The findings advocate for more thorough investigations into the diverse flora of the region, which could yield valuable resources for modern medicine. The ongoing reliance on local plants for treatment signifies a rich cultural heritage that merits preservation and further study, as it holds potential remedies for a variety of ailments and highlights the intricate relationship between the tribal communities and their natural environment.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What does the paper cover regarding Koraput's tribal medicinal plants?
The paper discusses ethnobotanical observations from Koraput, detailing 49 species of medicinal plants and their uses by local tribal communities for various ailments.
How were the medicinal plants studied in Koraput district?
The study involved multiple visits to tribal villages between 1988 and 1990, gathering information from tribal people and herbal doctors about plant usage for treating diseases.
What is the significance of tribal herbal medicine in Koraput?
Tribal communities in Koraput often rely on Gunias, herbal doctors, for healing. They utilize traditional herbal remedies alongside modern allopathic and homeopathic treatments, emphasizing the importance of local ethnobotanical knowledge.
What methodologies did the author use for documenting plant usages?
The author collected plant specimens, documented their medicinal uses, and arranged them alphabetically by botanical names, ensuring identification with taxonomic references from Hains flora.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Some medicinal plants used by the tribals of koraput, orissa”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Swelling:
Swelling in the context of medicinal plants often refers to the inflammation of body parts that can result from injury, infection, or other health issues. The paper mentions the application of Alangium salvifolium leaves to relieve pain and swelling of joints, demonstrating the use of plants to treat these conditions.
2) Scorpion:
Scorpion stings can cause significant pain and discomfort. The paper highlights Globs orixensis as a remedy for scorpion bites, illustrating traditional practices among tribals in Koraput for treating venomous wounds. This shows the importance of local flora in addressing specific dangers in their environment.
3) Botany:
Botany, the study of plants, is fundamental to understanding ethnomedicine. This research focuses on the medicinal properties of various plant species in Koraput, emphasizing how local knowledge and plant classification contribute to treating ailments, and reflects the connection between botany and cultural practices.
4) Water:
Water is essential in the preparation of traditional remedies. Many treatments listed in the paper involve mixing plant parts with water to create decoctions or pastes. This highlights water's vital role as a solvent that aids in extracting medicinal properties from plants for effective use.
5) Ulcer:
Ulcers refer to sores on the skin or mucous membranes, commonly causing pain. The paper mentions treatments like Plumbago zeylanica juice for skin issues, indicating the role of certain plants in addressing ulcers and the wealth of ethnobotanical knowledge applied in tribal medicine.
6) Vomiting:
Vomiting, a common symptom of various ailments, is addressed through the use of specific plants. Cuminum cyminum, cited in the text, is used for stomach disorders and vomiting, demonstrating traditional methods utilized by tribals for managing gastrointestinal issues through local herbs.
7) Honey:
Honey serves as both a sweetener and a therapeutic agent in traditional medicine. It is utilized in many remedies to enhance the flavor and medicinal properties of herbal treatments, indicating a common practice among tribal cultures to combine foods with health benefits for patient care.
8) Blood:
Blood purification is a significant aspect of health, often connected to overall well-being. The study notes that Melia azadarach juice, combined with Curcuma longa, serves as a tonic for blood purification, showcasing the relationship between specific plants and the purification processes in tribal healing.
9) Milk:
Milk is often mentioned in traditional medicine for its nutritional and therapeutic value. In the paper, it's noted as a vehicle for administering treatments, such as vermifuge combinations, highlighting its role alongside herbal remedies in tribal health practices and the cultural significance attributed to it.
10) Azadirachta indica:
Azadirachta indica, commonly known as neem, is revered for its medicinal properties. The study discusses its application for treating boils and skin diseases, attesting to its significance in traditional medicine systems and showcasing how tribals use it as a natural remedy for common ailments.
11) Cuminum cyminum:
Cuminum cyminum, or cumin, is recognized for its culinary and medicinal uses. This paper highlights it as a remedy for stomach disorders and vomiting, emphasizing how such spices are valued not only in cooking but also for their health benefits in traditional medicinal practices.
12) Santalum album:
Santalum album, or sandalwood, is appreciated for its aromatic and medicinal properties. In the study, its application for curing boils indicates its relevance in topical therapies among tribal healers, showcasing a blend of fragrance and healing properties often sought after in herbal medicine.
13) Ocimum sanctum:
Ocimum sanctum, also known as holy basil, is lauded for its health-promoting effects. The paper notes its use in treating bronchitis and earaches, exemplifying how medicinal plants are integral in tribal healthcare, offering holistic approaches to treating common ailments prevalent in the region.
14) Nerium indicum:
Nerium indicum, also known as oleander, has traditional medicinal uses, including swelling reduction when applied with mustard oil. The paper reflects its application in tribal medicine practices, displaying the depth of local botanical knowledge and how specific plants are utilized for effective treatments.
15) Curcuma longa:
Curcuma longa, or turmeric, is valued both as a spice and a medicinal herb. The investigation notes its external and internal uses for treating various ailments, highlighting its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and blood-purifying qualities that make it a staple in traditional healing practices.
16) Mustard oil:
Mustard oil is commonly used in traditional medicine for its warming and soothing properties. The paper illustrates its application in conjunction with other plants to treat swelling, exemplifying the integrative methods employed by tribals to use locally available resources for health purposes.
17) Momordica charantia:
Momordica charantia, or bitter melon, is acknowledged for its health benefits, particularly in managing skin diseases and digestive issues. The inclusion of this plant in the study underscores its prominence in local dietary practices as well as its recognized therapeutic properties among the tribal people.
18) Plumbago zeylanica:
Plumbago zeylanica, known for its medicinal sap, is used in the treatment of skin disorders like scabies and ulcers. The paper demonstrates its application reflecting local therapeutic knowledge in Koraput, affirming the cultural significance of this plant in traditional healing.
19) Tamarindus indica:
Tamarindus indica, or tamarind, is cited for its digestive and therapeutic benefits, especially for dysentery. This indicates how certain edible plants are specifically utilized in tribal medicine, merging dietary customs with disease management, embodying a holistic approach to health among the indigenous communities.
20) Ricinus communis:
Ricinus communis, also known as castor oil plant, is mentioned for its purgative properties. The paper highlights its traditional use in treating constipation and headaches, reflecting the diverse applications of this plant in tribal communities for holistic health solutions.
21) Aegle marmelos:
Aegle marmelos, or bael fruit, is recognized for its digestive and cooling properties. The study emphasizes its traditional usage in managing diarrhea, thereby highlighting the importance of specific fruit-bearing plants in tribal health practices in addressing common gastrointestinal ailments.
22) Purification:
Purification is referenced in the context of health and medicinal practices, indicating the process of cleansing the body of toxins. This paper underlines how various plants, including Melia azadarach and Curcuma longa, are used for bodily purification, illustrating the goal of holistic healing in tribal medicine.
23) Discussion:
Discussion in this context serves as an opportunity to reflect on the findings and implications of ethnobotanical studies. It emphasizes the importance of documenting traditional knowledge and the potential for undiscovered medicinal uses of plants, showcasing the need for further research in Koraput's rich biodiversity.
24) Medicine:
Medicine in this context refers to the various therapies and plant-based treatments derived from local flora. The paper discusses the crucial role of traditional medicine among Koraput tribals, highlighting their reliance on ethnobotanical knowledge to address health issues and the significance of medicinal plants in their culture.
25) Mustard:
Mustard, often associated with the oil derived from its seeds, plays a significant role in both culinary and medicinal spheres. In the paper, the combination with Nerium indicum shows how mustard oil is employed in traditional healing practices, demonstrating its versatility within the local medicinal context.
26) Science (Scientific):
Science, particularly ethnobotany, underlies the systematic exploration of plant uses among indigenous cultures. This research contributes to the scientific understanding of how traditional knowledge informs medicinal practices, illustrating a bridge between folk wisdom and modern scientific inquiry in the realm of plant-based remedies.
27) Mishra (Miśra):
Misra is another author mentioned in conjunction with previous research on medicinal plant uses in Orissa. His inclusion reflects the cumulative intellectual contributions to ethnobotany, recognizing the importance of building on past research to further understand traditional knowledge systems in tribal health care.
28) Bitter:
Bitter, in the context of plants, often describes the taste that indicates certain health benefits. For instance, Momordica charantia, known for its bitter flavor, is used for its medicinal properties. This highlights how the sensory attributes of plants can relate to their therapeutic actions in tribal medicine.
29) Sharman (Śarma, Sarmā, Sarma, Sharma, Śarman):
Sharma denotes one of the referenced authors in the ethnobotanical literature concerning Orissa's medicinal plants. Including Sharma's work highlights the ongoing academic discourse in ethnobotany, instigating acknowledgment of foundational studies that inform current investigations into tribal medicinal practices.
30) Bhuta (Bhūtā, Bhūta, Bhuṭa):
Bhuta refers to evil spirits in local folklore that tribals believe can cause illnesses. This cultural perspective of health highlights the intersection of traditional beliefs with practices such as using herbs and rituals for healing, illustrating the complexity of health systems in indigenous tribes.
31) Lemon:
Lemon, particularly its juice, is often recognized for its health benefits, including in treatments for dysentery highlighted in the paper. This emphasizes the role of common food items in traditional medicine, showcasing how their nutritional and medicinal qualities are leveraged in tribal healthcare practices.