Ayurvedic ethno-botanical survey insights of the Thattekad region
Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: An outlook (glimpses) on ayurvedic ethno medico-botanical survey of thattekad region
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Nirmal Narayanan*
Associate Professor & H.O.D, Dept. of Dravya Guna Vijnana, Vishnu Ayurveda College, Palakkad, Kerala
Nimya Anand
Assistant Professor, Dept of Rachana Sharira, Ramakrishna Ayurvedic Medical College, Bangalore
Ayushdhara:
(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)
Full text available for: An outlook (glimpses) on ayurvedic ethno medico-botanical survey of thattekad region
Year: 2017
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The Ayurvedic Ethno Medico-Botanical Survey conducted in the Thattekad region of Kerala highlights the reliance of local tribes, rural populations, and the elderly on traditional medicine for treating various ailments. Despite the extensive use of these medicinal resources, the documentation and accessibility of such knowledge remain inadequate, raising concerns about potential loss. Thattekad, known for its rich biodiversity and home to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, provides a unique opportunity to explore and document the traditional uses of local medicinal plants. This study emphasizes the crucial need to preserve these ethnobotanical practices and the valuable knowledge tied to them.
Importance of Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants are vital to the healthcare system in India, with approximately 80% of the rural population depending on these plants for primary healthcare needs. The survey revealed a total of 31 species of medicinal plants in the Thattekad area, among which various parts of these plants are utilized for different health conditions. The traditional knowledge surrounding these plants encompasses their uses in addressing issues like dysentery, indigestion, wounds, and snake bites. By cataloging this information, the study not only illuminates the significant role of medicinal flora but also underscores the rich cultural heritage associated with its usage among local communities.
Consequences of Biodiversity Loss
The Western Ghats, an area recognized for its ecological significance, is experiencing threats from modern civilization and habitat encroachment, leading to a decline in both biodiversity and traditional knowledge. The survey emphasizes that many beneficial plant species, some of which are endemic, are at risk of extinction. Furthermore, the diminishing ability of indigenous communities to protect and pass down their herbal knowledge is alarming. Therefore, there is an urgent need for conservation efforts and further research to maintain the integrity of these the plant species and their associated traditional knowledge systems.
Conclusion
The survey serves as a testament to the richness of the Thattekad region’s medicinal plants and the urgent need to document and protect this knowledge. The findings highlight the importance of ethno-medicinal studies in preserving indigenous practices, ensuring the survival of both these invaluable plant species and the cultural heritage they represent. Collaborative efforts among local communities, researchers, and conservationists will be essential in safeguarding this knowledge and the biodiversity within the Western Ghats, paving the way for sustainable utilization and future research opportunities.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the purpose of the Ayurvedic ethno medico-botanical survey?
The survey aims to document traditional medicinal knowledge and identify medicinal plants in the Thattekad region before this valuable information becomes extinct due to modernization and loss of indigenous cultures.
How many medicinal plants were identified in the Thattekad survey?
A total of 31 medicinal plants were identified during the survey conducted in Thattekad, each with various uses including treatment for ailments such as dysentery, wounds, and snake bites.
Why is the conservation of medicinal plants important in India?
Conservation is crucial as India possesses a rich heritage of medicinal plants. Sustainable utilization can aid self-reliance in healthcare, especially among rural populations dependent on these plants for their primary health needs.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Ayurvedic ethno-botanical survey insights of the Thattekad region”. 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) Ghat (Gham):
A Ghat refers to a mountain range or a series of mountain ranges. In the context given, the Western Ghats are a significant biodiversity hotspot and play a crucial role in modulating the Indian monsoon climate patterns.
2) Knowledge:
Traditional medicinal knowledge, often documented by surveys, is essential for conserving valuable local medical practices and ensures that such knowledge does not become extinct.
3) Vaidya:
A Vaidya is a practitioner of traditional Ayurvedic medicine. In the survey, local Vaidyas contributed their expertise in identifying and documenting the medicinal plants of the Thattekad region.
4) Forest:
The Thattekad region, home to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is an evergreen forest rich with medicinal plants, providing habitat for biodiversity and sources for traditional medicine.
5) Family:
The term 'Family' refers to the taxonomic category in the biological classification of plants. In the survey, various plant families like Araceae, Annonaceae, and Phyllanthaceae were identified.
6) India:
India is a country with a rich heritage in medicinal plants, with about 80% of its rural population depending on these plants for primary healthcare needs.
7) Disease:
Local medicinal plants in the Thattekad region are used to treat various diseases including dysentery, diarrhea, indigestion, and rheumatic disorders among others.
8) Dravyaguna (Dravya-guna):
Dravya-guna is a branch of Ayurveda that deals with the knowledge and study of medicinal properties of substances. The survey involved experts specialized in Dravya-guna vijnana.
9) Medicine:
Traditional medicine involves using the medicinal properties of various plants to treat ailments and has been a crucial part of healthcare in rural India.
10) Mountain:
In the context, a mountain refers to part of the Western Ghats, which is recognized for its high level of biological diversity and endemism, stretching across multiple states.
11) Vijnana:
Vijnana in this context refers to the scientific study and knowledge of medicinal plants' properties, a key aspect in Ayurveda practiced by specialists like Dr. Nirmal Narayanan.
12) Dravya:
Dravya refers to substances or materials with medicinal properties used in Ayurveda, including the various plants documented in the Thattekad region survey.
13) Kerala:
Kerala is a state in India where the Thattekad region is located, rich in biodiversity and endemic species used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
14) Guna:
Guna refers to the qualities or properties of medicinal substances studied in Ayurveda. In the context, experts specialized in Dravya-guna Vijnana analyzed these properties.
15) Tree:
Many trees in Thattekad have significant medicinal properties, with different parts such as bark, roots, and leaves used to treat various ailments.
16) Kashaya (Kasaya):
Kashaya is a term used in Ayurveda referring to a decoction made from medicinal plants. For example, the bark of some trees is used to create Kashaya for medicinal purposes.
17) Ulcer:
Several plants identified in the survey are used in traditional medicine to treat ulcers. For example, the paste of the bark from some plants is used for painful ulcers.
18) Pain:
Medicinal plants from the survey are used to alleviate various pains, including abdominal pain, headaches, and joint pains, through different preparations like oils and pastes.
19) Drug:
In the context, a drug refers to any substance used for medicinal purposes, derived from various plants identified in the Thattekad survey and traditionally used by local people.
20) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is a traditional Indian system of medicine using knowledge of medicinal plants, like those identified in the Thattekad survey, to treat a wide range of ailments.
21) Apasmara:
Apasmara refers to epilepsy in Ayurveda. Bark kashayam of Humboldtia vahliana is useful in treating Apasmara, as indicated in the medicinal survey.
22) Palakkad:
Palakkad is a district in Kerala, India, where Vishnu Ayurveda College, the institution involved in the survey, is located.
23) Vishnu (Visnu):
Vishnu Ayurveda College is the education institution where the head of the surveying team, Dr. Nirmal Narayanan, serves as the Associate Professor and H.O.D.
24) Powder:
Powdered forms of plant parts, such as dried bark powder, are used traditionally for medicinal purposes in treating wounds and ulcers, as documented in the survey.
25) Taila (Thaila):
Taila refers to medicated oil used in Ayurvedic treatments. Various plants in the survey are used to prepare Taila for different diseases, like skin diseases and Vata roga.
26) Valli:
In the context, Valli is a local name for a medicinal plant used by tribes for cephalalgia and as tooth sticks to alleviate toothaches.
27) Roga:
Roga means disease or disorder in Ayurveda. Various plants documented in the survey are used in traditional medicine to treat different Rogas.
28) Lepa:
Lepa is a medicinal paste applied externally to treat ailments like itching and scabies. Several plants in the Thattekad survey are used to prepare Lepa.
29) Hair:
Hair, referring to the fine parts of fruit or plant, is noted in the survey for its medicinal uses, such as the fruit hair of Kampillaka used in the treatment of eczema.
30) Burning sensation:
Medicinal plants like Drynaria quercifolia, if grown on certain trees, are traditionally used for curing the burning sensations of internal organs.
31) Snake poison (Snake venom):
Certain plants in the surveyed region, like the juice of Rhaphidophora pertusa's stem, are used traditionally to counteract snake poison.
32) Calamus rotang:
Calamus rotang is a plant identified in the survey and is used traditionally to treat convulsions and cramps.
33) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Some plants like Vateria indica, with its fatty oil, possess anti-bacterial properties and are useful in treating conditions like chronic rheumatism.
34) Civilization:
Modern civilization's encroachment threatens indigenous communities and their knowledge of medicinal plants, highlighting the need for documentation and conservation.
35) Maharashtra (Maharastra, Maha-rashtra):
Maharashtra is one of the states traversed by the Western Ghats, known for its rich biodiversity, including medicinal plants.
36) Kancipura (Kancipuram, Kanchipuram, Kamcipura, Kanci-pura, Kamci-pura):
Kanchipuram is where SCSVMV University granted permission for the survey study, supporting the research conducted by Dr. Nirmal Narayanan.
37) Kampillaka:
Kampillaka's fruit hair is used in traditional medicine mixed with sesame oil to treat skin diseases like eczema, as noted in the survey.
38) Discussion:
Discussion here refers to the section where findings from the Thattekad survey were analyzed, noting the various medicinal plants and their uses for treating diseases.
39) Tamilnadu (Tamil-nadu):
Tamil Nadu is one of the states traversed by the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot rich in medicinal plants documented in the survey.
40) Snake-bite:
Traditional treatments using plants documented in the survey are applied for snake-bite, such as certain root extracts deemed antivenomous.
41) Karnataka:
Karnataka is another state traversed by the Western Ghats, notable for its rich diversity of traditional medicinal plants.
42) Abhighata:
Abhighata refers to injuries or trauma. The oleo-gum resin of Canarium strictum is used to treat injuries, as noted in the Thattekad survey.
43) Vataroga (Vata-roga):
Taila prepared from plants like Myxopyrum serratulum is applied in Vata-roga, which refers to diseases characterized by imbalance of the Vata dosha in Ayurveda.
44) Vatahara (Vata-ahara):
Vatahara means substances that alleviate Vata dosha disorders. The leaf of Acacia caesia is noted for its Vatahara properties.
45) Amalaki:
Amalaki fruit is part of traditional medicine, often used as a size reference for dosages in preparing pastes and other formulations from medicinal plants.
46) Prasava:
Prasava, relating to childbirth, is mentioned in the survey with reference to Anamirta cocculus, whose leaf paste is used for facilitating easy delivery.
47) Gujarat:
Gujarat is among the states traversed by the Western Ghats, recognized for its significant biodiversity and endemic medicinal species.
48) Koranda:
Koranda is a local name for Ecbolium viride, whose decoction with leaf is beneficial in Asmari roga (urinary calculi disease).
49) Habitat:
Forests serve as critical habitats for medicinal plants, the biodiversity of which supports traditional medicine practices in regions like Thattekad.
50) Sharira (Sarira):
Sharira refers to the body, and in the context of Ayurvedic teaching, it relates to the study of body structure and function, essential in traditional medicine practices.
51) Reptile:
Reptile species are part of the biodiversity in regions like the Western Ghats, which also contain medicinal plants used to treat snake and other reptile bites.
52) Coconut (Cocoanut):
Coconut oil is used as a base in traditional medicine for extracting medicinal properties from plant parts, such as boiling Rhaphidophora pertusa's stem in coconut oil to alleviate earaches.
53) Allergy:
Certain plants identified in the survey, like Meiogyne pannosa, are used traditionally to treat allergies among other conditions.
54) Ashmari (Asmari):
Asmari refers to stones or calculi, with certain plants like Ecbolium viride being used traditionally in the treatment of Asmari roga (urinary calculi disease).
55) Pidaka:
In traditional medicine, Pidaka refers to pustules or boils. Aporusa lindleyana is documented in the survey for its use in treating Premeha pidaka (boils due to Prameha).
56) Kupilu:
Kupilu is another name for the Strychnos species; the properties of Drynaria quercifolia can be influenced by the tree it grows on, like Kupilu.
57) Edema (Oedema):
Oedema refers to swelling caused by fluid retention. The decoction of Tetrameles nudiflora bark is used traditionally to treat conditions like oedema.
58) Indian:
The Indian subcontinent is rich in biodiversity, particularly the Western Ghats, which harbor numerous medicinal plants used traditionally in local healthcare practices.
59) Kotali:
Kodali is a local name for the medicinal plant Aporusa lindleyana, used traditionally to treat conditions like Premeha pidaka (boils) by preparing a kashaya (decoction).
60) Dhara:
Dhara refers to liquid preparations used in traditional medicine. The tender leaves of Aporusa lindleyana prepared as Kashaya is an example of Dhara application.
61) Kandu (Kamdu):
Kandu means itching. The traditional use of Legenandra ovata includes applying a lepa (paste) for relief from severe body itching.
62) Sukha:
Sukha in the context of prasava refers to easy delivery. The paste poultice of Anamirta cocculus leaves is used traditionally to facilitate Sukha prasava.
63) Kanji (Kamji):
Kanji is a fermented rice water used as a medium for preparing traditional medicines, such as in kashaya with Vitex altissima for post-delivery pain and placenta expulsion.
64) Ayus (Ayush):
AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, representing India's traditional systems of medicine. The journal AYUSHDHARA publishes related research.
65) Vetti:
Vetti is a local name for medicinal plants like Aporusa lindleyana, used traditionally for loosening bowels through decoctions made from the root.
66) Maram:
Maram means tree in Tamil. Several trees documented in the Thattekad survey possess significant medicinal properties used traditionally by local communities.
67) Shiras (Siras, Siro, Shirash):
Shiro refers to the head. Traditional medicine utilizes oils and pastes like those from Pothos scandans root and stem to treat Shiro kandu (head itching).
68) Fever:
Traditional treatments involve using plant-based pastes and decoctions, such as Pholidota imbricata root paste applied to the head, to alleviate fever.
69) Earth:
Tropical monsoon systems like those in the Western Ghats provide some of the best examples on Earth of diverse ecological interactions, important for climate and biodiversity.
70) Tamil:
Tamil refers to the language spoken in Tamil Nadu, a state in the Western Ghats region noted for its traditional medicinal practices, as documented in the survey.
71) Blood:
Some plants identified in the survey have properties that purify blood, such as Mallotus philippensis, used in traditional medicine to treat skin diseases like eczema.
72) Vata:
Vata is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda. Various plants and preparations documented in the survey are used to balance Vata and treat related disorders.
73) Nadu:
Nadu means 'land' or 'state.' It is part of Tamil Nadu, a state that forms part of the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats documented in the survey.
74) Kodi:
Kodi means vine or creeper in Tamil. It refers to plant species like Naravelia zeylanica, used by tribes for relieving cephalalgia.
75) Bird:
The Thattekad region, home to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is notable for its rich birdlife and also hosts numerous medicinal plants used traditionally.
[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 79]
Other Science Concepts:
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Medicinal plant, Medicinal properties, Traditional knowledge, Traditional medicine, Western Ghats, Biodiversity conservation, Conservation efforts, Endemic species, Ethno-botanical knowledge, Wild medicinal plant, Local Vaidyas, Folk practitioners.