Ethnobotany and ethnomedicine and imp medicinal plants.ppt

Ethnobotany and traditional plant medicine
By
Dr. A. INDIRA PRIYADARSINI, M.Sc., M. Tech, Ph.D
Lecturer In Botany
GDC,Nagari
04-03-2024 1

Ethnobotany
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 Natural and traditional interrelationships
 between plants and human beings.
 Use of indigenous plants by people of a
 particular culture and region.

Man – Plants interrelationships
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 Cultural and spiritual
 Useful to both
 Useful to man – harmful to plants
 Useful to plants – harmful to humans
 Harmful to both

John William Harshberger (1895)
coined the term Ethnobotany

Ethnobotany is an interdisciplinary field that
studies the interaction of plants and humans.
04-03-2024 5

04-03-2024 6
There are many subdisciplines of ethnobotany dealing with various
aspects of tribal plants.
1-Ethnotaxonomy: 8-Paleoethnobotany:
2- Ethnoecology: 9- Ethnogynaecology:
3-Ethnopharmacology: 10- Ethnonarcotics
4-Ethnomedicine: 11-Ethnohorticulture
5- Ethnotoxicology: 12-Ethnogastrology:
6- Ethnomusicology: 13-Ethnopediatrics:
7- Archaeoethnobotany: 14-Ethnoorthopaedics:

Traditional handicrafts
Scientific name Family Common name Part used – product
made
Wrightia tinctoria Apocyanaceae Ankudu Stem – Etikoppaka toys
Givotia moluccana Euphorbiaceae Tella poniki Stem- Kondapalli &
Nirmal toys
Borassus flabellifer Arecaceae Taadi Leaves – Hand fans
Cocos nucifera Arecaceae Kobbari Veins - Brooms
Bombax ceiba Bombacaceae Erra buruga Seed cotton - Pillows
Corchorus olitorius Tiliaceae Stem fibers – Rope
making
Vetiveria zizanoides Poaceae Vattiveru Root - Mats
Thysanolaena maxima Poaceae Konda cheepuru Inflorescece - Brooms
Tectona grandis Verbenaceae Teku Stem- Furniture
Musa paradisiaca Musaceae Arati Leaves – Meals plates
Phanera vahlii Fabaceae Addaku Leaves - Meals plates

Pedanius Dioscorides (40–90 AD)
•The Father
of Pharmacognosy
• Author of
De materia medica
Ethnomedicine

Ethnomedicine
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 The study of herbal remedies and medicines derived from plants,
animals, or minerals and used to treat various diseases is known as
ethnomedicine. Ancient civilizations have developed many therapies
based out of the plants like Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Sidda, Unani, etc.
The plant-based traditional medical systems continue to provide the
primary health care to more than three-quarters of the world’s
population as per The World Health on traditional medicine (Akerele
1992).

Pre-Historic Times
Chemicals preserved in 50,000
year old Neanderthal teeth
suggest medicinal plants such
as chamomile were eaten
Reprinted from Wadley, L., Sievers, C., Bamford, M., Goldberg, P., Berna, F. and Miller, C. (2011). Middle stone age bedding construction and
settlement patterns at Sibudu, South Africa. Science. 334: 1388-1391 with permission from AAAS. CSIC Comunicación; Köhler’s medicinal plants
77,000 year-old South
African Cryptocarya woodii
leaves used for bedding –
this plant is toxic to
mosquitoes

Recorded History
NIH – Images from the history of medicine; Beijing Digital Museum of TCM;
Sumerian and Egyptian
texts from more than 3500
years ago describe the use
of medicinal plants
The use of herbal medicines
in India date back at least
4000 years
These ancient texts mention hundreds of plants
including aloe, peppermint, opium, willow,
wormwood and many more

Ancient Indian Medicine
Curcumin (haridra)
from tumeric
(Curcuma longa),
thought to have
many benefits
Withfarin A, a compound with
diverse functions including
anti-cancer activity,
Withania somnifera
(ashwagandha)
Senna glycosides, used as
laxatives and dieters’ tea, from
Senna alexandrina

From 1800 to the present: Quest for active compounds
Taxus breviola,
Pacific yew
1966 - Taxol purified from
Pacific yew (Taxus breviola)
1820 – Quinine
purified from
Cinchona tree
(Cinchona spp)
1820s - Salicin
was isolated
from willow
bark
eventually to
become
“aspirin”
1805 – Morphine
purified from opium
poppy
(Papaver
somniferum)

Plant-based medicines: modern approach
Traditional medicines
Untested plants
New
Drug
Identification of
clinical efficiency,
optimization and
standardization
Screening
for bioactivity
Identification of
active compound(s)
or fractions
Direct to consumer
Via healer
Regulatory
approval
Mark de Fraeye, Wellcome Images N0027823; Rkitko

Collecting and selecting plants to screen
Reprinted by permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd from Dalton, R. (2000). Political uncertainty halts bioprospecting in Mexico. Nature. 408: 278-278; Manfred Mielke USDA; Poppy photos by Forest and Kim Starr; Bonobo by Kabir Bakie
Random collecting
With indigenous guides
Zoopharmacognosy – many
animals have been observed to
self-medicate by eating
pharmacologically active plants
By family - Certain
plant families, such
as Papaveraceae
are rich in medicinal
compounds

Tribals constitute 8.14% of the total
population of India, numbering 84.51 million
(as per 2001 census) and cover about 15% of
the country’s area.
Currently about 540 scheduled tribal
communities exist.

In terms of geographical distribution about 55%
of tribals live in Central India, 28% in west, 12% in
north-east India, 4% in South India and 1%
elsewhere.
The strength of these communities varies from
31 people of Jarwa tribe to over 7 million Gonds.

•An All India coordinated project carried out
during 1982-1998 reported that tribals in
India are using 10,000 plant species of which
8000 wild plant species used for medicinal
purposes.

• Ethnic tribes inhabiting Telangana state
include Gonds, Konda Reddis,
Chenchus, Koyas, Yerukala,
Lamabadas (Sugali, Banjara), Kolam,
Naikpod, Pardhan, Thoti, Andhs,
Yanadi, Nakkala, Dhulia, Valmiki and
Mathura.

• Ethnic tribes inhabiting Andhra Pradesh
state include Samanthas, Koyas, Banjara
(Sugali, Lamabadas), Konda Reddis,
Valmiki, Kondadora, Chenchus, Malis,
Kolams, Andhs, Yerukala, Yanadi and
Irulas.

Koya tribe dance
The Koya tribes of Telanganaforests have strongaffinitywith Marias, tribes wearingbison-horn head dress in Bastar.
Their dances havethe same forest tribal rites, ritual, magicalsignificanceand an identical energy.

Irula tribe man collecting Honey

Jarawas of Andamans (241 -2001 census)

SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS
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Plant Bioactive compounds Pharmacological properties
Garlic Allicin, S-allyl cysteine Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer
properties, reducing blood pressure and
cholesterol levels
Turmeric Curcumin Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent
that has been associated with improved
symptoms in arthritis and other
inflammatory conditions
Ginger Gingerol, zingiberene Anti-inflammatory and anticancer
properties, and reduce nausea and vomiting
Blueberries Antioxidants Improve cognitive function, as well as
reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
Kale Vitamins and antioxidants,
prebiotic carbohydrates, and
unsaturated fatty acids
Anticancer properties, anti-inflammatory
activity, antigenotoxic ability, and less
chance of heart disease
Walnuts Omega-3 fatty acids and
antioxidants
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and
antibacterial qualities. Antiaging, promotion
of a healthy heart, immunological booster,
and decrease of low-density lipoprotein

Trichopus zeylanicus
Telugu Name: Arogyapacha Family:

A Kani elder harvesting Arogyapacha from the Kottoor
forests in Kerala
• Used by the local 'kani'
tribe as a health food for
getting instant stamina,
ever green health and
vitality.
• The tonic effect of this
plants is comparable to
that of the famous health
food/drug 'Ginseng’.

Caralluma adscendens var. fimbriata
A
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e
s
u
p
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e
s
s
a
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t
h
t
l
o
s
s
p
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o
m
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r
 Appetite
suppressant
 Anti obesogenic
Anti
atherosclerotic
Telugu Name: kundelu kommulu Family:

Strychnos potatorum
Telugu Name:
చిల్లగింజ
Family:LOGANIACEAE

Strychnos potatorum chilla ginjalu
Used for purification of water

• In traditional system of medicine, seeds are used as stomachic,
demulcent, emetic and also used in diabetes, diarrhoea,
gonorrhoea, eye troubles, liver and kidney complaints.
• The pounded leaves are used to treat watering and aching eyes.
• A decoction is taken to treat epilepsy. The roots are aphrodisiac.
• The vapour of a root decoction is inhaled to treat colds and
venereal diseases.
• A decoction of the roots and leaves is taken to treat cough.
• The seeds are used for the treatment of a range of complaints
including those affecting the liver, kidneys and stomach;
gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, bronchitis, chronic diarrhoea, strangury,
kidney and bladder stones, diabetes and eye diseases.

Strychnos nux-vomica
Telugu Name: Visha Mushti Family: LOGANIACEAE

• In alternative medicine, strychnos is suggested for the treatment of
liver cancer, upset stomach, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation,
irritation of the intestine, hangover, heartburn, insomnia, heart and
circulatory problems, diseases of the eye, depression, migraine,
menopause problems and diseases of the respiratory system in
elderly people.
• Nux-vomica seed is a bitter nervine and stomachic tonic which can
also be used as an aphrodisiac (as they produce a type of
intoxication), a spinal and a respiratory anacardia stimulant.
• The drug stimulates the intestinal muscles, increases peristalsis as
such it is used in constipation.
• It is also used in some cases of cardiac failure as it increases the blood
pressure. In large doses, it is a virulent poison.

Cycas beddomei Dyer
A threatened living fossil of India
Telugu Name: Madan Kamakshi Kondaeetha
• It is confined to a small
area of Andhra Pradesh
state in the Tirumala Hills
in scrubland and brush
covered hills.
Cycadaceae

•Pruned male cones are used as a major ingredient in the rejuvenating
tonics used for rheumatoid arthritis and muscle pains
• Local people and herbal vendors harvest the male cones before pollen
shedding for various uses like narcotic, rheumatoids, muscle pains and
cooling effect.
•The male cones are also considered to possess the narcotic properties
like that of Cycas circinalis.
•The seeds are ground to a paste with coconut oil and are used as a
poultice to treat skin complaints such as wounds, sores and boils.
•Leaves are used for eye sores Leaf decoction 15 ml is taken orally daily
to cure cough.

Entada purseatha DC.
Talakona; Length- 5km
Endemic to PI
The Endagered majestic giant liana (climber)
Telugu Name: Gila-tiga

• The seeds are considered tonic, emetic, antiperiodic and
anthelmintic.
• The bark, which contains saponins, is used as a treatment against
pains, itch and fever. The seeds, which contain saponins, are used
as a treatment against pains, itch and fever.
• A poultice made from the seed is used to cure colic in children.
• The leaves are dried and smoked to induce vivid
dreams.

Costus speciosus
Telugu Name: Kashmeeramu,
Cengalvakostu
Zingiberace
ae

• Rhizomes source of corticosteroids (Diosgenin), sex
hormones and used in birth control, tonic, anthelmintic
and purgative.
• The rhizomes are astringent, stimulant and anthelmintic.
• They are used to treat cough, catarrhal fever, dyspepsia,
skin disease, worms and snake bite.

Maduca indica
Telugu Name: Ippa chettu,
Ippi,Madhookamu
Sapotaceae

• Decoction of the bark is applied in curing itches, bleeding gums
and ulcers; it is given internally in diabetes.
• Leaves are astringent, their ash, mixed with butter is applied on
burns and scalds.
• Flowers are used in cough and bronchitis; they are
• cooling and nutritive.
• A spirit prepared from flowers is considered to be tonic and
nutritive.
• Seeds promote formation and flow of milk.
• Oil from seeds is good on skin diseases and laxative.

Himalayan May Apple, Indian may apple,
Vanyakarkati
Berberidaceae

• The herb podophyllum is used as a hepatic stimulant and as
an agent to promote the flow of bile.
• It is also useful as a purgative and as a drug to correct
disordered processes of nutrition and to restore the normal
function of the system.
• It is a bitter tonic which helps induce vomiting.
• The drug is highly beneficial for treating chronic
constipation and is used as a purgative. The safe single dose
is 0.01 gram. Its action is slow but strong.

• In large doses, it can cause acute irritation and griping. It
should therefore be administered either in combination with
belladonna or Indian aloe.
• Rhizomes contain podophyllotoxin (a lignan) an anticancer
‘lead’ compound. Etoposite, a derivative of Podophyllotoxin
is used in the treatment of human malignancies and has
become an important antineoplastic agent.
• Podophyllotoxin is used for the treatment of venereal warts
(Condyloma acuminata), an ailment caused by a papilloma
virus.

Alangium salvifolium (L.f.) Wangerin
1) Hydrocele: Leaves are
ground well with a little water
to get a paste, applied,
covered by the leaf of the
same plant and bandaged,
once in a day for 40 days.
2) Swelling due to snake bite:
The stem bark along with the
stem bark of Strychnos are
grind well with a little water
to get a paste. The paste is
applied at the site of bite,
twice in a day until cured.
Wood used
in house
constructio
n.
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Telugu name: Udaga Cornaceae

Ammannia baccifera L.
04-03-2024 53
Telugu name:Agni vendrapaku, Lythraceae
•Ulcers: Leaf paste is applied to
the cancerous ulcers, using
Argemone Mexicana (Brahma
dandi)latex as intermittent.

Anisochilus carnosus (L.f.) Wall.
•Leaves and aerials parts are used in
medicine by traditional practitioners in
the treatment of gastric ulcers and
stomachache.
•The leaves are also kept between toes
to cure fungal infections of foot and
toes
04-03-2024 54
Telugu name: Karpuravalli, Ritchu-rodda, Lamiaceae

•Tender leaves as vegetable.
•Stomachache: Leaves as
stomachic and anthelminthic.
•A teaspoonful of leaf sap is
given through mouth twice in a
day for 3 days.
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Asystasia gangetica (L.)
Telugu name: Lavana valli, Acanthaceae

Cadaba fruticosa (L.) Druce
04-03-2024 56
Telugu name: Sepaaku, Capparaceae.
• Dropsy: Leaves
as resolvent. Raw
leaves or cooked
leaves are eaten
twice a day for
three days.
• Leaves as
galactagog
ue for
cows, as
cattle feed

Capparis grandis L.f.
Male sterility – Tuberous
roots as aphrodisiac. Tubers are
cooked and eaten with honey or
goat milk in the morning and
evening for 15 days.
04-03-2024 57
Telugu name: Magasiri gadda. Capparaceae.

Chloroxylon swietenia DC.
• Scorpion sting:
Stem bark as
antidote. Fine
paste from stem
bark applied for
scorpion sting.
•Most serviceable hard
wood popularly called
satin wood, well suited
for naves of wheels.
•The wood is durable,
use in house / hut
construction.
•Wood in the preparation
of agricultural
implements.
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Telugu name: Billudu, Rutaceae

Chukrasia tabularis A.Juss.
•Fever: Heart wood decoction
(30ml) is administered twice a
day for 3 days.
Skin diseases: Bark made into
paste, applied externally for
curing skin diseases.
04-03-2024 59
Telugu name: Kondavepa, Meliaceae

Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh.
04-03-2024 60
Telugu name: Badanika
•Wounds: Leaves as vulnerary.
Leaves are dried in shade and
burnt into ash. The ash is
mixed with coconut oil applied
on wounds thrice in a day until
cured.

Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth.
1) Antenatal complications in women:
Root bark as panacea. Root bark is cut
into pieces, boiled in water in a new pot
to get decoction. A cup of decoction is
given orally thrice in a day for 3 days.
2) Rheumatic pains of Legs & Hands:
Tuberous roots as antirheumatic. Roots
tubers are cut into pieces, taken in a new
pot and boiled with water. Half cup of
cooled supernatant liquid is taken orally
thrice in a day for 3 days.
Tender
leaves
used as
vegetable,
by local
yanadi
tribes.
04-03-2024 61
Telugu name: Mainapu teega Leguminosae

Heliotropium indicum (L).
04-03-2024 62
Telugu name: Nagadanthi , Boraginaceae
1) Scorpion Sting: Leaves used as antidote.
Leaves are squeezed between palms to get
leaf sap. One teaspoonful of leaf sap is
given orally and applied at the site of the
sting.
2) Boils: Whole plants are fried and
powdered mixed with coconut oil and
applied on boils to promote suppuration.

Oroxylum indicum
Oroxylum indicum (Bignoniaceae), a broken bone
tree, is commonly known as Nemali chettu in
telugu.
Oroxylum indicum a rare endangered and
threatened medicinal plant.
Medicinal uses: The root bark and stem bark
possess antiallergic properties and are used in
treating allergic disease, hoarseness, gastralgia,
diarrhea, dysentery, urticaria, jaundice, asthma,
sore throat, laryngitis, infantile measles and
erythema.
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Lamiales
Family : Bignoniaceae
Genus : Oroxylum
Species : indicum
04-03-2024 63

Pavetta indica L.
•The powdered root
bark along with rice
water and ginger is
used as diuretic and
in treating
inflammation.
•The leaves
act as good
green mulch.
04-03-2024 64
Telugu name: Papidi Rubiaceae

Plecospermum spinosum Trec.
•The latex of plant is applied on
tooth to relieve from aching.
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Telugu name: Korriti chettu, Moraceae

◦The leaf paste is mixed with butter
and applied on burns.
◦Leaf paste is applied on cuts.
The root powder is extracted in
water and is drunk to get relief from
sore throat.
04-03-2024 66
Pupalia lappaceae (L.) Juss.
Telugu name:Tella uttareni
Amaranthaceae

Strychnous colubrina
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Gentiales
Family : Loganiceae
Genus : Strychnous
Species : colubrina
Strychnos colubrina, snake wood tree, is
commonly known as Thiga musti in Telugu.
Medicinal uses: Wood is also used for
malarial fever and cutaneous eruptions and
Rheumatism. The tribal people used the root
of this plant for the snake bite. Fruit is used
to prevent Mania. Leaves and roots are
boiled in oil and applied to rheumatic
swellings. Root is purgative, febrifugal,
anthelmintic.
04-03-2024 67

Euphorbiaceae
1)Sterilization : Leaf paste mixed with
equal quantity of castor leaf paste is
given with rice washed water from the
third of delivery up to sixth day (dose is
one to two spoons).
2) Skin diseases : Root paste is applied
to cure skin diseases.
3) Fever & Pains: Roots used in the
fever & pains in the legs and arms.
04-03-2024 68
Tragia involucrata L.
Telugu name: Telukondi chettu

1) Malarial Fever: Root bark
extract given orally for 7 days.
2) Snake Bite: Leaves and fruits
are used as antidote to snake
bites.
04-03-2024 69
Wattakaka volubilis (L.f) Stapf
Telugu name: Doodi pala teega Apocynaceae

04-03-2024 70
Zornia gibbosa Span.
• Whole plant extract is used to treat
inflammations and dysentery.
Telugu name: Nelalam Leguminosae

Summary
Plants produce many chemicals that
can benefit human health
Traditional and modern methods can
each contribute to finding and
optimizing the use of these
phytochemicals

Future directions
Modern
medicine
Traditional
medicine
Ethnobotany
Phyto-
chemistry
Medicinal
plants
Finding, optimizing and using
plant-based medicines to
treat human ailments
requires many types of
expertise
Finding new drugs to treat
emerging diseases and
chronic diseases is of
particular interest
Molecular
medicine

Ethnobotany and ethnomedicine and imp medicinal plants.ppt

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