Life sciences Leaflets 1:16 – 25, 2012. FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098 Published on: 1st Jan 2012 ETHNOMEDICINAL CLAIMS AGAINST STOMACH COMPLAINTS IN BULDHANA DISTRICT (MAHARASHTRA, INDIA) 1 AHIRRAO Y.A. AND 2D.A. PATIL 1 DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY, S.S.V.P.SANSTHA’S ARTS, COMMERCE AND SCIENCE COLLEGE, SHINDKHEDA-425406, DISTRICT DHULE, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA. yaabotany@gmail.com 2 POST- GRADUATE DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY, S.S.V.P. SANSTHA'S L.K.DR.P.R.GHOGREY SCIENCE COLLEGE, DHULE - 424005 (M.S.), INDIA. dapatil_10aug@yahoo.com ABSTRACT: The paper reports ethnomedicinal uses of 73 plant species belonging to 39 angiospermic families. It particularly documents stomach complaints such as colic, intestinal worms, flatulence, dysentery, diarrhea, gastritis, constipation and indigestion treated by the tribal and rural inhabitants of the district. They also use some species to promote digestion, to check acidity and as purgative. The paper also communicates useful plant parts, products, local plant names, recipes, doses, and methods of their administeration. The information is first-hand and their users have deep faith in the local healthcare system. However, it is thought desirable to assess these claims on scientific basis and to authenticate thereby their efficacy and toxicity. KEY WORD: Ethnomedicine, stomach complaints, Buldhana district. INTRODUCTION: Since ages, medicine of vegetable origin have been used to combat various human diseases. The last couple of decades focused particularly on the plant-derived drugs. They are being screened chemically, pharmacologically and biologically to authenticate their claims and non-toxicity. Moreover, the green wave discernible throughout the world encouraged researches on traditional or indigenous medicines. The present authors, therefore, undertook ethnomedicinal investigation in Buldhana district which is practically unexplored. The district lies in the Purna Valley in Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra state. The forests belong to the southern tropical dry deciduous type. The district is mainly agrarian and cohabited by tribal, rural and semi-urban people. It is located between 19°51’N and 21°17’N latitude and 75°57’E and 76°59’ E longitude. The pioneering ethnomedicinal study is carried out by the authors during http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 16 Life sciences Leaflets 1:16 – 25, 2012. FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098 2006 - 2008, the results of which are being published. This paper emphasizes stomach complaints exclusively. METHODOLOGY: The ethnomedicinal information is based on field tours conducted in tribal and rural region of the district. Tribal and rural farmers, farm labours; elder men and women, and traditional healers were interviewed. Personal observations were also made. The first - hand information was cross - checked during subsequent visits. The plant specimens were collected and herbarium specimens were prepared using method suggested by Jain and Rao1. They were deciphered using state, regional and some district floras2-8. These are deposited in the P.G. Department of Botany of the institute. The plant species are enumerated alphabetically. Botanical name is followed by family (in parenthesis) and then by vernacular plant names. Ethnomedicinal uses are given separately below. ENUMERATION : 1) Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del. subsp. indica (Benth.) Brenan (Mimosaceae) Babhul, Telibhabhul : Use : Leaf juice, one spoonful, is mixed with two spoonful of animal ghee. This is consumed twice a day for three days to kill intestinal worms. 2) Acalypha indica L. (Euphorbiaceae) Tankhalan : Use: (i) Leaf extract, about half cup, is taken orally for three days at morning and evening to control dysentery. (ii) Leaf paste is applied on body of children and two to three drops are also advised orally daily to cure colic problem till cure. 3) Adansonia digitata (Bornbacaceae) Gorakh - chinch: (i) Leaves or bark are boiled and half cup of it is drunk once daily to cure dysentery and colic till cure. (ii) Leaves are added while proparing tea. This tea is drunk at early morning to control dysentery till cure. 4) Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. (Rutaceae) Bel: Use: (i) Fruit is homogenized with honey. One spoonful is consumed for colic. It is fallowed till cure. (ii) Two to three seeds are boiled in milk. About spoonful of it is taken orally to children suffering from stomach ache. (iii) Leaf paste is applied on body of children and two to three drops are also advised orally daily to cure colic problem till cure. 5) Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. (Simaroubaceae) Mahruph : Use: Extract of leaves is applied on the stomach to control dysentery in case of children. http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 17 Life sciences Leaflets 1:16 – 25, 2012. 6) FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098 Allium cepa (Liliaceae) Kanda: Use : Extract of bulb is mixed with cow - ghee in 1: 1 ratio A spoonful of it is drunk daily at morning to reduce acidity till cure. It is also beneficial in case of swollen stomach. 7) Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) Lasun: Use: five bulblets are boiled in a cup of water. It is drunk. Some fruits of chilly (Capsicum annum L.) and common salt are crushed and paste is prepared. It is fried in oil. This paste, about three spoons, is consumed daily for eight days to treat indigestion. 8) Annona squamosa L. (Annonaceae) Sitaphal : Use: Seed powder is mixed with jaggery. A spoonful of it is consumed to kill intestinal worms. It is consumed for seven days before meal. 9) Aloe vera L. (Liliaceae) Korphad : Use: leaf pulp, about 5 gm only once, is consumed as purgative. 10) Aristokxnte bracteolata Lamk. (Aristolochiaceae) Gindiyan, Gindhani : Use : Leave (4-5) of this species are consumed with the leaves of betel (Piper betle L.) for four days to cure stomach ache. 11) Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliac~ae) Nimb : Use: (i) A cup of leaf extract is drunk for three days at morning and night to treat diarrhoea. (ii) Decoction of seeds is prepared in water. About two spoons are advised once a day to cure stomach ache. 12) Basella alba L. (Basellaceae) Vavad-hing Use : Two to three seeds are boiled in milk. About spoonful of it is advised orally to children suffering from stomach ache. 13) Butea monosporma (Lamk.) Taub. (Fabiaceae) Palas : Use: Flowers are boiled and wrapped in a cloth. This is used to warm abdomin to control stomach - ache. 14) Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. (Caesalpiniaceae) Sagargoti : Use : i) Kernels are crushed and mixed with jaggery and pellets are prepared. Two pellets day are advised to treat colic. ii) Seeds are rubbed in water. This extract is administered to the children for deworming. It is advised till cure. 15) Caesalpinia decepetala (Roth) Alst. (Caesalpiniaceae) Katyawel : Use :' Equal no. of seed of this plant and those of Sagargoti [Caesalpinia banduc (L.) Roxb.] are powdered. A spoonful of this powdered dissolve in water is consumed once daily to treat stomach ache. 16) Calotropis (L.) R.Br.(Asciepiadaceae) Rui. Use: Latex is mixed with jaggery. Pellets are prepared. Single pellet is consumed twice a day for two days to treat stomach - ache. 17) Careya arborea Roxb. (Lecythidaceae) Khumbai : Use: (i) Fruit are extracted. About two spoons of it is drunk. It is benifieial for stomach ache. Only one dose is daily advised. http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 18 Life sciences Leaflets 1:16 – 25, 2012. ISSN 0976 - 1098 FREE DOWNLOAD (ii) Pulp of raw fruit is consumed to treat stomach - ache. 18) Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae) Papai : Use: (i) Two seeds are powdered. It is mixed. in spoonful water. This infusion is administered to the kids to kill intestinal worms. Depending on the age of kids the number of seeds are increaed. (ii) Pulp of fruit is onsumed to treat stomach ache. 19) Carissa congesta Wight (Apocynaceae) Karwand, Donqrachi kali- maina : Use : Fruits are consumed alongwith common salt once a day to kill intestinal worms. 20) Cassine alberns (Retz.) Kosterm. (Celastraceae) Bhuti - kalas : Use: Leaves are powdered. A pinch of powder is dissolved in spoonful water. It is advised daily for three four times only at the interval of 2-3 hours for a child suffering from dysentery and vomiting. 21) Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don (Apocynaceae) Sada-fuli, Sadapa: Use: (i) Leaf juice is applied on a child. Few drops are also advised orally only once to treat vomiting and dysentery. (ii) Leaf and roots (few pieces) of this plants are wrapped in betel leaf (Piper betle L.). This is consumed daily once as remedy against stomach-ache. (iii) Root paste, about 2-3 gm, is consumed daily once to treat acidity daily at night till cure. 22) Cestrum nocturnum L. (Solanaceae) Rat - rani: Use : Flowers are homogenized with honey and a piece of stem of Glycyr-rhiza glabra L.A spoonful of it is consumed at morning before meal to cure colic. 23) Cynadon dactylon Pers. (Poaceae) Durwa, Haral: Use: Seeds are soaked in cow's arine for seven days. This process is known as 'Bhavna Dene'. These are dried in shadow for seven days and finely powdered with asafoetida and black salt. This mixture, a spoonful in one glass of lukeworm water at night, is drunk to clear stomach problem. 24) Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae) Kadu - indrawan : Use: i) Extract of leaves, about spoonful, is given orally twice or thrice a day fo three days to cure stomach - ache. (ii) Leaf and roots (few pieces) of this plant are wrapped in betel leaf (Piper betle L.). This is consumed daily once as a remedy against stomach - ache. (iii) Root paste, about 2-3 gm, is consumed daily once to treat acidity daily at night till cure. 25) Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) Halad : Use : Rhizomes are powdered. It is mixed with lime. Spoonful of it is given orally to control dysentery. 26) C1erodendrum multiflorum (Burm.f.) O.Ktz. (Verbenaceae) Kalitankhalan: Use: (i) Leaf juice is applied on body of a child and and two to three drops 'are advised to drink to cure colic. http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 19 Life sciences Leaflets 1:16 – 25, 2012. FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098 (ii) Pods are rubbed in water. A spoonful of this paste is administered at the interval of two three hours to control dysentery. 27) Clitoria ternatea L. (Fabaceae) Gokarna - wei: Use: Leaf extract is, 4-5 drops, is added in mother's milk. It is advised only once for a child against stomach-ache. 28) Cordia gharaf (Forsk.) Ehrenb. (Boraginaceae) Gondhan : Use: Fruits (20-25) are consumed daily to stop diarrhoea till cure. 29) Cryptolepis buchanani R. & S. (Asclepiadaceae) Davala : Use: Fruit walls are crushed, cooked and mixed in pulse of Udid [ Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]. It is consumed to control stomach ache and flatulence. 30) Cucurbita maxima Duch. ex Lam. (Cucurbitaceae) Gangafal : Use: About two spoonful seeds are selected. They are decoated. They are made into paste. This is consumed at night. Two spoons of castor oil (Ricinus communis L.) are administered next morning. This helps to kill intestinal worms. This is followed for 4-5 days. 31) Dalbergia sisso Roxb. ex DC. (Fabaceae) Sisam : Use : Fresh bark is extracted in water. About 4-5 ml of it thrice a day is drunk to control dysentery. 32) Digera muricata (L.) Mart. (Amaranthaceae) Lahan-kirdu : Use : Leaves are cooked and consumed as vegetable once a day to control diarrhoea and dysentery. 33) Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Dioscoriaceae) Jatashankar : Use : (i) Tuber is dried, powdered and consumed to treat stomach ache. About a spoon of it is consumed once daily for 3-4 days. (ii) Tuber is dried and powdered. The pellets are prepared. Each pellet is consumed alongwith a betel Leaf (Piper bet/e L.) at morning, noon and evening to treat colic. 34) Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) Jeffery (Cucurbitaceae) Shivlingi : Use : One seed is consumed with a spoonful of animal ghee to cure stomach - ache. It is advised for seven days. 35) Dunbaria glandulosa (Dalz. & Gibs.) Prain (Fabaceae) Kachkuari : Use : Fruit hairs are removed. These are crushed and homogenised with jaggery. Pellets are prepared. Two pellets a day are advised to deworm intestinal worms till cure. 36) Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Euphorbiaceae) Avala : Use : Fruit powder alongwith sugar (Saccharum officina rum L.) and rhizome powder of ginger (Zingiber officina/e Rose.) are mixed. About 5 gm of it is consumed before food to treat acidity. 37) Enicostema axillare (Lam.) Raynal (Gentianaceae) Nay: Use : Leaf juice, about 10 ml, is administered to children to control dysentery. It is advised 2-3 times daily till cure. http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 20 Life sciences Leaflets 1:16 – 25, 2012. 38) FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098 Helicteres isora L. (Sterculiaceae) Mural -sheng : Use :. (i) Fruit paste is prepared in water. It is consumed twice a day for three days to treat stomuch - ache. (ii) Decoction of inner bark, about a cup, is drunk for three days to stomach - ache. 39) Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (Malvaceae) Jaswandi, Ghanti : Use: (i) Leaf juice, about a spoonful, is given to children to cure colic till cure. (ii) Leaf Juice, half cup, is administored to cure dysentery for three four days. 40) Holarrhena pubescens (Buch.- Ham.) ex G.Don (Apocynaceae) Indrajav : Use : (i) Seeds are burnt and the ash is mixed with jaggery. Nine pellets of equal size are prepared. Three pellets per day for killing intestinal worms are advised. (ii) Seed powder, about spoonful, is consumed at morning and evening to cure colic of 5-6 days. 41) Jatropha gossypifolia L. ( Euphorbiaceae) Chandrajyoti : Use : Fruits (2-3) are consumed once daily for two days against dysentery. 42) Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) StandI. (Cucurbitaceae) Dudhi-bhopala: Use: Fruit is coocked and consumed against stomach complaints. 43) Lepidagathis cuspidata Nees. (Acanthaceae) Benda-ghas : Use : "Decoction of leaves, about half cup, is drunk once for three to four days to cure diphtheria. 44) Madhuca longifolia (Koen.) Macbr. (Sapotaceae) Mahu : Use : Extract of seeds is given orally two times a day to cure stomach ache. 45) Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae) Amba : Use: (i) Kernels are boiled in salt water. It is consumed to inprove digestive capacity. (ii) Raw fruits are crushed. The extract, one spoonful, is drunk for twice a day to treat dysentery. 46) Mentha spicata L. (Lamiaceae) Pudina : Use : A spoonful leaf juice mixed in equal cow - ghee is administered once or twice to control stomach pains. 47) Momordia charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) Karle: (i) leaf juice, about a cup, is drunk to kill the intestinal worms. (ii) Roots are rubbed in water. A spoonful of it is advised daily for children to kill the intestinal worms till cure. (iii) Seeds are extracted A spoonful of it is consumed to cure colic. It is advised for five days. 48) Mucuna prurlens (L.) DC. (Fabaceae) Kach - kuiri : Use : Fruit spines are crushed finely and mixed in jaggery. Pellets are prepared. Two pellets are consumed a day for intestinal deworming. 49) Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaeaceae) Kamal: http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 21 Life sciences Leaflets 1:16 – 25, 2012. FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098 Use : Extract of rhizome about spoonful is given orally twice a day for two days against dysentery. 50) Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae) Tambakhu : Use: Five to six gm leaf powder and 100 gm. of sugar (Saccharum officinarum L.) are mixed thoroughly. It is consumed once daily to control dysentery till cure. 51) Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (Lamiaceae) Tulsi : Use : Extract of leaves about, two spoonful, is drunk for three days to treat stomach - ache. 52) Pergularia daemia (Forsk.) Chiov. (Asclepiadacae) Utranda Fuspadri: Use: (i) Leaf extract is mixed with coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.) in 1:3 ratio. Half cup of it is taken orally once daily to cure dysentery. (ii) Leaf extract is drunk three to four spoons daily for a week to check acidity. (iii) About half spoon of leaf extract is advised for children at morning and evening for deworming intestinal worms. (v) Leaves are roasted with the leaves of Rui (Calotropis procera L.) Extract of these is taken orally once a day to treat stomach - ache in case of infants. 53) Phyllanthus airy-shawi Burnel & Roux (Euphorbiaceae) Futani-gawat : Use : Leaf juice, about one spoonful, is drunk at morning and ovening to treat amoebic dysentery for a week. 54) Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) Peru. Jam: Use: (i) About five to six leaves are chewed and saliva is swallowed to control acidity. This is advised for few days. (ii) Extract of leaves, two to three spoons, is consumed for few days to purify blood. It is also beneficial in controlling diarrhoea. (iii) A spoonful of seed oil drunk as purgative. 55) Raphanus sativus L. (Brassicaceae) Mula: Use: Roots are consumed to regularize digestive complains. 56) Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae) Erandi : Use: (i) Few seeds are rubbed and consumed at morning without mouth cleaning for better stomach - complaints. (ii) Roots are rubbed in cow's milk. A cup of it is administered for three days, twice a day, to treat colic. (iii) Leaf juice, one spoon, is drunk and applied on abdomen to kill intestinal worms in case of children. (iv) A spoonful of seed oil is drunk as purgative. (v) Seed extract, about one spoon once a day, is drunk to stop dysentery and dehydration. 57) Rumex vesicarius L. (Polygonaceae) Amberchuca : Use: Leaves are cooked with leaves of fenugreek. (Trigonella foenum graecum L.). It is consumed to treat stomach ache twice a day. http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 22 Life sciences Leaflets 1:16 – 25, 2012. 58) FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098 Saccharum officinarum L. (Poaceae) Kala - oos : Use : (i) Juice obtained from blackish 'stem is drunk about a cup daily to regularise digestive system. (ii) Stem juice is boiled till it becomes thick. It is applied on stomach especially around naval to deworm lntestlonal worm daily till cure. 59) Semecarpus anacardium L.f. (Anacardiaceae) Biba : Use: (i) Fruit is crushed with juice of onion (Allium cepa L.) It is given orally twice a day for three days against stomach - ache. (ii) Seed oil is mixed in milk, It is, one spoonful daily for three days, is drunk to control diarrhoea. 60) Sesbania blplnosa (Jacq.) Steud. ex Wight (Fabaceae) Kath-shevari : Use: Extract of bark, about 10-15 ml thrice a day, is advised to check blood dysentery. 61) Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Poir. (Fabaceae) Hadga : Use: Cooked flowers are used as vegetable to improve digestion. 62) Solanum virginianum L. (Solanaceae.) Bhui-ringani : Use : Roots are boiled in water. This decoction, about 20 ml. is drunk for three times a day as a remedy against stomach -ache . 63) Syzygium cumini (L) Skeels (Myrtaceae) Jambhul : Use : Five to ten fruits are eaten before meal at morning to control various stomach complaints. 64) Tagetes erecta L. (Asteraceae) Zendu : Use: Leaf Juice, about 5 to 10 mi, is drunk to treat intestinal worms. Leaf Juice is applied daily onto abdomen of a child to doworm intestinal worms till cure. 65) Tagetes patula L. (Asteraceae) Zendu : Use: Receptacles of inflorescences are consumed. to cure nausea and colic. 66) Tectona groundis L.f. (Verbenaceae) Sag: Use: Seeds paste is applied around naval to treat stomach ache. 67) Tribulus lanuginosus L. (Zygophyllaceae) Ghokharu : Use: Fruits of this plant and seeds of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) are powdered. Two spoons of it mixed in water are drunk to cure stomach - ache. 68) Tribulus terrestris L (Zygophyllaceae) Gokharu : Use: Fruit thorns are ground alongwith candy (Saccharum officinarum L.). It is mixed in a cup of water. It is consumed twice a day to treat gastritis for three days, 69) Trichosanthes tricuspidata Lour. (Cucurbitaceae) Gavalan : Use : Decoction is prepared using two seeds and rhizome of ginger (Zingiber officina/e Rose.). Half cup of it twice daily is advised to treat stomach - ache till cure. 70) Tridax procumbens L. (Asteraceae) Tantani, Tongalmodi, Ghavpala : Use: Leaf juice, 10-15 mi, is mixed in a cup of milk. It is drunk once daily to check dysentery for 2-3 days. http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 23 Life sciences Leaflets 1:16 – 25, 2012. 71) FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098 Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae) Gahu : Use : Leaves are obtained from young growing seedlings. Their extract, about 25 ml, is drunk to treat stomach - ache and constipation. 72) Zingiber officinale Rose. (Zingiberaceae) Aadark : Use: Pieces of rhizome are added while preparing tea. It is advised for better digestion and to treat flatulence. 73) Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (Rhamnaceae) Bor : Use : Two spoonful of leaf juice is drunk twice a day for a weak by a patient suffering from abdominal complaints. DISCUSSION: The present investigation has brought to light some popular and frequently employed prescriptions in Buldhana district for stomach complaints. The sufferers are treated for various common complaints like dysentery, diarrhoea, flatulence, gastritis, constipation, indigestion, colic, intestinal worms and acidity. The local herbs are employed to improve digestion and as purgative. As many as 73 plant species belonging do 39 angiospermic families are documented for the aforesaid ailments. Of these, 23 species are under cultivation for purposes other than medicine like food, fruits, oil, ornamental, religious etc. Six species are both wild as well as cultivated. They employ underground and aerial parts or other products in the form of decoction, infusion, oil, extract, juice, paste, powder, pellets, latex or pulp of some parts. They use fresh or stored parts in raw or cooked form. Substances generally available in their cuisine are also added in their recipes e.g. animal-ghee, jaggery, candy, milk, honey, common and black salts, cane - sugar, coconut oil, castor oil, etc. Few botanicals are purchased from local bazaars e.g. ginger, betel leaves, liquorice, etc. The veracity of such ethnomedicinal claims is obviously desired as these are being lost with time due to acculturation and modernization, besides biotic interference. A concerted effort is hence needed from experts in different scientific fields for the benefit of posterity. Such investigations on modern lines will help integrate traditions with modern system of medicine. In turn, it will make science out of traditional knowledge. There are still few communities who believe in some occult powers. Local medicine-men occasionally mutter certain hymns (mantras) to evoke supernatural powers. They do not utter them audibly and thereby mystify the remedies. The invocation of supernatural power might have some psychotherapeutic effects on the patients. These .are mostly associated with the chronic ailments. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors are thankful to the authorities of the institution for library and laboratory facilities. http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 24 Life sciences Leaflets 1:16 – 25, 2012. FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098 REFERENCES: 1. Cooke, T. (1988). Flora of the Presidency of Bombay. Vol.I-III, B.S.I., Calcutta, India. 2. Jain, S.K. and R.R.Rao (1977). A Handbook of Field and Herbarium Methods. Today & Tomorrow Publ. 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