I.J.A.B.R, VOL. 3(3) 2013: 384-393 ISSN 2250 – 3560

384

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY KANI TRIBES OF THACHAMALAI HILL, KANYAKUMARI,

TAMILNADU, INDIA

Divya, V. V., Karthick, N. and Umamaheswari, S. Department of Biotechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Science Campus

Alwarkurichi, Tamil Nadu, India.

ABSTRACT

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among Kani tribes of Thachamalai hill, Kanykumari Wild life sanctuary

TamilNadu. The present paper documents traditional knowledge of Kani tribes about medicinal plants along with their

family names and mode of preparation and uses .Information was collected through regular visits and interviews with

llocal people and traditional healers .The study offer information about 106 plants which are used to treat around 25

diseases. Kani tribes of Thachamalai hill have rich knowledge on traditional remedies which will be useful to divulge new

drugs for mankind.

KEY WORDS: Ethnobotanical survey, Kani Tribes, Kanyakumari, medicinal plants.

INRODUCTION

From the time of immemorial, the world population relies

mainly on the plants and herbal products for health care.

According to Turner (1995), ethnobotany may be defined

as the science of people‟s interaction with plants, where as

ethnopharmacology associate with experimental

investigation of indigenous drugs and their biological

activities. Harvey (2008) reported that there exist around

250000, higher plant species in the planet; whereas only 10% could be biologically studied. Side effects of several

allopathic drugs, development of resistance to currently

used drugs for infectious diseases, population rise, and

insufficient supply of drugs and unaffordable cost of

treatments have led to increased importance on the use of

plant materials as a source of medicines for a wide variety

of human ailments. Traditional systems of medicine

continue to be widely practiced on many accounts. It is

widely accepted that indigenous use of plants can offer

better clues about the biological activities of the plant.

Ethno medicinal studies have offered immense scope and

opportunities for the development of new drugs (Sivaperumal et al., 2010). In India 550 ethnic tribes

possess rich traditional and indigenous knowledge. The

tribal people are exploiting a variety of herbals for

effective curing of various ailments (Alagesaboopathi,

2011). Kanikkars, a tribal community in the Western

Ghats of South Tamil Nadu seems to have rich knowledge

of herbs and they depend on the forest resources to meet

their livelihood and health care needs. The aim of the

present study is to collect information on traditional uses

of medicinal plants used in the preparation of herbal drugs

by the Kanikkars settled at Thachamalai hill of Kanyakumari forest division.Kanyakumari Wild life

Sanctuary with adjacent areas of Kalakkad

Mundanthurai Tiger reserve and Neyyar wild life

Sanctuary of Kerala State constitute South most tip of

Western Ghats and approximately lies between 77010‟-

77035‟ east longitude and 805‟-80 35 north latitude. The

natural vegetation of this region represents biomass

ranging from southern thorn forests, dry deciduous, moist

deciduous, semi evergreen forest to ever green hill shoals

with grassy downs. In due recognition of the tremendous

biological potential, Kanyakumari forest division was

declared as Kanyakumari Wild life Sanctuary during 2002.

This forest forms the southern most ranges of Agastiamalai, a compact forested tract in the Southern

Western Ghats. Thachamalai is a hilly Kani settlement

which comes under Veerapuli reserved forest. Kanikkars

are also known as Kanikkaran or Kani with forty seven

tribal settlements located well within the sanctuary area

scattered mainly in Kilamalai and Veerapuli reserve

forests with an extent of 1282.29 hectares of reserve

forest. Each Kani settlement has a “Mootukani”, a

custodian of all social affairs and justice deliverance. The

problems pertaining to his people will be taken care by

him and he presides over the meetings where solutions to

the problems will be found. There is a „Pilathi‟ in each settlement who finds out the reason for a disease is due to

evil spirits or harm done to God. There is a Vilikani, an

informer who assembles people in a place, Chattumadam

to inform the orders of the Mootukani. The language they

speak closely resembles Malayalam (Palanichamy et al,

2010) with few Tamil words (Arun et al., 2007)

economically they are highly backward. They engage

themselves in cultivating tapioca, banana, coconut, mango,

jackfruit, cashew nut, areca nut, pepper, pulses along with

collection of bee wax, honey, cane etc.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Regular visits were made at different seasons throughout

the year in the Thachamalai hill during 2012-2013. The

ethno botanical data was collected through interviews and

Ethnopharmacological studies of Thachamalai Hill

385

discussions with Mootukani, the medicine man for the

tribals. Authenticated information was also collected from

the elder people (ladies and men) through video tapes for

the effective survey. Information regarding plants, parts

used, usage, mode of preparation and doses were

documented. Information thus gathered was cross checked between people in the subsequent visits. Sample

specimens and photographs were deposited in the

herbarium of the Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory,

Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi,

Tirunelveli for future reference.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

The study reveals that the tribal people of Thachamalai hill

have been preserving a rich heritage of information on

medicinal plants. Mootukani and other medicine men

exhibit great interest in sharing information about

medicinal plants and treatments. 106 plants were documented as medicinal plants for the treatment of

around 25 diseases (Figure 1 and Table 1).They generally

treat all kinds of diseases including gynecological

disorders and pediatric problems. Most of the plants are

used as single medicine. Common people never consult

Mootukani or other medicine men for simple ailments like

wounds, constipation, fever etc. Many plants are used in

more than one preparation. Same preparations are used to

cure different diseases also. Fresh leaf extracts are used for

many diseases and they are either consumed or applied as

such or mixed with milk, honey or rice soup water. They use herbal medicines not only for simple ailments like

cough, cold and fever but are also used to treat diseases

like leprosy, leucorrhoea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhea,

vitality, jaundice, liver problems etc. Such knowledge is

restricted to Mootukani. Plants are also dried and stored

for long periods. Decoctions are prepared from the dried

plant material. Generally they do not care to preserve or

cultivate medicinal herbs excepting those that are used for

insect or snake bites. They grow snake repellent plants

around their bamboo huts. For skin infections, they

mainly use coconut or gingelly oil as such or boiled with

some other plant pastes. Such simple medicated oil

preparations are made at home level. They give extra care

to pregnant ladies and nursing mothers. Some herbs are

made into paste with jaggery and boiled to form slurry and given to nursing mothers. This will stop extra bleeding

after delivery and these single herbal preparations are

made with different herbs which make it more delicious.

Few fruits like Baccaurea courtallensis (Wight) M.Arg

(Figure. 2) are consumed as seasonal fruits and many

leaves are cooked like side dishes and consumed with rice

or rice soup in their daily life. Solanum nigrum L, Cissus

quadrangularis L., Moringa oleifera, Dioscorea

oppositifolia etc which makes them healthier than other

people. They treat their domestic animals with herbal

remedies. For example, Bambusa arundinaceae is fed to

cattle to cure diarrheoa and Cissus quadrangularis is used for easy delivery and also to stop post bleeding after

delivery in cattle. Some plant products are consumed for

general health, for example tender coconut and toddy from

Coccos nucifera (L.) and Aringa wightii (Griff) (Figure 3).

20.14 % of the plants are used for skin infections and

19.08% plants are anti inflammatory. Many plants like

Crassocephalum crepidiodes (Benth.) (Figure 4),

Ravoulfia serpentina (L.) Benth (Figure.5) are being used

in variety of ayurvedic and Siddha formulations for years.

Besides medicinal use, they prepare herbal preparations

for cosmetic problems like hair fall, body odour, dandruff etc. For pimple, acne and fairness Curcuma aromatica

Salisb. paste is applied (Figure 6). Many plants are

endemic to the study area, for example Smilax ovalifolia

Roxb. (Figure 7) is reported nowhere in South India, while

the other species of the same genus Smilax zeylanica Linn.

(Figure 8) is reported at many parts of TamilNadu and

Kerala. Apart from herbal treatment they practice special

worships and offerings to cure diseases in their temple

„Chattumadam‟.

FIGURE 1: Number of plants used to cure different ailments by Kani tribes

I.J.A.B.R, VOL. 3(3) 2013: 384-393 ISSN 2250 – 3560

TA

BL

E 1

: Med

icinal p

lants u

sed b

y Kan

i tribes o

f Thach

amalai h

ill of K

anyak

um

ari Wild

life San

ctuary

Sl.n

o

Plan

t F

amily

V

ernacu

lar nam

e U

ses

1

Abru

s preca

toriu

s (L.)

Fab

aceae K

unnim

ani

Juice fro

m cru

shed

seeds (1

:100) is d

iluted

and ap

plied

on th

e eye lid

s for ch

ronic co

nju

nctiv

itis or

inflam

matio

n o

f mucu

s mem

bran

e of eyelid

s. Leaf p

aste is applied

over sk

in rash

es. 2

Abutilo

n in

dicu

m (L

.) M

alvaceae

Thuth

i D

ecoctio

n p

repared

from

the leav

es is used

in fev

er and co

ugh. D

ecoctio

n o

f stem is d

iuretic.

3

Aca

lypha in

dica

(L.

Euphorb

iaceae K

uppam

eni

Juice fro

m cru

shed

leaves is filtered

thro

ugh a w

hite clo

th an

d u

sed in

ternally in

case of sev

ere cough

as an

expecto

rant, to

expel w

orm

s and ap

plied

on th

e skin

durin

g sk

in in

fections.

4

Ach

yranth

us a

spera

(L.)

Am

aranth

aceae N

ayuru

vi

Deco

ction p

repared

from

the leaf, seed

and ro

ot is u

sed d

aily in case o

f severe co

ugh. T

he d

ecoctio

n

is diu

retic and cu

res dig

estive p

roblem

s. 5

Adath

oda va

sica N

ees. A

canth

aceae A

dath

odai

Roots o

f the p

lant are u

sed to

cure b

ronch

itis, asthm

a and v

om

iting. E

xtract fro

m th

e fresh flo

wers

fruits an

d leav

es induce m

enstru

al flow

, cause ab

ortio

n, an

d cu

res cough an

d rh

eum

atism. S

mokin

g

of leaf ro

lls is practised

to cu

re asthm

a. 6

Aerva

lanata

Juss. E

x S

chult.

Am

aranth

aceae C

heru

peela

Deco

ction p

repared

from

whole p

lant is b

oiled

with

cow

milk

until th

e volu

me b

ecom

es one cu

p.

This is co

nsu

med

twice a d

ay, early morn

ing an

d ev

enin

g, after six

th m

onth

of p

regnan

cy for easy

deliv

ery.

7

Alo

e voera

Mill.

Lilliaceae

Katar v

aazha

Jelly mass p

resent in

the flesh

y leaves is u

sed to

cure m

enstru

al pro

blem

. It is a laxativ

e and is u

sed

to ex

pel w

orm

s from

the b

od

y

8

Alp

inia

calca

rata

Z

ingib

eraceae S

itharath

ai D

aily consu

mptio

n o

f abou

t 1 g

m rh

izom

e pow

der w

ith jag

gery

will cu

re cough, co

ld an

d fev

er. F

resh p

aste from

rhizo

me can

be ap

plied

over in

flamm

ation an

d w

ill reduce p

ain.

9

Alsto

nia

schola

ris (L.) R

.Br.,

Ap

ocy

anaceae

M

ukkan

pala

Latex

is applied

over w

ounds to

expel fo

reign p

articles from

the w

ound o

pen

ing an

d to

heal th

e

wounds.

11

Am

om

um

zerum

bet (L

.) Z

ingib

eraceae K

attu C

hen

thi

Juice fro

m th

e rhizo

me is m

ixed

with

honey an

d co

nsu

med

for d

igestiv

e pro

blem

s. 12

Andro

gra

phis p

anicu

lata

(B

urn

.f.) Wall

Acan

athaceae

Kirisath

L

eaf extract is filtered

and co

nsu

med

three tim

es to g

et rid o

f fever. T

he d

ecoctio

n o

f root an

d leav

es to

geth

er will cu

re fever, so

re thro

at, indig

estion, liv

er pro

blem

s and co

nstip

ation

13

Areca

catech

u (L

.) A

recaceae

Kav

ungu

C

onsu

mptio

n o

f 1-2

tea spoons o

f pow

dered

nut w

ith w

ater will ex

pel tap

e worm

from

the b

od

y. Y

oung seed

s are laxativ

e

14

Arin

ga w

ightii (G

riff) A

recaceae

Aalath

engu

T

odd

y prep

ared fro

m th

e spad

ix is g

ood fo

r gen

eral health

(Fig

4).

15

Asp

ara

gus ra

cemosu

s Willd

L

illiaceae S

athav

ari B

oiled

leaf is mix

ed w

ith g

hee an

d ap

plied

over in

flamm

ation. D

aily consu

mptio

n o

f fresh leaf ju

ice

along w

ith m

ilk cu

res leuco

rrhoea an

d ex

cess bod

y heat. F

resh ju

ice from

root is b

oiled

with

milk

an

d co

nsu

med

for d

iarrhoea an

d tastelessn

ess. Consu

mptio

n o

f fresh ju

ice from

roots w

ith h

oney

reliev

es ulcer in

duced

pain

. D

ecoctio

n of

the

root

is a

good ap

petizer,

pro

motes

lactation after

deliv

ery, stops d

ysentery an

d is also

used

as a liver to

nic.

16

Bacca

urea

courta

llensis

(Wig

ht) M

.Arg

E

uphorb

iaceae M

ootu

ppazh

am

Fru

its are acidic an

d are ed

ible an

d u

sed fo

r infertility p

roblem

s. Consu

mptio

n o

f ripe fru

its also

cures m

outh

and sto

mach

ulcers (F

ig 2

17

Baco

pa m

onnieri,

plan

tagin

aceae B

rahm

i Ju

ice of

fresh

leaves

is giv

en

for

inflam

matio

n

of

muco

us

mem

bran

e an

d

severe

cough.

Consu

mptio

n o

f juice o

f fresh leav

es at empty sto

mach

is good fo

r mem

ory p

ow

er in ch

ildren

.

18

Bam

busa

aru

ndin

acea

e (Retz.)

Willd

P

oaceae

Mula

Paste p

repared

by m

acerating stem

applied

on th

e inflam

ed jo

int w

ill relieve p

ain an

d in

flamm

ation.

Deco

ction o

f the ro

ot in

duces u

rinatio

n. L

eaves are fed

to cattle fo

r dig

estive p

roblem

s and d

iarrhoea

19

Basella

alb

a (L

.) B

asellaceae P

asalakkeera

The co

nsu

mptio

n o

f cooked

leaves o

f the p

lant h

as a sooth

ing effect an

d p

rotects th

e alimen

tary tract by reliev

ing it

of

inflam

matio

n.

The leav

es are

used

intern

ally fo

r co

nstip

ation in

ch

ildren

an

d

preg

nan

t wom

en.

20

Bio

phytu

m sen

sitivum

(L.). D

C,

Oxalid

aceae M

ukkutti/

Kad

anth

akkan

ni

Cru

shed

leaves o

r pow

dered

seeds are ap

plied

over w

ounds. T

he d

ecoctio

n o

f the w

hole p

lant is a

diu

retic and d

issolv

es calculi. W

hole p

lant ex

tract is applied

over in

sect or sn

ake b

ite

386

Ethnopharmacological studies of Thachamalai Hill

387

21

Blep

haris m

adera

spaten

sis (L.)

Roth

A

canth

aceae V

ettuporu

nth

i Ju

ice from

crush

ed leav

es is applied

for w

ound h

ealing.

22

Bra

yophyllu

m p

innatu

m

(Lam

.)Kurz.

Craccu

laceae C

hudak

ku

Cru

shed

leaves are ap

plied

over w

ounds. S

lightly ro

asted leav

es are applied

over b

oils an

d in

sect bites

z23

Canth

ium

parviflo

rum

(Lam

.) R

ubiaceae

Kaarai

Cooked

leaves are g

ood fo

r stom

ach an

d cu

res dysen

try. Daily co

nsu

mptio

n o

f fruit red

uces b

od

y

heat

and stren

gth

ens lu

ngs an

d sto

mach

. L

eaves are

mad

e in

to paste

with

rice

and boiled

w

ith

jaggery. T

his p

reparatio

n co

nsu

med

by m

oth

ers soon after d

elivery

will stren

gth

en th

e whole b

od

y

and red

uce h

aemorrh

age

24

Card

iosp

ermum

halica

cabum

(L

.) S

apin

daceae

Uzh

inja

Boiled

extract o

f stem an

d leav

es is consu

med

for d

iarrhoea

. Leaf ex

tract is applied

over sp

rain area

and g

ently

massag

ed in

circular m

otio

n to

get relief fro

m sp

rain. Ju

ice from

han

dfu

l of cru

shed

leav

es is mix

ed in

rice soup an

d co

nsu

med

week

ly once u

pto

last month

of p

regnan

cy for fo

etal dev

elopm

ent.

25

Cassia

tora

(L.)

Leg

um

inosae

T

hak

ara keera

Leav

es are adm

inistered

to ch

ildren

in in

fusio

n fo

r intestin

al diso

rders m

ainly to

expel w

orm

s from

th

e body. E

xtern

al applicatio

n o

f root p

aste is good fo

r fungal in

fections

26

Cassyth

a filifo

rmis (L

.) L

auraceae,

Akaya

valli

Han

dfu

l of stem

is crush

ed an

d k

ept in

250 m

l of w

ater for o

ne d

ay. This w

ater is filtered an

d

consu

med

morn

ing o

r even

ing fo

r intestin

al ulcers. P

ow

der fro

m th

e whole p

lant is m

ixed

with

butter

and g

inger ju

ice and ap

plied

over w

ounds.

27

Cen

tella a

siatica

(L.)

Apiaceae

Vallara

Juice ex

tracted fro

m th

e plan

t applied

extern

ally for ab

norm

al swellin

gs in

all parts o

f the b

ody.

Deco

ction o

f leaves is v

ery good in

contro

lling h

air fall. Whole p

lant is m

ade in

to a p

aste and

consu

med

with

butter m

ilk in

the em

pty sto

mach

for a lo

ng p

eriod fo

r curin

g sto

mach

ulcers. It is

used

as a tonic fo

r impro

vin

g m

emory p

ow

er.

28

Cissu

s quadra

ngula

ris (L.)

Vitaceae

Piran

dai

Juice fro

m th

e stem is co

nsu

med

for leu

corrh

oea, sk

in d

iseases and b

one fractu

res. Stem

is fed to

cattle after d

elivery. A

side d

ish is p

repared

from

the stem

with

coco

nut.

29

Cleo

me visco

se (L.)

Cap

parid

aceae N

aikad

uku

- blu

e C

onsu

mptio

n o

f cooked

leaves an

d seed

s is usefu

l to cu

re arthritis, lo

ss of ap

petite an

d co

nstip

ation.

Consu

mptio

n o

f pow

dered

seed ex

pels w

orm

s from

the b

ody.

30

Clero

den

dru

m p

hlo

mid

es (L.)

Verb

enaceae

Thazh

uth

ama

Roasted

leaves are co

vered

in a co

tton clo

th an

d th

e heat is ap

plied

to sp

rain. T

akin

g b

ath in

slightly

hot w

ater boiled

with

the leav

es will elim

inate b

ody p

ain. R

oot is b

oiled

with

gin

gelly o

il and ap

plied

on k

nee jo

ints to

reduce arth

ritic pain

. 31

Clito

ria ternatea (L

.) F

abaceae

Kak

kalam

, C

han

gupush

pam

L

eaf infu

sion is u

sed fo

r ulcer, fev

er and lo

cal inflam

matio

n.

32

Coccin

ia in

dica

Wt. &

Arn

C

ucu

rbitaceae

Koval

Daily co

nsu

mptio

n o

f raw fru

its is advisab

le in d

iabetic p

atients. T

wo tab

le spoons o

f leaf extract is

mix

ed w

ith o

ne cu

p o

f curd

and co

nsu

med

for d

iarrhoea. C

hew

ing o

f tender fru

its atleast for 1

0-1

5

min

utes cu

res sores o

n th

e tongue. F

or sk

in in

fections, b

ody h

eat and b

urn

ing eyes, o

ne sp

oon o

f

pow

der p

repared

from

boiled

leaves is m

ixed

with

water an

d co

nsu

med

twice a d

ay

33

Cocco

s nucifera

(L.)

Arecaceae

T

hen

nai

Consu

mptio

n o

f jelly of th

e tender co

conut is reco

mm

ended

in in

testinal in

flamm

ations. E

arly stage

of co

conut p

aste is applied

to w

hole b

ody b

efore tak

ing b

ath to

cure sk

in rash

es and o

ther typ

es of

skin

diseases. C

oco

nut o

il is applied

for itch

ing, u

sed fo

r cookin

g an

d u

sed fo

r man

y med

icated o

il prep

arations

34

Codario

calyx m

oto

rium

(H

outt.)M

err F

abaceae

Thozh

ukan

ni

The w

hole p

lant ex

tract is used

for sn

ake b

ite. Leav

es are used

as a verm

ifuge.

35

Coleu

s aro

maticu

s Ben

th.

Lam

inaceae

Om

avalli

Han

dfu

l of th

e whole p

lant is cru

shed

and th

e juice is ap

plied

on th

e skin

for so

res, ulcers, b

oils,

sprain

, swellin

g an

d th

roat p

ain. F

resh leaf is ap

plied

on th

e foreh

ead to

reduce h

ead ach

e. 36

Cra

ssocep

halu

m crep

idio

des

(Ben

th.)

Asteraceae

Ban

tham

pach

ila L

eaves

are cru

shed

alo

ng

with

ro

ot

of

Musa

para

disia

ca

and

the

juice

is co

nsu

med

fo

r post

preg

nan

cy care(Fig

3).

I.J.A.B.R, VOL. 3(3) 2013: 384-393 ISSN 2250 – 3560

388

37

Crin

um

defixu

m K

er-Gaw

l A

marylid

aceae V

isha n

arayanan

Ju

ice from

the cru

shed

bulb

s is giv

en o

rally for sn

ake b

ites for th

ree days. U

se of lem

on, tam

arind

and tu

rmeric is av

oid

ed d

urin

g treatm

ent.

38

Cro

tala

ria verru

cosa

(L.)

Fab

aceae K

ilu k

iluppai

Whole p

lant p

aste is applied

for sk

in in

fections. In

fusio

n o

f leaves is g

ood fo

r vom

iting an

d d

iarrhoea

39

Cro

ton b

onpla

ndia

nus B

aillon

Euphorb

iaceae, M

ilakai p

oondu

Cooked

leaves are co

nsu

med

with

rice as a side d

ish fo

r constip

ation. C

onsu

mptio

n o

f water b

oiled

w

ith th

e leaves tw

o o

r four tim

es a day w

ill cure in

flamm

ation an

d sm

all tum

ours. C

onsu

mptio

n o

f th

e water o

btain

ed b

y boilin

g 5

0 g

m o

f the ro

ot w

ith 2

50 m

l of w

ater b

eing red

uced

to 1

00 m

l cures

arthritis an

d red

uces p

ain.

40

Cucu

rligo o

rchio

ides G

aertner

Hyp

ox

ydaceae

N

ilappan

a D

escaled ro

ot is p

ow

dered

and ab

out 5

gm

of th

e root p

ow

der is co

nsu

med

daily w

ith su

gar fo

r bod

y

pain

, wounds an

d sk

in in

fections.

41

Curcu

ma a

rom

atica

Salisb

Z

ingib

eraceae K

attu K

asthoori

man

jal

Rhizo

me p

aste is applied

over sp

rain to

relieve p

ain. R

hizo

me is g

enerally u

sed as an

antisep

tic and

applied

over in

sect bite. A

pplicatio

n o

f rhizo

me p

aste on face w

ill impro

ve co

mplex

ion an

d cu

re all kin

ds o

f skin

infectio

ns an

d p

imples (F

ig 5

). S

l.no

Plan

t F

amily

V

ernacu

lar nam

e U

ses 42

Cuscu

tta reflexa

Roxb

Convolv

ulaceae

M

oodillath

aali A

bout h

alf kg o

f the p

lant is b

oiled

in 2

0 litres o

f water an

d is u

sed to

take b

ath to

take care o

f bod

y

aches. T

he d

ecoctio

n o

f the p

lant is u

seful in

expellin

g w

orm

s from

the b

ody. W

hole p

lant p

aste is a very g

ood m

edicin

e for co

nstip

ation.

43

Cym

bopogan citra

tus (D

C.)

Stap

f. P

oaceae

Chukkunaari p

ullu

W

hole p

lant is b

oiled

in earth

en p

ots an

d th

e volatile o

il is applied

extern

ally to g

et rid o

f arthritic

pain

. Juice fro

m th

e leaves is tak

en in

ternally w

ith m

ilk fo

r expellin

g g

as from

the b

ody.

44

Cyp

erus ro

tundus (L

.) C

yperaceae

Muth

anga,

Korak

kizh

angu

Consu

mptio

n o

f about o

ne g

ram o

f root p

ow

der w

ith h

oney tw

ice a day

will m

ake ch

ildren

sharp

, in

duce

appetite

and im

pro

ves

bod

y health

. C

onsu

mptio

n of

paste

mad

e fro

m eq

ual

amount

of

descaled

roots an

d g

inger w

ill cure b

lood

y stool an

d k

ills intestin

al worm

s. 45

Datu

ra in

noxia

Mill

Solan

aceae U

mm

athai

Leav

es boiled

in co

conut o

il is used

for p

iles extern

ally; local ap

plicatio

n o

f crush

ed leav

es relieves

pain

and in

flamm

ation

46

Dio

scorea

oppositifo

lia (L

.) D

iosco

reaceae

Kav

alan k

izhan

gu

D

ried tu

bers are g

round an

d ap

plied

over sw

ellings. C

ooked

tubers are ed

ible.

47

Drim

ia in

dica

(Roxb) Jesso

p

Hyacin

thaceae

Kattu

lli B

ulb

s are diu

retic. The p

aste of b

ulb

is applied

over sn

ake an

d o

ther in

sect bites.

48

Eclip

ta a

lba

(L.)

Asteraceae

Karisilan

kan

ni

Fresh

plan

t deco

ction is u

seful in

asthm

a. One to

two tea sp

oon o

f fresh ju

ice from

the p

lant is u

sed to

cu

re oed

ema, fev

er, excess flu

id in

the b

ody an

d rh

eum

atism. F

resh ju

ice of leav

es is rubbed

on th

e scalp

to ch

eck h

air fall. Daily ap

plicatio

n o

f coco

nut o

il boiled

with

the cru

shed

plan

t will im

pro

ve

hair g

row

th.

49

Elep

hanto

pus sca

ber (L

.) A

steraceae A

anach

uvad

i F

resh ex

tract prep

ared fro

m cru

shed

leaves w

ill stop b

leedin

g fro

m cu

ts and h

elps in

wound h

ealing.

Whole p

lant is m

ade in

to p

aste along w

ith rice an

d b

oiled

until it b

ecom

es semiso

lid. T

he p

reparatio

n

is consu

med

for w

ound h

ealing after d

elivery.

50

Eryth

rina in

dica

(L.)

Fab

aceae M

ulm

urin

gai

Juice

from

boiled

young leav

es is

mix

ed w

ith jag

gery

an

d co

nsu

med

fo

r first th

ree m

onth

s of

preg

nan

cy. This w

ill stop b

leedin

g an

d h

elp fo

etal dev

elopm

ent.

51

Em

ilia so

nich

ifolia

(L.) D

C.

Asteraceae

Ezh

uth

anip

achila/

Muyalch

evi

Leaf ju

ice is filtered an

d u

sed in

eye sores an

d n

ight b

lindness. D

ecoctio

n o

f th

e whole p

lant is

consu

med

daily fo

r a week

for b

ow

el com

plain

ts. 52

Eupato

rium

odora

tum

, A

steraceae A

anav

anth

an

pach

ila L

eaf extract is ru

bbed

with

lime an

d is ap

plied

for w

ound h

ealing.

53

Euphorb

ia cya

thophora

E

uphorb

iaceae P

alazhi/p

alperu

kki

Daily co

nsu

mptio

n o

f cooked

leaves w

ill impro

ve lactatio

n in

nursin

g m

oth

ers. Cooked

leaves are

also u

sed to

cure co

nstip

ation.

54

Euphorb

ia h

irta (L

.) E

uphorb

iaceae A

mm

an p

acharisi

Juice o

f the w

hole p

lant is u

sed in

acute ab

dom

inal p

ain an

d sk

in d

iseases. Dec

octio

n o

f the stem

and

leaves is u

sed as a m

outh

wash

. Root p

aste is used

for sn

ake b

ite. Juice fro

m th

e crush

ed leaf is u

sed

to sto

p lo

cal bleed

ing.

55

Evo

lvulu

s num

mula

rius (L

.) C

onvolv

ulaceae

V

ishnukran

thi-

white

Deco

ction o

f the w

hole p

lant is u

sed fo

r fever an

d co

ld, d

ecrease of b

od

y heat. W

hole p

lant is u

sed in

hair o

il prep

arations.

Ethnopharmacological studies of Thachamalai Hill

389

56

Gard

enia

jasm

inoid

es Ellis

Rubiaceae

Nan

thyarv

attai Ju

ice from

crush

ed flo

wers is u

sed as eye d

rops fo

r eye infectio

ns. D

ecoctio

n o

f the ro

ot is u

sed fo

r gastric p

roblem

s and in

dig

estion. C

rush

ed flo

wer is a lax

ative an

d is u

sed as an

anti h

elmen

thic d

rug.

57

Glo

riosa

superb

a (L

.) L

illiaceae K

alappak

izhan

gu

Rhizo

me is an

ti helm

enth

ic and lax

ative. Ju

ice from

crush

ed rh

izom

e is used

to red

uce fev

er, induce

labour p

ain an

d cau

ses abortio

n. C

rush

ed tu

ber is ap

plied

extern

ally for sk

in d

iseases

58

Helio

tropiu

m in

dicu

m

Borag

inaceae

Thelk

odukku

Deco

ction o

f whole p

lant is co

nsu

med

for carcin

ogen

ic ulcers.

59

Hem

idesm

us in

dicu

s (L.) R

.Br

Asclep

iadaceae

Naru

neen

di-w

ild

Deco

ction o

f the ro

ot is u

sed to

reduce fev

er, rheu

matism

, diarrh

oea

and lep

rosy. L

atex o

f the p

lant is

adm

inistered

into

the eye to

check

inflam

matio

n.

60

Hib

iscus ro

sa-S

inen

sis (L.)

Malv

aceae C

hem

paru

thi

Deco

ction o

f roots is u

sed to

cure co

ugh an

d co

ld. Ju

ice from

the flo

wers is ap

plied

over w

ounds.

Paste m

ade fro

m le

aves, flo

wer an

d b

ud is u

sed to

prep

are hair o

il which

pro

motes h

air gro

wth

. Paste

from

leaves is u

sed as h

erbal sh

ampoo. F

low

er is boiled

in w

ater and co

nsu

mptio

n o

f this filtered

w

ater relieves b

reast pain

.

61

Hyb

anth

us en

nea

sperm

us (L

.) V

iolaceae

Orith

azh th

amara

Paste m

ade fro

m th

e whole p

lant is ap

plied

over b

oils. L

eaves are ch

ewed

with

milk

at the early

m

orn

ing fo

r 45 d

ays will cu

re leuco

rrhoea an

d im

pro

ves p

oten

cy. 62

Indig

ofera

tincto

ria (L

.) F

abaceae

Neela av

uri

Whole p

lant is a m

ain in

gred

ient in

oil p

reparatio

ns fo

r pain

and sp

rain. W

hole p

lant is a d

iuretic.

Leaf p

aste is mix

ed in

250

ml g

oat m

ilk an

d co

nsu

med

for th

ree days at em

pty sto

mach

to cu

re jau

ndice an

d n

ight b

lindness

63

Jatro

pha g

ossyp

ifolia

(L.)

Euphorb

iaceae K

aattu av

anak

ku,

Sim

ayavan

akku

Deco

ction o

f the b

ark p

rom

otes m

enstru

ation an

d cu

re irregular p

eriods. P

aste of th

e leaves is

applied

over b

oils, eczem

a and itch

es. The leav

es are boiled

in w

ater and is u

sed to

take b

ath to

red

uce fev

er 64

Lanta

na ca

mara

(L.)

Verb

enacea

e unnich

edi

Deco

ction o

f whole p

lant is g

iven

for rh

eum

atoid

arthritis an

d sev

ere fever.

65

Law

sonia

inerm

is (L.)

Lyth

raceae

Maru

than

ni

Leaf p

aste is boiled

in co

conut o

il and ap

plicatio

n o

f this p

reparatio

n o

n h

air impro

ves h

air colo

ur

and p

reven

t greyin

g o

f hair. G

arglin

g o

f water m

ixed

with

leaf paste is p

ractised to

cure m

outh

ulcers

and sm

all wounds o

n th

e mu

cosa. F

low

ers are kep

t in th

e bed

room

for in

som

nia.

66

Leu

cas a

spera

(L.)

Lam

iaceae T

hum

bai

Deco

ction o

f flow

ers reduces co

ugh, co

ld an

d fev

er. Total p

lant ex

tract is used

as an an

tihelm

entic

dru

g. F

resh ju

ice of th

e plan

t is applied

extern

ally to cu

re skin

infectio

ns.

67

Lip

pia

nodiflo

ra (L

); V

erben

aceae T

hali/ p

oduth

alai W

hole p

lant is b

oiled

with

gin

gelly o

il and is u

sed to

cure d

andru

ff and o

ther sk

in in

fections o

n th

e scalp

. Whole p

lant is m

ade in

to a p

aste with

equal q

uan

tity of cu

min

seeds an

d co

nsu

med

along w

ith

10 g

m o

f butter o

r butter m

ilk w

hich

cures leu

corrh

oea.

68

Melo

thria

madera

spata

na (L

.) C

ucu

rbitaceae

Mosu

mosu

kkai

Consu

mptio

n o

f dosai p

repared

by m

ixin

g th

e leaf paste to

the b

atter is practised

to cu

re cold

, fever

and co

ugh.

69

Merrem

ia trid

enta

ta (L

.) Hall.

F

Convolv

ulaceae

T

hiru

ppan

pullu

M

edicated

oil p

repared

by b

oilin

g th

e juice fro

m th

e crush

ed leav

es in g

ingelly o

il along w

ith few

oth

er herb

s is used

to cu

re lepro

sy and o

ther sk

in in

fections in

child

ren. W

hole p

lant is an

ingred

ient

in h

air oil p

reparatio

ns.

70

Mim

osa

pudica

(L.)

Mim

osaceae

Thottar v

adi

Leaf in

fusio

n is u

sed to

cure liv

er diseases, co

nstip

ation an

d k

idney p

roblem

. Han

dfu

l of cru

shed

leav

es and stem

is applied

over th

e scorp

ion stin

g to

reduce th

e pain

and sw

elling. W

hole p

lant p

aste is b

oiled

in co

conut o

il and ap

plied

for sk

in in

fections.

71

Mira

bilis ja

lapa (L

.)

Nyctag

inaceae

Nalu

man

i D

ecoctio

n is p

repared

from

20 g

m o

f root tu

ber in

1 litre

water an

d co

nsu

med

4-5

cups p

er day fo

r in

flamm

atory v

iral infectio

ns. Ju

ice from

fresh leaf is ap

plied

to w

ounds. P

ow

der fro

m d

ried flo

wers

and seed

s is used

for to

pical ap

plicatio

n in

inflam

matio

n.

72

Mom

ord

ica ch

ara

ntia

(L.)

Cucu

rbitaceae

(Pav

al Ju

ice from

the fru

its is used

to ex

pel w

orm

s from

the b

ody.

73

Morin

ga o

leifera (L

.) M

orin

gaceae

Murin

ga

Leav

es are boiled

in w

ater and co

nsu

med

to red

uce b

lood p

ressure, d

iabetes m

ellitus an

d fev

er.

Leav

es are applied

over sp

rain. F

ruits, leav

es and flo

wers are u

sed as fo

od.

I.J.A.B.R, VOL. 3(3) 2013: 384-393 ISSN 2250 – 3560

390

74

Murra

ya ko

enig

ii (L.)

Rutaceae

Kariv

eppilai

Bark

, root an

d leav

es are crush

ed an

d ap

plied

extern

ally to cu

re skin

eruptio

ns. T

he d

ecoctio

n o

f the

leaves is u

sed to

expel w

orm

s from

the b

od

y. Leav

es are grin

ded

with

rice and jag

gery

and b

oiled

to

mak

e th

ick

slurry

and

consu

med

fo

r w

orm

in

fections.

The

paste

of

the

leaves

is m

ixed

w

ith

butterm

ilk an

d co

nsu

med

for h

air gro

wth

. About 5

0 g

m o

f leaf paste is b

oiled

with

coco

nut o

il and

is applied

for th

ree month

s to red

uce h

air fall and

to attain

dark

colo

ur to

hair.

75

Musa

para

disia

ca (L

.) M

usaceae

Vazh

ai Ju

ice is

extracted

fro

m th

e ch

opped

tru

nk,

strained

an

d co

nsu

med

fo

r ren

al co

lic an

d help

s to

elim

inate k

idney sto

nes. T

his is a g

ood so

lutio

n fo

r excess h

air loss.

76

Ocim

um

sanctu

m (L

.) L

amiaceae

Krish

na th

ulsi

Leaf ju

ice is applied

extern

ally for rin

g w

orm

s and o

ther sk

in d

iseases. Han

dfu

l of leav

es is boiled

in

water an

d th

e hot steam

is inhaled

in sev

ere cold

. Leav

es are boiled

with

pep

per, d

ried g

inger an

d

jaggery an

d th

e prep

aration is co

nsu

med

daily to

reduce co

ld, co

ugh an

d fev

er. 77

Perg

ula

ria d

aem

ia (fo

rsk.)

Chio

v

Asclep

iadaceae

Velip

paru

thi

Juice fro

m leav

es reduce lo

cal itchin

g. L

eaves are co

vered

with

cotto

n clo

th an

d h

eat applied

to

affected area w

ill reduce arth

ritic pain

. Consu

mptio

n o

f milk

mix

ed w

ith ro

ot w

ill expel g

as and

worm

s . 78

Phylla

nth

us a

maru

s Sch

um

&

Thom

P

hyllan

thaceae

Keezh

arnelli

Han

dfu

l of leav

es is mad

e into

paste an

d co

nsu

med

for jau

ndice. D

ecoctio

n o

f youn

g leav

es is used

fo

r fever.

79

Physa

lis min

ima L

inn.

Solan

aceae K

utti th

akkali

Deco

ction o

f the w

hole p

lant is u

sed fo

r constip

ation, u

lcers and co

ugh.

80

Pip

er nig

rum

(L.)

Pip

eraceae M

ilagu

Deco

ction o

r infu

sion o

f the u

nrip

e berries is u

sed as a m

outh

wash

in to

oth

aches. A

prep

aration w

ith

Ocim

um

sanctu

m an

d jag

gery is v

ery effective in

reducin

g fev

er and co

ugh.

81

Plu

mbago in

dica

(L.)

Plu

mbag

inaceae

Neelak

oduveli

Deco

ction o

f root is an

appetizer, u

sed fo

r stom

ach p

ain, v

itality, ex

pulsio

n o

f gas fro

m sto

mach

.

The ju

ice of th

e root is m

ixed

with

coco

nut o

il and ap

plied

extern

ally to tak

e care of sk

in d

iseases. 82

Polya

nth

ia lo

ngifo

lia (T

hw

.) A

nnonaceae

N

ettilingam

D

ecoctio

n o

f the b

ark is effectiv

e in fev

er, skin

disease, d

iabetes. B

ark is im

mersed

in w

ater for o

ne

day an

d th

e filtered w

ater is used

as an an

tiseptic so

lutio

n fo

r cleanin

g w

ounds.

83

Psid

ium

guajav

a (L.)

Myrtaceae

Pera/k

oyya

Deco

ction o

f leaves is u

sed in

chro

nic d

iarrhoea, o

edem

a and u

terine h

aemorrh

age. D

ecoctio

n o

f youn

g sh

oot co

nsu

med

twice a d

ay (one cu

p each

at a time) w

ill cure d

ysentery, d

iarrhoea, ren

al diseases an

d u

lcers. 84

Punica

gra

natu

m (L

.) P

unicaceae

Mad

ulam

D

ecoctio

n o

f peel o

f fruits w

ill relieve sto

mach

pain

. Paste m

ade fro

m y

oung fru

it is used

to co

ntro

l diarrh

oea. P

ow

der m

ade fro

m fru

it peel is an

tipyretic.

85

Ravo

ulfia

serpen

tina

(L.)

Ben

th

Ap

ocy

naceae

A

malp

ori

Deco

ction o

f roots w

ill expel w

orm

s from

the b

od

y.

86

Ravo

ulfia

tetraphylla

(L.)

Apocy

naceae

P

aambukala/

Parach

andrik

a E

xtract o

f whole p

lant is m

ixed

with

castor o

il and ap

plied

to sk

in d

iseases and sn

ake b

ites.

87

Rhin

aca

nth

us n

asu

tus (L

.) K

urz.

Acan

thaceae

Nag

amalli

Whole p

lant ex

tract is consu

med

for b

lood d

isord

ers, poiso

nin

g an

d rin

g w

orm

infectio

ns.

88

Sala

cia o

blo

nga. W

all ex W

ight

& A

rn

Hip

pocrateaceae

Ponkoran

di

Bark

of th

e plan

t is used

to cu

re arthritis in

multi h

erbal fo

rmulatio

ns.

89

Sara

ca in

dica

(L.)

Caesalp

inaceae

Aso

kam

F

low

ers are boiled

in co

con

ut o

il and ap

plied

extern

ally for sk

in d

iseases, boils an

d rash

es. The p

aste

of th

e bark

is applied

over p

ainfu

l join

ts. The d

ecoctio

n o

f bark

is usefu

l in m

enorrh

oea, leu

corrh

oea,

and d

ysmen

orrh

oea.

90

Sauro

pus a

ndro

gyn

us (L

.)Merr.

Euphorb

iaceae M

adhurak

keera

Leav

es are edib

le. Cooked

leaves are ad

visab

le in co

nstip

ation. D

ecoctio

n o

f root is g

iven

to red

uce

fever.

91

Sid

a a

cuta

Burm

.f. M

alvaceae

Malath

angi

Leav

es are mad

e into

paste w

ith rice an

d jag

gery

and b

oiled

to m

ake slu

rry. This is co

nsu

med

durin

g

post d

elivery p

eriod in

ladies. W

hole p

lant ex

tract is giv

en fo

r leuco

rrhoea.

92

Sid

a a

lnifo

lia

Malv

aceae K

uru

rmth

otti

Fresh

whole p

lant p

aste is mix

ed in

milk

and co

nsu

med

in th

e last trimester o

f preg

nan

cy for n

orm

al deliv

ery. Root is u

sed fo

r arthritis, rh

eum

atism, tu

bercu

losis, in

multi d

rug fo

rmulatio

ns w

ith o

ther

herb

s. Deco

ction o

f root p

rom

otes stren

gth

and im

parts b

eauty to

the b

ody.

Ethnopharmacological studies of Thachamalai Hill

391

93

Sm

ilax zeyla

nica

(L.)

Sm

ilaceae K

aruvilan

chi- w

hite

Rhizo

me p

aste is consu

med

with

milk

for p

iles. Deco

ction o

f root an

d rh

izom

e is used

in v

enereal

disease, rh

eum

atism, arth

ritis and u

rinary co

mplain

ts. 94

Sm

ilax o

valifo

lia R

oxb

Sm

ilaceae K

aruvilan

chi- red

D

ecoctio

n of

root

and rh

izom

e is

consu

med

fo

r th

e ven

ereal disease,

rheu

matism

, arth

ritis an

d

urin

ary com

plain

ts.

95

Sola

num

nig

rum

(L.)

Solan

aceae (M

anith

akkali,

kuttath

ippazh

am

Juice fro

m th

e whole p

lant is co

nsu

med

for in

ternal u

lcers. Garg

ling o

f water b

oiled

with

fruits an

d

leaves is u

seful in

the treatm

ent o

f mouth

ulcers. T

he p

aste from

unrip

e berry is u

sed fo

r ring w

orm

in

fections. L

eaves are co

oked

as side d

ish fo

r rice. 96

Solan

um

torv

um

(L.) S

w.

Solan

aceae C

hunda

Fru

its are edib

le. Inhalatio

n o

f steam fro

m th

e boiled

fruits an

d seed

s will tak

e care of co

ugh, asth

ma,

and so

re thro

at. worm

infestatio

ns.

97

Sola

num

trilobatu

m (L

.) S

olan

aceae T

hooth

uvalai

Deco

ction o

f whole p

lant is u

sed in

asthm

a, bro

nch

itis, cough an

d co

mm

on co

ld. In

halatio

n o

f steam

from

leaves ex

pels sp

utu

m.

98

Sperm

aco

ce hisp

ida (L

.) R

ubiaceae

Tharav

u,

Nath

aichoori

Juice fro

m th

e whole p

lant is co

nsu

med

to ex

pel g

all stones. W

hole p

lant is u

sed in

multi d

rug o

il

prep

arations

99

Spila

nth

es acm

ella (M

urr.)

Asteraceae

Palv

alipoondu

F

low

ers and leav

es are crush

ed an

d th

e juice is ap

plied

in th

e den

tal canal to

get rid

of p

ain. C

hew

ing

flow

ers will g

ive relief fro

m th

roat in

fections.

100

Sta

chyta

rpheta

indica

(L.)

Verb

enaceae

Nayu

ruvi –

blu

e In

fusio

n o

f bark

is used

in d

iarrhoea an

d d

ysentery. Ju

ice from

crush

ed leav

es is filtered th

rough

white clo

th an

d u

sed as eye d

rops in

gen

eral ophth

almic p

roblem

s and ap

plied

extern

ally to cu

re ulcers.

101

Syzyg

ium

aro

maticu

m (L

.) M

yrtaceae G

rambu

Applicatio

n o

f clove o

il in th

e den

tal cavity

relieves to

oth

ache. C

love o

il is used

as a mouth

wash

. T

ea of clo

ves w

ill relieve n

ausea.

102

Tin

osp

ora

crispa

Willd

M

enisp

ermaceae

Kaattu

amru

thav

alli D

ecoctio

n o

f stem is u

sed fo

r gen

eral w

eakness, fev

er and in

flamm

ations. T

he d

ecoctio

n o

f the

pulv

erized fru

it is used

as a tonic an

d also

used

to co

ntro

l rheu

matism

and jau

ndice.

103

Tylo

phora

asth

matica

Wig

ht. &

A

rn

Asclep

iadaceae

Vallip

pala

Deco

ction o

f leaf is used

as expecto

rant in

bro

nch

itis and co

ugh.

104

Vern

onia

cinerea

(L.)

Asteraceae

Kuch

arikootam

L

eaves are cru

shed

and th

e filtered ju

ice is used

as eye dro

ps to

cure eye in

fections.

105

Vetiveria

zizanio

ides (L

.) P

oaceae

Vetiv

er, Ram

acham

B

oils cau

sed b

y sum

mer h

eat could

be treated

with

root p

ow

der sm

ade in

to a p

aste with

sandal w

ood

pow

der an

d w

ater and ap

plied

over affected

area. Root p

aste is applied

extern

ally for sw

ellings in

the

bod

y. 106

Vitex n

egundo (L

.) V

erben

aceae N

och

i D

ecoctio

n o

f the leav

es is used

as an ex

pecto

rant. L

eaf extract is ap

plied

over sw

ollen

join

ts in

rheu

matism

. Infu

sion o

f leaves is u

sed as v

ermifu

ge. D

ecoctio

n o

f the leav

es is used

for to

oth

ache,

rheu

matism

and eye d

iseases.

392

FIGURE 2: Baccaurea courtallensis (Wight) M.Arg

FIGURE 3: Aringa wightii (Griff).

FIGURE 4: Crassocephalum crepidiodes (Benth.)

FIGURE 5: Ravoulfia serpentina (L.) Benth

FIGURE 6: A Kani with Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

FIGURE 8: Smilax ovalifolia Roxb.

FIGURE 6: Smilax zeylanica Linn

I.J.A.B.R, VOL. 3(3) 2013: 384-393 ISSN 2250 – 3560

Ethnopharmacological studies of Thachamalai Hill

393

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are grateful to the Principal Chief Conservator

of Forest, Chennai for providing permission to carry out

this research, the tribal people of Thachamalai especially

Mr. Eechuttikani, the „Mootukani‟ and Mr. Pillalan, the

„Vilikani‟of the Kani settlement for sharing valuable information and needed help extended during the period.

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