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Volume 1 : 2 May 2007
Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
STUDIES ON THE ETHNOBOTANY OF IRULARS OF
ANAIKATTY HILLS, COIMBATORE DISTRICT
S. Geetha, M.Sc. Candidate S. Poornima, M.Sc., Ph.D.
J. Vaseegari, M.Sc., M.Phil.
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 1
STUDIES ON THE ETHNOBOTANY OF IRULARS OF ANAIKATTY HILLS, COIMBATORE DISTRICT
S. Geetha, M.Sc. Candidate S. Poornima, M.Sc., Ph.D.
J. Vaseegari, M.Sc., M.Phil.
ABSTRACT The present study deals with some medicinal plants used by Irulars in and around the Anaikatty hills, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Out of 17 villages in the area, we selected 3 villages to carry out our studies. The Irulars use about 89 species of plants as food and for medicinal purposes. The elder generation has sound knowledge about these plants. Due to modernization, the tribal community is changing their life style. The youngsters seek education and are employed in factories/industries. Yet usage and practices relating to medicinal plants and herbs have also been reported. Key words: Food, medicinal plants, Irulars, tribals, Anaikatty hills, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
INTRODUCTION India harbours about 15% (3000 – 3500) out of 20,000 medicinal plants of the world. About 90% of these are found growing wild in different climatic regions of the country (Singh, H. B., 1997). The tribal and rural populations of India are, to a large extent, dependent on medicinal plants not only to meet their own healthcare needs by self-medication, but also for their livestock. This has attracted the attention of several botanists, to undertake studies in ethnomedicine. In recent years, some workers like Lakshmanan and Narayanan, Goel et al.,
Rajendran et al., Gupta S. P, Fuchs Stephen, and others have reported various medicinal plants used by Irular tribals in Anaikatty hills. The
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 2
present paper attempts to bring to light the information on traditional knowledge of the
primitive ethnic tribe, Irulars of Anaikatty hills about the food and medicinal uses of 88
plant species belonging to 33 different families.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Anaikatty hill is situated at a distance of 30 km from Coimbatore. The Nilgiri
Biosphere covering 5520 sq.km in the Western Ghats, it was established by the Ministry
of Environment and Forests, Government of India, to provide a means of conserving the
endemic and threatened flora and fauna of the area. The NBCP ( Nilgiri Biosphere
Conservation Park) in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) site lies in the rain shadow
region at an altitude of about 600 metres (MSL) in Thuvaipathy village of Anaikatty
(11°6’N, 76°45’E). The proposed 250 acres site constitutes a part of the large two square
kilometers catchment area. The site lies juxtaposed to the Perianaicken palayam Reserve
forest on the east. Two hill slopes, northern and southern, also form a part of park. The
hills elevate to a height of 80 to 120 metres from the valleys (Ashraf, 2000).
The investigation was carried out during the month of January, 2005. The
information gathered from one group was confirmed with other groups of Irulars
dwelling in different places in the area of investigation. The methodology followed is
according to the previous workers, (Jain S. K., 1995). The information gathered was
entered in the investigator’s field notebooks. Plant specimens were collected, identified
and confirmed with the authentic herbarium of the Botanical Survey of India (Southern
Circle), Coimbatore.
ENUMERATION
For each species, the botanical name, family and local name, mode of preparation
of medicinal plant parts and its uses were tabulated.
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 3
THE PLANTS USED AS MEDICINE BY THE IRULAS
Plate : 2, Figure: A, Cissus quadrangularis
Plate : 2, Figure: B, Vetiveria zizanoides
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 4
Plate : 2, Figure: C, Ocimum basilicum
Plate : 2, Figure: D, Catharanthus rosea
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 5
Plate : 2, Figure: E, Erythrina indica
Plate : 2, Figure: F, Cardiospermum helicacabum
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 6
Plate : 2, Figure: G, Lippia nodiflora
Plate : 2, Figure: H, Ricinus communis
Plate :2, Figure: I, Sida acuta
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 7
Plate :2, Figure: J, Solanum nigrum
Plate :2, Figure: K, Coix lachryma-jobi
Plate :2, Figure: L, Gloriosa superba
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 8
TABLE NO: 1. MEDICINAL PLANTS IN COMMON USE AMONG THE
IRULARS OF ANAIKATTY HILLS
S.
No
BOTANICAL
NAME
LOCAL NAME FAMILY USES
01 Mangifera indica,
Linn.
Maamaram Anacardiaceae Mixture of 1/4
of the seed
ground with
cow’s milk is
taken to arrest
excess bleeding
during mensus.
02 Alocasia indica,
(Roxb.) Schoott.
Seema chaembu Arecaceae The leaves are
crushed, and the
juice extracted is
used for treating
constipation.
03 Aristolochia
bracteolate, Linn.
Aristolochia indica,
Linn.
Aaduthinnapalai
Isramuli, Adagam
Aristolochiaceae
Aristolochiaceae
Leaf paste
applied on the
head while
taking bath -
removes
dandruff and
other fungal
infection.
Root tonic is
used as
stimulant and to
treat menstrual
problems. In
powdered form
it is given in
honey for
leucoderma.
04 Calotropis gigantea,
(Linn.) R. Br.
Hemidesmus indicus,
R. Br.
Erukku
Nannari
Asclepidaceae
Asclepidaceae
Milky latex is
applied on the
wounds on legs
of livestock.
The leaf, root
extract is used
for blood
purification.
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 9
05 Basella alba, var:
rubra, Linn.
Pasalai kodi,
Kalarchi kodi
Basellaceae Leaf extract is
used to cure
stomach ache.
06 Caesalpinia
bonducella, Flem.
Kalakaai Caesalpiniaceae A decoction of
the leaf is used
as nutritional
tonic.
07 Celestrus
paniculatus, Willd.
Mancha kodi Celastraceae Root extract is
used for the
treatment of
stomach ache.
08 Terminalia arjuna,
Wight & Arn.
Terminalia bellarica,
Roxb.
Neer marutham
Thanni
Combretaceae
Combretaceae
Bark decoction
is administered
for severe fever.
The leaf extract
is used to treat
fever and cough.
09 Xanthium
strumarium, Linn.
Korathu mul Compositae The leaf extract
is used to cure
tooth ache.
10 Trichosanthes
tricuspidata, Lour.
Paeipudalai Cucurbitaceae Fruit is useful in
asthma and
earache.
11 Diospyros montana,
Roxb.
Vakkanai Ebenaceae Cures fish food
poisoning.
12 Euphorbia hirta,
Linn.
Phyllanthus amarus,
Schum. & Thonn.
Ricinus communis,
Linn.
Ammanpachcharisi
Kizhanelli
Sittammanaku
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Leaf paste
mixed with
goat’s milk is
consumed to
stop diarrhoea
and dysentery.
Leaf juice is
administered to
cure fever and
jaundice.
The oil is used
as a purgative.
13 Ocimum
americanum, Linn.
Naaithulasi
Lamiaceae
Leaf juice is
taken for
stomach upset.
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 10
Ocimum basilicum,
Linn.
Thiruneetrupatchilai Lamiaceae Seeds soaked in
water are taken
for cooling
effect.
14 Aloe vera, (Linn.)
Burm.
Asparagus
racemosus, Willd.
Gloriosa superba,
Linn.
Chotthukatalai
Thaneervittaan
kizhangu
Kannuvalikodi,
Kalapai kizhangu
Liliaceae
Liliaceae
Liliaceae
Fresh juice is
used as cathartic
and for cooling.
It is also used in
treating fever
eye infections
and ulcer.
Root extract is
used in
diarrhoea,
dysentery and
general debility.
Root is a
purgative,
anthelminthic
and used to cure
leprosy,
parasitical
infection of skin
and piles.
Leaves are used
to destroy head
lice.
15 Sida acuta, Burm.
Sida cordata,
(Burmn. f.) Borssum.
Aruvamookukeerai
Arrival manippundu
Malvaceae
Malvaceae
Leaf juice is
administered to
arrest diarrhoea
in livestock.
The leaf juice is
effective in
treating
diarrhoea during
pregnancy. The
pounded leaves
are applied
locally to relieve
cuts and bruises.
16 Azadirachta indica,
A. Juss.
Vaembu Meliaceae Leaf paste
applied for
mumps.
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 11
17 Acacia concinna,
DC.
Albizzia amara,
(Roxb.) Boivin.
Cheeyakaai
Usilai
Mimosoideae
Mimosoideae
Shade dried
powdered pod is
useful for
cleaning hair
and for hair
growth.
Shade dried and
powdered leaves
are used to clear
the hair dirt and
relieve dandruff.
18 Argemone mexicana,
Linn.
Brahmathandu Papaveraceae The yellow latex
is applied to
cure ulcer on the
lips; the seed
powder is used
to treat colic
pain and
dysentery, and
also to treat
scurvy, wounds.
19 Erythrina indica,
Lam.
Mucuna
monosperma, DC.
Pterocarpus
marsupium, Roxb.
Kalyana murungai
Poonai kaali
Vaengai
Papilionaceae
Papilionaceae
Papilionaceae
The leaves and
flowers, are used
to cure epidemic
skin diseases.
The leaf extract
is used to cure
brain problems.
The leaf extract
is used to treat
diabetes.
20 Bambusa
arundinaceae, Willd.
Coix lachrymal-jobi,
Linn.
Vetiveria zizanoides,
Nash.
Kambu, moongil
Kaatu kunthamani
Vettiveru
Poaceae
Poaceae
Poaceae
Young shoots
are used as
nutritional food
for good health.
The leaf extract
is used as health
tonic.
The leaf extract
is used to
prepare hair
tonic.
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 12
21 Ziziphus mauritiana,
Lam.
Elanthai Rhamnaceae A decoction of
the root bark is
used in the
treatment of
diarrhoea and
dysentery.
22 Catuneregam
spinosa, Thunb.
Mitragyna parvifolia,
Korth.
Kaarai
China kadamba
Rubiaceae
Rubiaceae
Cures fish
poisoning.
The bark and
roots are used in
the preparation
of health tonic.
23 Toddalia asiatica,
(Linn.) Lam.
Var: floribunda.Gam.
Milakaranai , kaatu
milagu
Rutaceae The root is
ground with
lemon juice and
applied to get
relief from
itching and
allergy related
skin diseases.
The leaf extract
is used to cure
head ache and
stomach ache.
24 Santalum album,
Linn.
Chandanum Santalaceae The bark is
made into a
paste with water
and applied over
the skin to
smoothen it.
25 Cardiospermum
helicacabum, Linn.
Sapindus
emargiantus, Vahl.
Mudakkattan
Soap nut tree,
Pungam kottai.
Sapindaceae
Sapindaceae
The leaf paste is
mixed with ghee
and taken to
relieve gas
trouble.
The leaf extract
is used to cure
fever in animals.
26 Solanum nigrum,
Linn.
Mana thakkaali,
kakka keerai.
Solanaceae
The leaf and
fruit extract is
used for
deworming and
treating fever.
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 13
Solanum trilobatum,
Linn.
Thuthuvalai Solanaceae The leaf juice is
used to treat
cough and cold.
27 Gmelina asiatica,
Linn.
Lippia nodiflora,
Mich.
Premna latifolia,
Roxb.
Kumalum, Kumil
Poduthalai
Minnal keerai
Verbenaceae
Verbenaceae
Verbenaceae
Stem, root and
leaf bits are
soaked in water
forming a
tumbler full of
slimy fluid
consumed to
relieve stomach
ulcer.
The leaf extract
is used to
prepare hair
tonic.
The leaf extract
is used for
deworming.
28 Cissus
quadrangularis,
(Linn.) Mant.
Pirandai Vitaceae Young tops are
cooked and
eaten to remove
worms in the
stomach; leaf
paste is applied
to relieve joint
pain.
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 14
TABLE NO: 2. PLANTS USED AS FOOD AMONG THE IRULARS
OF ANAIKATTY HILLS
S.
No
BOTANICAL
NAME
LOCAL NAME FAMILY USES
01 Mangifera indica,
Linn.
Maamaram Anacardiaceae Fruits are edible.
02 Amorphallus
campanulatus, Linn.
Kaara karani Araceae Corm is used as
vegetable.
03 Areca catechu, Linn.
Alocasia indica,
(Roxb.) Schoott.
Cocos nucifera, Linn.
Phoenix sylvestris,
Roxb.
Kottai paaku
Seema chaembu.
Thennai
Echchai
Arecaceae
Arecaceae
Arecaceae
Arecaceae
The edible part is
the nut.
Fruits are edible.
The endosperm is
edible fodder for
cattle.
The nut is the edible
part.
04 Basella alba, var:
rubra, Linn.
Pasalai kodi,
Kalarchi kodi
Basellaceae Red stemmed leaves
are used as spinach.
05 Caesalpinia
bonducella, Flem.
Kalakaai Caesalpiniaceae Nutritional food
06 Anogeissus latifolia,
Wall.
Terminalia bellarica,
Roxb.
Vella naagai
Thaani
Combretaceae
Combretaceae
Fodder for cattle
like cow, goat etc.
Fodder for cattle.
07 Trichosanthes
anguina, Linn.
Pudalangai
Cucurbitaceae Fruits are used as
vegetable.
08 Dioscorea bulbifera,
Linn.
Panna kizhangu,
Riyang kodi
Dioscoreaceae Roots are edible and
used as vegetable.
09 Bridelia retusa, Spr.
Euphorbia
corrigioloides, Boiss.
Phyllanthus acidus,
(Linn.) Skeels.
Ricinus communis,
Linn.
Mulvaengai
Kova keerai
Arunelli
Sittammanaku
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Fodder for cattle.
Leaves are used as
spinach.
Fruits are made into
pickles and
preserves.
Seeds yield oil.
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 15
10 Acacia sundra, DC.
Albizzia lebbeck,
Benth.
Sengarungaali
Vaagai
Mimosoideae
Mimosoideae
The leaf extract is
used as nutritional
tonic.
Fodder for cattle.
11 Artocarpus
heterophyllus, Lamk.
Palaa maram Moraceae Tender fruits are
used as vegetable;
mature fruits are
edible.
12 Psidium guajava,
Linn.
Syzygium cumini,
Skeel.
Koyya pazham
Naval
Myrtaceae
Myrtaceae
Fruits are edible.
Fruits are edible.
13 Erythrina indica,
Lam.
Mucuna
monosperma, DC.
Pterocarpus
marsupium, Roxb.
Kalyana
murungai
Poonai kaali
Vaengai
Papilionaceae
Papilionaceae
Papilionaceae
Fodder for cattle.
Fruits are used as
vegetable.
Fodder for cattle.
14 Bambusa
arundinaceae, Willd.
Coix lachrymal-jobi,
Linn.
Dendrocalamus
strictus, Nees.
Eleusine coracana,
Gaertn.
Panicum miliare,
Lam.
Paspalum
scrobiculatum, Linn.
Pennisetum
typhoides, Stapf and
Hubb.
Setaria italica,
Beauv.
Kambu, Moongil
Kaatu
kunthamani
Kalmoongil
Kaelvaragu,
kaeppai, raagi.
Saamai
Varagu
Cumbu
Thinai
Poaceae
Poaceae
Poaceae
Poaceae
Poaceae
Poaceae
Poaceae
Poaceae
Grains are edible
Grains are edible
Fodder for cattle
Good for malting
Edible millet
Edible millet
Cereal is an edible.
Edible millet
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 16
Zea mays, Linn. Makkacholam,
thulakka cholam
Poaceae
Used as food and
also fodder for
cattles.
15 Ziziphus mauritiana,
Lam.
Ziziphus oneoplia,
Linn.
Elandha pazham.
Kaarai
Rhamnaceae
Rhamnaceae
Fruits are edible
The leaves are used
as spinach.
16 Cardiospermum
helicacabum, Linn.
Mudakattan Sapindaceae Young leaves are
used as spinach
17 Madhuca longifolia,
Linn.
Ilupai Sapotaceae Beverages are
extracted from fruits
and flowers.
18 Solanum nigrum,
Linn.
Mana thakkaali,
kakka keerai
Solanaceae Leaves and fruits are
used as food, leaves
are used as spinach.
19 Gmelina arborea,
Roxb.
Premna latifolia,
Roxb.
Kumalum, kumil
Minnal keerai
Verbenaceae
Verbenaceae
Leaves used as
fodder
Leaves eaten in
curries; fodder for
cattle.
20 Cissus
quadrangularis,
Linn.
Pirandai Vitaceae Young shoots are
edible.
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 17
CONCLUSION
The interest in medicinal plants has been exhibited all over the world because of
the safety and effective constituents of plant products, and in particular the presence of
active principles of medicinal plants. In India, the Indigenous System of Medicine
namely Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani have been in existence for several centuries. These
traditional systems of medicine together with Homeopathy and folklore medicine
continue to play a significant role largely in the health care system of the population,
(Ganesan. S., 2006).
Tribal people depend mostly on forest resources for their existence. They collect
different plants and use them for various purposes including maintaining their health.
In the present investigation, a total of 47 species of medicinal plants and 41
species of food, distributed among 68 genera belonging to 34 families were identified at
Anaikatty hills, Coimbatore district. The collected plants have been arranged
alphabetically according to families, followed by binomial name, local names along with
their mode of utilization. They are believed to cure various diseases, viz., stomach
disorders, tooth problems, head ache, fever, arthritis, wound healing, jaundice, cold and
cough, skin diseases (Table No: 1). The plants are administered internally or externally in
the form of juice, decoctions, pastes and infusions of single drugs as well as made into
simple formulations (Table 2). Some of the other plants are used as food for their day to-
day life.
In the survey of Anaikatty hills of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, 10 species of
Poaceae was found to be the most dominating food and medicinal plant family, followed
by 7 species of Euphorbiaceae, 5 species of Arecaceae, 3 species of Combretaceae, 3
species of Liliaceae, 3 species of Papilionaceae, 3 species of Verbenaceae which were all
documented.
It is clear that there is wide usage of local flora by the Irulars, which suggests that
the cultivation and conservation of such indigenous plants should be encouraged by
helping them grow these plants on the barren hill slopes along the ravine belts. The
cultivation would also reduce the area prone to natural calamities such as landslides and
soil erosion.
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 18
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College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 19
Our thanks are due to Dr. S. Lalitha, Faculty of PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, who encouraged us to have this report published.
S. Geetha, M.Sc. Candidate Department of Microbial Biotechnology [email protected] S. Poornima, Ph.D. Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology J. Vaseegari, M.Sc., M.Phil. Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology P S G R Krishnammal College for Women Peelamedu, Coimbatore 641004 Tamil Nadu, India
College Science in India 1 : 2 May 2007 Ethnobotany of Irulars of Anaikatty S. Geetha, S. Poornia & J. Vaseegari 20