Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2015; 3(2): 80-85

ISSN 2320-3862
JMPS 2015; 3(2): 80-85
© 2015 JMPS
Ethno-botanical study on the traditional healers
Received: 07-02-2015 in Pachamalai hills of Eastern Ghats, Tamilnadu,
Accepted: 14-03-2015
South India
M. Johnson Gritto
PG & Research Department of
Botany National College M. Johnson Gritto, V. Nandagopalan, A. Doss
(Autonomous) Tiruchirappalli –
620 001 Tamilnadu, India Abstract
The present study was conducted to documentation the ethnomedicinal plants occurring in the local
V. Nandagopalan traditional healers of Pachamalai hills of Tamil Nadu, South India. The information on medicinal uses of
PG & Research Department of plants is based on the interviews, structured questionnaires and discussion with traditional healers.
Botany National College
Medicinally important 75 plants species, come under 47 families and 73 Genera. In the present study,
(Autonomous) Tiruchirappalli –
Rubiaceae is most dominant family was used for the various ailments. The medicinal plants are prepared
620 001 Tamilnadu, India
in the various forms such as decoction, infusion, fresh juice and crush the leaves are used as orally.
Documentation of long-established knowledge on the ethno-medico uses of these plants is essential for
A. Doss
PG & Research Department of
conservation efforts for the plants resources and new drug development.
Botany National College Keywords: Ethnobotany, Traditional healers, Ailments, Pachamalai
(Autonomous) Tiruchirappalli –
620 001 Tamilnadu, India
1. Introduction
Medicinal plants play a crucial role in providing primary health care to human populations,
since the dawn of civilization. The knowledge of medicinal plants has been accumulated from
different medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. In India, it is reported that
traditional healers use 2,500 plant species and 100 species of plants serve as regular source of
medicine [1]. During the last few decades, an increasing interest in the study of traditional uses
of medicinal plants has been witnessed in different parts of the world mainly due to many
problems associated with synthetic drugs and emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens [2].
Traditional medicinal knowledge of medicinal plants and their use by indigenous cultures are
not only useful for conservation of cultural traditions and biodiversity but also for community
health care and drug development in the present and future. There are considerable economic
benefits in the development of indigenous medicines and in the use of medicinal plants for the
treatment of various diseases.
The tribals belonging to the minor communities are socially, economically and among the least
advanced. But they harbour a lot of knowledge on medicinal plants [3]. This diversified system
of traditional practices prevails among the rural communities since time immemorial. These
studies assume great importance in enhancing our traditional skills and technology about the
plant grows and used for native or tribal communities for their sustenance. The current
deforestation trends, which threaten the existence of medicinally important plants makes it
inevitable that this informations be made available and encourage preservation of their culture,
traditional knowledge, conservation and sustainable utilization of the plant wealth occurring in
the study area.
Ethnobotanical studies in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu have been carried out earlier by
several researchers. A perusal of the available literature reveals that information on the
comprehensive survey, documentation and enumeration of wild medicinal plants by the
Correspondence:
indigenous people in the Pachamalai hills of Eastern Ghats is meager and there is no such
V. Nandagopalan comprehensive study on this region particularly for hills as whole. Hence, in the present study,
PG & Research Department of an attempt was made to survey and document the wild medicinal plant species in the study
Botany National College area. This is the pioneer to attempt an exhaustive analysis of the therapeutic values of such
(Autonomous) Tiruchirappalli – medicinal plants, which are probably drawing the attention of pharmacologists for further
620 001 Tamilnadu, India
critical and scientific validation.

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2. Materials and methods Table 1: Family with maximum number of genus & species
2.1. Study area S. No. Family No. of Genus No. of Species
The present study was undertaken in the Pachamalai hills, 1 Meliaceae 1 1
located between the districts of Tiruchirappalli and Salem, 2 Menispermaceae 1 1
Tamilnadu, South India. The hill is situated 2000 to 3000 feet 3 Menispermaceae 1 1
above mean sea level and lies between 78.31’ East and 11.28’ 4 Verbenaceae 1 1
5 Malvaceae 1 1
North latitude. The total area is 14,122 sq. km. Pachamalai is 6 Sterculiaceae 1 1
green and natural hill range, just 80 km north of 7 Sterculiaceae 1 1
Tiruchirappalli via Thuraiyur. 8 Tiliaceae 1 1
9 Linaceae 1 1
2.2. Data collection 10 Rutaceae 1 1
The field study conducted an extensive field survey in the 11 Celastraceae 1 1
12 Hippocrataceae 1 1
tribal belts and other interior villages (Manalodi & Kinathur).
13 Rhamnaceae 1 1
First hand information was gathered through interactions with 14 Plumbaginaceae 1 1
tribal and rural people including members of forest protection 15 Sapindaceae 1 1
committees. During the field survey interact with traditional 16 Caesalpinioideae 1 1
uses and Nattu vaithiyam about the local common diseases and 17 Combretaceae 1 2
using the drugs for those diseases. The ethnobotanical data 18 Alangiaceae 1 1
19 Rubiaceae 1 1
(local name, useful parts, and medicinal uses) were collected 20 Rubiaceae 1 1
through the tribal peoples in and around study area. In addition 21 Rubiaceae 1 1
to the vernacular names and medicinal uses detailed 22 Plumbaginaceae 1 1
information about mode of preparation (i.e., decoction, 23 Sapotaceae 1 1
infusion, paste, powder and juice) form of usage with fresh or 24 Mimosaceae 1 1
25 Apocynaceae 1 1
dried mixture of other plants used as ingredients were also 26 Apocynaceae 1 1
collected. 27 Loganiaceae 1 1
The collected plant species were identified taxonomically 28 Verbenaceae 1 1
using the Karnatic flora [3] and the flora of Tamil Nadu 29 Verbenaceae 1 1
Carnatic [4], Indian medicinal plants and dictionary of 30 Aristolochiaceae 1 1
31 Euphorbiaceae 1 1
medicinal plants. The identified plants species were then
32 Papilionaceae 1 1
confirmed to the Herbaria of Rapinet, St. Joseph’s College, 33 Euphorbiaceae 1 1
Trichirappallai. The plants are arranged alphabetically by 34 Menispermaceae 1 1
botanical names, family, local name, useful part and 35 Ulmaceae 1 1
ethnobotanical uses for different diseases. 36 Moraceae 1 1
37 Dioscoreaceae 1 2
38 Palmae 1 1
3. Results and Discussion 39 Araceae 1 1
In the present study ethnobotanical survey was documented, 40 Rubiaceae 1 1
75 plant species are used for medicines representing 73genera 41 Asteraceae 1 1
and 47 families (Table 1). (Table 2). The representing plants 42 Menispermaceae 1 1
are mostly used to cure fever, cancer, snake bites dysentery, 43 Menispermaceae 1 1
44 Rubiaceae 1 1
gastrointestinal disorders, piles, skin diseases, cough, abortion,
45 Combretaceae 1 1
asthma, jaundice, wounds and urinary problems and snake 46 Caesalpiniaceae 1 1
bite. These are medicinally important and dominated plants are 47 Rubiaceae 1 1
observed in Rubiaceae (7), Combretaceae (3), Rutaceae (3), 48 Lauraceae 1 1
Euphorbiaceae (3), Apocynaceae (3), Papilionaceae (3), 49 Sterculiaceae 1 1
Menispermaceae (3), Menispermaceae (2), Malvaceae (2), 50 Cucurbitaceae 1 1
51 Balanophoraceae 1 1
Sterculiaceae (2), Tiliaceae (2), Plumbaginaceae (2), 52 Verbenaceae 1 1
Verbenaceae (2), Moraceae (2), Dioscoreaceae (2), Araceae 53 Apocynaceae 1 1
(2), Verbenaceae (2), Asteraceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Lauraceae, 54 Erythroxylaceae 1 1
Sterculiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Balanophoraceae, 55 Melastomataceae 1 1
Erythroxylaceae, Melastomataceae, Hydrocharitaceae, 56 Malvaceae 1 1
57 Hydrocharitaceae 1 1
Ebenaceae, Vitaceae, Celastraceae, Moringaceae, 58 Vitaceae 1 1
Verbenaceae, Acanthaceae, Meliaceae, Linaceae, 59 Ebenaceae 1 1
Celastraceae, Hippocrataceae, Rhamnaceae, Sapindaceae, 60 Celastraceae 1 1
Aristolochiaceae, Ulmaceae, Palmae, Alangiaceae, 61 Rubiaceae 1 1
Sapotaceae, Mimosaceae, Loganiaceae, Asclepiadaceae and 62 Euphorbiaceae 1 1
63 Moringaceae 1 1
Convolvulaceae. The plant parts used for medical preparation
64 Verbenaceae 1 1
were bark, flowers, rhizomes, roots, leaves, seeds and whole 65 Moraceae 1 1
plants. In some cases the whole plant including roots was 66 Acanthaceae 1 1
utilized. The most frequently utilized plant parts were root 67 Rutaceae 1 1
(31), leaves (28), bark (20), fruit (13), flowers (9), seeds (9), 68 Tiliaceae 1 1
wood (3), whole plant (3), tuber (2) and rhizome (1). Among 69 Papilionoideae 1 1
70 Rutaceae 1 1
them 35 trees, 28 herbs, 13 shrubs, 4 stragglers, 4 were vine 71 Asclepiadaceae 1 1
(Table - 3). Collected data contains the list of plants of 72 Papilionaceae 1 1
different families with their medicinal uses, which are listed in 73 Convolvulaceae 1 1
the order of Bentham and Hooker classification

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Table 2: Ethnomedicinal plant species collected from Pachamalai hills of Eastern Ghats

S.
Botanical Name Family Parts used Ethno-medicinal Uses
No
1 Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. Meliaceae Bark Bark used as an antipyretic, tonic and astringent: used as a substitute for cinchona bark.
2 Cyclea peltata (Lam) Hook.f. Menispermaceae Roots and Leaves Phlegm, jaundice, Stomach pain, Liver complaints, Asthma Leprosy, Clotting of blood in abdomen and dandruff.
Leaves, flowers
3 Pachygone ovate (Poir) Menispermaceae Dried fruit used as a Vermicide and fish poison.
and Fruits
Clerodendrum infortunatum Leaves used as bitter tonic, vermifuge, laxative and cholagogue. Leaves and roots used as external application in tumours.
4 Verbinaceae Leaves
auct. non.L. Fresh leaf juice used to remove ascarids.
Stem, flowers and Roots diuretic. Decoction of stem and roots used for flatulent colic. Flowers expectorant, their infusion used in aphthae and
5 Urena lobata L. Malvaceae
Root sore throat.
Leaf decoction used to cure fever. Fruits powdered and included in tonic for women after child birth, fruit decoction for
6 Helicteres isora L. Sterculiaceae Leaves and fruits
intestinal problems.
7 Sterculia urens Roxb. Sterculiaceae Leaves Activates parturition, source of vitamin –A.
8 Grewia tiliifolia Vahl Tiliaceae Bark Bark used in dysentery.
9 Hugonia mystax L.. Linaceae Roots Fever, Vermin sis, Inflammations.
10 Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam.Var Rutaceae leaves Diaphoretic, Stomachic, Anti-pyretic, Diarrhoea, Rheumatism, Carminative and Painful bowles.
Leaves, Seeds, Oil,
11 Celastrus paniculatus Willd Celastraceae Alternative, antirheumatic, emetic Laxative and nervine tonic.
Bark.
12 Salacia prinoides DC. Hippocrataceae Roots Roots used in diabetes, also as an abortifacient, decoction given in amenrohhoea, dysmenorrhoea and venereal diseases.
The bark is bitter thermogenics, digestive carminative, stomachic, alexeteric and tonic. It is useful in flatulence, erysipelas,
13 Ventilago maderaspatana Gae Rhamnaceae Bark
leprosy, scabies, pruritus and other skin diseases, fever and general debility.
14 Plumbago zeylanica Linn. Plumbaginaceae Root Root abortifacient, vesicant and diuretic, used in dyspepsia, piles, anasarca, diarrhoea and skin diseases.
15 Sapindus emarginata Vahl Sapindaceae Fruits, Root bark Ear-ache, Eczema, Snake bite, Stimulate Uterus during child birth, Saponaceous, Astringent, Anthelmintic Asthma.
16 Acacia ferruginea DC. Caesalpinioideae Bark, Fruits Giddiness, diarrhoea, dysentery, piles, worm infestation, haemorrhage, cough, dyspnoea, skin diseases.
Fruit one among the Triphala of Ayurveda, useful in Bronchitis, sore throat, Biliousness, Inflammations, Strangury,
17 Terminalia bellirica (Roxb) Combretaceae Bark, Fruits
Asthma, diseases of Eyes.
Fruit one among the Triphala of Ayurveda, useful in Asthma, sore throat, Thirst, Vomiting, Hiccough, Eye diseases,
18 Terminalia chebula Retz Combretaceae Fruit
Diseases of heart and bladder.
Laxative, nutritive, refringent and tonic, useful in emaciation, eye troubles, haemorrhage. Cooling and tonic. Paste used in
19 Alangium salvifolium (L.f) Alangiaceae Roots and fruits
rheumatic pains. Antipyretic, bitter etc.
20 Chomelia asiatica (L.)Kuntze Rubiaceae Fruits Fruits mashed and applied to boils to promote suppurations.
21 Morinda umbellate L. Rubiaceae Roots and leaves Decoction of roots and leaves useful in diarrhoea and dysentery.
22 Pavetta indica L. Rubiaceae Roots, Leaves Tonic, Purgative, Diuretic, Jaundice, Urinary diseases, Haemorrhoids, Boils, Dropsy.
Acro-narcotic poison, Causes abortion, Rheumatic and paralytic affections, Ulcers, Leprosy, Enlarged spleen, Rubefacient,
23 Plumbago zeylanica L. Plumbaginaceae Roots
Piles, Skin diseases, Influenza.
Bark, Flowers,
24 Mimusops elengi L. Sapotaceae Tonic, Lotion for wounds delivery in child birth, to increase fertility in women, Hydrophobia, Insanity.
Fruits, Seed.
Root, bark and
25 Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd. Mimosaceae Used as sore throat and cough. Leprosy, abdominal disorder, worm infestation.
wood
26 Alstonia scholaris (L.)R.Br Apocynaceae Bark Fever, diarrhoea, dysentery and increase mother milk.
27 Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb) R.Br Apocynaceae Seeds, Bark, Stem, Tonic, Seminal weakness, Snake bites, Flatulence, Bilious troubles, Aphrodisiac, Fever.

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Leaves
The root bark is bitter and is useful in cholera. The leaves are applied as poultice in the treatment of chronic wound. Ulcers
28 Strychnos nux vomica L. Loganiaceae Leaves and Roots
of paralytic complaints.
Clerodendrum serratus
29 Verbenaceae Roots, Leaves Bronchial asthma, Bronchitis, Sinusitis, Pharyngitis, Skin inflammation, Diminished appetite.
(L.)Moon
30 Gmelina arborea Roxb. Verbenaceae Whole plant. Applied in scorpion sting. Leaves juice useful in cough, gonorrhoea.
31 Aristolochia indica L. Aristolochiaceae Leaves and Roots. Roots and rhizome used as a stimulant and bitter tonic used for snake bite.
Leaves, roots and
Cleistanthus collinus
32 Euphorbiaceae Fruits. Leaves, roots and fruits act as a gastrointestinal irritant. Leaves used as abortifacient.
(Roxb)Benth
Seeds restorative, astringent and aphrodisiac, used in rheumatism and leucorrhoea.
33 Indigofera trifoliata Linn. Papilionaceae Seeds

Mallotus philippensis
34 Euphorbiaceae Leaves Chronic skin diseases ,oedema, as purgative
(Lam)muell Arg
Pachygone ovate (Poir) HK.f.
35 Menispermaceae Fruit Dried fruit used as a vermicide and fish poison.
&Thoms.
Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb) Inflammations, Leprosy, Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Colic, Rheumatism, Diuretic, Vomitings, Helminthiasis, Diabetes, Skin
36 Ulmaceae Bark, Leaves
Planchon. diseases, haemorrhoids.
Leaves, roots, Leaves used as a galactagogue, their poultice, applied swellings and bufoes. Roots given in dysentery. Decoction of bark
37 Streblus asper Lour Moraceae bark, latex and used in fevers, diarrhoea, and dysentery. Latex astringent and antiseptic, applied to sore heals .Seed used in epistaxis, piles
seed. and diarrhoea, externally paste applied to leucoderma.
38 Dioscorea oppositifolia L. Dioscoreaceae Tubers Tubers ground and applied to swellings.
39 Dioscorea pentaphylla L. Dioscoreaceae Tubers Tubers used as tonic and in swellings.
40 Caryota urens L. Palmae (Arecaceae) Toddy, Nuts Aphrodisiac, Seminal weakness, Urinary disorders, Hemicrania, Hair tonic and cosmetics.
41 Acorus calamus L. Araceae Rhizome Leaf and stalk powder decoction, used in skin diseases, haemorrhage, fever, urinary diseases, purgative, appetizer etc.
Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb)
42 Rubiaceae Bark and roots Bark and roots used in colic and as a febrifuge.
Korth.
Vernonia anthelmintica
43 Asteraceae Leaf, seed Leucoderma, urinary disorders, abdominal disorders, skin diseases eczema and mental disorder
(L.)Willd
Tiliocora acuminate
44 Menispermaceae Roots Antidote to snake poison.
(Lam).Miers
The roots are bitter digestive, diuretic, anti pyretic and tonic and are useful in poisonous bites, skin diseases, cough and
45 Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Menispermaceae Roots and leaves
hypertension.
Roots tonic, purgative and diuretic, used for visceral obstructions, urinary diseases, jaundice and dropsical affections.
46 Pavetta tomentosa Rubiaceae Leaves and roots
Decoction of leaves used as a lotion for ulcerated nose and for haemorrhoids.
Bark diuretic and cardio tonic. Fruits laxative, stomachic, tonic and alternative form a constituent of Triphala an important
47 Terminalia chebula Retz Combretaceae Bark and fruit
ayurvedic medicine used for many ailments. Powdered fruit smoked in asthma.
48 Cassia tora Linn. Caesalpiniaceae Root, leaf and seed Leaves purgative, used in ringworm and other skin troubles. Venereal diseases, inflammations and fever.
Dried roots and fruits for disease of spleen. In unani medicine, drug is used as a tonic to liver and spleen. Manjishthaa for
49 Rubia cordifolia L. Rubiaceae Fruits and Roots
scabies and chronic skin diseases.
Leaves, flowers Mucilaginous bark used in diarrhoea and dysentery, also used for sprains, bruises and rheumatic gouty joints and as an
50 Litsea glutinosa Lauraceae
and bark emollient and styptic. Leaves and flowers employed in poultices for bruises and wounds.
51 Pterospermum xylocarpum Sterculiaceae Leaves Leaves used in leucorrhoea.
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(Gaertn)Sant & Wagh

52 Corallocarpus epigaeus (Clarke) Cucurbitaceae Seeds Syphilitic cases, Venereal complaints, Bilious diseases, coughs and Bowel complaints.
Balanophora fungosa
53 Balanophoraceae Whole plant Whole plant Diseases of vatam and kaphm, eczema, throat diseases dysponea, digestive disses orders.
J.R.&G, Forst
Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Leave, root and Roots used in rheumatism and dyspepsia. Leaves used as febrifuge, also as an external application in cephaigia and
54 Verbinaceae
Moon seed opthlmia. Seeds aperients, used in dropsy.
Roots demulcent, tonic, diaphoretic, and diuretic, used in combination with bitters and aromatics in fevers, dyspepsia and
55 Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R.Br Apocynaceae Roots
skin troubles. Powdered root used in diabetes and stone in gall bladder.
Erythroxylum monogynum
56 Erythroxylaceae Wood and bark Infusion of wood and bark stomachic, diaphoretic and diuretic, useful in dyspepsia and fever.
Roxb.
57 Memecylon edule Roxb. Melastomataceae Roots, Leaves Menorrhagia, Heavy menstruation, Leaf decoction used in washing the eyes.
Malvastrum coromandelianum
58 Malvaceae Flowers Emollient and resolvent, decoction given in dysentery. Flowers used as a pectoral and diaphoretic.
(L.) Garcke
59 Ottelia alismoides (L.)Pers. Hydrocharitaceae Leaves Plant rubefacient. Leaves used to cure haemorrhoids.
Tetrastigma lanceolarium
60 Vitaceae Leaf Leaf poultice applied to boils.
(Roxb).
61 Diospyros montana Roxb. Ebenaceae Wood Wood used for ornamental carving.
Root, bark and
62 Cassine glauca (Rottb) Celastraceae Root snake bite poisoning, swellings .Bark flower Dysuria, wounds, burning sensation, hyperacidity.
flower
Canthium dicoccum (Gaertn)
63 Rubiaceae Bark Bark employed as a febrifuge and applied externally in fractures.
Teijsm. & Binn.
Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb) Leaves, roots and
64 Euphorbiaceae Leaves, roots, and fruits act as gastrointestinal irritant. Leaves used as abortifacient.
benth.ex Hk.f. fruits
Moringa concanensis Nimmo ex Root, bark, stem
65 Moringaceae Intermittent fever, abscess, epilepsy, rheumatism, faint, Aphrodisiac, Liver diseases, joint pain and paralysis.
Dalz. bark, fruit, flower.
Premna corymbosa Roots used as a laxative, stomachic, cardial and tonic it is one of the important ingredients of Dasamula. Decoction of
66 Verbenaceae Roots and leaves
(Burm.f.)Rottl.&Willd. leaves given in flatulence and colic.
Leaves bark and Leaves used as a galactagogue. Roots given in dysentery. Decoction of bark used in fevers, diarrhoea. Latex astringent and
67 Streblus asper Lour. Moraceae
seeds. antiseptic. Seeds used in epistaxis, piles and diarrhoea; externally paste applied to leuciderma.
68 Barleria buxifolia L. Acanthaceae Leaves and Roots Leaves and Roots used for coughs and inflammations
Roots, Leaves, Diaphoretic, Stomachic, Anti-pyretic, Diarrhoea, Rheumatism, Carminative, Debility during convalescence, Amenorrhoea,
69 Todalia asiatica (L.)Lam. Rutaceae
Flowers, Fruits. painful bowels
70 Corchorus olitorius Linn. Tiliaceae Leaves Infusion of leaves used as tonic and febrifuge; also as a demulcent in cystitis and dysuria.
Papilionoideae
71 pseudarthria viscida (L.) W&A Root Used to relieve biliousness, rheumatism, breathing difficulties excessive heat, fever, diarrhoea, asthma, worms and piles.
(Faboideae)
Atlantia monophylla (Roxb). Leaf, fruit and
72 Rutaceae Berries yield fatty oil used externally in rheumatism.
DC. root.
Sarcostemma brunonianum
73 Asclepiadaceae Roots Dried stems emetic. Infusion of roots given to persons bitten by rapid dogs.
Wt.& Arn.
Bark astringent, used in piles, tumours, and menstrual disorders, gum called butea gum is astringent and used in
Bark, Seeds,
74 Butea monosperma (Lam) Taub. Papilionaceae diarrhoea. Seeds pounded with lemon juice acts as powerful rubefacient and used as a cure for a form of herpes called
flowers, and leaves
‘Dhobis ‘itch. Extract of seeds, flowers and leaves reputed to have contraceptive property.
75 Evolvulus alsinoides (L.)Linn. Convolvulaceae Whole plant Plant acts as tonic and febrifuge .Also used as vermifuge ; along with oil used in promoting hair growth

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Table 3: Distribution of plants under different habits efficacy. Plant based traditional knowledge has become a
S. No. Habitats No. of Species recognized tool in search for new sources of drugs and
1 Trees 28 Nutraceutical. Dissemination of the knowledge of medicinal
2 Herbs 12 plants and their usage would also improve the socioeconomic
3 Shrubs 17 status of the tribes.
4 Climber 18
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plants used by these communities vary from plant to plant. plants used the Malayali tribe of Servarayan Hills,
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important in the primary health care of the rural communities. I(III). The Rapinat Herbarium, St Joseph’s College,
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