An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants used by the Locals in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

This study represents a systematic attempt to explore the knowledge of the native people about plants, which they use to cure diseases. And it is an attempt towards conserving the local knowledge of people to plants. This paper presents a list and uses of some medicinal plants distributed in the high altitude district Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir. The list was prepared during an ethno-botanical survey of the region from December 2007 to January, 2009. This paper provides information about 71 ethno-medicinally useful plants grown in this region. In this paper, family, botanical name, local name, ethnomedicinal uses are given for each plant. Introduction It is documented that 80% of the world population has faith in traditional medicines, particularly plant drugs for their primary healthcare (Kala et al., 2006). The use of plants for medicinal purposes and human sustenance has been in practice in India since the Vedic age. The earliest mention of the medicinal use of the plants is found in the Rigveda, 1500-400 BC, Athurveda 1500 BC, Upnishada 1000-600 BC (Chauhan, 1999). In India about 17000 species of higher plants out of which 7500 are known for medicinal uses (Shiva, 1996). India is one of the major contributors to the world in terms of herbal drugs and its raw materials (Grunwald, 2000). In India Janaki Ammal (1956) initiated the work on ethnobotany while working in botanical survey of India. Kishtwar popularly known as “Land of Sapphire and Saffron” is also very rich in forest products. District Kishtwar in the past used to be an independent hill principality and was merged with the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1821 A D. Kishtwar lies 216km in Northeast of Jammu (the winter capital of state) and 284km Southeast of Srinagar (summer capital of state). Most of its area is hilly terrain. Kishtwar lies in the lap of Himalaya. It ranges from Middle Himalaya to Greater Himalaya. Himalayan peaks like Sickle moon (6574m), Charcha (6065m), Eiger (6001m), Namtse (6000m) and Durang glacier lies in this district. The climate of Kishtwar ranges from temperate to alpine. Kishtwar district consists of 8 blocks: Kishtwar, Inderwal, Paddar, Marwah, Warwan, Dacchan, Nagsani and Drabshalla. Its total population was 219560 in the year 2001. Its area covers 7734km2. Snow may cover the most parts of the district from December to March. About 90% area of district is backward and the main occupation of the people (80%) is farming, cattle and sheep rearing. Due to geographical remoteness of the area and socioeconomic condition of the local populace folk medicine is still commonly used in Kishtwar. These factors also explain the preservation of ethanopharmacological practices in this region. Although a lot of work has been done on the ethnobotany and ethnomedicines in Jammu and Kashmir state but as for as Kishtwar district is concerned it is totally unexplored except for few stray references (Kumar and Hamal, 2009; Kumar et al., 2009a, 2009b). Methods The study was carried out during December 2007 to January 2009 to determine the mild and native cultivated plants used as medicinal purpose by villagers of Kishtwar. All villages of Kishtwar were screened. During study, information was obtained from middle aged and older people, most of whom were Hakims (old persons in villages who have vast knowledge about the medicinal plants). In authors, one author is the native of this region, so he has some practical and theoretical knowledge too. For each plant at least 20-30 people were interviewed. It asked for his or her knowledge concerning the common names of plants, their usage and preparation. During field trips, the digital photographs and herbarium specimens were collected. The specimens were pressed and dried according to herbarium techniques and identified using relevant standard literature i.e., “Flora of British India” by Hooker (1872-97), “Flora of West Pakistan” by Nasir and Ali (1970), “Forest flora of Srinagar” by Singh and Kachroo (1976), “Flora of Jammu and plants of neighborhood” by Sharma and Kachroo (1983), “Flowers of Himalaya” by Polunin and Stainton (1984), “Flora of Pir Panjal range (North-West Himalaya)” by Singh and Kachroo (1994) and with the help of herbarium curator (Dr. Krishna Anand), Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu. Systematic Descriptions Family: Apiaceae Angelica glauca Edgew. Local name: Chora Ethnomedicinal uses: The roots are grinded and eaten with ‘gud’ (sugar) against stomach problem. The roots are burnt to remove the snakes when they enter the house. Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Local name: Sow Ethnomedicinal uses: Seeds mixed with sugar are used against constipation Family: Araceae Acorus calamus L. Local name: Nag Russ Ethnomedicinal uses: Rhizomes are emetic in large doses; stomachic and carminative in smaller doses; useful in bronchitis and remittent fever. Fresh rhizome is inhaled in common cold as anti-allergic. Arisaema flavum (Forsskal) Schott. Local name: Sapp googli Ethnomedicinal uses: The tubers are crushed and a paste is made which is applied against foot and mouth diseases in cattle. The paste is also applied on snake bite. Family: Asteraceae Artemisia maritima L. Local name: Mooin Ethnomedicinal uses: The leaves are used in stomach problems. The leaves are also useful in expelling worms from the intestine. Calendula officinalis L. Local name: Hamesh-Bahar Ethnomedicinal uses: The flower and leaves are crushed and the paste is applied on skin diseases and burns. Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Local name: Jhashkantu Ethnomedicinal uses: The young inflorescene crushed in water is used for inducing vomiting. Gnaphalium hypoleucum DC. Local name: Chhar Ethnomedicinal uses: The flowers are crushed in water and the resulted paste is applied on throat problems. Inula royleana C. B. Clarke Local name: Mulain Ethnomedicinal uses: The oil of roots is mixed with kuth oil-root oil of Saussurea lappa. It produces fall in blood pressure and stimulates peristaltic movements of intestine. Jurinea dolomiaea Boiss. Local name: Guggal Ethnomedicinal uses: The crushed roots are applied on skin eruptions. Aromatic oil from the roots is useful in gout and rheumatism. Saussurea lappa (Decne.) Sch. Bip. Local name: Kuth Ethnomedicinal uses: The root oil is used to cure joint pains through external massages. The root is also used in cough and asthma. Senecio chrysanthemoides D.C. Local name: Jarjam Ethnomedicinal uses: Flowers are crushed and applied on wounds as antiseptic. Root powder is used against rheumatic pain. Tanacetum dolichophyllum (Kitam.) Kitam. Local name: Amritdhara-ghas Ethnomedicinal uses: The leaves are made into a round pill of the size of almond nut and swallowed with water in stomach pain and indigestion. Taraxacum officinale Wigg. Local name: Handh Ethnomedicinal uses: Root is diuretic, tonic, laxative, anti-rheumatic and aperiant. Tea from the leaves is used as tonic. Family: Balsaminaceae Impatiens glandulifera Royle Local name: Hillu Ethnomedicinal uses: The roots and leaves are crushed and applied on forehead, hands and foot to provide cooling effect. Leaves decoction is used in stress and mental tension. Flowers used against snake bite. Family: Berberidaceae Berberis aristata D.C. Local name: Kareel kaimbal Ethnomedicinal uses: Ripe fruits are edible and given as a mild laxative to children. Berberis lyceum Royle Local name: Kaimal Ethnomedicinal uses: The fruits are eaten against constipation and acidity. The extract of the bark is used as a cooling agent. Podophyllum hexandrum Royle. Local name: Bankakdi Ethnomedicinal uses: The crushed leaves and roots are applied on skin diseases. Fruit is eaten in gastric problems. Family: Betulaceae Betula utilis D. Don.--Local name: Bhuz Ethnomedicinal uses: The decoction of the bark is antiseptic carminative given in anaemia, cough, obesity, urinogenital diseases and various infections. Family: Boraginaceae Arnebia benthami (Wall. Ex. G. Don) Johnston. Local name: Kazuban Ethnomedicinal uses: Root powder is given in fever, cough and cold along with honey. The roots are added to tea and that tea is given to persons having pneumonia. Family: Cannabinaceae Cannabis sativa L. Local name: Bhang Ethnomedicinal uses: This plant yield ‘charas’ and ‘ganza’ which in action are sedative, appetizer, narcotic and toxic. Leaf juice removes lice and dandruff. . Family: Crassulaceae Rhodiola himalensis (D. Don) S.H. Fu Local name: Dand jari Ethnomedicinal uses: Stem bark is used to clean teeth to avoid the infection of teeth. Sedum ewersii Ledeb. Local name: Kupadd jari Ethnomedicinal uses: The plant is crushed and applied on forhead to provide cooling and soothing effect. This plant is given to milch cattle to increase milk production. Family: Curpessaceae Juniperus communis L. Local name: Bithur Ethnomedicinal uses: The oil extracted from the juniper is applied against rheumatism. Juniperus recurva Busch.-Ham. ex. D. Don. Local name: Bithar Ethnomedicinal uses: Leaves and twigs are burnt in houses to produce the smoke which is considered as insecticide. The oil extracted from seeds is applied against rheumatism. Family: Dioscoreaceae Disocorea deltoidea Wall. Ex. Kunth. Local name: Kinns Ethnomedicinal uses: The rhizomes yield a steroid, ‘cortisone’, which has proved of great value in the treatment of a large variety of diseases, particularly in rheumatic diseases; certain ophthalmic disorders and allergic states. Family: Dipsacaceae Morina longifolia Wallich ex D.C. Local name: Kim Ethnomedicinal uses: Roots are collected and kept in garments to avoid insect damage. Family: Ericaceae Rhododendron anthopogon D. Don. Local name: Shutenger Ethnomedicinal uses: Leaves and flowers are used against skin problems, cough and cold. Dried flowers are powdered and mixed with oil and massaged over entire body in post delivery complications like fever,