NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2)
Idrisi et al. 34-45
Indigenous knowledge and medicinal use of plants by local communities in Rangit Valley, South Sikkim, India 1
2
1
Mohd. Sajid Idrisi , Hemant K. Badola and Rita Singh 1 GGS Indraprastha University, Delhi - 110 403, India 2 G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Sikkim Unit PO Box-40, Campus: Pangthang, Gangtok - 737 101, Sikkim, India Author for correspondence:
[email protected] © NECEER, Imphal
ABSTRACT Documentation on ethnobiological knowledge of indigenous people living in and around biodiversity rich areas has been considered as high priority world-wide, in recent decades. However, increased use and overexploitation of medicinal plants pose threat to their potential availability in wild areas and that brings concern for their conservation. South Sikkim in northeast region of India is the home to rich plants diversity; of which many species possess high medicinal values. The paper highlights ethno-medicinal use of important plant species by local communities in treating various ailments/ health disorders in Rangit Valley in South Sikkim, India. Inhabited by three major communities, Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalese (in majority), the area holds immense ethnobotanical potential. This paper reports 45 plant species distributed across 36 families, under ethnomedicinal utility by local communities, curing about 20 ailments, which could further be grouped under seven broad categories. As per the use pattern, maximum of 10 species are used for the treatment of cough, cold and throat problems, followed by 7 each in curing cuts, wounds, burns and diarrhoea/dysentery and respiratory disorders. On the basis of plant part used, harvesting of leaves is targeted for the maximum of 13 species, followed by 12 species for roots/rhizomes and rest species using other plant parts. In the light of conservation and socioeconomic development, the paper discusses the need and importance of ethnomedicinal knowledge in the study area. KEYWORDS: Indigenous knowledge, Medicinal plants, Conservation, Rangit valley, Sikkim
Sikkim, a small Himalayan state (7096 Km2 geographical area) in Northeast India harbours an enormously rich diversity of medicinal plants that occur right from the river valleys to the cold transHimalayan desert. Sikkim-Darjeeling hills combined support to over 707 medicinal plant species (Samant et al. 1998), which is maximum as per unit-forestland coverage, with 0.267 ratio amongst Indian Himalayan states (Badola & Aitken, 2003). The unique geographical position and wide range of topography, highly fertile soil, sufficient rainfall and presence of large number of perennial stream make the state of Sikkim one of the richest treasure houses of biodiversity in the country (Badola, 2009). Over the ages, Sikkim has developed rich cultural practices of folk medicines. The immensely rich flora of Sikkim 34
has a number of raw drugs described in Ayurvedic texts. Of about 420 plants used by the tribal people to cure various diseases, in Sikkim Himalayas region, only a few have been exploited commercially (Panda 2007). Sikkim is also a home to different ethnic people and tribes. Compare to over 130 major tribes recognized in north-east India (Kala, 2005), over 20 ethnic tribes are known to inhabit the state; the major ones being the Bhutias, Lepchas, Limboos, Nepalese, and Tibetans. Amongst them, Lepchas, the indigenous nature dwellers (Gorer, 1938), are believed to be the most ancient tribe of Sikkim (Thakur, 1988; Pradhan & Badola, 2008a) The primary inhabitants of natural ecosystems or the community people possess vast
NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) amount of traditional knowledge using local biodiversity (Pradhan & Badola, 2008a). The ethnic communities of Sikkim have been using plants and their extracts for curing various diseases and ailments since ages. They developed their area specific ethnomedicinal knowledge of plants with long time tested methods, quantity, effective doses, part of plant used, etc (Pradhan & Badola, 2008a). Extensive studies and systematic documentation of traditional knowledge have globally been recognized as high priority especially in the past couple of decades as a tool to explore newer noble properties and highlight pharmaceutical potential of various species (Hamil et al. 2000; Pieroni, 2000; Maundu et al. 2001; Pradhan & Badola, 2008a; Rana et al. 2010). The conservation through ex-situ cultivation of potentially important pharmaceutical taxa has been realized as an essential step in developing pharmaceutical sector as well as an economy boost up to local communities (Badola & Aitken, 2003; Badola & Pal, 2002; Badola & Butola, 2005; Butola & Badola, 2008). In general, insufficient systematic documentation of ethnomedicinal knowledge in written form or digital form and reliance on oral tradition along with recent development and modernization activities is leading to irretrievable loss of this ancient wisdom in Himalaya. In Sikkim, the local folk healers of the three major communities of Sikkim go by different names. They are known as Baidya, Dhami and Jhankri in Nepali Community, Amji and Pow in Bhutia Community, and Bongthing in Lepcha Community. In Dzongu valley in Sikkim, the largest abode of Lepcha tribes, the local healers or Lepcha medicine man are called ‘Maon-doak’ (Pradhan and Badola, 2008a). Earlier, they were the only medical practitioners in the villages and treatment always started with ‘Jhar-phuk’ process. People started believing and taking allopathic treatment lately, after the creation of hospitals (known as PHSC’s - Primary Health Care Centres) and improvement in the literacy rate of the state. The traditional systems of medicines are, Nepali System of traditional medicine, Lepcha System of traditional medicine, Tibetan system of traditional medicine; these three local practices fairly differ in their methods and processes of treatments. The ethnomedicinal studies for Sikkim are lacking except a few, such as a comprehensive account on Lepchas’ community reserve, Dzongu in north Sikkim (Pradhan and Badola, 2008a; also see: Jha et
al. 2004). And, there are hardly any ethnomedicinal accounts available from the present study area. The objective of present study is to provide field based appraisal and systematic documentation on ethnomedicinal aspects of Rangit valley in south Sikkim. Study focused on thorough use practices of community people on important medicinal plants and suggests appropriate strategies for the socioeconomic development of the community and biodiversity conservation. Study area The study area Rangit Valley (Fig 1) represents lowland forests of south district of Sikkim. The area covers a landscape spreading along an altitude of 400 to 1,000 m having geographical coordinates, 27º 09´ N and 88º 19´ E. The places included within the study area are Melli, Jorethang, Magitar, Kitam, Rolu, Sumbuk, Manpur etc. The greater Rangit River binds this area at its south; the entire landscape extends roughly from the foothills of outer Himalayas to an upper altitude of about 1,000 m. Another mighty river Teesta meets the river Rangit at Melli (the southernmost place where one gets entry into Sikkim from South). Either river plays an important role in maintaining viability and precipitation of the targeted area and making it a biodiversity rich landscape. Indigenous people inhabiting the targeted area mostly belong to three major communities, i.e. Nepali, Lepcha and Bhutia. Here, Nepali constitutes the majority of the population. During the period of British India, they believed to be migrated in Sikkim Himalaya as traders and since then this community played a pivotal role in the social, political and economic development of the state. The Nepali community has been using a variety of plant resources in medicinal practices in treating different ailments in the study area over a long time and thus establishing a wider base in their local traditional medicine system, which is commonly prevailed in various tropical and sub-tropical villages in Sikkim (Tambe et al. 2003). However, any detailed account on the ethnomedicinal knowledge of Nepali community is lacking in the literature. Being one of the oldest tribes in Sikkim, Lepchas have successfully managed to carry their ancient wisdom of ethnomedicinal practices. The Lepchas were hunters and gatherers (Mukhopadhyay et al. 1996) and used to live complete nomadic life.
35
NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2)
Rangit Valley (Study Area)
Figure 1. Map of Sikkim (India) showing study area.
Besides hunting as source of food in the past, Lepchas also used to grow rice, millet, wheat, pulses and vegetables and animal husbandry, and emerged as specialized plant gatherers practicing Lepcha Shamanism and ethnomedicine with having tremendous amount of traditional knowledge on biological resources including use of plant diversity (see: Pradhan & Badola, 2008a, for a comprehensive account on the subject). Migrated to Sikkim, perhaps after the fifteenth century through Bhutan, Bhutias, the third major tribe of Sikkim in the study area, is believed to be of Tibetan origin. In north Sikkim, Bhutias inhabit in majority and known as Lachenpas and Lachungpas for their historical links to two important places, Lachen and Lachung, respectively.
approached and requested to share their knowledge on use methods and usage of plants in treating different ailments and health problems. Available folk healers were also accompanied to the field to approach different plants, confirming the species used and their usage during growing season. Using standard Floras, books and other available literature the species were identified (Pradhan & Badola, 2008a). Since the language spoken by the majority of people in Sikkim is Nepali, one or two local assistance who could translate Nepali into Hindi or English more lucidly, accompanied during the field visits and interviews, as an additional help in case of complications felt in the accent and fluency of respondents.
Methodology
To gather first hand information and confirmation of responses from local folk for validity, extensive field surveys were undertaken. Information were gathered from different local respondents (representative households) using formal and informal interviews,
For gathering information on ethnomedicinal knowledge of the area, initially, with the help of some elderly people, several local folk-healers were 36
NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) semi-structured formats and by conducting group discussions on the plants they use in curing different ailments, plants part used and method of preparation, etc. Local weekly markets (hats) were also surveyed during the study period regarding the demand and availability of the plants. In majority of cases, the respondents (both male and female; the male constituted over 60% of respondents) targeted were over 25 years of age. Concurrently, younger generation was taken in to confidence to get their awareness and interests in the traditional ethnobiological practices.
Results and discussion The present ethnobotanical study documented 45 medicinal plant species, distributed across 36 families used by local communities of the study area (Table 1). These medicinal plants are used to cure over 20 ailments which can further be grouped under 07 broad categories (Fig 2). Out of 45 species, 08 are used in treating fever, 07 species in diarrhoea and dysentery, 02 figured in bone related problems, 06 in stomach related problems, 10 in cough, cold and throat related problems, 07 in cuts, wounds, and burns, 07 in bronchitis and respiratory disorders, 03 in piles and 05 species in other health problems.
Figure 2. Number of plant species used in curing major group of ailments in Rangit Valley, Sikkim.
Many species are used to treat more than one disorder. As per plant part used by the local people in ethnomedicine, the maximum number of species is harvested for leaves, roots/rhizomes and shoots followed by fruit, bark, whole plant and seed (Figure 3). Such ethnobotanical knowledge indicates that local communities in study area have been able to carry this ancient wisdom with them which has built up over time, and the local folks still prefer herbal medication rather than allopathic treatment in most of the cases. For example, Kaempferia sikkimensis and Viscum articulatum are the two important plants very popular in treating bone fractures amongst the local people. Incidentally, the above two species are also used by Lepcha tribe in north Sikkim for the same purpose (Pradhan & Badola, 2008a), which further validates noble use of these species.
The acknowledged folk healers of the area revealed that the use of these plants in treating bone fractures is very old and passed to present generation from their ancestors who used to live nomadic lives. Similarly, Clematis buchananiana locally known as ‘Pinasay lahara’, considered very effective for sinusitis and nose blockade, is another very popular plant among local folks. The use of Bergenia ciliata, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pteris biaurita and Aloe vera for the treatment of cut and wounds revealed the long conserved ethnobotanical knowledge of the community people. The use of some medicinal plants in making favourite local dishes seems very interesting which may sound strange to the young generation in present time. For example, the flowers of Phlogacanthus pubinervius 37
NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) locally known as ‘Titay’ are cooked with rice and believed to regulate the blood pressure and normal functioning of the body. This local cuisine is highly popular amongst local people that one may finds it in marriages and other celebrations. Likewise, the soup made by asturtium officinale is considered very good for cough and tuberculosis. The ethnobotanical use of plants seems to vary with the altitudinal range (North to South Sikkim) in the state (Table 2), still
there exists some extent of similarities in the plant part used, method of preparation and dosage. For Example, in the study area which falls in south Sikkim, Acorus calamus is mostly used for fever, bronchitis and diarrhoea, the same plant is used for skin diseases along with fever by Lepcha tribe of Dzongu Valley in North Sikkim (Pradhan & Badola, 2008a).
Figure 3. Frequency of plant part used of medicinal plant species in Rangit Valley, South Sikkim.
The use of plants may vary with different states in north-east India, where different tribes/indigenous communities use plants in curing various ailments/diseases (Table 2). For example, Curcuma caesia, which is used to treat gastric disorders in north as well as South Sikkim, is used for cough and asthma by Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh (Kala, 2005). Similarly Costus speciosus, used to relieve muscle cramp and pain in Nagaland (Jamir et al. 1999; Jamir et al. 2008), is mainly employed in the treatment of urinary tract infections in north and south Sikkim. It seems that different tribes have been testing and standardizing use of different plant species of their locality in treating a variety of disorders, and this is how the knowledge on ethnomedicine have congregate and built up over the ages. The present study suggests for an urgent need to explore ethnobotanical potential of the area, extensively, covering additional villages, to identify 38
the more plants of pharmaceutical value and the plants for other uses. The efforts are also required to strengthen community based conservation initiatives. Promotion of ex-situ cultivation of some prioritized high value medicinal plant species of the area would help establishing community based commercial ventures, which would not only provide income to rural households but also help in conservation of threatened taxa in high pharmaceutical demand (Badola & Pal, 2002; Badola & Butola, 2005; Badola, 2009). For example, the Swertia chirayita, an internationally marketed critically endangered taxa, and prioritized at the top for ex-situ cultivation (Badola & Pal, 2002) has offered its highly promising and potentially viable populations in Sikkim (Pradhan & Badola, 2008b, 2010); however, the raw material rates differ in different Indian markets (Butola & Badola, 2008). Cultivation prospects for the same are very high for Sikkim and fortunately, agrotechnology packages are in hand (Pradhan & Badola, 2010).
NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) Table 1. Plant species used by local community people of Rangit Valley, South Sikkim in treating various ailments Sl.no
Botanical Name
Family
Local Name
Part used, mode of preparation and ethnomedicinal uses
1.
Acorus calamus L.
Araceae
Bojho
Paste prepared from dried or fresh rhizomes is applied on forehead during fever. Powder made from dried rhizomes is administered orally in case of fever, bronchitis, diarrhoea and dyspepsia
2.
Artemisia vulgaris Linn.
Asteraceae
Titay pati
Freshly crushed leaves are kept in nose to stop nose bleeding. It has an antiseptic effect.
3.
Astilbe rivularis Ham.
Saxifragaceae
Buriokhati
Root’s juice or pieces are taken orally during diarrhoea or dysentery. Powder mixture with Pakhanbhed (Bergenia ciliata) given to women after childbirth to ease body pain and swelling.
4.
Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f.
Liliaceae
Ghivkwari
Fleshy part of the leaves is eaten for digestion, muscular pain and inflammation. Leaves extract is applied in skin ailments and burns.
5.
Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
Meliaceae
Neem
Bark is crush to make powder and given in Diabetes as small amount thrice a day with water for one week or as per requirement.
6.
Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Stenb.
Saxifragaceae
Pakhanbed
One or two leaves are crushed to make paste, and applied on effected part and make bandage for one week complete to treat cuts and wound. No. of leaves and duration of bandage should not exceed. The rhizomes simply chewed in case of fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough.
7.
Costus speciosus (Koen. Ex Retz.) Sm.
Costaceae
Betlauree
Tubers and stem extract is given orally in morning (empty stomach) in case of urinary tract infections or inflammations.
8.
Cinnamomum tamala Nees. & Eberm.
Lauraceae
Tejpatta
Leaves are used in diarrhoea, rheumatism and scorpion bites.
9.
Clematis buchananiana DC.
Ranunculaceae
Pinase lahara
The fresh roots are crushed and inhale through a clean cloth piece at the time of headache. Root crushed and inhaled through a clean and thin cloth piece to cure Sinusitis and nasal blockade. Also used in common cold and headache.
10.
Cissampelos pareira Linn.
Menispermaceae
Batulay paat
Roots chewed fresh in case of throat problems.
11.
Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
Convolvulaceae
Binajari laura or Payele laura
Plant crushed to make juice, and mixed with some water, and taken once a day for 3 days before breakfast in the morning for the treatment of ulcers. The whole plant is crushed and mixed with 1 cup of water and filtered through a thin cloth piece, and taken early in the morning before breakfast for 1 week to cure jaundice.
12.
Curcuma caesia Roxb.
Zingiberaceae
Haldu
After segregation, the roots are crushed to make powder, and administered in small amount 3 times a day with water to treat gastritis.
39
NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) 13.
Dichroa febrifuga Lour.
Hydrangeaceae
Basak
The leaves are dried and taken orally in case of fever.
14.
Dhatura metal L.
Solanaceae
Datura
Raw seeds are consumed (1 or 2) as medicine on Dog bite.
15.
Drymaria cordata Willd.
Caryophyllaceae
Abhijal
Whole herb is enrolled in a big leaf of banana tree and then heated on cinders and subsequently the plant material is crushed and the juice is made in case of Infant fever and PneumoniaIn case of Sinusitis the heated plant material is transferred to a thin cotton cloth and the emanating vapour is immediately inhaled.
16.
Eupatorium cannabinum Linn.
Asteraceae
Banmara
To treat cuts and wounds, leaves and stems are crushed, and the juice is applied over the effected part 2-3 times.
17.
Ficus racemosus L.
Moraceae
Dumri
Bark is crushed into fine powder and is taken orally with warm water early in the morning in Piles disease.
18.
Ficus cunia Ham.
Moraceae
Khasre khanium
Latex is used to treat boils. Juice from roots is given in bladder complaints and visceral obstructions.
19.
Heracleum wallichii DC.
Apiaceae
Chimphing
Fruits (2 to 3) are dried and taken orally during influenza.
20.
Holarrhena antidysentrica Wall.
Apocynaceae
Aulay Khirra
The bark is crushed and administered orally for dysentery, piles, leprosy, and bile problems.
21.
Hydrocotyle asiatica L.
Apiaceae
Golpatta
Leaves and stems are crushed and taken orally during morning time to relieve blood pressure.
22.
Hymendictyon excelsum Wall.
Rubiaceae
Latikaram
Fresh or dried bark is crushed and is used orally for treating piles.
23.
Kaempferia sikkimensis (King ex Baker) K. Larsen
Zingiberaceae
Bhui Champa
Paste made by leaves and bulbs are applied to bone fractures and bandage is made with the help of bamboo strips.
24.
Litsea citrata Bl.
Lauraceae
Siltimmur
The fruits are used dried or fresh against stomach disorders. Usually 1 or 2 fruits are used at a time
25.
Mentha sylvestris Linn.
Lamiaceae
Pudina
Crushed leaves are used for the treatment of acidity, gastritis and indigestion.
26.
asturtium officinale R.Br.
Brassicaceae
Simrayo
Entire plant is boiled in water to make soup. Normally the soup taken with meal is also used to treat tuberculosis and cough.
27.
Oroxylum indicum Vent.
Bignoniaceae
Totola
Flowers are burned to make gel of remaining ash, which then applied to treat burns. Seeds are used for pneumonia, fever and throat complications.
28.
Oscimum tenuiflorum L.
Lamiaceae
Tulsi patta
Take 4-5 leaves, crush and mix with ½ cup boiled water, and given to patient in morning and evening as remedy to treat fever, cough and cold.
29.
Picrorhiza kurrooa Benth.*
Scrophulariaceae
Kutki
The dried roots are used in malarial fever, chronic fever, and respiratory disorders. It is also used as purgative and dyspepsiac.
30.
Piper longum L.
Piperaceae
Pipla
Fruits are dried and used orally in the disease of respiratory tract, bronchitis, asthma, cough, and cold.
40
NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) 31.
Phyllanthus emblica L.
Euphorbiaceae
Amla
Fresh or dried fruits are taken orally, powder made after crushing the dry fruits for digestion and also taken to strengthen hairs on the head.
32.
Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.
Phytolaccaceae
Jaringo
Fresh leaves are boiled in 2 cup water and consumed during body ache. Roots are also believed to treat throat infections.
33.
Phlogacanthus pubinervis T.
Acanthaceae
Titay
Flowers are kept in warm water for some time, sun-dried and then cooked with rice and taken to regulate blood pressure and improves normal functioning of the body.
34.
Pteris biaurita L.
Pteridaceae
Thaday Uniu
The fresh stem is crushed and juice applied on cuts and wounds.
35.
Rhus semialata Murr.
Anacardiaceae
Bhakimlo
Fruits are taken fresh to treat diarrhoea and dysentry. Also given to Goats when they overeat, in case of constipation.
36.
Rhododendron arboreum Sm.
Ericaceae
Lali Gurans
Raw fresh are consumed during diarrhoea and dysentery.
37.
Rumex nepalensis spreng.
Polygonaceae
Halhalay
The roots are used fresh or in dried form and extract is used in dried form to heal wounds. It is also applied during hair loss.
38.
Sechium edule Sw.
Cucurbitaceae
Iskus
Leaves are cooked and eaten to cure anaemia.
39.
Swertia chirayita Ham.
Gentianaceae
Chirowto
Shoots and leaves are boiled in half litre water. Once in evening for 1, 2 or 3 days according to requirement to cure fever.
40.
Terminalia chebula Retz.
Combretaceae
Harra
Fruits and bark are dried and crushed to make powder, and administered orally with water for indigestion, diarrhoea, fever, throat infection.
41.
Terminalia belerica Roxb.
Combretaceae
Barra
Fruits and bark are dried and crushed to make powder, and given to treat asthma, tonsillitis, toothache and bleeding Gums.
42.
Thysanolaena maxima (Roxb.) Kurtz.
Poaceae
Aumliso
After boiling the fresh roots, the extract is used to treat boils and burns. Roots (100 gm) are crushed and mixed with water and taken once to induce abortion after 3-4 months of pregnancy.
43.
Tupistra nutans Wall.
Liliaceae
Nakima
Dry powder of inflorescence is eaten to treat diabetes and as tonic to relieve body pains
44.
Urtica dioica Linn.
Urticaceae
Sisnoo
Leaves and shoots are cooked as vegetable and taken in case of low blood pressure.
45.
Viscum articulatum Burm. F.
Loranthaceae
Harchur
The whole plant is crushed and mixed with teaspoonful water, and taken once during body pain, bone fracture.
* ot found in the close vicinity but some people keep the raw material for their home use, collecting the plant from distant mountains in Sikkim
41
NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2)
A
B
C
D
E
H
F
G
I
Figure 4. Ethnomedicinal practices by local community people and some important plants in Ranjit Valley, South Sikkim (A. Phlogacanthus pubinervius T., B. Artemisia vulgaris L.; C. Curcuma caesia Roxb.; D. Dhatura metel L.; E. Rhus semialata Murr.; F. Oroxylum indicum Vent. fruit; G. A local inhabitant indicating Thysanolaena maxima Roxb. plant; H. A local youth with climber Clematis buchananiana DC.; I. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
42
NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) Table 2. Comparison on the use of some of the medicinal plant species in different north-eastern states of India Species
South Sikkim (Present Study)
North Sikkim (Pradhan & Badola, 2008a)
Arunachal Pradesh (Kala, 2005)
Acorus calamus L.
Disease: Fever, Bronchitis, Diarrhoea Part Used:Rhizome
Aloe vera L.
Disease: Skin ailments, burns,digestion, muscular pain, inflammation Part Used: Leaf Disease: Diabetes Part Used: Bark
Disease: Skin diseases, fever, cough Part Used: Root/ Rhizome ……….
Disease: Cuts, wounds, skin diseases, bone fracture Part Used: Root/ Rhizome ……….
Azadirachta indica A. Juss Bergenia ciliata Haw.
Curcuma caesia Roxb.
Disease: Cut and wounds, fever, diarrhoea Part Used: Leaves, rhizomes Disease: Throat problems Part Used: Root Disease: Urinary tract infections Part Used: Tubers, stem Disease: Gastritis Part Used: Root
Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
Disease: Ulcers, jaundice Part Used: Whole plant
Drynaria cordata Willd. ex Roem & Schult.
Disease: Infant fever, pneumonia, sinusitis Part Used: Whole plant
Oroxylem indicum (L.) Kurtz
Disease: Pneumonia, fever, throat complications Part Used: Flower, seed Disease: Malarial fever, chronic fever, respiratory disorders Part Used: Root Disease: Respiratory disorders, cough, cold Part Used: Fruit Disease: Diarrhoea, dysentery Part Used: Fruit Disease: Hair loss Part Used: Root
Cissampelos pareira L. Costus speciosus Sm.
Picrorhiza kurrooa Benth.
Piper longum L.
Rhus semialata Murr. Rumex nepalensis Spreng.
Urtica dioica Linn
Disease: Blood pressure Part Used: Leaves, shoot
……….
Disease: Fractured bone, cut and wounds Part Used: rhizomes ………. ……….
Disease: Expelling Gas Part Used: Root ……….
Disease: Sinusitis, nose blockade, headache, fever Part Used: Whole aerial part Disease: Fever, pneumonia Part Used: Bark, seed Disease: Fever, cough Part Used: Root/Rhizome ……….
……….
Disease: Wounds, hair loss Part Used: Whole plant Disease: Bone fracture, diarrhoea, cough Part Used: Whole plant
Equally important would be the motivation to local community to grow some medicinal plant species in their kitchen gardens and in surroundings homestead which will ensure the revival of traditional knowledge on the use of medicinal plants. From the government point of view, necessary supports to establish herbal healing and training centres for folk
……….
Assam (Sajem & Gosai, 2006; Choudhury et al, 2010) ……..
……….
Disease: Fever Part Used: Leaves
Disease: Cut and wounds, Part Used: Leaves, root
……….
Disease: Health tonic Part Used: Tuber ……….
……….
Disease: Cough Asthma Part used: Root ……….
……….
……….
……...
Disease: Premature hair fall, dandruff Part Used: Whole plant ……….
Disease: Headache Part Used: Seed
……….
Disease: Fever, cold Part Used: Root/Rhizome
……….
……….
……….
Disease: Malaria, Bodyache Part Used: Fruit ……….
Disease: Indigestion Part Used: Leaf
……….
Disease: Bone fracture Part Used: Leaf
……….
Nagaland (Jamir et al, 1999; Jamir et al, 2008) ………
Disease: Burns, Cuts and wounds Part Used: Leaf Disease: Vomiting, fever, headache Part Used: Leaves ……….
………. Disease: Muscle cramp and pain Part Used: Rhizome ……….
……….
……….
Disease: Jaundice, diarrhoea, dysentery, rheumatism Part Used: Root bark ……….
……….
Disease: Indigestion, dysentery, allergy Part Used: Seed ……….
……….
healers would be a great boost to local communities. Also, this ethnobotanical knowledge of the study area holds great potential to be incorporated as community based ecotourism attraction which can be implemented as a promising revenue generation strategy for folk healers. Thus, the outcome of the current investigation can further be utilized in the
43
NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) conservation of traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge along with socio-economic development of the area. Conclusion The investigated use pattern of the medicinal plants by local communities of the Rangit valley in Sikkim reveals their long conserved traditional knowledge. The reliability and strong belief of the people on the curable properties of the plants expose their pharmaceutical potential. But the knowledge for identification of medicinal plants, method and usage for drug preparation is confined chiefly to some limited folk healers and elderly people, at present. With the growing commercialization, the younger generation seems to be loosing this ancient knowledge. Lack of systematic documentation in written or digital form further worsens the situation. Therefore, recognition of the ethnomedicinal knowledge and bioresource potential of the Rangit valley is important in motivating the local community people especially younger generation in carrying this noble tradition for future generations. Establishment of medicinal plant gardens and exsitu cultivation initiatives using some commercially potential species is strongly recommended as a viable option of income generation to local people. The study should be of great use to researchers, students, pharmaceuticals and herbal practitioners and provide baseline information for future research and management of biological resources that will ultimately help in conservation of ethnomedicinal plants as well as the development and capacity building of the local community people. Acknowledgements Authors are grateful to the team of local community based NGO “Indreni Pariwar” situated at Sumbuk, South Sikkim for assistance during field visits and interviews. Folk healers and elderly people are specially acknowledged for sharing their information on diversity and uses of plants for various ethnomedicinal purposes. The second author (HKBadola) is grateful to Dr L M S Palni, Director of the institute for motivation and encouragement. The authors are thankful to Dr. Peter Rhind of the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) in the UK for his constructive comments.
44
References Badola, H. K. 2009. Agrobiodiversity, livelihood and conservation: focusing north-east Himalaya. Pp 34-58. In Borgohain, R. & Pathak, P.K. (eds), “Promoting Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agrobiodiversity in orth-East India”. Assam Agri. Univ, Jorhat, Assam, India and Wageningen Intl., Wageningen Univ & Res. Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands. P. 167. Badola, H. K. and Aitken, S. 2003. The Himalayas of India: A treasury of medicinal plants under siege. Biodiversity 4: 3-13. Badola, H. K. and Butola, J. S. 2005. Effect of ploughing depth on the growth and yield of Heracleum candicans: a threatened medicinal herb and a lessexplored potential crop of the Himalayan region. Journal of Mountain Science 2: 173-180. Badola, H. K. and Pal, M. 2002. Endangered medicinal plant species in Himachal Pradesh. Current Science 83: 797-798. Badola, H. K., Pradhan, B. K. Subba, S. Rai, L. K. and Rai, Y. K. 2009. Sikkim Himalayan screw-pine, Pandanus nepalensis: a much neglected and underexplored NTFP. on-wood ews (Rome) 18: 44-45. Butola, J. S. and Badola, H. K. 2008. Threatened Himalayan medicinal plants and their conservation in Himachal Pradesh. Journal of Tropical Medicinal Plants 9: 125-142. Choudhury, M. C., Bawari, M. and Singha, L.C. Some Antipyretic Ethno-medicinal Plants of Manipuri community of Barak Valley, Assam, India. Ethnobotanical Leaflets 14: 21-28. Gorer, G. 1938. Himalayan Village: An account of the Lepchas of Sikkim. London, England: Michael Joseph Ltd. Hamil, F. A., Apio, S., Mubiru, N. K., Mosango, M., Bukenya-Ziraba, R., Maganyi, O. W. and Soejarto, D. D. 2000. Traditional herbal drugs of southern Uganda, I. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 70: 281300. Jamir, T. T., Sharma, H. K. and Dolui, A. K. 1999. Folklore medicinal plants of Nagaland. Fitoterapia 70: 395-401 Jamir, N. S., Takatemjen and Limasemba, 2008. Traditional knowledge of Lotha-Naga tribes in Wokha district, Nagaland. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 9(1) : 45-48 Jha, A., Rao, A., Jha, S. and Suhag, V. 2004. A preliminary survey of plants used as food by Lepchas of Dzongu area in Sikkim, India. Crop Research 28:135-137. Kala, C. P. 2005. Ethnomedicinal botany of Apatani tribe in the Eastern Himalayan region of India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 1:11. doi:10.1186/1746-4269-1-11. Maundu, P., Berger, D. J., ole Saitabau, C., Nasieku, J., Kipelian, M., Mathenge, S. G., Morimoto, Y. and
NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) Hoft, R. 2001. Ethnobotany of the Loita Maasai: Towards Community Management of the Forest of the Lost Child – Expereinces from the Loita Ethnobotany Project. People and Plants working paper 8. UNESCO, Paris. P. 54. Mukhopadhyay, B., Mukhopadhyay, S. and Majumder, P. P. 1996. Blood pressure profile of Lepchas of Sikkim of the Sikkim Himalayas: Epiodemiological study. Human Biology 68: 131-145 Pieroni, A. 2000. Medicinal plants and food medicines in the folk traditions of the upper Lucca Province, Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 70: 235-273 Pradhan, B. K. and Badola, H. K. 2008a. Ethnomedicinal plant use by Lepcha tribe of Dzongu valley, bordering Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, in North Sikkim, India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 4:22 doi:10.1186/1746-4269-4-22. Pradhan, B. K. and Badola, H. K. 2008b. Seed germination response of populations of Swertia chirayita following periodical storage. Seed Technology 30: 63-69. Pradhan, B. K. and Badola, H. K. 2010. Chemical stimulation of seed germination in ex-situ produced seeds in Swertia chirayita, a critically endangered medicinal herb. Research Journal of Seed Science 3: 139-149.
Panda, A. K. 2007. Medicinal plants of Sikkim in Ayurvedic practice. Regional Research Institute (Ayurvedic) Gangtok, Sikkim http://www. sikenvis.nic.in/docs/Ayurvedhic%20 Medicines.pdf (Accessed: 16 Apr 2010). Rana, M. P., Sohel, M. S. I., Akhter, S. and Islam, M. J. 2010. Ethno-medicinal plants use by the Manipuri tribal community in Bangladesh. Journal of Forestry Research 21: 85-92. Sajem A. L. and Gosai K. 2006. Traditional use of medicinal plants by the Jaintia tribes in North Cachar Hills district of Assam, northeast India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2:33. doi:10.1186/ 1746-4269-2-33. Samant, S. S., Dhar, U and Palni, L. M. S. 1998. Medicinal Plants of Indian Himalaya: Diversity, Distribution Potential Values. HIMAVIKAS Publication No. 13, Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital. P. 163. Tambe, S., Lachungpa, U., Swaroop, B., Bhadauria, S. B. S. and Arrawatia, M. L. 2003. Plan for Medicinal Plants Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, Sikkim. Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife. Government of Sikkim, Gangtok. Thakur, R. N. 1988. Himalayan Lepchas. Archives Publication, New Delhi.
45
