Ashok P Salave and P Gopal Reddy / JPBMS, 2011, 12 (03)

1 Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (JPBMS), Vol. 12, Issue 13

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JPBMS


JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

SOME UNIQUE TRADITIONAL USES NATIVE ETHNOFLORA IN DONGARGAN AREAS OF AHMEDNAGAR
DISTRICT (M.S.) INDIA

Ashok P. Salave and *P. Gopal Reddy
Shri Dnyaneshwar Mahavidyalaya, Newasa, Dist-Ahmednagar,India.
*P.G. Department of Botany, P.V.P. College, Pravaranagar,Ahmednagar, India.
Abstract:
An extensive field visits were arranged in Dongargan areas to document the traditional ethnobotanical information hidden
among the local inhabitants has been gathered through verbal and informal interviews at their working places during
2007-2008 is presented here in their language. In this paper 24 species belonging to 24 genera from 17 families used by
the local inhabitants at local level in their routine life has been reported here to fill up the gap of ethnobotanical knowledge
in this area.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, ethnoflora, Dongargan, Traditional uses.
Introduction:
Since the time of civilization, man is using the wild plants
for fulfillment of his certain primary needs viz. food,
medicinal, fodder, healthcare etc. recently It has been
reported that, almost all the plants were in use by the
Vaidyas, traditional healers and ethnic societies of the
world either as a food or as a herbal drug. Therefore all
these wild plants should be scientifically investigated.
From last three to four decades considerable progress has
been made in the field of Ethnobotany due to recent
explorations.
Study area:
Being a beautiful hilly landscape, Dongargan is famous for
its rich and diverse ethnoflora, located along the north
side of Nagar tahasil at a distance of 13km in Ahmednagar
district (M.S) India. It lies in between 192128N-19
2331N latitude and 746737E-757748E longitude. It
is The area is occupied by 47% of mixed type of forests
that experiences an average annual rainfall of 338 cm and
temperature in the range of 22C to 37C
[1]
.The wild
ethnoflora has remain inhabited constantly by the local
inhabitants for certain needs and curing specific ailments.
The gathered ethno botanical information from the local
inhabitants is documented here to spread the knowledge
in nearby areas and also to understand its role and
importance of the in their life.
Review of literature:
Since last four to five decades, interests in ethnobotanical
explorations have been increased on global level due to
work on ethnobotany.
[3-11,13-15.18,21]

Methodology:
Frequent field visits were arranged in the study area
during the period from pre-monsoon of 2007 to post-
monsoon of 2008 to collect data on uses of the wild
ethnoflora by the local inhabitants. The data was
confirmed through traditional healers, Vaidyas and the
knowledgeable informants residing in nearby areas
through informal interviews. The plant twigs in
flowering/fruiting stage were collected with the help of
inhabitants
[12,20]
.Voucher specimens were confirmed
scientifically by referring literature
[2,19,22]
and preserved
as per the methodology
[16,17]
in Department of Botany,
P.V.P. College Pravaranagar for future study.
Result:
In all total 24 species belonging to 24 genera from 17
families have been reported from the study area. They are
described alphabetically in the language of local inhabitansts
with special reference to botanical name with family name
(in parenthesis), local name, plant part used and
ethnobotanical uses.
Table 1: Study area of 24 species
S.No Botanical name with family Vern.
name
Part
Used
Ethno-botanical uses
1. Achyranthes aspera Linn.
(Amaranthaceae)

Aghada Leaf A cupful extract from fresh leaves in luke warm water is
mixed with a pinch of common salt and the formulation is
rubbed thoroughly at the site of scorpion bite at an
interval of 10-15 minutes for 5-6 times to get relief.
2. Adhatoda vasica Nees.
(Acanthaceae)
Adulsa Leaf

two-three tsp of juice from fresh leaves is given internally
with 1-2 tsp of sugar twice a day up to 6-8 days for curing
throat irritation and inflammation.
ISSN NO- 2230 7885
CODEN JPBSCT


Research article
Ashok P Salave and P Gopal Reddy / JPBMS, 2011, 12(03)
2 Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (JPBMS), Vol. 12, Issue 13
3. Abrus precatorius Linn.
(Fabaceae)
Lal-gunj Leaf Fresh and healthy leaves of the plant are eaten raw for
smoothening of throat by the inhabitants prior to singing
competitions.
4. Actinopteris radiata (Sw.) Link.
(Pteridaceae)

Bhui-tad whole
plant
Aatpav (aprox.100 gm) entire plant parts are crushed in a
cupful of warm water and given with a pinch of sugar orally
twice a day for a week to cure diarrhea as well as
dysentery.
5. Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.
(Simaroubaceae)

Maharukh Stem
Bark
About 10 gm (one tola) of fresh stem bark pieces are
crushed in 1-2 tsp of cow urine and given orally twice a day
for 2-3 days with 1-2 tsp of honey against amoebic
dysentery.
6. Aristolochia bracteata Lamk.
(Aristolochiaceae)

Gindhan Leaf 2-3 fresh leaves of the plant are crushed in a cupful of
Erandi (Ricinus communis) seed oil and the extract is given
is given internally 2-3 times in a day upto 3-4 days to expel
out worms from intestinal tract.
7. Asparagus racemosus Willd.
(Liliaceae)

Shat-muli Root-
tuber
2-3 tsp of powder from dried root-tubers is mixed in about
150-200 gm of safflower cake and the mixture obtained is
given twice a day for 12-15 days to the cattle for improving
lactation quality and quantity.
8. Balanites aegyptica (Linn.)Diels.
(Balanitaceae)
Hingan Fruit pulp from 4-6 fresh and unripe fruits is mixed in 1-2 litre
water and same water is used to clean cows and oxen
during Pola(oxen festival) festival.
9. Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.
(Nyctaginaceae)
Punarnava Leaf a handful of fresh leaves are roasted with soyabean (Glycine
max)seed oil and applied externally on urinary bladder
once a day before night sleep up to 8-10 days for getting
relief from bladder stone.
10. Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub.
(Fabaceae)
Lal-Palas Flower An extract from certain quantity of flowers petals in
sufficient amount of water is is used as dye for coloration
of clothes during Holi and Rang-Panchami festivals.
11. Cassia siamea Lamk. (Fabaceae) Kashid Stem
(wood)
Timber from the plant is used in making agricultural
implements, wheels of carts and honey bee boxes.
12. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
(Convolvulaceae)
Amarvel Whole
plant
A cupful of extract from entire plant parts in a litre of goats
milk is boiled for 5-6 minutes and the infusion n given
internally to the patient twice a day for 7-9 days in order to
alleviate Q fever in cows and buffaloes.
13. Cynodon dactylon (Linn.)Pers.
(Poaceae)

Ganesh
Harali
Leaf and
shoot
150-200 gm of fresh leaves and tender shoots are crushed in
a glassful of luke warm water and the extract is given to the
patient twice daily up to 7-9 days to cure diarrhoea as well
as dysentery.
14. Eclipta prostrata (L.) Linn.
(Asteraceae)
Kesuti Seed Aatpav (aprox.100 gm) shade dried seed are soaked in luke
warm water overnight and then boiled in a litre of water for
5-6 minutes. Same formulation is applied topically on scalp
once daily at night for 15-18 days to attain healthy hair
growth.
15. Euphorbia pulcherrima, Willd.
(Euphorbiaceae)
Lal
Dudhi
Stem
bark
An extract from stem bark in luke warm water is mixed
with honey and same preparation is consumed twice daily
for 7-9 days to cure leucorrhoea.
16. Cleome gynandra Linn.
(Capparaceae)

Pandhari
tilwan
Seed An extract from a handful of sun dried seed powder in a
cupful of coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil is given orally twice a
day up to 3-4 days to drive out intestinal worms.
17. Jatropha gossypifolia Linn.
(Euphorbiaceae)
Mogali Erand Latex 2-3 tsp of fresh latex from the plant and equal amount of
Mohari (Brassica compestris) seed oil mixed well and the
mixture is applied topically on skin twice a day up to 6-8
days to clear pimples, scars and warts on faces of elder
girls and boys.
18. Phyllanthus fraternus Webster.
(Euphorbiaceae)
Bhui Awla Whole
plant
An extract from specific quantity of entire plant parts
sufficient quantity of water is given orally along with gur
(Jaggery) twice a day for 18-22 days to cure jaundice
19. Tephrosia perpurea Pers.
(Fabaceae)

Unhali Root A handful of fresh root pieces are boiled in 2-3glassful of
sheeps milk for 5-6 minutes and the decoction is given
orally twice a day up to 3-5 days to relieve pains due to
gingivitis and dental caries.
20. Tinospora cordifolia Miers
(Menispermaceae)
Gulwel Stem
bark
An extract from fresh and young stem bark pieces in honey
is mixed with Kadu-nimb (Azadirachta indica) seed extract
and the preparation is administered orally once daily up to
12-15 days to treat typhoid fever.
21. Tribulus terrestris Linn.
(Zygophyllaceae)
Sarata Leaf A handful of tender leaves are crushed in a cupful of goats
milk to obtain extract which is given twice a day for 8-9
days to relieve pains due to urinary calculi.
22. Vernonia cineraria Linn.
(Asteraceae)

Shahadevi Leaf A cupful of fresh leaf extract in warm water is boiled with
jire for 2-3 minutes and administered internally once in
early morning for 18-21 days to treat in piles
Ashok P Salave and P Gopal Reddy / JPBMS, 2011, 12 (03)
3 Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (JPBMS), Vol. 12, Issue 13
23. Vitex negundo Linn.
(Verbenaceae)

Kali-Nirgudi Leaf 15-18 fresh and tender leaves are soaked in about 500 ml of
cows urine with 100 gm gur (Jaggery) for 3-4 days and on
5
th
day, crushed to obtain an extract which in certain
concentration is sprayed on vegetables crop as pesticides.
24. Withania somnifera Dunal
(Solanaceae)
Askand Root
tuber
1-2 tsp of root powder,100-150 gm of khajur (Phoenix
dactylifera) and certain amount of gur (Jaggery) etc are
ground together to obtain mixture which is given internally
to sexually weak men once in early morning for 4-6 weeks
to improve sexual vigour.
Abbreviations used: aprox.- approximately ; &-and
Discussion:
In all total 24 species belonging to 24 genera from 17
families have been reported from the study area. These
plants have been practiced by the indigenous local
inhabitants populace in curing certain ailments and in
their routine demands completion. Out of the reported
plant species, 1 plant species belong to Pteridophytes
family and remaining 23 plant species belong to
Angiospermic families. Out of the plants studied root in
three plants, stem in five plants, leaf in eight plants, flower
and fruit in one plant (each), seed in two plants and entire
plant parts in the remaining four plants are found to have
certain ethnobotanical uses(Table 2 and Graph 1).
Table 2: Plant parts used in number of plant species
Plant part
used
Root Stem Leaf Flower Fruit seed Entire
plant
Number
of plant
species
03 05 08 01 01 02 04
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Root Leaf Fruit Entire
plant
Graph 1: Plant parts used against number of plant species
Conclusion:
Some of the plant species occurring the areas of
Dongargan,show wide potential of better economic
exploitation viz. Achyranthes aspera (Aghada), Actinopteris
dichotoma (Bhui-tad), Adhatoda vasica (Adulsa),
Aristolochia bracteata (Gindhan), Asparagus racemosus
(Shatavari), Boerhaavia diffusa (Punarnawa), Butea
monosperma (Palas), Eclipta prostrata (Bhringraj), Vitex
negundo (Nirgudi) and Withania somnifera (Dhor-gunj
).Since all these plant species are being in use in more or
less proportion throughout the world, they have wide
scope for bio-prospecting. Therefore it is our prime duty
to protect, conserve and maintain them in a proper way
for our future generations.

Acknowledgement:
The Author is sincerely thankful to the Dr. B.K Auti,
Radhabai Kale Mahavidyalaya, Ahmednagar and Dr.
A.K.Mohite, R.B.N.B. College Shrirampur for hearty
support, hearty guidance and timely encouragement in
editing of the paper.
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*Corresponding Author:-
Ashok P. Salave.,
*P.G. Department of Botany, P.V.P. College,
Pravaranagar, Ahmednagar, India.







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