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Medicinal plants of Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu used in primary healthcare system
Muthamizh S, VS Ramachandran
R&D Centre, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
Medicinal uses of plants used by different people from Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, based on survey is presented. A total of
163 species from 134 genera and belonging to 59 vascular plants are enumerated: the dominant families along with life forms are
included. The list of prioritized medicinal plants by National Medicinal plant Board along with red listed and Highly Traded
medicinal plants are also included. The threat faced by these plants are indicated along with the utilization.
Keywords: Tamil Nadu, Dharmapuri district, medicinal plant diversity, widely used plants, highly traded plants, plants used in,
various ailments
1. Introduction areas mostly in the various forest types spread across the
The Indian health system which goes back to 1500 BC, and is Western and the Eastern Ghats, the Vindhyas, Chotta Nagpur
mainly based on plants and animals, symbolizes how deep- plateau, Aravalis and the Himalayas [4] although less than 30%
rooted was this concern for bio-diversity conservation and its of the medicinal plants are found in the temperate and alpine
sustainable use. The Indian people know a great deal about areas and higher altitudes they include species of high
medicinal plants. Studies reveal that the largest proportion of medicinal value. Macro studies show that, a larger percentage
the biodiversity in all our ecosystems is used by village of the known medicinal plants occur in the dry and moist
communities for human and veterinary health care. Over deciduous vegetation as compared to the evergreen or
7,500 species of plants are estimated [1] to be used by "the temperate habitats [5].
ecosystem people" who belong to some 4635 ethnic Over 800 species of medicinal plants are used in production of
communities [2]. India probably has the oldest, richest and traditional medicines by industry. Of these about 90% are
most diverse, cultural traditions in the use of medicinal plants. collected from the wild. Less than 20 species of plants are
As per World Health Organization [3] estimates, almost 80% of under commercial cultivation [6]. In the present article, an
the population of developing countries relies on traditional attempt is being made to list out the medicinal plants from
medicines, mostly plant drugs, for their primary health care Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu.
needs. In fact it is well known that even in developed
countries, the use of traditional medicines is quite prevalent. 2. Study Area
Also, modern pharmacopoeia still contains at least 25% drugs Dharmapuri district is located between latitudes N 11 47’ and
derived from plants and many others which are synthetic 12 33’ and longitudes E 77 02’ and 78 40’. The total
analogues built on prototype compounds isolated from plants. geographical area is 4497.77 km2, i.e. 3.46% of Tamil Nadu
Demand for medicinal plants is increasing in both developing (Fig. 1). The district has two forest divisions namely,
and developed countries due to growing recognition of natural Dharmapuri and Harur. The dominant vegetation types are: i)
products being non-narcotic, having no side-effects, easily Moist deciduous forest ii) Dry deciduous forest iii) Scrub
available at affordable prices and sometime the only source of jungle and iv) Riparian vegetation. Due to anthropogenic
health care available to the poor. pressures, over-crazing and spread of invasive alien plants has
Around 70% of India’s medicinal plants are found in tropical resulted in degradation of the natural forests.
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Fig 1: Map of the study area Map showing the blocks of the Dharmapuri District
Different plant parts used were also listed out as: Rhizome Jaundice
root, stem bark, stem, twigs, whole plant, flower, fruit and The species such as Cassia fistula, Curcuma longa,
seed. The therapeutic properties of these medicinal plants [12, Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus maderaspatensis
13, 14]
were due to the presence of different secondary Pithecellobium dulce, Ricinus communis, Sphaeranthus
metabolites like alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, glycosides, indicus, Syzygium caryophyllatum, Tamarindus indica,
tannins and others [15]. In addition, few ethnobotanical uses Thespesia populnea and Wedelia chinensis are used to cure
were also consulted [16, 17, 18, 19]. The various lists of plants jaundice.
which are used in the treatment of different diseases are
provided under following headings:
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Table 1: List of medicinal plants recorded from the Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu
S.
Botanical Name Family Local name(s) Habit Part(s) used Uses
No.
1. Abrus precatorius L. Fabaceae Kundumani CL Leaves, Seeds Skin diseases, Eye disease and tooth ache.
Seed, Root, Barks Urinary troubles, Nervous disorders, Leprosy and
2. Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet Malvaceae Thuthi S
and Leaves Leucorrhoea
Skin diseases, mouth ulcer, dysentery and
3. Acacia catechu (L.f.) Willd. Mimosaceae Karungaali T Wood
Leprosy.
Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Bark, heartwood,
Urino-genital diseases, wounds, haemorrhage,
4. Del. subsp. indica (Benth) Mimosaceae Karuvelam T Leaves, Seeds and
ulcers, cough and tooth ache.
Brenan gum
Eczema, skin diseases, cough and bronchitis,
5. Acalypha indica L. Euphorbiaceae Kuppaimeni H Whole plant
Wounds and ulcers.
6. Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Nayurivi H Whole plant Diuretic, astringent, skin diseases and piles.
Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex
7. Amaranthaceae Peelai H Whole plant Urinary disorders.
Schultes
Seeds, Leaves, Bark, Eczema,Ulcer, rheumatism, leprosy, boils,
8. Albizia lebbeck (L.) Willd. Mimosaceae Vaagai T
Flowers and Pod. wounds and snake bite.
Dysentry, leucorrhoea, amenorrhoea, menstrual
9. *Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. Asphodelaceae Chotthukathazhai H Leaf juice
problems, intestinal worms and skin tonics
Chronic diarrhoea, malarial fever, leprosy, skin
10. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. Apocynaceae Yezhilai paalai T Bark and Leaves
diseases, eczema and tooth ache.
Alternanthera sessilis (L.) Gonorrhoea, biliousness, dysmenorrhoea,
11. Amaranthaceae Ponnanganni H Whole plant
R.Br. ex DC. rheumatism and Urinary tract infection.
Andrographis paniculata Nelavembu, Fever, malaria, cough, rheumatism, typhoid and
12. Acanthaceae H Whole plant
(Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees Siriyanangai all viral fevers.
Root and whole Fever, Snake bite, worms, septic ulcers, Skin
13. Aristolochia indica L.. Aristolochiaceae Kozhikkundu H
plants diseases and wounds,
Bark, Leaves, Flower, Antiviral, anthelmintic, insecticide, antiseptic,
14. Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Meliaceae Vaembu T
Seeds and Oil skin diseases, small pox and clean teeth.
15. Azima tetracantha Lam. Salvadoraceae Pee changam S Leaves and Roots Diuretic, asthma, rheumatism, dropsy and cough.
Diuretic, laxative, memory power, nervine tonic,
16. Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell Scrophulariaceae Neerbrahmi H Whole plant
biliousness and rheumatism.
17. Blepharis asperrima Nees Acanthaceae Elumpu otti H Whole plant Bone fracture, sprain and headache.
Bone fracture, rheumatism, leucoderma, cuts,
18. Blepharis repens (Vahl) Roth Acanthaceae Nethirappoondu H Leaves and Seeds
wounds and diseases of nervous system.
Diuretic, rheumatism, urinary calculi and
19. Boerhavia diffusa L. Nyctaginaceae Mookarattai H Whole plant
diabetes, diarrhoea.
Diuretic, rheumatism, urinary calculi and
20. Boerhavia erecta L. Nyctaginaceae Seemai mookarattai H Whole plant
diabetes, diarrhoea.
Butea monosperma (Lam.) Gum, Seeds, Flowers, Anthelmintic, leucoderma, diarrhoea,
21. Fabaceae Porasu T
Taub. Barks and Leaves leucorrhoea, cold, fever and cough.
Callicarpa tomentosa (L.) Seed, flowers, shoot
22. Verbenaceae Vettrilaipattai T Dysentery, diarrhoea, diabetes and skin diseases
Murr. tip
Anthelmintic, skin diseases, leprosy, snake bite,
23. Calotropis gigantea (L.) R.Br. Asclepiadaceae Erukku S Whole plant
ulcers, piles, cough and asthma
Carmona retusa (Vahl) Analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-
24. Boraginaceae Kuruvinchi S Leaves.
Masamune microbial, antispasmodic and anti-mutagenic.
Anthelmintic, diarrhoea, ulcer, leprosy, skin
25. Cassia fistula L. Caesalpiniaceae Sarakkondrai, T Whole plant
diseases, diabetes, jaundice and piles.
Catharanthus pusillus (Murr.)
26. Apocynaceae Chetthai, H Whole plant Rheumatism and skin diseases.
G.Don
Catharanthus roseus (L.) Hypotensive, sedative, diabetes, leukemia and
27. Apocynaceae Nithyakalyani S Whole plant
G.Don anthelmintic.
Diuretic, nerve tonic, ulcer, rheumatism and
28. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban Apiaceae Vallarai H Whole plant
biliousness.
Rheumatoid arthritis, appetizer, bone fracture and
29. Cissus quadrangularis L. Vitaceae Pirandai CL Stem
nervine tonic.
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Laxative, diarrhoea, snake bite, cough and
30. Cucurbitaceae Peikkumatti CL Roots, fruits
Schrader asthma.
31. Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f. Verbenaceae Thazhuthaazhai, S Whole plant Rheumatism and biliousness.
Seeds, Roots and Rheumatism, biliousness, diuretic, diabetes,
32. Clitoria ternatea L. Fabaceae Sangu poo CL
Leaves diarrhoea, septic wounds and ulcers.
Nerves debility, giddiness, eczema, itches,
Roots, Leaves and
33. Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt Cucurbitaceae Kovai CL laxative, biliousness, hypoglycaemic and
Fruits
jaundice.
34. Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels Menispermaceae Kattukodi S Roots, twigs Rheumatism
35. Commiphora caudata (Wight Burseraceae Kiluvai T Gum resin Arthritis, lowering high cholesterol and weight
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Fig 4
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Fig 5
Rheumatism Anti-inflammatory
The plants like Boerhavia erecta, Catharanthus pusillus, The plants like Cyphostemma setosum, Datura metal,
Centella asiatica, Cissus quadrangularis, Clerodendrum Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Ricinus communis, Trewia nudiflora
phlomidis, Clitoria ternatea, Cocculus hirsutus, Desmodium and Wedelia chinensis are having the anti-inflammatory
triflorum, Dichrostachys cinerea, Erythrina variegata, activity.
Erythroxylum monogynum, Evolvulus alsinoides, Moringa
pterygosperma and Solanum torvum are used to treat Bronchial Asthma
rheumatism. The species such as Pergularia daemia, Ricinus communis
Sansevieria roxburghiana, Solanum virginianum, Syzygium
Diabetes cumini, Tamarindus indica, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia
The species such as Boerhavia diffusa, Boerhavia erecta, chebula and Tragia involucrat are used for bronchial and
Cassia fistula, Curcuma longa, Psidium guajava, Senna asthma.
auriculata, Sphaeranthus indicus, Syzygium cumini, Thevetia
peruviana, Heart diseases
Tinospora cordifolia and Wattakaka volubili are used for The plants like Azima tetracantha, Curcuma longa, Cyperus
diabetes. rotundus, Phyllanthus amarus, Terminalia cuneata and
Tribulus terrestris used for cardiac diseases.
Skin ailments
The plants like Achyranthes aspera, Albizia lebbeck, Aloe Ulcers
vera, Alstonia scholaris, Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, The species like Acacia catechu, Datura stramonium,
Mimosa pudica, Morinda pubescens, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Euphorbia hirta, Hedyotis corymbosa, Indigofera tinctoria,
Rhinacanthus nasutus, Senna tora, Vernonia cinerea, Mangifera indica, Melia azedarach, Mollugo pentaphylla,
Vetiveria zizanioides, Xanthium indicum and Wrightia Morinda pubescens, Naringi crenulata, Pterocarpus
tinctoria are used to treat various skin diseases. santalinus, Vernonia cinerea and Ziziphus mauritiana used to
treat ulcers.
Toothache
The species such as Abrus precatorius, Acacia nilotica subsp. Urino-genital diseases
indica, Alstonia scholaris, Gardenia gummifera, Jatropha The plants such as Acacia nilotica subsp. indica, Aerva
curcas, Mukia maderaspatana, Pterocarpus marsupium, lanata, Alternanthera sessilis, Boerhavia diffusa, Boerhavia
Thespesia populnea and Wrightia tinctoria are used to treat erecta, Euphorbia hirta, Hybanthus enneaspermus,
tooth-ache. Hygrophila schulli, Indigofera linnaei, Melia azedarach,
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Santalum album, Senna auriculata, Spermacoce hispida, Pterocarpus santalinus, Santalum album, Strychnos nux-
Streblus asper, Tephrosia purpurea, Thespesia populnea and vomica, Terminalia cuneata, T.bellerica and Wrightia
Tribulus terrestris are used for urinary disorders. tinctoria were also reported.
Some of the cultivated medicinal plants like Aloe vera,
Arthritis & Rheumatism Azadirachta indica, Cathranthus roseus, Gloriosa superba,
The species like Gmelina arborea, Gardenia gummifera, Jatropha curcus, Ocimum sanctum, Plectranthus barbatus,
Helicteres isora, Hygrophila schulli, Jatropha curcas, Justicia Pongamia pinnata, Vitex negundo and Ziziphus mauritiana
adhatoda, Lannea coromandelica, Mallotus philippensis, were also included. whereas, some of the medicinal plants
Ormocarpum cochinchinense, Sesamum indicum, Sida collected from open waste lands are Abrus precatorius,
cordifolia, Strychnos nux-vomica and Tamarindus indica are Achyranthus aspera, Aerva lanata, Andrographis paniculata,
used for arthritis. Bacopa monnieri, Boerhavia diffusa, Cardiospermum
helicacabum, Cassia tora, Centella asiatica, Citrullus
Aphrodisiac colocynthis, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus, Datura
The species such as Curculigo orchioides, Ficus racemosa, metel, Eclipta protrata, Hemidesmus indicus, Ocimum
Ficus religiosa, Hybanthus enneaspermus and Toddalia americanum, Phyllanthus amarus, Plumbago zeylanica, Sida
asiatica are used in the treatment of impotency. rhombifolia, Solanum nigrum, S.virginianum, Tephrosea
purpurea, Tinospora cordifolia, Tragia involucrata and
Menstrual disorders Tribulus terrestris could also collected during the present
The plants like Aloe vera, Phyllanthus urinaria, Pongamia investigation.
pinnata Sesamum indicum and Spermacoce hispida are used
to treat menstrual disorders. 5. Conclusion
An attempt was made to list out the medicinal plant diversity
Bone fracture of Dharmapuri district during April 2014-March 2017 and
The species such as Blepharis repens, Blepharis asperrima, about 163 species was listed for their phyto-therapeutic value.
Cissus quadrangularis and Ormocarpum cochinchinense are It is observed that, a few threatened plants such as Cycas
used to treat bone setting. circinalis, Gloriosa superba Pterocarpus santalinus and
Santalum album could be collected. Due to destructive
Diuretic harvesting, over exploitation of medicinal plants and grazing
The plants like Achyranthes aspera, Azima tetracantha, by domestic animals nearby forests have resulted in the loss of
Bacopa monnieri, Boerhavia diffusa, Boerhavia erecta, populations of plants in the wild. Hence, there is an urgent
Centella asiatica, Clitoria ternatea, Cyperus rotundus, need to take an effective conservation strategy to conserve
Gardenia gummifera and Sida cordifolia are used as diuretic these plants in the wild by in-situ, as well as ex-situ by tissue
purposes. culture method. It is realized that, there is a pressing demand
for plants like Acacia nilotica subsp. indica, Aegle marmelos,
Antiviral Albizzia amara, Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula,
The plants like Andrographis paniculata, Azadirachta indica Clerodendrum phlomides, Gmelina arborea, Gymnema
and Curcuma longa are used to treat various viral fevers. sylvestre, Helicteres isora, Holoptelea integrifolia, Lannea
coromandelica, Mimusops elengi, Morinda pubescens,
Appetizer Phyllanthus emblica, Protasparagus racemosus, Pterocarpus
The species such as Decalepis hamiltonii, Solanum torvum santalinus, Santalum album, Strychnos nux-vomica,
and Solanum pubescens used as an appetizer. Terminalia arjuna, T.bellerica and Wrightia tinctoria for their
Even though botanist’s [20, 21, 22, 23] have reported on the utility in the drug formulations and found that, the species like
ethnomedicinal and occurrence of medicinal plants from their Aloe vera (aloe), Cassia angustifolia (senna), Catharanthus
respective study areas but they failed to indicate the list of roseus (periwinkle), Gloriosa superba (kanvallikilangu),
prioritized medicinal plants provided by The National Hemidesmus indicus (Nannari), Plectranthus barbatus
Medicinal Plant Board, New Delhi; in order to fill this gap, an (coleus), Phyllanthus amarus (keelanelli) and Protoasparagus
attempt is being made and the same is being provided and are racemosus (sadavari) can be taken up for cultivation. The
Aegle marmelos, Albizia lebbeck, Aloe vera, Andrographis documentation of medicinal plants of any given area will able
paniculata, Azadirachta indica, Bacopa monnieri, Boerhavia to provide baseline data and it will be useful to the forest
diffusa, Cathranthus roseus, Centella asiatica, Gloriosa managers and other stakeholders. This communication aims at
superba, Gmelina arborea, Gymnema sylvestre, Hemidesmus emphasizing the importance of setting up conservation
indicus, Ocimum sanctum, Phyllanthus amarus, P.emblica, priorities, and sustained development of various medicinal
Protoasparagus racemosus, Solanum nigrum, Terminalia plants of Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu.
cuneata, T.bellerica and Tinospora cordifolia. Similarly the
highly traded medicinal plants [24] such as Acacia nilotica, 6. Reference
Aegle marmelos, Albizzia amara, Butea monosperma, Cassia 1. AICEP. Summary Report of the All India Coordinated
fistula, Clerodendrum phlomides, Gmelina arborea, Ethno-biological Project (AICEP) of Ministry of
Gymnema sylvestre, Helicteres isora, Holoptelea integrifolia, Environment & Forests, Government of India, 1994.
Lannea coromandelica, Mimusops elengi, Morinda 2. Anthropological Survey of India. People of India Project
pubescens, Phyllanthus emblica, Protoasparagus racemosus, Report for, 1994.
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