ABSTRACT-
The diversity, floristic composition of medicinal plants in the two block of Rajouri was studied. A total of
25 plant species belong to 23 families were recorded Rutaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rosaceae, Amerenthaceae, Polygoneaceae,
Fabaceae, Apocynaceae the all were diverse families. The present studied documented to ethanobotanical information of
25 plant species belong to 23 families were collected and identified by their vernacular and scientific name. In which 10
species ware harb, 9 were sharb, and 9 were tree out of 25 species flower of 5 plants species, roots of 4 plants species,
Leaf of 9 plants species ,Fruits of 5 plants species, seed of 3 plants species,stem and bark of 3 plant species,tuber and
aerial portion of 2 plant species respectively. The gujjar and bukkerwal tribes used all 25 species of plants to treat various
diseases.
Key-Words- Ethnomedicinal plants, Traditional knowledge Gujjar-Bakerwaltribes, Rajouri
INTRODUCTION-
Ethno-botany is a biological, economic and cultural
inter-relationship study between people and plants of an
area in which they exist. Ethnobotanical studies focused on
contributing to plant biodiversity knowledge (taking into
account that the biological diversity as well as human
awareness about the uses, applications, and natural resource
conservation) on one hand and take this knowledge for
further social and scientific interventions on the other hand
ethno-botanical research also helps in establishment of
priorities of local community to ensure that the local values
are translated into rational use of resources and effective
conservation of biological diversity and cultural
knowledge. Indigenous knowledge of plants is as old as
human civilization but the term ethno-botany was used for
the first time by an American botanist John. W. Harsh Bergerin 1896, to study plants used by primitive and
indigenous communities. To discover the secret uses of
plants, ethno-botany has become an important part of our
world. Ethno-botany includes all kind of relationships
between people and plants. The definition of ethno-botany
can be sum up in four words i.e. People, Plants,
Interactions, and Uses [1].
Today according to the world Health organization (WHO),
as many as 80% of the world’s people depend on traditional
medicine for their primary healthcare needs. There are
considerable economic benefits in the development of
indigenous medicines and in the use of medicinal plants for
the treatment of various diseases. Due to less
communication means, poverty, ignorance and
unavailability of modern health facilities, most people
especially rural people are still forced to practice traditional
medicines for their common day ailments. Most of these
people form the poorest link in the trade of medicinal
plants. A vast knowledge of how to use the plants against
different illnesses may be expected to have accumulated in
areas where the use of plants in still of great importance [2].
Our country is commonly called as the 'Botanical Garden'
of the world, owing to her wealth of herbal medicines.
Medicinal plants constitute a precious resource for
mankind. Since times immemorial, plants have been put to
medicinal use by the traditional herbalists / Hakims,
Vaidays, Ayurvedic practioners and the common man. The health care obtained by utilizing the plants, plant parts or
plant compounds has always been held in high esteem by
the Indian folk. But over the past few decades with the
onslaught of industrialization, urbanization and due to
dwindling medicinal resources, herbal health care has
suffered a setback [3].
The state of Jammu and Kashmir, cradled in the lap of
Himalayas, has been recognized as heaven on earth and is
also called “Biomass” state of India. It is located in the far
north of the Indian Republic and has a diverse variety of
plant species especially those having medicinal properties
due to wide variations in its topography and microclimatic
conditions. Many studies have been carried out from time
to time to document the traditional knowledge information
of the medicinal plants from different areas of the
Therefore, an attempt has been made in the present study
with a view to document the medicinal plants that are used
traditionally for thetreatment of various diseases by the
people living in the far flung and remote areas of this
floristically rich district of Jammu & Kashmir state [4].
The Gujjar and bakkarwal tribes are concerned; they rely
on their own indigenous (herbal system) practices for the
cattle and their own health care using the ambient
vegetational resources. It has been observed that the men of
Gujjar community have richer knowledge about herbs used
in ethno-medicinal practices as compared to women folk.
The rich plant diversity of the area is managed and utilized
by Gujjar tribes in a variety of ways, like rearing of
livestock, ethno-medicinal purposes of the plants parts i.e.
roots, tubers, young shoots, twigs, leaves, flowers, fruits,
seeds etc., are primary food or secondary condiments to
dishes prepared by these tribes. Perusal of literature
indicated that the ethno- medicinal system of Gujjar tribes
particularly from district Rajouri has not been properly
investigated by earlier plant explorers [5].
MATERIALS AND METHODS-
During investigation, frequent field trips and plant
collections were made from various far flung and remote
regions of the study area from first week of March 2016 to
mid of July 2016.with the help of tribal peoples of Rajouri,
India.
Rajouri district is bounded by Poonch district in the north
side, Jammu district in the south side, Udhampur district in
the east side and Pak occupied Kashmir (Mirpur area) in
the west side. Rajouri district with an area of 2,630 Sq.
Kms. It is located on the Southerly foothills of PirPanjal
Himalaya in the State(J&K) with an altitudinal ranges from
450-4500m above mean sea level(msl). Being situated in
the border areas in the Jammu region and having a
topography of difficult and hilly terrain, the district is
economically poor and industrially backward.
Most of the people from this region are farmer and are
inhabitants near the Peer Panjal range which lies in the
north and north-west. In the present work, ethno medicinal
information on many plant species belonging to many
families was documented and collected from the areas of
Rajouri, Nowshera Block as they comprised of numerous
hills and valleys and rich in Medicinal wealth [6].
Fig 1: Study site of Rajouri District, J & K
The area was exhaustively survey for the study. Usual methods of collection, preservation and maintenance of specimen in herbarium were followed [7]. Attempts were made to collect all the possible medicinal trees of the region, along with some cultivated and weed plants also included with in the work. The specimen were identified with the help of recent and relevant flora and confirmed after matching with the authentic specimens present from the herbarium Botanical survey of India Northern circle (BSI) and forest research institute (FRI) both at Dehradun.
RESULTS- Each medicinal plant is provided with its scientific name and author citation; followed by local name, common name, family, morphology, distribution status and plant part used.
Table 1: Sequences of some selected plant species, collected and identified in the present investigation is given below
| BOTANICAL NAMES | LOCAL NAME | FAMILY | PART USED | AILMENT/DISEASE | METHOD OF USE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achyranthes aspera | Puthkanda | Amaranthaceae | Leaf, Root and Seed | Cough, Diarrhoea, Snake bite, Excessive Menstrual Bleeding, Stomach Disorders, Asthma, Specific for Spleen enlargement and Cholera | *The roasted seed powder mixed with honey is given during cough. *Root powder is used for snake bite. |
| Adhatoda vasica | Baranker | Acanthaceae | Whole plant | Asthma, Cough, Bronchitis, Nervous Disability, Diarrhoea and Dysentery | *Flower ash with honey is given to cure of asthma and cough. *The smoke from burning leaves inhaled for the cure of asthma and cough. |
| Asparagus racemuscus | Sanspai | Asparagaceae | Roots | Liver Ailments, Weakness, Gastric Problems, Ulcer, Nervous Disorders and Improve Breast Milk | *Juice of chopped roots is given to get relieve from liver problem , weakness and improve breast milk |
| Bauhinia variegate | Kachnar | Caesalpiniaceae | Stem bark, Rootbark, Flower and Buds | Cough and Blood purify | *Flower buds are taken with honey to cure cough. *Bark is tonic and blood purifier. |
| Bergenia ciliate | Zakhme-e-hayat | Saxifragaceae | Root and Leaves | Skin Problems, Wounds and Menstrual cycle | *Paste from leaves or whole plant provide relief from wound and Wrinkles. *Powder of the root with water is given to women to control menstrual cycle. |
| Butea monosperma | Palas (Flame of the Forests) | Fabaceae | Flower, Gum, Seeds and Root | Intestinal Worms, Diarrhoea , Blood Pressure, Melting kidney stone, Anaemia in kids | *Seeds are useful against worms. *The root has been found to have some action on blood pressure. *Flower soup used in melting kidney stone. |
| Calotropis procera | Daryaiaak | Asclepiadaceae | Leaves, Flowers and Roots | Cough, Asthma, Appetite, Wounds and Cholera | *The smoke from burning leaves is inhaled for the cure of cough and asthma |
| Carissa spiranum | Garando | Apocynaceae | Fruits | Constipation | *Eaten to get relief from severe constipation. |
| Centella asiatica | Brahmibooti | Apiaceae | Leaves | Rheumatism and Mental Weakness | *The leaves powder is given with milk in small doses in mental weakness and to improve memory. |
| Dioscorea belophylla | Tarad | Dioscoraceae | Tuber and Aerial Portion | Dysentery and Heart Troubles | *Tubers are edible and are taken to cure dysentery. |
| Fragaria vesca | Aakhre | Rosaceae | Leaves | To protect Abortion | *Two palm full leaves given daily to protect abortion. |
| Galium aparine | Kanchari | Rubiaceae | Whole Plant | Skin Diseases | *Paste of whole plant is applied on the skin for removing of redness and allergies. |
| Malva sylvestris | Sochal | Malvaceae | Aerial portion | Weak Eyesight | *The plant is cooked like other vegetables and is good for the patients having weak eye sight. |
| Nasturtium officinale | Chho | Brasicaceae | Leaves | Cold,Cough and Blood purifier | *Leaves are edible and used as vegetables to cure cold and cough and also purify blood. |
| Oxalis corniculata | Khatiemli | Oxalidaceae | Whole Plant | Eye vision and Headache | *Extract of the plant in the form of drops is given for the improvement of eye vision, its paste applied on headache, migraine and giddiness. |
| Plantago lanceolata | Isabgol | Plantagionaceae | Seed | Stomach Disorders, Chronic Dysentery and Urinary disorders | *Seeds dip in water for 15 minutes and then taken along with water to cure stomach disorders and chronic dysentery. |
| Rhododendron anthopogan | Nichni | Ericaceae | Flower, Leaves, young shoot | Headache and Blood purify | *Powder of dried ground leaves is inhaled through nasal chamber once in day for 2 days or till it cures. |
| Rubus ellipticus | Ghurcho | Rosaceae | Fruits and Roots | Antioxidant and Constipation | *5-10 raw fruits are eaten as they have cooling effect. |
| Rumax hastatus | Khattimal | Polygoniaceae | Whole plant | Skin Disease and Fever | *One palmfull whole plant decoction in ¾ litres water given one cup thrice a day. |
| Salix disperma | Kankori | Salicaceae | Bark and Fruit | Eyes and Heart problem | *Bark juice is usede for eye sight in drop form. *Fruits are used on heart problem. |
| Skimmia laureola | Patlo | Rutaceae | Leaf | Colic pain and small pox | *Dried ground leaf powder is given orally with water for 1-2 days. |
| Verbascum thapsus | GiddarTambaku | Scrophulariaceae | Leaves | Bronchitis, Asthma and Sore throat | *One palmfull leaves decoction in 3/4litre given its one cup thrice a day. |
| Vitex negundo | Banna | Verbenaceae | Flowers and Leaves | Worm, Diarrhoea, Cold and Cough | *The extract of leaves is used to expel out worms in children. *Fresh flower extract cure diarrhoea. *Leaves are chewed in cough and associated cold. |
| Withania somnifera | Ashwagandha | Solanaceae | Whole Plant | Sexual Disorders (impotence), Ulcer, Tumor and Burns | *Roots powder taken with water to cure sexual weakness and form an important ingredient of 31 energy capsules. |
| Zanthoxylum aromatum | Timru | Rutaceae | Fruits | Cold, Fever, Body pain Skin Diseases and Tooth ache | *Tea is made from the fruits and given twice a day for 2-3 days. |
The medicinal plants are used by Gujjar tribe of the study area are arranged in alphabetically family wise, with their botanical names, available vernacular names, part used and its implications are shown in Table-1 and some plates of medicinal plants and living style of Gujjar tribes shown in Table 1 list of plants. It is evident from the Table 1 that ethno-medicinal plants to be one of the remedial measures for the Gujjar, Bakarwals and Paharies of this area. Ethno medicinal plant wealth which are used by local inhabitants for various ailments.
During this period 25 ethno-medicinal plants belonging to 36 families have been reported from the study sites. Out of 25plants 10 were herbs, 9 were shrubs and 9 were trees. Out of 25 species, angiosperms comprised the highest number being represented by 25 species followed by species. Dicotyledons were represented by 23 and monocotyledons were represented by only 2 species among all, herbs are more used as ethno- medicines as compared to shrubs and trees.
Twenty five plant species belongs to twenty fivegenera and twenty three families were reported from the study area. Rosaceae with 2 plant species and Rutaceae with 2 plant species were the most common used families followed Fabaceae. All there 23 families, Amaranthaceae, Acanthaceae, Asparagaceae, Caesalpinaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Apiaceae, Dioscoreaceae, Malvaceae, Lamiaceae, Brassicaceae, Oxalidaceae, Plantagionaceae, Ericaeae, Polygoniaceae, Salicaceae, Violaceae, Solonaceae, Scorophulriarceae and Verbenaceae represents a single species each.
Flowers of five plant species, roots of four plant species, leaves of nine plant species, Fruits of five plant species ,seeds of three plant species, stem and bark of three plant and tuber and areal portionof two species rest are used whole plant and a plant twig respectively.
DISCUSSION- In the present study conducted in the Rajouri district and adjacent rural area. It was observed through interviews that people in and around this adjacent region use native plants for acquiring their basic household requirements such as medicine. Many medicinal plant species which have been cultivated under “ex-situ conservation drive” growing well under natural habitats at higher altitude and in the low land as well; these medicinally important species are Fragaria vesca, Plantago lanceolata, Bergenia ciliata, Carissa spiranum, Centella asiatica, Rhododendron anthopogon, Rumax hastatus, Salix disperma, Skimmia laureola, Verbascum thapsus, Viola betonicifolia, Vitex negundo, Galium aparine, Ethno botanical use categories revealed that a major proportion of plant species (25/50) were used for medicines such as Asparagus racemuscus, Nasturtium officinale etc.
The findings agree with [6,8-13]. Our findings are similar to [5,9,14-15].In the present results of plant surveys and collections made from Rajouri districts during the last two to three month 2016 are consolidated, with a view to facilitate documentation of their overall medicinal floristic diversity. The inventory provided here records a total of 25 species of Angiospemic plants, which belong to 25 genera in 23 families. Ethno-botanical notes are also appended with some taxa to document their traditional uses.
Also, this paper contributes to the database of traditional indigenous knowledge of plants of the country, which have not been documented earlier from the study area. The findings suggest further investigation into chemical profiles, processing methods, cultivation techniques, conservational studies and pharmacological properties of the reported plant species.
Fig: 2 Calotropis procera
Fig 3: Carissa spiranum
Fig 4: Plantago lanceolata
Fig 5: Centella asiatica
Fig 6: Bergenia ciliata
Fig 7: Verbascum Thapsus
Fig 8: Fragaria vesca
Fig 9: Galium aparine
Fig: 2-9 Some selected Medicinal plants of Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, India
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT- The Author wish to thank a special word of remembrance and gratitude to the people of study area particularly to the Gujjar and Bakerwal tribal peoples of Rajouri district, J & K for providing me support in the field and sharing important ethno-botanical knowledge. Authors also wish to acknowledge the kind hospitality and valuable contributions of the entire faculty in the Department of Botany, Uttaranchal College of Sciences and Technology, Dehradun during this field studies.
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| How to cite this article: Sarad S, Sharma A, Kumar N: Distribution,Diversity, Indigenous Use and its Utilization of the Ethno medicinal Flora of Rajouri District, J & K, India. Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res., 2017; 3(1): 820-827. DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2017.3.1.12 Source of Financial Support: Nil, Conflict of interest: Nil |