Medicinal Plants of Change VDC of Taplejung, Eastern Nepal. Parbakhar Poudel

Correspondence address: parbakhar@gmail.com GPO 6869,Sundhara, Kathmandu

Abstract People of Change VDC of Taplejung above 1700 masl are well knowledgeable about medicinal plants and their uses. Altogether 49 medicinal plant species belonging to 35 families were documented with their detail information. Traditional healers are using such knowledge secretly and transfer to next generation without written manuscript.

Key words: Medicinal Plant, Traditional Healer, Taplejung Introduction People of the remote area use plant resources on own ways through their traditional knowledge and transforming generation to generation. The ancient Hindus epic Hrigveda, written earlier 4500 - 1600 BC is the oldest repository of which has described some 67 plants (Malla and Shakya, 1999). Traditional healer, herbal practitioner including Dhami, Jhankri, Ojha, Bijuwa, Mangma, Phedagma, Yaba, Baidha, Purohit are the key persons of source of knowledge about the traditional uses of plant to cure several human and animal disease. The knowledge what they get is transforming only limited persons of their next generation, otherwise the knowledge is vanished after their death. Plant utility specific to ethnic group is more vulnerable regarding the dissemination of knowledge to other ethnic group. The negative and conservative concept about the loss of effectiveness of medicine in sharing of knowledge to all is a prime cause of handing over their knowledge, there is a growing threat of vanishing the system.

Traditional knowledge is the key pool and source of new idea which drive the modern herbal practitioner to conduct a research about the production of modern herbal drugs. That’s why efforts should be made to conserve such traditional knowledge exploring and documenting scientifically. Several studies of the traditional use of plant resource on Eastern Nepal have been carried by many authors (Banerjii, 1955; Shrestha, 1994; Shrestha & Ghimire, 1996: Parajuli, 2000; Pradhan & Manandhar, 2000; Niroula, 2001; Pokharel and Siwakoti 2002; Oli, 2003; Poudel, 2004; and Sherpa, 2001. No any researches have been carried regarding the ethno-botanical knowledge of medicinal plant of Change. Present study focused the documentation of baseline information of ethnic knowledge about utilization of plant.

Materials and Methods The location of the study area is Change VDC of Taplejung District and in around 270 18' 57.2"N latitude and 870 34' 22.9" E longitude of geographical location. The study area was administrated only the 4 wards of this VDC (6, 7, 8 and 9) region. Limbu, Tamang, Sherpa (Bhote) are the main ethnic communities of this area and Newar, Bhujel, Kami, Brhamin/Chhetri were other informant. Out of 171 total household with total population 907 with 5.3 average family size, 60 households were interviewed with structured, semi-structured and open-ended questionnaire. Dhami, Jhankri, Bijuwa, Phedargma and Yaba were the key informant. RRA, PRA and direct observation were the applied tool for data collection. The diverse ethnic communities far from modern health facilities encourage me to conduct this research in that village. Schima-Castatiopsis forest in lower altitude and Oak-Lourel and Rhododendron forest is predominant in upper altitude of study area. Concerned information was gathered through 2 times field visit covering both pre and late monsoon season. Plant specimens wee collected and identified consulting the Herbaria of TUCH and literature press et. al (2000).

Result Altogether forty nine species of medicinal plants belonging to 35 families were documented. Among them 41 species of Angiosperms belongs to 28 families. Representing 3 species from Ericaceal and Ranunculaceae; 2 species from Urticaceae, Betulaceae, Aracea, Apiaceae Polygonaceae, Symplocaceae, Lauraceae and Rutaceae; and 1 species each from other 16 families were recorded. Similarly 3 species of Lichen from 3 families, 2

species of Gymnosperms from 2 families and 2 species of Pteridophyta from 2 families were gathered. Part wise utilization of medicinal plants showed that 14 plants having leaf importance, 10 of root/rhizome importance, 8 of whole plant importance, 10 of fruit/seed importance, 3 of flower importance, 2 of stem importance and 2 of bark importance on the basis of use part. Among 49 species 29 plant species are of common, 15 of occasional and 5 of rare status based on their availability in this area. 16 tree species, 8 shrub species, 22 herb species, 2 climbing herb and 1 epiphytic herb species were recorded. Discussion and Conclusion Inaccessibility of modern health facilities and poverty to invest in curing the disease, belief on traditional healing system by traditional healer, this area found much more knowledge about medicinal plants and their utilization. Among the medicinal plant Swertia chirayita, Viscum album, Aconitum spp, Astilbe rivularis Heracleum nepalens, Centella asiatica, Lindera neesiana, Berginia cilita, Cinamomum spp. Evodia fraxinofolia and Arisaema spp are common species and all people have good knowledge about their application. Remaining plant species are only in the knowledge of traditional practitioner. Swertia, Taxus, Heracleum, Lindera, Evodia and Aconitum other are attempt to domestication. Swertia were found considered as panacea to cure all disease. Dhami, Jhankri and Yaba were found much involved in traditional healing practices and they mixed many plant and gave to cure every disease. It was found they collect medicinal plant in Tuesday, Saturday and Friday early in the morning or evening after sunset believing that increases the effectiveness of medicine. People of Change have good ethno botanical knowledge however they are less concerned about the dose and specific uses. Due to favourable climatic condition, topography favours growth of several medicinal plants on this area however all are not in knowledge of traditional healer. Ultimate exploration of these plant and documentation of existing knowledge before vanishing than with death of practitioner is a prime task under to be taken by concerned body. Acknowledgement I am thankful to all key informant of the study area who made me success to be a pioneer researcher of ethno botanical knowledge of this area providing the detail information.

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Annex: Medicinal plants S.N. Botanical Name Local Name Habit Parts used Use Administration Status 1 Rubus ellipticus

Sm.,Rosaceae Ainselu S Ft, Rt Severe fever Root is chewed/on decoction is taken (child) C

2 Gerardiana diversifolia (Link)Friis,Urticaceae

Allo H L Headache and Joint ache Leaf juice is applied C

3 Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall)Drud.,Ericaceae

Angeri T L Itching, scabies and lice Leaf pest is applied both for man and cattle C

4 Edgeworthia gardneri (Wall.) Meisn.,Thymalaceae

Argeli S Wp Sinusitis Small leaf or flower is crushed and dispose inside nose

C

5 Allium wallichii Kunch.,Amyrallidaceae

Ban lasun H Bu i. Appetizer ii. Animal diseases

i. As spices on curry, or making soup ii. Given with kudo, or mixing with other ingredients.

O

6 Rhus javanica L.,Anacardiaceae

Bhak amilo S Ft Dysentery, diarrhea Fruit juice is taken as pickle, or fruit with curd directly

C

7 Butula utilis D.Don, Betulaceae

Bhojpatra T B Bandage Bark peeling is used as bandage O

8 Fragaria nubicola Lindl.ex Lacoita, Rosaceae

Bhuinainselu Cl Ft Stomach pain Fruit are eaten raw C

9 Aconitum ferox D.Don, Ranunculaceae

Bikha H Rz i. Cold, cough, influenza ii. wound

i. Rhizome is swallowed ii. Root powder is applied

R

10 Aconitum bikhma D. Don, Ranunculaceae

Bikhama H Tu. Rt i. Fever ii. Anti poisoning iii. Appetizer

In all cases tuber is taken R

11 Acorus calamus L.,Araceae

Bojho H Rz. Rt i. Tooth ache ii. Sharpening the voice

i. Root Powder in taken ii. Rhizome is taken directly

C

12 Astilbe rivularis (Buch-Ham) ex D.Don, Saxifragaceae

Budo Okhati H Rt Tonic for postnatal women Plant powdered mixed with Pakhanbet & Hadchur and cooked mixing with flour

O

13 Oxalis corniculata L.,Oxalidaceae

Chari amilo H L i. Anti-vomiting ii. Diarrhea

Leaf juice is taken after regular interval of vomiting

C

14 Heracleum nepalens D.Don, Apiaceae

Chingphing S Ft i. Headache, cold and cough ii. Livestock disease

i. Decoction of fruit with Timur & Khanakpa is taken ii. Decoction of fruit with Timur and Khanakpa is given

O

15 Swetia chirayita ( Rox.ex Flm.) H Carst.,Gentianaceae

Chiraito H Wp Cold, Cough, Fever & tonic (Panacea to care several disease)

Directly chewed. or taken making decoction of whole plant

C

16 Berberies aristata DC.,Berberidiaceae

Chutro S L , B i. Antiopthalmia ii. Blisters and wound

i. Leaf juice is applied ii. Bark paste is applied

C

17 Juniperus indica Betrol,Cupressaceae

Dhupi T L, B Emetic Leaves and berries are taken to bring vomit cure poisoning

R

18 Taxas bacata L., Taxaceae Dhyangre Sallo T L, B, Ft i. Cancer ii. Asthma bronchitis iii. Epilepsy

i. Essential oil from leaves is taken ii. Leaves and roots powder inhaled iii. Decoction of seed is given

R

19 Cynodon dactylon Dubo H L Bleeding control Leaf juice is put in nose C

(L.)Pers,Gramineae 20 Acer acuminatum Wall

ex.Dc,Aceraceae Firfire T Rt i. Gastric

ii. Horse medicine i. Root decoctions taken ii. Whole plant is given as feed.

O

21 Centella asiatica (L.)Urb.,Apiaceae

Ghodtapre H Wp i. Good memory and energetic ii. Niranjan (blockage on urination)

i. Leaf are chewed ii. Juice is taken

C

22 Viscum album Burnb,Loranthaceae

Hadchur Epi Wp i. Tonic for postnatal women ii. Bone fracture

i.Plant powdered mixed with Pakhanbet Budookhati and cooked mixing with flour. ii.Root paste is applied

R

23 Rumex nepalensis Sreng.,Polygonaceae

Halhale H L Scabies, ringworm and burns Root paste is applied C

24 Phytolacca actinosa Roxb.,Phytolacceae

Jaringo S Wp Abdominal pain (locally kapat) Young shoot and leaves as vegetable O

25 Parmelia nepalensis Roxb.,Parmelliacea

Jhyau H Wp antiseptic, burn, wounds Plant powder as tincture of iodine after applying the leaf juice of Artemisia dubia or Eupatorium adenophotum

C

26 Ramlina spp, Rammalinaceae

Jhyau H Wp antiseptic, burn, wounds Plant powder as tincture of iodine after applying the leaf juice of Artemisia dubia or Eupatorium adenophotum

C

27 Usnea spp, Usneaceae Jhyau H Wp Tonic, fever and throat pain Fired powder of plant is mixed with water and taken

O

28 Clematis spp, Ranunculaceae

Juge Laharo H Wp i. Abdominal pen and fever ii. Pulmonary disease and dysentery iii. Extra energy source for postnatal women (tonic)

i. Rhizome is chewed ii. Root powder is taken iii. Root power mixing with honey Hadchur, Budo okhati

O

29 Myrica esculenta (Buch-Ham) ex D.Don, Myricaeae

Kaphal T L,Ft i. Diabeties ii. Stomach pain, constipation

i. Bark decoction is taken ii. Ripen fruits are eaten raw

C

30 Evodia fraxinofolia D.Don, Rutaceae

Khanakpa T Sd i. Headache, cold and cough ii. Livestock disease

i. Decoction of fruit with Timur &Chingphing is taken ii. Decoction of fruit with Timur and Chingphing is given

O

31 Simplocos rammosima Wallex.D.Don, Symplocaceae

Kharane T Sd Skin disease Expelled oil for massage C

32 Symplocos pyrifolia Wall ex D. Don, Symplocaceae

Kholme T Sd Skin disease Expelled oil for massage C

33 Smilax microphyla Warb.,Liliaceae

Kukurdaino Cl, S Ys Rheumatism Paste applied and heat compressed by green leaves.

C

34 Picrothiza scrofulariflora Pennel, Scroplarifoliaceae

Kutki H Wp i. Cold, cough and fever ii. Jaundice

i. Decoction of rhizome is taken ii. Rhizome is taken orally.

O

35 Rhododendron arboretum Sm.Ericaceae

Laligurans T Fl, Sd i. Cuts ii. Fish bone in to neck iii. appetizer

i. Bark paste is applied ii. Flower is eaten iii. Flower are eaten as pickle

C

36 Daphne bholua Buch-Ham ex D. Don, Thymalaceae

Lokta S L,Fl Sinusitis Small leaf or flower is crushed and dispose inside nose

C

37 Pyrus phasia Buch-Ham ex D. Don, Rutaceae

Mehel T Ft Diarrhea and blood dysentery Fruit juice/Jam is taken orally or as pickle C

38 Lycopodium clavatum L., Lycopodiaceae

Sunthagne H Wp Bronchitis Plant decoction is taken C

39 Juglans regia L., Juglandiaceae

Okhar T Ft Skin disease, feet tearing during summer (Hilole khayeko)

Fruit applied in affected area after making paste

40 Berginia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb,Saxifragaceae

Pakhanbet H Rt i. Dirrahoea and blood dysentery ii. Leucorrhea

i. Root powder is taken ii. Root powder is taken with honey

O

41 Arisaema spp, Araceae Pate Bako H L Burns Taken as vegetable O 42 Cheilanthes dalhouasie

Hook.,Pteridaceae Rani Sinko H L cuts Leaf juice is applied

43 Urtica dioca L., Urticaceae

Sisnu H L i. Tonic ii. Hemorrhage

Green leaves as vegetable C

44 Rhododendron anthopogon D. Don, Ericaceae

Sunpati T Fl Diuretic problem Flower Juice is applied C

45 Cinamomum spp, Lauraceae

Tejpat T L, Ft i. Scabies, Itching and other skin disease

i. Expelled oil is applied and gently massaged O

46 Aconogonum molle (D.Don)H.Hara,Polygonaceae

Thotne H Ys As appetizer As pickle, or raw C

47 Artemisia Dubia Wall ex. Besser, Compositae

Tile Pati H L ,R I. Skin Disease ii. Blister and Infected wounds iii. Skin allergies iv. Bee wasp and Sinou sting v. Anti dandruff vi. Body fresheners

i. Plant paste is applied and massaged ii. Leaf juice is mixed with water and applied iii. Root pasted is applied and massaged iv. Leaf Juice is applied v. Leaf juce and water selution during bathing vi. Leaf juice is applied in armpit to control unwanted smelling

C

48 Lindera neesiana (Wall ex Nees) Kurtz, Lauraceae

Silimur T Ft i. Cold, head ache ii. Vomiting iii. Stomach pain

i. Extracted oil is applied is affected area and slightly massaged. ii. 1-2 drop of oil is taken iii. Fruit as spices or pickle with salt and chilies

O

49 Alnus nepalensis D.Don, Betulaceae

Utis T B Pain Bark paste is applied in affected area O

Note: Habit: T = Tree H = Herb, S = Shrub, Cl = Climber, F = Fungus Parts used: Ap = Aerial parts, B = Bark, Bc = Branch, Bu = Bubils, Fl = Flower, Ft = Fruits, Fb = Fruiting body, Fd = Frond, L = Leaf, Rz = Rhizome, St = Stem, Sd = Seed, Wp = Whole plants, Ys = Young shoot Status: C = Common, O = Occasional, R = Rare.