Plants used in the treatment of Fever by the Scheduled Caste Community of Andro in Imphal East District, Manipur (India)

Th. Tomba Singh,

1A.

Radhapyari Devi, 2H. Rajanikanta Sharma and **H. Manoranjan Sharma

1P.G.

Department of Botany, D.M. College of Science, Imphal (Manipur)-795001 2 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali (Punjab)160055 Department of Botany, Thoubal College, Thoubal (Manipur)-795138
** Corresponding author E mail: manoranjan_hanjabam@yahoo.com

 All beings of the Universe, if applied after duly processing and in proper way bear therapeutic value.- Charaka Shutra 26/2 Maharishi Charaka Father of Ayurveda

TABLE: DIVERSITY OF ANGIOSPERMS IN THE FLORA OF MANIPUR,INDIA AND THE WORLD

MONOCOTYLEDONS
FLORA OF
SPECIES GENERA FAMILI ES SPECIES GENERA FAMILI ES

DICOTYLEDONS

TOTAL (ANGIOSPERMS)
SPECIES GENERA FAMILI ES

WORLD

55800

2651

84

193500

10463

321

249300

13114

405

INDIA

4448

702

46

12572

2282

203

17023

2984

249

MANIPUR

600

265

33

1780

787

172

2380

1052

205

TABLE:% CONTRIBUTION OF ANGIOSPERMS FROM THE FLORA OF MANIPUR TO THE FLORA OF INDIA AND THE WORLD
FLORA OF MONOCOTYLEDONS DICOTYLEDONS TOTAL (ANGIOSPERMS)
SPECIES GENERA FAMILI ES

SPECIE S

GENERA

FAMILIES

SPECIE S

GENERA

FAMILIES

INDIA

13.49

37.75

71.74

14.15

34.49

84.73

13.98

35.25

82.33

WORLD

1.07

10.00

39.29

0.91

7.52

53.58

0.95

8.02

50.62

Number of medicinal plants used in Manipur

Sinha (1987) was the pioneer in the field of ethnobotanical study of Manipur and reported the ethnobotanical use of 667 species of flowering plants including 8 varieties under 442 genera distributed over 117 families. Sinha (1996) also reported 1200 medicinal plants of Manipur state out of which 430 species were used in ethnomedicine by the local people.

Map of Manipur showing the study site

TABLE: STATISTICS OF ANDRO VILLAGE Location: 940.2E And 240.44n Distance from Imphal City: 24km Elevation: 783m above the msl Area of the Village: 4.0 Km-2 Total Population: 8316 (2001 Census) No. of Males: 4176 No. of Females: 4140

TABLE: NO. OF LOCALITIES IN ANDRO VILLAGE

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) Andro Khunou Leikai Andro Kharam Leikai Andro Maringthel Leikai Andro Awang Leikai Andro Makha Leikai Andro Machengpat Leikai Andro Mamang Leikai Andro Khuman Leikai Andro Loupaojam Andro Khunou Torongthel Andro Lamthabung Sanapat and Khoibu

About the origin of Andro

The word Andro is derived from the word Handro meaning Return back after a long separation. They believed that the Nongmaiching Hill is the ancestors of their forefathers. There are seven clans (Yek Salais) in the Andro Community: Ningthouja, Luwang, Khuman, Khaba-Nganba, Moirang, Sarang-Leishngthem & Angom.

MEDICINAL PLANT-LORE OF ANDRO

1. Magico-Religious Folk Medicine and 2. Natural Folk Medicines. In the first system, mode of treatment of patients is by means of magical techniques by the traditional medical practitioners (Locally known as MaibaMale and Maibi-Female). Chanting of hymns besides using certain plants is also a part of this treatment.

FIG: MEI HOUPHAM SANGLEN ( THE OLDEST FIRE PLACE IN THE WORLD)

FIG: RITUALISTIC WORSHIP USING PLANTS

2. Natural Folk Medicines

In this system, medicinal values are obtained from plants, minerals parts of animals, birds, fishes and insects are commonly used to control different types of diseases. It is also known as rational folk medicine and also herbal folk medicine.

 In addition to these two types, another third type of treatment is commonly practiced by the people of Andro. Here the local practitioners manipulated or messaged the different body parts, organs, veins, arteries or bones. This type of treatment is locally known as Khutli-Shuba. The local practitioners know both the physiology and anatomy of the human body and their functions very well.

Total number of plant species used by the people of Andro in ethnomedicine

No. of Species =104 (including 2 species of Pteridophytes and 1 species of Gymnosperms No. of Genera= 88 No. of Families =52 No. of diseases treated=32

DISEASES TREATED
Name of the Disease
No. of Plants used

1. Boils, blains and ulcers 33 2. Skin diseases including allergy 32 3. Stomach problems 27 4. Fever 5. Piles 26 24

6. Cough 7. Diuretic/Hydrocele 8. Arthritis and rheumatic pains 9. Abdominal and muscle pain

19 16 15 15

Name of the Disease 10. Snake bite and insect bite 11. Gynaecological problems including menstrual disorders 12. Cuts and Wounds 13. Asthma 14. Hypertension 15. Dysentery 16. Malaria 17. Dizziness 18. Indigestion 19. Typhoid fever 20. Soothing and Cooling agent

No. of Plants used

13 13 13 11 10 09 09 08 08 07 07

21. Jaundice 22. Chest congestion

06 05

23. Headaches 24. Eye diseases 25. Insanity and Hallucination 26. Diabetes 27. Tonsillitis
28. Paralysis 29. Detection of unidentified & incurable diseases 30. Laxatives 31. Livwe disorders 32. Insomnia

05 04 04 04 04
04 03 03 02 01

Plants used in the treatment of Fever

1. Arundo donax Linn.
Family: Poaceae. Local name: Yengthou. Common name: Giant reed. Parts used: Leaves and tender shoots. Mode of use: The smashed tender shoot is applied as poultice and the extract of the same mixed with honey is prescribed orally in fever.

2. Cyperus rotundus Linn.

Family: Cyperaceae. Local name: Sembang kaothum. Common Name: Common hedge. Parts used: Rhizomes. Mode of use: The crushed extract of the rhizome along with honey is prescribed in high body temperatures.

3. Allium ascalonicum Linn.

Family: Alliaceae. Local name: Tilhou akuppi. Common Name: Welsh onion. Parts used: Bulbs. Mode of use: The poultice made from the bulbs is rubbed on the neck and forehead of children suffering from fever.

4. Allium sativum Linn. . Family: Alliaceae. Local name: Chanam. Common name: Garlic. Parts used: Bulb and leaves. Mode of use: The paste of the leaf along with mustard oil is used to reduce child fever. Fresh bulb is crushed and used as poultice and applied on the forehead to reduce high fever.

5. Allium tuberosum Rottb. ex Spreng.

Syn. A. odorum L. Family: Alliaceae. Local name: Maroi nakuppi. Common name: Garlic chives. Parts used: Whole plant. Mode of use: The poultice of leaves on the forehead of children to reduce fever in children. 6. Curcuma caesia Roxb. Family: Zingiberaceae. Local name: Yaimu. Common name: Black zedoary. Parts used: Tubers. Mode of use: The tuber is crushed and boiled and the extract is given in different dosages for different age groups to reduce fever.

7. Curcuma longa Linn.

Syn. C. domestica (Medik.) Val. Family: Zingiberaceae. Local name: Yaingang. Common name: Turmeric. Parts used: Rhizomes. Mode of use: Fresh extract of the rhizome in mixed with honey is prescribed against high body temperature and all types of fever.

8. Hedychium coronarium Koenig ex Retz.

Family: Zingiberaceae. Local name: Takhellei angouba. Common name: Ginger lily. Parts used: Rhizomes. Mode of use: Decoction of the rhizome is used against fever.

9. Zingiber officinale Rosc.

Family: Zingiberaceae. Local name: Shing (Haodei) Common name: Ginger. Parts used: Rhizomes. Mode of use: The fresh juice extract mixed with honey is prescribed in high body temperature and fever. The extract obtained by crushing the rhizome along with the tender shoot of Agave cantula Roxb. (Local name-Kewa) is prescribed in typhoid fever.

10. Santalum album Linn.

Family: Santalaceae. Local name: Cha chandan. Common name: Sandalwood. Parts used: Wood. Mode of use: The paste of the powdered wood in water is applied on the forehead in headaches and fever.

11. Drymaria diandra Blume

Syn. D. cordata (L.) Willd. ex Roem. & Schultes Family: Family: Caryophyllaceae. Local name: Tandan pambi. Parts used: Whole plant. Mode of use: Fresh extract of the whole plant It is commonly used for reducing high body temperature and fever in children. 12. Brassica campestris Linn. var. sarson Prain Family: Brassicaceae. Local name: Hanggam. Common name: White mustard. Parts used: Leaves. Mode of use: Leaf is crushed and the poultice is applied on childs forehead to reduce body temperature in fever.

13. Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa

Family: Rutaceae. Local name: Harikhagok. Common name: Stone apple. Parts used: Leaves and fruits. Mode of use: Powder of dry pulp is a tonic and used in fever. Juice extracted from fresh leaves along with honey is used in high body temperatures.

14. Chamaesvce hirta (L.) Millsp

Syn. Euphorbia hirta Linn. Family: Euphorbiaceae. Local name: Pakhang leiton. Common name: Asthma weed. Parts used: Whole plant. Mode of use: Decoction of the plant is used in uncontrolled rise of the body temperature by smearing the decoction to all parts of the body.

15. Phyllanthus emblica L.

Syn. Emblica officinalis Gaertner Family: Euphorbiaceae. Local name: Heikru. Common name: Emblic myrobalan. Parts used: Fruits and seeds. Mode of use: Dried fruits and seeds are used as a cure for fever. 16.Corchorus capsularis Linn. Family: Tiliaceae. Local name: Ananba (Sougri laba). Common name: Jute. Parts used: Seeds. Mode of use: The decoction of the crushed seed is used in fever.

17. Coriandrum sativum Linn.

Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). Local name: Phadigom. Common name: Coriander. Parts used: Leaves. Mode of use: The leaf paste after mixing with mustard oil and common salt is applied on the forehead, neck, abdomen and chest to reduce high body temperature in children.

18. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn.

Family: Oleaceae. Local name: Singgarei. Common name: Night jasmine. Parts used: Leaf, bark and roots. Mode of use: It has good medicinal value for fever- leaf is crushed with a little water and the extract is mixed with honey (2:1) at the dose of 3 teaspoonful three times a day.

19. Ipomoea batatas (Linn.) Lamk.

Family: Convolvulaceae. Local name: Manggra. Common name: Sweet potato. Parts used: Leaves. Mode of use: Boiled extract of the leaves is used in fever. 20. Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp. Family: Lamiaceae. Local name: Kuthap. Common name: Turks turban. Parts used: Leaves. Mode of use: The crushed leaves as poultice are applied on the forehead in fever and the hot decoction of the leaves is also given in fever.

 21. Elsholtzia communis (Coll. & Hemsl.) Diels

Family: Lamiaceae. Local name: Lomba. Parts used: Leaves and Inflorescence. Mode of use: Decoction of the leaves and inflorescence is prescribed in fever.

22. Ocimum americanum Linn.

Syn. O. canum Sims O. africanum Lour. Family: Lamiaceae. Local name: Mayangba. Common name: Hoary basil. Parts used: Whole plant. Mode of use: The fresh extract of the leaves mixed honey is a good remedy for fever.

 23. Ocimum basilicum Linn. Family: Lamiaceae. Local name: Naosheklei. Common name: Sweet basil. Parts used: Whole plant. Mode of use: The most common of this plant by the people of Andro is in the treatment of paralysis and neuralgia. The young shoot along with the bark of Albizia myriophylla Benth. (Family: Mimosaceae; Local name: Chakpa Yangli) and rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Family: Zingiberaceae; Local name: Shing/Haodei) are crushed together using a little water. The juice so extracted is smeared on the affected body parts several times -this will cure the problem of paralysis and neuralgia. Crushed extract of the leaves are also applied on the forehead to reduce fever.

24. Solanum ferox L.

Syn. S. indicum Linn. Family: Solanaceae. Local name: Shing khanga. Common name: Indian nightshade. Parts used: Fruits. Mode of use: It is one of the most important plants used by the people of Andro in fever. Fresh fruit is eaten after crushing with or without honey. This is applied in persons belonging to all age groups.

25. Justicia adhatoda Linn.

Syn. Adhatoda zeylanica Medicus Family: Acanthaceae. Local name: Nongmangkha angouba. Common name: Malabar nut. Parts used: Whole plant. Mode of use: Raw leaves or inflorescence are eaten with Ametpa (a local delicacy prepared with chilies and fermented small fishes called Ngari) or decoction of the leaves is taken orally for 3 days once daily. This treatment will automatically cure cough and fever. Sometimes the leaves and inflorescence are eaten after frying also.

26. Eclipta prostrata (Linn.) Linn.

Syn. E. alba (L.) Hassk. Family: Asteraceae (Compositae). Local name: Uchi sumbal. Common name: Trailing eclipta. Parts used: Whole plant. Mode of use: The whole plant is crushed and filtered after adding some water. The filtrate is mixed with a little honey and prescribed in cough, and all types of fever.

Oroxylum indicum (L.)Vent Local name:Samba

Zingiber purpureum Rosc. Local name:Tekhao yaikhu

Curcuma longa L. Local name:Yaingang

Plumbago zeylanica L. Local name:Tel-hidak amuba

Hedychium coronarium Koenig Local name:Takhellei.

Arundo donax L.
Local name:Yengdou. Family: Poaceae.

Eupatorium birmanicum DC
Local name: Langthrei. Family: Asteraceae

Alpinia galanga (L.) Sw. Local name: Kanghu. Family: Zingiberaceae.

Eclipta prostrata (Linn.) Linn.

(Local name: Uchi sumbal) Family: Asteraceae.

Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv.

(Local name: Lam hidakmana). Family: Solanaceae.

Kaempferia galanga L.
Local name: Yai thamna manbi. Family: Zingiberaceae

Rumex maritimus L.
Local name: Torongkhongchak. Family: Polygonaceae

Crateva religiosa Forster f.

Local name: Loyumba lei. Family: Capparidaceae.

Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand.

(Local name: Aangot). Family: Asclepiadaceae.

Tinospora sinensis (Lour.)Merr. Local name:Ningthou-khongli.

Costus speciosus (Koenig)Sm. Local name:Khongbal tahkellei.

Desmodium microphyllum (Thunb.)DC Local name:Nunggai-yensil.

DISCUSSION

The present study reveals that 28 plant species were found to be used by the scheduled caste community of Andro in the treatment of Fever. These 28 plant species belongs to 22 genera which are distributed over 19 families (14 dicotyledons and 5 monocotyledons). The families Zingiberaceae, Alliaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Lamiacae have more than one species being used in the treatment of Fever by the people of Andro. Further research is necessary to ascertain the exact number of plants being used by this scheduled caste community.

CONCLUSION
This Scheduled Caste Community with a population of about 8316 still depends upon traditional system of medicine for the treatment of as many as 32 different diseases and ailments. This tradition is passed from generation to generation since time immemorial. We the people of Manipur in general and the Govt. of Manipur in particular must try to conserve this rich tradition of Andro before they are gone forever.

He who indulges daily in healthy food and activities, which discriminates between good and bad and acts accordingly, who is not attached too much to the worldly affairs, who develops the habit of charity, considering all as equal, truthfulness, pardoning and keeping company of good persons becomes free from disease.
Vagbhata The renowned Physician-Surgeon