Int. J. Med. Arom. Plants, ISSN 2249 – 4340RESEARCH ARTICLE

Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 229-234, June 2012

*Corresponding author: (E-mail) samydurai.bio <A.T.> gmail.com http://www.openaccessscience.com©2012 Open Access Science Research Publisher ijmap@openaccessscience.com

Survey of wild aromatic ethnomedicinal plants of Velliangiri Hills in

the Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

P. SAMYDURAI1, S. JAGATHESHKUMAR1, V. ARAVINTHAN2, V. THANGAPANDIAN1

1PG and Research Department of Botany, Kongunadu Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Coimbatore-641 029, Tamilnadu, India2Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641 046, Tamilnadu, India

Article History: Received 5th March 2012, Revised 5th May 2012, Accepted 6st May 2012.

Abstract: Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu is rich with floral diversity, diverse climatic zones, landscapes and forms a con-tiguous territory of evergreen and semi-evergreen woodland, high altitude shola grassland, replete with the exceptionalbiological diversity and endemism. The wealth of living for ethnic community is mostly naturally aromatic sweet-scentedmedicinal plants. These plants are used as medicines, therapeutics, cosmetics, some as food and food additives. The tradi-tionally used 83 aromatic plants belonging to 32 families are documented with botanical name, family, vernacu-lar/English name, aromatic parts and medicinal purposes.

Keywords: Western Ghats; ethnic community; shola grassland; aromatic medicinal plants.

Introduction

India is recognized as a country that is richin all aspects of biodiversity like ecosystem,species and genetic diversity mainly due to itstropical location, disparate physical features andclimatic types (Jain 1987). The continent haswell-documented traditional knowledge, long-standing practice of traditional medicine and thepotential for social and economic developmentof medicinal and aromatic plants in primaryhealth care and industrial scale production. Me-dicinal and aromatic plants constitute the basisof primary health care for the majority of thepopulation in Asia and are critical source of in-come for rural population. They earn their livingby selling wild or cultivated plant materials.Approximately 90% of the plants are still col-lected from forests. The global demand forherbal medicines are not only large, it has agrowing demand. Approximately 166 compa-nies import crude extract of medicinal and aro-matic plants from India. Nearly 90% of plantspecies used in the industries are collected fromwild habitat (Srivastava 2000). In India it is re-ported that traditional healers use 2500 plantspecies and 100 species of plants serve as regu-lar sources of medicine (Pei 2001).

Although some of the therapeutic propertiesattributed to plants have proven to be erroneous,

medicinal plant therapy is based on the empiri-cal findings of hundreds and thousands of years(Gurib-Fakim 2006). Several formulations likeherbal teas, extracts, decoctions, infusions, tinc-tures are prepared from medicinal plants(Kraisintu 1997). Globally, about 85% of thetraditional medicines used for primary healthcare are derived from plants (Farnsworth, 1988).In view of this the current study was carried outto explore aromatic medicinal plants ofVelliangiri hills, Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu,India.

Study area

The present study area is confined to a majorrange in the Velliangiri hills of the WesternGhats that is rich in Biodiversity and indigenouspopulation. It is located in the Western bounda-ry of Boluvam patty range of Coimbatore dis-trict of the Southwest of Tamil Nadu and liesbetween 76o–40’ and 77o–10’ E longitude and10o-55’ and 11o-10’ N latitude form a portion ofthe Coimbatore District. The elevation of thehills ranges between 1700 and 1840m abovemean sea level (msl.) and about 1200mm aver-age annual rainfall and the temperature variesbetween 10°C to 19°C. Vegetation is predomi-nantly dry deciduous forests of foot hills, second

230Int. J. Med. Arom. Plants Ethnomedicinal plants of Velliangiri Hills, Tamil Nadu

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and third mount is evergreen forest and last fourbelt up shola forest types.

Materials and Methods

The information was gathered from the localtribal people, an aboriginal community who re-side in the foothill of the Velliangiri hills (Fig-ure 1). Several field visits were also conductedto the tribal residing areas of the study to collectdata on aromatic medicinal plants commonlyused by them. The observations collected duringfield visit were put to group discussion. Themedicinal plants were identified, photographedand sample specimens were collected for prepa-ration of herbarium (Gamble and Fischer 1915-1936; Mathew 1983; Nair and Henry 1983;Henry et al. 1987 and 1989; Chandrabose andNair 1988; Gamble 1996). Voucher specimenshave been deposited in the herbarium of De-partment of Botany, Kongunadu Arts and Sci-ences College (Autonomous), Coimbatore,Tamil Nadu.

Results and Discussion

In the present study, wild aromatic medici-nal plant species of lower foot hill, tropical and

shola grass land of Velliangiri hills, WesternGhats of Tamil Nadu are listed in the (Table 1).Botanical name of the plants are arranged in al-phabetical order followed by family names, ver-nacular name or English names, aromatic partsand medicinal uses. The present survey enumer-ated that there are 82 of wild aromatic medicinalplant species belonging to 65 genera under 33families. It is more evident from this study thatthe plant species belonging to the family,Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Zingiberaceae,Myrtaceae, Santalaceae and Poaceae are maxi-mum population than any other plant species. Incontrast, Rauwolfia serpantina, Cinnamomtamala, C. macrocarpum, Myrstica dactyloides,Coscinium fenestratum, Decalepis hamiltonii,Canarium strictum are endanger plants and alsoare very less in population. Different parts ofaromatic plants, such as leaves, bark, tuberousroot, rhizome, inflorescence, fruit and seed arebeing used for various medicinal purposes, suchas in the treatment of fever, cough, headache,body pain and also as energy tonic. Many aro-matic medicinal plants are used as therapeutic,cosmetics, food and food additives (Figures 2 to8).

Table 1: List of wild aromatic ethnomedicinal plants of Velliangiri Hills, Tamilnadu.

S. No Binomial name Family Vernacular/English Name

Aromatic parts Medicinal uses

1 Acorus calamus L. Araceae Vasambu Rhizome As sedative, cancer, pneumonia2 Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Rutaceae Vilvam Leaf and bark Blood purifier3 Aloe vera L. Liliaceae Kathalai Whole plant For hair care, as facial cleanser4 Alpina galanga (L.) Willd Zingiberaceae Pera rattai Rhizome Antibacterial agent and digestive stimulant5 Alpina calcarata Rosc. Zingiberaceae Setha rattai Rhizome Indigestion and fever6 Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.

Br. ex DC.Amaranthaceae Mulluk kirai Leaves Leaf juice cure eye diseases

7 Anisomeles malabarica R. Br. Lamiaceae Peyameratti Whole plant For tonic used as carminative and fever8 Annona squamosa L. Annonaceae Kattu seetha Leaves, bark Whole plant is used to inhibit HIV replication9 Artemisia parviflora Buch.-

Ham. Ex Roxb.Asteraceae - Whole plant In asthma, anti inflammatory, cough and cold

10 Artimisia nilagirica L Asteraceae Masipattiri Whole plant In fever, cough, bronchitis and asthma11 Atalantia racemosa, Wight &

Arn.Rutaceae Katta naragam Leaf, bark and

fruitDigestive and cough

12 Canarium strictum Roxb. (C.sikkimense King)

Burseraceae Kunguliam Resin Used as fever, cough and asthma

13 Centratherum anthelminticum(L.) Kuntze.

Asteraceae Wild samanti Whole plant anthelmintic

14 Chlorophytum tuberosum(Roxb.) Baker.

Liliaceae - Rhizome Digestion and rheumatism

15 Christitonia bicolor Gardn. Orobanchaceae - Rhizome Liver protection and digestion16 Cinnamomum macrocarpum

Hook. fLauraceae Periya lavanga

pattaiLeaf, bark androot-bark

Cough, diarrhoea and dysentery

17 Cinnamom tamala (Buch.-Ham.) Nees & Eberm.

Lauraceae Kattu lavangam Leaves and bark As stimulant, carminative, and rheumatism,

18 Cinnamom zeylanicum Blume. Lauraceae Karruwa,ilavangam

Bark Bronchitis, asthma, and cardiac diseases

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19 Clausena dentata Burm. Rutaceae Kattukaruvepilai

Leaf Used as vegetable and medicine

20 Coleus aromaticus Benth. Lamiaceae karpuravalli Whole plant In cough, fever and liver tonic21 Commiphora caudata (Wight &

Arn.) Engl.Burseraceae Kiluvai Leaf and bark Rheumatism, diabetes

22 Commiphora mukul (Hook. exStocks) Engl.

Burseraceae Veli Kiluvai Resinous gum Rheumatism, diabetes and skin diseases

23 Commiphora wightii Engl. Burseraceae Guggulu Gum Rheumatoid arthritis24 Coscinium fenestratum

(Gaertn.) Colebr.Menispermaceae

Mara manial Stem and root In dysentery, as cholagogue

25 Costus speciosus (Koen.) Smith Zingiberaceae Kottam Leaves andRhizomes

Bronchitis, diabetics and asthma

26 Curcuma aromaticum Sal. Zingiberaceae Kasturi-manjal Rhizome Leucoderma, skin eruptions and cosmetics27 Curcuma neilgherrensis W. Zingiberaceae Wild turmeric Rhizome In chronic hepatitis, anti-arthritic, antiseptic

and menstrual disorders28 Cymbopogan citratus Stapf. Poaceae Lemon grass Whole plant` Fever, headache, gastric irritations, cholera

and poisonous bites29 Cyperus rotundus L. Cyperaceae Korai Whole plant Irregular menstruation, gastralgia, diarrhoea

and vomiting30 Decalepis hamiltonii Wight &

Arn.Asclepiadaceae Mahali

kizhanguTuberous root Cooling agent, indigestion and blood-purifier

31 Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Euphorbiaceae Nelli Leaves andfruit

As antioxidant, tonic and cosmetics

32 Eucalyptus globulus Labill.Voy. Rech.

Myrtaceae Yukkalimaram Leaves, bark In cough, head ache as anesthetic, antiseptic,cardiotonic and insect repellent.

33 Eugenia singampattiana Bedd Myrtaceae Wild clove Leaves andfruit

Toothache, digestive and mouth freshener

34 Garcinia indica Chois. Rubiaceae Marukalam Fruit and bark Hair tonic and soap35 Gloriosa superba L. Liliaceae Kalappa

kilanguRhizome andseed

Intestinal worms, snake bite, baldness, rheu-matic pain

36 Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.)Schult.

Asclepiadaceae Sakkaraikkolli Leaves In diabetes, digestive, liver tonic and cardiotonic

37 Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. Asclepiadaceae Nannari Root Hepatopathy, nephropathy, leucoderma andvomiting

38 Hugonia mystax L Linaceae Motira kanni Leaves androots

Fever and inflammations

39 Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Lamiaceae Mint weed Whole plant Wound healing, cough and chest pains40 Jasminum angustifolium Vahl. Oleaceae Kattumalligai Flowers and

leavesRingworm and cosmetics

41 Jasminum malabaricum W. Oleaceae Wild jasmine Flower In cosmetics42 Lantana camara L. Verbinaceae Arisimalar Whole plant Dysentery, swellings, tumours and rheuma-

tism43 Lepisanthus umbellatum Bl. Sapindaceae - Fruit Production of cosmetics and medicines44 Leptadenia reticulata W & A Asclepiadaceae palaikkodi Roots Skin diseases and inflammation45 Leucas aspera Spreng Lamiaceae Tumbai Leaves and

flowersChronic skin eruption, psoriasis and cough

46 Leucas biflora (Vahl.) R. Br. Lamiaceae - Leaves Cough47 Mesua ferrea L. Guttiferaceae Nangu Fruit Stomach ulcer and tumor48 Murraya paniculata L. Rutaceae Wild cury leaf Leaf and bark As diuretic, carminative49 Myrstica dactyloides Gaert. Myristicaceae Kattu jatikkai Leaf and fruit As sedative, cough, bronchitis and fever50 Naringa crenulata Roxb. Rutaceae Maga vilvam Whole plant Increase the fertility in woman51 Ocimum canum Sims. Lamiaceae Nai thulasi Leaves Malaria, fever, digestive and cardio tonic52 Ocimum sanctum L. Lamiaceae Tulasi Leaves Stomach ache, leucoderma, asthma, bronchitis

and skin diseases53 Oroxylum indicum Vent. Bignoniaceae Palaiyudaycci Leaves, roots

and fruitsDigestive anthelmintic, stomachic,leucoderma and bronchitis

54 Orthosiphon thymiflorus (Roth)Sleasen

Lamiaceae Cilantippatam Whole plant Scabies, diarrhoea and ulcers

55 Passiflora foetida L. Passifloraceae Mupparisavalli Fruit As tranquilizer, in anxiety and hypertension56 Peperomia tetraphylla (Forst.

f.) Hook. & Arn.Piperaceae - Whole plant Lowers serum uric acid levels

in patients with gout57 Peperomia wightiana Miq Piperaceae - Whole plant Fever, cold and cough58 Piper hymenophyllum Miq. Piperaceae Vaal thippili Fruit Carminative, analgesic, in vomiting, diar-

rhoea, migraine59 Piper longum L. Piperaceae Thippili Fruit Diarrhoea, indigestion, jaundice, piles and

malarial fever60 Piper nigrum L. Piperaceae Milagu Fruit Stomachic, vomiting and

61 Plectranthus nilgherricus Benth Lamiaceae - Whole plant In common cold, fever and cough

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62 Plectranthus urticifolius Hk.f Lamiaceae - Whole plant Fever, cold and cough63 Pogostemon benghalensis Desf. Lamiaceae - Whole plant Diarrhoea and antipyretic64 Pogostemon specious Benth. Lamiaceae Paucholi Whole plant Fever, cold and cough65 Pogostemon vestitus Benth. Lamiaceae - Whole plant Fever tonic and common cold66 Premna corymbosa R.& Willd Verbenaceae Minnakeerai Leaves and

rootscardio tonic, expectorant, fever, and tumors

67 Pterocarpus santalinus L. f. Caesalpiniaceae Sivappuchandanam

Heart wood Production of cosmetics and medicines

68 Pterolobium hexapetalum R.Br Caesalpiniaceae - Flower -69 Rauwolfia serpantina Benth. Apocyanaceae Sarpaganthi Roots In hypertension and blood purifier70 Rubia cordifolia L. Rubiaceae Manjitti Leaves, roots Blood purifying agent and haemostatic71 Ruta graveolens L. Rutaceae - Leaves As antiseptic and antipyretic72 Santalum album L. Santalaceae Sandal Softwood In cosmetics73 Sapindus emarginatus Vahl

W&ASapindaceae Pounanga Fruit Substitute for soap by the tribal

74 Smilax zeylanica L. Smilacaceae - Whole plant In fever and tonic75 Sphaeranthus indicus L. Asteraceae Kattu thumbai Whole plant Anthelminthic tonic, aphrodisiac, diuretic and

laxative76 Symplocos racemosa L. Symplocaceae - Leaf -77 Syzigium cumini Walp. Myrtaceae Noval Fruit, bark Edible fruits and medicines78 Thymus vulgaris L. Lamiaceae Thyme Whole plant Fever, cold and cough79 Toddalia asiatica Lam. Rutaceae80 Utileria salicifolia Bedd. Asclepiadaceae Chedi magali Rhizome Health tonic and medicines81 Uvaria narum Wall Annonaceae - Leaf, bark and

fruit82 Vateria indica L. Ancistrocladace

aeVellakunguliam Resin Purgative and insect repellant

83 Vetiveria zizanoides Nast Poaceae Vetiver Root As febrifuge, diaphoretic andstomach ache

Figure 1: showing the study area of VelliangiriHills

Wild survey of aromatic medicinal plantsreveals that the ethnic people as well as the oth-er inhabitants of the study area have considera-ble traditional knowledge on wild edible plantsand their utilization. The aromatic tuberousroots of Hemidesmus indicus, Coleusaromaticus, Decalepis hamiltonii, and Cyperusrotundus are very prominent are generally usedas food. It is also used as food additives likecoffee powder. Gloriosa superba, Artemisia sps,Sphaeranthus indicus, Aloe vera are used astherapeutics and Santalum album, Pterocarpussantalinus, Curcuma sps and Vetiveriazizanoides are used in cosmetics. Mostly

Sapindus emarginatus plant fruit is being usedwashing cloth and Garcinia indica bark is beingused as hair shampoo. These plant medicinesused as therapeutic agent of a paramount im-portance in addressing health problems of tradi-tional communities and third world countries aswell as industrialized societies (Cano andVolpato 2004).

Conclusion

The findings of the present investigationspecify that wild aromatic plant species areclosely associated with rural, tribal communityand also industrialists. Over exploitation of wildscented plants may cause threat to certain spe-cies. Although our knowledge of the floral di-versity is mostly poor, the levels of endemicwithin certain plant genus in this region are be-lieved to be significant, for example,Cinnamomum tamala, Canarium strictum andCoscinium fenestratum. In conclusion, there isan obvious need to explore wild aromatic me-dicinal plants of sustainable utilization of genet-ic resources that will also add new aspects to-wards medicinal and aromatic plants gardenmanagement. Conservation of valuable aromaticmedicinal plants would develop the wealth ofthe forest and thereby the nation.

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Figure 2: Pogostemmon vestitus Benth.

Figure 3: Plectranthus uriticifolius Benth.

Figure 4: Christitonia bicolor Gardn.

Figure 5: Cinnamom macrocarpum Hook. f

Figure 6: Curcuma neilgherrensis W.

Figure 7: Pogostemon benghalensis Desf.

Figure 8: Symplocus racemosa L.

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