Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

CONTENTS

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Vol.3 (4), October 2004, pp.351-357

Ethnomedicinal survey of Uri, Kashmir Himalaya

Z S Khan, A A Khuroo* and G H Dar

In the contemporary global milieu, the documentation of the biological resources and the associated indigenous knowledge existing within a country has assumed highest priority. The present paper records ethnomedicinal value of 27 plant species belonging to 20 families, in vogue, from the study area. Each plant species included, contains information regarding crude drug preparation and its method of use. Such documentation would be helpful in terms of commercial production of drugs, readily accessible health care to larger population, sustainable use and above all, safeguard from bio-piracy.

Keywords: Indigenous knowledge, Medicinal plants, Ethnomedicine, Kashmir.

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Vol.3 (4), October 2004, pp.358-364

Folk herbal remedies from Meghalaya

A K Dolui*, H K Sharma¹, Theresia Breen Marein, Tc Lalhriatpuii

Traditional methods of treatment using plants and animals are predominant in rural societies of Meghalaya, a northeastern state of India. As a result of an ethnobotanical survey conducted during 1999-2002, information on 46 such plant species belonging to 44 genera and 34 families are presented.

Keywords: Folk herbal remedies, Traditional medicine, Meghalaya, Ethnomedicine.

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Vol.3 (4), October 2004, pp.365-372

Folklore medicinal plants of Mahmora area, Sivasagar district, Assam

B K Acharyya and H K Sharma*

Traditional methods of treatment using plants and animals are followed in Mahmora region of Sivasagar district, Assam. The plants, either single or as multi component preparations are used to treat various ailments. An attempt has been made to study 35 plant species, from 35 genera belonging to 30 families along with the method of preparation and mode of use.

Keywords: Folk medicine, Traditional medicine, Sivasagar, Assam, Medicinal plants, Ethnomedicine.

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

 Vol.3 (4), October 2004, pp.373-382

Preparation of rice beer by the tribal inhabitants of tea gardens in Terai of West Bengal

Chandra Ghosh and A P Das*

The ingredients and the method of preparing starter mixture (Rānu Dābāi ) and the fermentation of boiled rice for production of rice beer (Jhārā or Hārhiā) have been recorded as it is practiced by the Oraon and Santhal workers in Terai Tea Gardens. In addition to the use of five core plants (Oryza sativa, Coccinia grandis, Plumbago zeylanica, Vernonia cinerea and Clerodendrum viscosum), tribals use quite a few more plants to modify the taste and/or colour of Jhārā.

Keywords : Jhārā, Hārhiā, Oraons, Santhals, Rānu Dābāi, Rice beer.

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

 Vol. 3(4), October 2004, pp. 383-390

Traditional uses of plants by tribals of Amarakantak region, Madhya Pradesh

 Ramesh Kumar, Nand Ram Suman¹ and S S Dash*

The paper reports the traditional medicinal uses of 20 plants belonging to 16 families, for 24 different diseases and use of one plant for medico-religious belief by four different tribes of Amarakantak region of Madhya Pradesh. The paper also has taken into account the perception of the local people about the effectiveness of the plants for specific diseases for which they are prescribed.

Keywords: Tribal Knowledge, Medicinal plants, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, Ehtnomedicine.

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

 Vol.3 (4), October 2004, pp.391-396

Hepatoprotective effect of few Ayurvedic herbs in patients

receiving antituberculus treatment

Y K Sharma*, Harbans Singh and B L Mehra

Under the antituberculosis treatment (ATT) drug therapy, inclusion of a hepatoprotective drugs is not mandatory but in Indian scenario these are prescribed by most of the physicians. In present clinical trial three groups of patients receiving antituberculosis treatment have been studied to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of few Ayurvedic herbs. The first group of 10 patients was given capsules Liv-600 containing hydroalcoholic extract of Daruharidra (Berberis aristata) roots, Kakmachi (Solanum nigrum) whole plant, Ghritakumari (Aloe vera) ariel parts. Second Group was given a standardized decoction of herb Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus fraternus). Third group was kept on ATT and a placebo starch capsule for equal duration. The trial was conducted for 12 weeks from initiation of ATT and liver functions were periodically evaluated to assess the hepatoprotective effect of drugs under trial. At the end of trial, Group first and second exhibited their hepatoprotective efficiency over the placebo.

Keywords: Hepatitis, Ayurveda, Hepatoprotective activity, Tuberculosis

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

 Vol. 3(4), October 2004, pp. 397-406

Traditional veterinary practices in south-eastern part of Chamoli district, Uttaranchal

Lalit Tiwari* and P C Pande

Most of the people of southeastern part of the Chamoli district, Uttaranchal live in remote areas and usually depend on the traditional medicines. The present investigation has brought to light some popular and frequently used prescription for domestic animals. In all, 72 plants important in ethnoveterinary, their mode of preparations and applications to the diseases and disorders are given.

Keywords: Ethnoveterinary medicine, Chamoli, Garhwal, Uttaranchal.

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

 Vol.3 (4), October 2004, pp.407-418

Folk herbal veterinary medicines of southern Rajasthan

H K Takhar*and B L Chaudhary

Survey of southern Rajasthan was carried out during 1999-2001 for ethnoveterinary  herbal medicines. The study area included five districts of this region namely Banswara, Dungarpur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Rajsamand. The study area covers 10.78% of total area of the state and harbours 4.19% of the livestock population of the state. The information is based on the exhaustive interviews with local persons with traditional knowledge of ethnoveterinary, and other elderly persons who prescribe herbal preparation for the treatment of domestic animals. During the study, 37 plants species belonging to 25 families used for various diseases of skin, tumours, wounds, sores, swelling, lice, ticks, bone fracture, urinary and kidney stone problem, foot and mouth diseases have been recorded. A list of plant species along with their botanical name, family, local name, habit, phenology, plant part used, herbarium number and the mode of administration for effective control of ailments in domestic animals has been enumerated.

Keywords:   Ethnoveterinary herbal medicines, Southern Rajasthan, Medicinal Plants.

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Vol.3 (4), October 2004, pp.419-429

Documentation of folk knowledge on edible wild plants of North Karnataka

A H Rajasab* and Mahamad Isaq

In North Karnataka, fifty-one species of wild plants belonging to forty-six genera are edible. Local people use leaves, stem, flowers, fruits, seeds and roots as a part of their diet. Of the fifty one species, twenty-seven species belonging to twenty four genera produce edible fruits (eaten raw or cooked), sixteen species belonging to fourteen genera produce edible leaves and stem, four species belonging to four genera produce edible flowers, three species belonging to three genera produce edible seeds. The root extract of one species (Hemidesmus indicus) was used to prepare soft drink. Some of these species serve as food during famine. It is necessary to preserve the diversity of wild edible plants, as they possess an immense nutritional and medicinal value.

Present study reveals the importance of twenty-two species of plants as they are eaten substantially by village folk as well as by city dwellers. It is desirable to bring these plants under organized agriculture as new crops to increase their production and utilization.

Keywords: Edible wild plants, Folk knowledge, Karnataka, Tribal diet.

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

 Vol.3 (4), October 2004, pp.430-436

Ethno-medico-botany of the Zeme tribe of North Cachar Hills district of Assam

P Tamuli¹ and R Saikia*

Folklore medicinal uses of 33 plant species belonging to 22 families for various ailments among the Zeme Nagas, one of the prominent ethnic tribes of North Cachar Hills district of Assam, India is reported. The study was undertaken during1999-2000 covering the area of Zeme inhabiting villages of N. C. Hills district of Assam.

Keywords: Ethno-medicine, Zemes, Herbal remedies, Folk medicines, Assam.

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledg

 Vol.3 (4), October 2004, pp.437-441

Observations on folkloric medicinal plants of Jalgaon district, Maharashtra

Shubhangi Pawar and D A Patil^1*

The paper communicates 30 angiospermic species from Jalgaon district, Maharashtra, useful for different human ailments. The folk medicines consist of a sole drug or a principal drug, in combination with other drugs. The correct botanical name, local name/medicinal preparation, mode of administration, etc. are reported as gathered from the aborigines such as Bhil, Pawara, Tadvi, Vanjara, etc., apart from non-tribal rural folks. The work aims at preservation of this folklore, valuable for herbal drug industry.

Keywords : Folk medicine, Jalgaon, Ethnomedicine, Maharashtra

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

 Vol.3 (4), October 2004, pp.442-446

Ethno-entomological practices in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu

Ranjit Singh A J A* and C Padmalatha¹

Insect based traditional knowledge on medicinal importance, although in usage from ancient times, is still less explored. Ancient palm leaf literature reveals that numerous insect species were advantageously utilized by tribal and village physicians for medicine. Kanikars and Paliyars, the tribal people living in Western Ghats of Tirunelveli district and village physicians use insects to prepare medicine. In the present investigation, 11 species of insects used to prepare traditional medicine were identified and details about their therapeutic value are enumerated. Insects are used as medicine to cure various ailments like urinary diseases, neurological problems, hair loss, skin diseases, respiratory illness, etc. Also insects like termites are consumed as healthy food.

Keywords: Ethno-entomology, Medicinal insects, Termites, Beetles.

Conference Report

World Congress on Vedic Sciences

Bangalore, 9-13 August, 2004

India has a rich tradition in science and technology right from Vedic period.  Vedas are the oldest of world’s literature in the oldest of human language. In India, physical science and spiritual sciences progressed hand in hand. Fusion of mind and matter has been well understood by our ancestors. This approach has been the foundation to all branches of Indian Systems of Knowledge like, Ayurveda, Yogavidya, Vastuvidya, Vaimaniki Sastra, Jyoti Sastra, etc. It is hoped that a synergic effort generated amongst the scientists, technologists and masses will equip India to get transformed into a brighter future.

A five-day World Congress on Vedic sciences was organized by Vijnana Bharati at Prasanti Kutiram in Bangalore, during 9-13^th August, 2004 to focus attention on the progress India had made in Sciences in the Vedic period. More than five hundred delegates from various organizations, from various corners of the country and globe as well, participated in the Congress. 

Four concurrent sessions were held daily. About one hundred papers (twenty five papers in each venue) were presented daily. There were 260 papers in 32 sessions grouped into 12 themes in addition to 3 keynote lectures, 6 plenary lectures and 2 special lectures.The delegates were from UK, South Africa, Thailand, Canada, USA and Australia, in addition to over 100 Postgraduate and Research Scholars of the SVYASA University. The papers were presented in Sanskrit, Hindi and English. Following subjects were covered in the congress: Vedas and its origin, Vedic Sciences and its interface with the modern sciences, Spiritual sciences, harmonizing the world through Vedas, Philosophy and Science interface, language and Vedic interpretations, philosophy, religion and scientific symbolism, mathematical sciences, Ayurveda and health sciences, cosmology and cosmogony, environment and ecology, mind and consciousness, applied science & technology, their interpretations and relevance.

The origin, essential message of Vedas, the relevance of Vedas to the modern times, future of Vedic traditions in comparison with other traditions was discussed in detail. Critical reviews and analyses were done on the science of Vedic practices and sciences in Vedas in the plenary sessions. It was emphasized that the Vedas enunciate the science of nature, the art of living and the harmony in the universe.

Speakers in various sessions maintained that the Vedas contain the seeds and roots of of all sciences, traditional as well as modern. Vedas being the oldest literature of the world, remain the authentic sources of all knowledge systems, including all the physical, social and spiritual sciences. The whole field of sustainable agriculture, organic farming and animal husbandry has its beginning from Vedic period.  Dhanurveda (science of weaponry) was in advanced stage during Vedic period.  The Vedas form the basis of Indian Systems of Medicine, Ayurveda, Siddha, Yogic therapy, etc.

The Congress emphasized the need to demystify the Vedas and to project as an all-inclusive world heritage and an authentic record of intellectual evolution. It was hoped that the Vedic research would promote a rationale and scientific understanding of the original passages in Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads and the Darshanas.

An exhibition of books, periodicals, multimedia on various aspects of Vedas and related fields was organised during the Congress at the Congress venue.

For further details contact:

        Prof K I Vasu

        President, Vijnana Bharati

        Guru Narayan Vidyavihar

        Shivashankara Block, Hebbal

        Bangalore 560 024

        Karnataka

        Fax: (080) 2354 4619

        E-mail: vasu@vijnanabharati.com

        vasuvijnanabharati@yahoo.co.in

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