Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Papers
Dynamism of Traditional Knowledge	115
S K Jain
[IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78, A61P1/06, A61P11/02, A61P11/04, A61P11/10, A61P11104]

The Traditional Jewellery of Pabbar Valley	118
Hari Chauhan
[IPC Int. Cl.⁷: A44C1/00, A44C3/00, A44C5/00, A44C7/00, A44C11/00, A44C15/00]

Spectral analysis of Indian musical notes	127
J Chandrasekaran, Heisnam Jina Devi, N V C Swamy and H R Nagendra
[IPC Int. Cl⁷: G10L13/00, G10L15/00]

A life saving medicine made by a vanishing species	132
K N Sahoo, G K Datta, S K Pandit, T K Biswas and P K Debnath
[IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78, A61P15/08, A61P15/10, A61P37/02, A61K39/02,A61K39/06]

Potential of Traditional Knowledge in the development of healthcare products	139
G G Gangadharan
[IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78, C7J1/00, C7J3/00, C7J15/00, C7J75/00]

Pulmonary tuberculosis and its management in classical Unani literature	143
Shakir Jamil, Azhar Jabeen and Shoaib Ahmad
[IPC Int. Cl.⁷: A61K35/78, A61P31/06, A61P31/10]

Ethnomedicine and Primary Healthcare in Ilorin, Nigeria	150
L T Ajibade, P O Fatoba, U A Raheem and B A Odunuga
[IPC Int. Cl.⁷: A61K35/78, A61P1/10, A61P1/12, A61P09/02, A61P11/06, A61P11/08, A61P11/10, A61P13/02, A61P15/02, A61P15/06, A61P17/02, A61P19/02, A61P21/02, A61P33/06, A61P33/10]

Medicinal Plants used by the Kaadar tribes of Sholayar forest, Thrissur district, Kerala	159
P S Udayan, Satheesh George, KV Tushar and Indira Balachandran
[IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78, A61P1/06, A61P1/08, A61P1/12, A61P1/16, A61P13/02, A61P13/04, A61P15/02. A61P17/02. A61P17/14, A61P19/02, A61P33/06, A61P33/10, A61P39/02]

Indigenous animal healthcare practices of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh	164
Promila Kanwar and Dinesh Yadav
[IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78, A61P01/12, A61P1/00, A61P17/02, A61P19/02, A61P31/12, A61P07/02]

Traditional medical practices of Gaddi tribes in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh	169
Bindia Sharma and Snehlata Maheshwari
[IPC Int. Cl.⁷: A61K35/78, A61P1/12, A61P33/10]

A sustainable use of phytodiversity by the Kandha tribe of Orissa	173
Tribhubana Panda, Srikanta K Panigrahi and Rabindra N Padhy
[IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78, A61P1/00, A61P1/04, A61P1/12, A61P1/12, A61P1/16, A61P3/00, A61P11/04, A61P15/04, A61P17/02, A61P19/02, A61P29/02, A61P33/06]

Traditional bamboo uses by the tribes of Gujarat
Arunbhai B Patel	179
[IPC Int Cl.⁷: A61K35/78, A61K69/00, A1F1/00, A1F25/00]

Evaluation of Ayurvedic compound formulations 1-Nãrãca Cũrna	185
Subha Rastogi, S Khatoon, V Rai, A K Agnihotri, A K S Rawat and Shanta Mehrotra
[IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78, A61P1/04, A61P1/10, A61P1/14]

Socio-cultural and ethnobotanical value of a sacred forest, Thal Ke Dhar, central Himalaya	190
Chandra Singh Negi
[IPC Int. Cl.⁷: A61K35/78, A61P1/12, A61P1/16, A61P9/02, A61P11/10, A61P13/02, A61P17/02, A61P21/02, A61P27/02, A61P29/02, A61P33/10]

Traditionally used medicinal plants in Dharchula Himalayas of Pithoragarh district, Uttaranchal	199
S S Garbyal, K K Aggarwal and C R Babu
[IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78, A61P1/04, A61P1/06, A61P1/10, A61P1/14, A61P11/04, A61P11/08, A61P13/04, A61P15/04, A61P15/08, A61P17/00, A61P19/02, A61P27/02, A61P3/06, A61P33/10]

Traditional practices of herbal medicines in the Lahaul valleys, Himachal Himalayas	208
Virendra Singh and N.S.Chauhan
[IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78, A61P1/02, A61P1/04, A61P1/12, A61P1/14, A61P3/02, A61P11/04, A61P11/06, A61P11/14, A61P13/02, A61P13/12, A61P15/02, A61P17/02, A61P19/02, A61P27/02, A61P33/10]

Book Reviews	221

Author Index and Subject Index	223

Forthcoming Conferences	224

Dynamism of Traditional Knowledge

This short article puts forth the thesis that traditional knowledge in any ethnic group is dynamic and not static. Progress or loss in TK can be caused by any natural or anthropogenic factors. Ethnobotanical TK is based on biodiversity around the folk and damage to vegetal cover can result in loss of TK, and naturalisation of some exotics can add to TK. Positive action can be taken to retard the pace of loss of TK and to promote expansion of TK. Studies on dynamism can indicate future trends and where necessary, ameliorative measures.

Keywords: Dynamism, Acculturation, Traditional Knowledge, Biodiversity, Future trends, Ameliorative measures

IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78; A61P1/06; A61P11/02; A61P11/04; A61P11/10; A61P11104

The Traditional Jewellery of Pabbar Valley

Passion for jewellery is legendary. It is reflected in the numerous customary occasions where it is not only considered auspicious but mandatory to gift ornaments. The bride’s trousseau is incomplete without the ornaments. Jewellery in India has drawn upon the many facets of its people, and has in turn been inspiration and solace to both wearer and beholder. Sculptors and painters transgressed boundaries between the real, the ideal and the imaginary, profusely embellishing their images with ornaments. Rulers used jewels as statements of power and prestige. To the Indian woman, gold holds special significance to her life. It is far more than the ultimate enhancer of beauty, it is that precious thing which stays and grows with her though the different stages in life. It is also her Stridhan, her security in the face of adversity, to be encashed in times of need or distress. The Indian woman has always been very creative in her expression of jewellery and design. In keeping with India's rich heritage of diversity, jewellery also takes on regional nuances. It is the ultimate and most-personal expression of region specific culture and art of lifestyles and heritage. It draws inspiration from architecture, dance and even religious customs.

Each part of India offers their own traditional ornaments with special significance and these typically traditional ornaments with slight variations remain trendy at all times. The paper describes the traditional jewellery worn by the women of Pabbar valley of Himachal Pradesh, one of the northern states of India.

Kew words: Traditional Jewellery, Traditional ornaments, Pabbar Valley, Himachal Pradesh.

IPC Int. Cl.⁷: A44C1/00; A44C3/00; A44C5/00; A44C7/00; A44C11/00; A44C15/00.

Spectral analysis of Indian musical notes

Music forms an important part of Indian culture. It is believed that Indian music originated from the Samaveda. It is now available in two forms, the Hindustani and the Carnatic. There is a lot of information concerning the technical aspects of musical renditions, but hardly any information on the sound aspect.

In this paper, attempts made to study the spectral aspects of Indian musical notes, particularly the Carnatic music has been discussed. Recordings were made of the seven notes of the classical music using three male and three female voices. The analysis of the waveforms using the appropriate software yielded the energy, frequency and time spectra, helping in identifying the formants of the signals which in turn define the signatures of the sound pattern.

Keywords: Musical Notes, Indian Music, Carnatic Music, Classical Music, Spectral Analysis.

A life saving medicine made by a vanishing species

Kasturi (musk) obtained from Kasturi mriga (musk deer), was chiefly used as a Rasayana (immunomodulator) as well as Vajikarana (aphrodisiac) by the ancient physicians of Ayurveda. It was once considered as a last resort of emergency medicine. Some experimental studies on its stimulant and antisnake venom properties are reported to be promising. Detailed discussion on kasturi has been made in the review.

Keywords: Musk, Sex stimulant, Antisnake venom, Aphrodisiac Activity, Immunomodulator, Ayurveda, Kasturi, Rasayana Drug, Antivenom activity.

IPC Int. Cl.⁷: A61K35/78; A61P15/08; A61P15/10; A61P37/02; A61K39/02; A61K39/06

Potential of Traditional Knowledge in the development of healthcare products

Drug design in Ayurveda is viewed in this article in two perspectives. One based on Ayurvedic principles, which will be making use of modern technology as a compliment. The other one is the conventional and more practiced method of taking a lead from traditional knowledge developing it further to isolate a bio-molecule of definite action. This article recommends traditional knowledge based drug development.

Key words: Tridosha, Healthcare products, Drug design, Traditional knowledge, Drug development

Pulmonary tuberculosis and its management in classical Unani literature

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death in the world from a single infectious disease and represents more than a quarter of the world's preventable deaths. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the etiologic agent of tuberculosis (TB) in humans. Transmission of TB occurs primarily by the aerosol route but can also occur through the gastrointestinal tract. Coughing by people with active TB produces droplet nuclei containing infectious organisms which can remain suspended in the air for several hours. Infection occurs if inhalation of these droplets results in the organism reaching the alveoli of the lungs. Since administration of a single drug often leads to the development of a bacterial population resistant to that drug, effective regimens for the treatment of TB contain multiple drugs to which the organisms are susceptible. Tuberculosis is usually treated with four different antimicrobial agents. The paper reviews the disease and treatment known to ancient Unani physicians. Pathophysiology and pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis have been elaborately discussed. Attempts have been made to correlate and interpret the views of ancient Unani physicians with the modern concept.

Kewwords: Unani Drugs, Tuberculosis, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Unani System of Medicine.

Ethnomedicine and Primary Healthcare in Ilorin, Nigeria

African herbal medicine has been discussed under various headings especially since the realization of the imperatives of the Health for All through an appropriate technology. Traditional medicine because of the African belief system has been one of the ways through which Health for All is discussed. The present study examines the uses of selected indigenous plants and their implication for Primary Health Care. If the appropriate technology must be adhered to and health care must be available and affordable, uses of indigenous plants must be explored and integrated into the Health Care Delivery System.

Key words: Indigenous Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Primary Health Care, Nigeria.

IPC Int. Cl.⁷: A61K35/78; A61P1/10; A61P1/12; A61P09/02; A61P11/06; A61P11/08; A61P11/10; A61P13/02;
A61P15/02; A61P15/06; A61P17/02; A61P19/02; A61P21/02; A61P33/06; A61P33/10.

Medicinal Plants used by the Kaadar tribes of Sholayar forest Thrissur district, Kerala

The paper enumerates the traditional uses of some plants used by the Kaadar tribes of Sholayar forest, Thrissur district, Kerala. The paper reports the traditional medicinal uses of 41 plants belonging to 27 families. 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.

Key words: Tribal Medicine, Kaadar tribes, Sholayar Forest, Kerala, Ethnomedicine

IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78; A61P1/06; A61P1/08; A61P1/12; A61P1/16; A61P13/02; A61P13/04; A61P15/02. A61P17/02. A61P17/14; A61P19/02; A61P33/06; A61P33/10; A61P39/02

Indigenous animal healthcare practices of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh

Indigenous technical knowledge in animal healthcare practices was documented in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh by using participatory rural appraisal technique (PRA). Among the documented indigenous practices, foot and mouth disease, diarrhoea, tympany, cold, fever, skin diseases, conjunctivitis, wound and eaten placenta were primarily treated with medicinal plants along with other materials available with the farmers. In the opinion of the experts, these practices could be recommended as they have some scientific rationale. However, practices applied for hemorrhagic septicemia, indigestion, tail necrosis, dislocation of joints and horn fracture, were doubtful for recommendations.

Keywords: Indigenous Technical Knowledge, Animal Healthcare, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, Indigenous Healthcare, Ethnomedicine.

IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78; A61P01/12; A61P1/00; A61P17/02; A61P19/02; A61P31/12; A61P07/02.

Traditional medical practices of Gaddi tribes in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh

The tribal people of Himachal Pradesh living close to forests and facing unfavourable climatic conditions have rich traditional knowledge, which was documented and tested on scientific scale and mostly recommended for further research. Traditional practices followed by the Gaddi tribes in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh to cure pinworm and diarrohoeal problems among infants have been discussed.

Kew words: Gaddi Tribes, Himachal Pradesh, Pinworm, Diarrhoea, Ethnomedicine, Kangra Traditional Medical Practices.

A sustainable use of phytodiversity by the Kandha tribe of Orissa

The plants used by the Kandha tribe in the Mantriguda valley, surrounded by seven hills are described here. For the housing purpose, tribals use nine different species of plants. They cultivate thirteen plant species of millets, pulses, oil seeds and paddy and collect wild edible fruits, tubers, leaves, roots, mushrooms and youngling shoots of bamboo, to supplement their diet. They use thirteen plant species for making agricultural implements and home appliances. The tribals collect only dry plant parts for their fuel wood, irrespective of the plant species, without cutting them. A few plants like neem, banyan, Peepal, sacred basil, mango etc. are worshipped by them. For medicines, these tribals fully depend on the indigenous flora and fauna.

Key words: Tribals, Kandha Tribals, Traditional knowledge, Phytodiversity, Kalahandi, Orissa, Ethnomedicine, Ethnobotany

IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78; A61P1/00; A61P1/04; A61P1/12; A61P1/12; A61P1/16; A61P3/00; A61P11/04; A61P15/04; A61P17/02; A61P19/02; A61P29/02; A61P33/06

Traditional bamboo uses by the tribes of Gujarat

The Tribal population in Gujarat is mainly concentrated in the eight districts along the eastern border of the state. 96% live in The Dangs, Valsad, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Panchmahals, Sabarkantha and Banaskantha. The tribal region extends from Sabarkantha district through Panchmahals down to Surat, Valsad and The Dangs. About 92% of the scheduled tribes are from the rural areas.

The Kotwalias tribe of South Gujarat is generally landless people who primarily depend on bamboo basket making for their livelihood. Their products include split bamboo mats (Palas), threshing trays (Topla) and baskets (Supra). Some Kotwalia communities still reside within forest areas while others have shifted to agricultural villages but maintain their traditional cottage industry. In the past, Kotwalia communities received low prices from contractors and middle men for their products. Efforts have been made to break this exploitative relationship by harvesting and supplying bamboo quotas to basket making communities and guaranteeing a market by buying back their products. The paper describes the traditional uses of bamboo by the Kotwalias tribe.

Keywords: Traditional, Gujarat, Kotwalia tribe, Vansfodia tribe, Ethnobotany, Traditional medicine, Ethnomedicine

Evaluation of Ayurvedic compound formulations 1-Nãrãca Cũrna

The proper and meaningful utilization of our medical traditional heritage can only be achieved if each and every formulation mentioned in our indigenous systems of medicine would be scientifically evaluated and their desired efficacy may be maintained. Therefore, an attempt has been made to evaluate Nãrãca Cũrna, an Ayurvedic compound formulation. Four samples from different manufacturers were procured and subjected to various physicochemical analysis, HPTLC fingerprinting and botanical characterization using authentic ingredients as controls. Chromatographic and microscopic analysis of the samples were found to compliment each other and are sufficient for establishing the identity of raw materials in the compound formulation. One of the four samples is shown to lack a major ingredient on the basis of these tests.

Keywords: Nãrãca Cũrna, Ayurvedic compound formulation, Quality control parameters, Ayurvedic drugs.

Socio-cultural and ethnobotanical value of a sacred forest, Thal Ke Dhar, central Himalaya

The sacred groves/forests have in the recent years drawn the attention of the environmentalists due to their undisturbed conditions, which enable them to be repository of gene pools. Apart from environmental significance the sacred groves are also indicative of the phenomenon of ethnoenvironmental management. It is a social institution which permits management of biotic resources through people's participation. Unfortunately the social significance of the sacred groves has not been studied in depth and the environmental aspects are inevitably over emphasized. The present study deals with the traditional beliefs and social institutions surrounding the sacred forest- Thal Ke Dhar and makes an attempt to bring out the inherent environmental principles behind the conservation practices. In addition, the forest was assessed for its ethnobotanical value to the local herbalists and traditional folk medicine practitioners. Pragmatic approaches combining conservation and sustainable uses are considered as are traditional values that have preserved the sacred groves in the past. Integration of traditional values and protection mechanisms into the newly emerging cultural and religious contexts has been emphasized.

Keywords: Conservation, Ethnobotany, Sacred Forest, Sacred Plants, Taboos, Uttaranchal, Sacred Groves, Ethnomedicine, Thal Ke Dhar

IPC Int. Cl.⁷: A61K35/78; A61P1/12; A61P1/16; A61P9/02; A61P11/10; A61P13/02; A61P17/02; A61P21/02; A61P27/02; A61P29/02; A61P33/10

Traditionally used medicinal plants in Dharchula Himalayas of Pithoragarh district, Uttaranchal

An attempt has been made to evaluate the traditionally used medicinal plants found in Dharchula areas of Kumaon Himalayas in Pithoragarh district, Uttaranchal, North India. The reported plant species are also highly valued in the Indian, Tibetan and Chinese Systems of Medicine. Based on interactions with the locals and traders and considering the potentials of some species for developing new drugs, the value of the species of medicinal importance occurring in the area has been worked out. The value is high enough for taking appropriate measures to conserve these valuable species and use them sustainable for the economic upliftment of the region.

Keywords: Dharchula, Medicinal plants, Traditional medicine, Sustainable use, Economics, Economic upliftment, Ethnomedicine, Endangered plants, Medicinal Plants trade

IPC Int. Cl⁷: A61K35/78; A61P1/04; A61P1/06; A61P1/10; A61P1/14; A61P11/04; A61P11/08; A61P13/04; A61P15/04; A61P15/08; A61P17/00; A61P19/02; A61P27/02; A61P3/06; A61P33/10

Traditional practices of herbal medicines in the Lahaul valleys, Himachal Himalayas

Observations on the traditional practices of herbal medicines were recorded in the villages of Lahaul, a semi-arid region of district Lahaul-Spiti, a dry temperate region of Himachal Himalayas. The information was recorded for the habitat, plant characteristics, plant part used of 43 plant species, belonging to 25 families and diseases treated in the Lahaul valley.

Key words: Traditional practices, Herbal medicine, Lahaul valley, Himachal Pradesh

IPC Int. Cl7: A61K35/78; A61P1/02; A61P1/04; A61P1/12; A61P1/14; A61P3/02; A61P11/04; A61P11/06; A61P11/14; A61P13/02; A61P13/12; A61P15/02; A61P17/02; A61P19/02; A61P27/02; A61P33/10

Aggarwal, K K 199

Agnihotri, AK 185

Ahmad, Shoaib 143

Ajibade, L T 150

Babu, C R 199

Balachandran, Indira 159

Biswas, T K 132

Chandrasekaran, J 127

Chauhan, Hari 118

Chauhan, N S 208

Datta, G K 132

Debnath, P K 132