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Folk veterinary medicine in Moradabad District (Uttar Pradesh), India
Fitoterapia 70 Ž1999. 340]347
Folk veterinary medicine in Moradabad District ž Uttar Pradesh/ , India Z.A. Ali Sur¨ ey of Medicinal Plants Unit 1, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim Uni¨ ersity, Aligarh 202 002, India
Received 28 August 1998; accepted 10 October 1998
Abstract Based on an ethnobotanical survey of Moradabad district, this report deals with 45 plant species used as folk drugs for the treatment of various diseases of domestic animals. Each entry includes the correct botanical and prevalent local names, claimed medicinal useŽs. and mode of administration. Q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Ethnobotany; Folk medicine; Veterinary medicine; Moradabad; Uttar Pradesh; India
1. Introduction Moradabad district, lying between 288199]298169N latitude and 788039]788599E longitude in the western part of Uttar Pradesh, a northern province of India ŽFig. 1., includes remote villages inhabited by a number of castes and ethnic groups Žnamely: Ahirs, Brahmins, Chauhans, Gadariyas, Jats, Kumhars, Muhaos, Pals, Rajputs, Vaishyas, etc.. each with its own diverse religious, cultural and social traditions. The economy of these villages is predominantly agricultural. Most of the villagers depend on livestock for agricultural operations and to augment their 1
Under: Regional Research Insititute of Unani Medicine (CCRUM-Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Go¨ ernment of India), Post Box 70, Aligarh - 202002, India.
0367-326Xr99r$ - see front matter Q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 3 6 7 - 3 2 6 X Ž 9 9 . 0 0 0 3 9 - 8
Z.A. Ali r Fitoterapia 70 (1999) 340]347
341
Fig. 1. Study area: Moradabad District, Uttar Pradesh, India.
income by selling out milk and other dairy products. Animals like oxen, buffaloes and cows are kept for these purposes. Goats and sheep are also raised because of perpetual demand of their meat and skin. Therefore, keeping the domestic animals in a good state of health is the prime objective of villagers. In remote areas, no organised healthcare facilities for livestock are available. Under such circumstances, the villagers depend mainly on local herbal medicine for the treatment of their domestic animals. Almost everyone knows a few remedies for routine maladies of animals, but the specialists in folk veterinary medicine, locally known as ‘Gotaney’, possess fairly good knowledge of the healing properties of local plants, acquired in the course of their long experience and association with the plants.
342
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No ethnobotanical survey has been previously conducted in Moradabad district w1,2x. Hence, the present survey was undertaken among the rural population to record information on local plants used as veterinary medicine. Only those uses which do not seem to be well-known or recorded in the pertinent literature w2]13x are presented in this paper with a view to draw the attention of phytochemists and pharmacologists on these reported plants for further critical and scientific study.
2. Methodology Field work was carried out in 1994 and 1995. Information on folk medicinal uses of local plants was obtained through interviews with native informants who were cattle men, farmers, herb sellers, medicine men ŽGotaney. and shepherds. Data on the local name of the plant or the crude drug, medicinal useŽs., part used, other ingredients added Žif any., method of preparation and mode of administration were recorded for each claim. Authentic samples of all crude drugs and plant specimens were collected with the help of the informants. ‘The Flora of British India’ w14x and ‘Flora of the Upper Gangetic Plain and of the Adjacent Siwalik and Sub-Himalayan Tracts’ w15x were consulted for botanical identification. Voucher herbarium specimens were prepared and deposited in the Herbarium of the Survey of Medicinal Plants Unit, Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Aligarh ŽU.P.., India.
3. Results In the following enumeration plants are listed in alphabetic order by their botanical name together with respective family Žbetween brackets., prevalent local name, locality and voucher specimen number, followed by medicinal uses. Abutilon indicum ŽL.. Sweet ŽMalvaceae., ‘Kanghi’, Sherpur ŽZAA 450.. Fruit decoction mixed with ammonium chloride is given orally to treat haemorrhagic septicaemia. Acacia nilotica ŽL.. Del. ssp. indica ŽBenth.. Brenan ŽMimosaceae., ‘Kikar’, Dhoti ŽZAA 330.. Stem bark decoction mixed with powder of alum is used to wash the hoofs in hoofrots. Achyranthes aspera L. ŽAmaranthaceae ., ‘Chirchitta’, Bhagwanpur ŽZAA 423.. Inflorescences of the plant mixed with fruits of ‘kanghi’ Ž A. indicum. and Piper nigrum L. ŽPiperaceae., ‘kali mirach’ are crushed and made into a fine paste which is given for treating stomach disorders. Leaf paste applied to the womb of labouring buffalo is believed to facilitate delivery. Adhatoda zeylanica Medic. ŽAcanthaceae ., ‘Bisonta’, Hayatnagar ŽZAA 404.. Leaf paste is mixed with vinegar and applied over the hoofs in hoofrots.
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Aegle marmelos ŽL.. Corr. ŽRutaceae., ‘Bel’, Dhanori ŽZAA 78.. The gum obtained from the tree is given orally to relieve flatulence. Anisomeles indica (L.) Ktze. ŽLamiaceae., ‘Baggarro’, Daraoli ŽZAA 324.. The whole plant is crushed and made into a fine paste which is given orally to treat the loss of appetite. Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. ŽLiliaceae ., ‘Alli’, Sherpur ŽZAA 127.. Root paste is applied locally on wounds infested with worms. Azadirachta indica A. Juss. ŽMeliaceae., ‘Neemol’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 435.. Crushed flowers are mixed with fodder and given as refrigerant. Balanites aegyptiaca ŽL.. Del. ŽSimaroubaceae., ‘Hingota’, Chheetra ŽZAA 242.. Dried fruit is tied as an amulet around the neck of cattle to avoid the effect of evil eyes. Boerha¨ ia diffusa L. ŽNyctaginaceae., ‘Naradmuni-ki-bel’, Dhanori ŽZAA 435.. Whole plant of B. diffusa, ‘karela’ Žfruits of M. charantia., ‘tori’ Žfruits of Luffa acutangula ŽL.. Roxb., Cucurbitaceae ., ‘ganthi’, also known as ‘piyaz’ Žbulbs of Allium cepa L., Liliaceae . and ‘gur’ Žsolidified sugarcane juice. are taken in equal quantities, crushed and boiled in water: the resulting decoction is given orally for stomach disorders and common fever. Root paste mixed with vinegar is applied on abscesses as poultice. Brassica campestris L. ŽBrassicaceae ., ‘Sarson’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 232.. An ointment prepared by mixing the seed oil and soot is applied to the shoulder of oxen to treat sores caused by yoke. Calotropis procera ŽAit.. R.Br. ŽAsclepiadaceae., ‘Ankhra’, Majholi ŽZAA 432.. Freshly collected senescent leaves are crushed, mixed with fodder and given to the cattle to relieve flatulence. Dried latex mixed with solidified surgarcane juice and ‘zeera’ Žfruits of Cuminum cyminum L., Apiaceae. is given to increase lactation in goats and sheep. Root bark decoction is poured on the hoofs of cattle in hoofrots. Capsicum annum L. ŽSolanaceae., ‘Harimirach’, Dhanori ŽZAA 515.. Fresh fruits mixed with ‘adrak’ Žrhizome of Zingiber officinale Rosc., Zingiberaceae., ‘piyaz’ Žbulbs of A. cepa., ‘kala namak’ Ža naturally found salt which is a mixture of sodium sulphate and sodium chloride., and ‘khara soda’ Žsodium bicarbonate . are pounded and given orally for indigestion. Carissa carandas L. ŽApocynaceae., ‘kakronda’, Hafeezpura ŽZAA 91.. The paste of the aerial parts, obtained by crushing, is given orally for rinderpest in cattle. Cichorium intybus L. ŽAsteraceae ., ‘kasni’, Chowkhat ŽZAA 529.. Roots of the plant mixed with root of ‘bans’ Ž D. strictus., tender culms of ‘naal’ Ž Phragmites maxima Blatter and Mc Cann, Poaceae., fruits of ‘sonf’ Ž Foeniculum ¨ ulgare Mill., Apiaceae., and solidified sugarcane juice are crushed and boiled; the liquid is strained and given to hasten the afterbirth in buffaloes and cows.
344
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Citrullus lanatus ŽThunb.. Mats. et Nakai. ŽCucurbitaceae ., ‘Tarbooz’, Dhoti ŽZAA 192.. Leaf juice is applied to fresh cuts and wounds. Citrus medica L. ŽRutaceae., ‘Nimbu, Dhoti ŽZAA 152.. Fruit juice mixed with powdered fruits of Cuminum cyminum L. ŽApiaceae. is given for prolapse of uterus before delivery in buffaloes. Clerodendrum ¨ iscosum Vent. ŽVerbenaceae ., ‘Bhant’, Chuchela ŽZAA 632.. Leaf paste is given as an anthelmintic. Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ŽFabaceae., ‘Shisham’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 95.. Leaf paste mixed with ‘khand’ Žcrude sugar. is given for chronic diarrhoea. Datura metel L. ŽSolanaceae., ‘Dhatoora’, Baragaon ŽZAA 560.. Two unripe fruits are pounded to make a fine paste and given once a day for 2 consecutive days to treat diarrhoea. Dendrocalamus strictus Nees ŽPoaceae., ‘Bans’, Pathakpur ŽZAA 639.. Finely cut leaves are fed to the cattle for ‘foot-and-mouth disease’ Žan acute highly infectious viral disease of cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, characterized by the formation of vesicular eruptions in the mouth and on the feet.. Eruca ¨ esicaria ŽL... Cav. ssp. sati¨ a ŽMill.. Thell. ŽBrassicaceae ., ‘Kalatara’, Mao ŽZAA 236.. Seed powder is mixed with fodder of the cattle suffering from diarrhoea. Euphorbia prolifera Buch. } Ham. ex. D.Don ŽEuphorbiaceae., ‘Dudhi’, Dhanori ŽZAA 89.. Leaf paste is applied on the body of cattle to kill lice. Gomphrena serrata L. ŽAmaranthaceae ., ‘Ghundi’, Tombra ŽZAA 612.. A freshly made paste of the whole plant, obtained by crushing, is given orally to buffaloes for prolapse of uterus before delivery. Hordeum ¨ ulgare L. ŽPoaceae., ‘Jo’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 239.. Grain infusion is given orally for oliguria. Lens culinaris Medicus ŽFabaceae., ‘Masoor’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 517.. Seed decoction is given for haemorrhagic septicaemia in cattle. Ludwigia adscendens ŽL.. Hara ŽOnagraceae ., ‘Khurant bel’, Sherpur ŽZAA 135.. The paste of whole plant is mixed with molasses and plastered around the fractured limb after setting the bones right; splints and bandage are used to hold the bone and the plaster in position. Ludwigia octo¨ al¨ is ŽJacq.. Raven. ŽOnagraceae ., ‘Kund’, Shyampur ŽZAA 331.. Whole plant is crushed and made into a fine paste which is given orally to buffaloes and cows to hasten afterbirth. Melia azedarach L. ŽMeliaceae., ‘Bakain’, Jogipura ŽZAA 237.. Leaves mixed with pseudostem-bits of ‘kela’ Ž Musa sapientum L., Musaceae. are crushed, made into a paste and given as refrigerant.
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Mimusops elengi L. ŽSapotaceae., ‘Molsari’, Tigri ŽZAA 154.. Equal quantities of the fruit pulp of ‘molsari’, ‘kateera’ Žgum of Sterculia urens Roxb., Sterculiaceae ., ‘urad’ Žseeds of Phaseolus mungo L., Fabaceae. are crushed and made into a fine paste which is applied in the mouth of cattle to treat stomatitis. Momordica charantia L. ŽCucurbitaceae ., ‘Karela’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 238.. Fruits mixed with bulb of A. cepa are crushed in vinegar to obtain a paste which is applied to the forehead, horns and legs of cattle for ephemeral fever. Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. ŽCucurbitaceae ., ‘Kakora’, Dhoti ŽZAA 602.. Root decoction is given for bronchitis. Pedalium murex L. ŽPedaliaceae ., ‘Baragokhru’, Islamnagar ŽZAA 289.. Plant infusion is given for common fever. Phoenix acaulis Buch. } Ham. ex Roxb. ŽArecaceae., ‘Khajoori’, Dhanori ŽZAA 240.. The decoction of root suckers is given to cows for prolapse of uterus before delivery. Ricinus communis L. ŽEuphorbiaceae., ‘Andi’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 67.. Seed oil is given to cattle for intestinal obstruction due to constipation. Saccharum spontaneum L. ŽPoaceae., ‘Senta’, Sherpur ŽZAA 146.. Fresh leaves are fed to buffaloes to hasten afterbirth. Sesamum orientale L. ŽPedaliaceae ., ‘Til’, Chheetra ŽZAA 381.. Seed oil is applied in the mouth of cattle for stomatitis. Cakes prepared from the seed powder of ‘urad’ Ž Phaseolus mungo L., Fabaceae. are fed along with this treatment. Sesbania bispinosa ŽJacq.. Wt. ŽFabaceae., ‘Dhediyan’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 573.. Leaf paste is given for diarrhoea in cattle and sheep. Sida rhombifolia L. ŽMalvaceae., ‘Khurenti’, Chowkhat ŽZAA 575.. Leaf paste mixed with rice water is given for diarrhoea and dysentery in cattle. Syzygium cumini ŽL.. Skeels ŽMyrtaceae., ‘Jaman’, Pathakpur ŽZAA 215.. Equal quantities of the stem bark of ‘Jaman’, ‘amrud’ Ž Psidium guaja¨ a L., Myrtaceae. and ‘kikar’ Ž A. nilotica ssp. indica. are crushed together, boiled in water and cooled. The resulting decoction is given orally and also poured on the hoofs of cattle for ‘foot-and-mouth disease’. Trapa natans L. var. bispinosa ŽRoxb.. Makino ŽTrapaceae., ‘Singhara’, Hafeezpura ŽZAA 229.. Dried kernel powder is given with water for diarrhoea. Trichodesma indica ŽL.. R.Br. ŽBoraginaceae., ‘Andaoli’, Tombra ŽZAA 168.. Leaf paste is applied locally to treat mastitis Žswellings of mammary glands. of buffaloes and cows. Plant paste is given orally and also applied externally on the back of cows for prolapse of uterus after delivery. Trichosanthes cucumerina L. ŽCucurbitaceae ., ‘Komar’, Shyampur ŽZAA 325.. Fruits are fed to cattle for stomach disorders.
346
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Trigonella foenum-graecum L. ŽFabaceae., ‘Methi’, Dhoti ŽZAA 519.. Seed paste is mixed with fodder and given to increase lactation in goats. Seeds mixed with ‘har’ Žfruit of Terminalia chebula Retz., Combretaceae., ‘adrak’ Žrhizome of Z. officinale., ‘heeng’ Žoleo-resin of Ferula asa-foetida L., Apiaceae., ‘zeera’ Žfruits of Cuminum cyminum L., Apiaceae., ‘ajwain’ Žfruits of Trachyspermum ammi ŽL.. Sprangue, Apiaceae., ‘gur’ Žsolidified sugarcane juice., and ‘kala namak’ Žsodium sulphate mixed with sodium chloride. are pounded, boiled and the liquid is strained. This decoction is given for trypanosomiasis in cattle. Vitex negundo L. ŽVerbenaceae ., ‘Mala’, Chowkhat ŽZAA 138.. Fresh leaves are mixed with fodder and given as refrigerant.
4. Discussion and conclusions During field trips to different remote villages and adjacent forest areas of Moradabad district, some 45 plant species of 43 genera belonging to 27 families of angiosperms have come to light as folk veterinary medicine. Information on the folk use of the plants reported in this study is based on personal observations, first-hand field notes and material gathered from reliable informants who have long been using these herbal remedies with positive effects in the healthcare of their domestic animals. Most of the remedies consist of single plant species. However, in many cases recipes are made up of two to five different plant species and ingredients of non-plant origin Žalum, ammonium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, etc.. Moreover, the same plant can be used for more than one disease and a single disease may be treated by several plant species. In such cases it would be difficult to ascertain which plant is actually effective for a particular complaint. Ethnobotanical knowledge is transmitted orally from one generation to another. This knowledge is liable to be lost under the influence of rapid urbanization, expansion of agriculture and acculturation of indigenous people. Easy access to modern healthcare facilities means gradual loss of traditional knowledge. Moreover, the land areas available for the wild plants to grow are shrinking with every passing day. Therefore, special attention needs to be paid to further gather and document this empirical knowledge systematically and to protect and conserve the wild medicinal plants. More extensive ethnobotanical explorations, in this region in particular and in the other ethnobotanically unexplored areas of the country, in general, are deserved before most of these medicinal plants become endangered or their uses forgotten.
Acknowledgements Special thanks are due to all the informants who shared their ethnomedicinal knowledge with the author and to Dr Athar Ali Khan ŽLecturer, Department of
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Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. for his advice and comments on the manuscript.
References w1x Singh VK, Khan AM. In: Govil JN, editor. Medicinal plants and folklores Ža strategy towards conquest of human ailments.. New Delhi: Today and Tomorrow’s Printers and Publishers, 1990. w2x Jain SK. Dictionary of Indian folk medicine and ethonobotany. New Delhi: Deep Publications, 1991. w3x Anonymous. The wealth of India ŽRaw materials., vol. I]XI. New Delhi: CSIR, 1948]1976. w4x Chopra RN, Nayar SL, Chopra IC. Glossary of Indian medicinal plants. New Delhi: CSIR, 1956. w5x Chopra RN, Chopra IC, Varma BS. Supplement to glossary of Indian medicinal plants. New Delhi: CSIR, 1969. w6x Kirtikar KR, Basu BD. Indian medicinal plants, vol. I]IV. Periodical experts, Delhi, India, 1954. w7x Watt G. A dictionary of the economic products of India, vol. I]VI ŽRepr. 1972.. Periodical Experts, Delhi, 1889]1892. w8x Gaur RD, Bhatt KC, Tiwari JK. J Indian Bot Soc 1993;72:139. w9x Pal DC. Bull Bot Surv India 1980;22:96. w10x Pal DC. In: Jain SK, editor. Glimpses of Indian ethnobotany. New Delhi, India: Oxford and IBH Publishing Co., 1981:245. w11x Raja Reddy K, Sudarsanam G. Int J Crude Drug Res 1987;25:145. w12x Singh MP. Indian For 1987;113:758. w13x Singh V. Fitoterapia 1995;66:356. w14x Hooker JD. The flora of British India, vol. I]VII. London: L. Reeva and Co., 1872]1897. w15x Duthie JF. Flora of the upper Gangetic Plain and of the adjacent Siwalik and sub-Himalayan tracts, vol. I]II ŽRepr. 1960.. Calcutta: BSI, 1903]1922.
Folk veterinary medicine in Moradabad District ž Uttar Pradesh/ , India Z.A. Ali Sur¨ ey of Medicinal Plants Unit 1, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim Uni¨ ersity, Aligarh 202 002, India
Received 28 August 1998; accepted 10 October 1998
Abstract Based on an ethnobotanical survey of Moradabad district, this report deals with 45 plant species used as folk drugs for the treatment of various diseases of domestic animals. Each entry includes the correct botanical and prevalent local names, claimed medicinal useŽs. and mode of administration. Q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Ethnobotany; Folk medicine; Veterinary medicine; Moradabad; Uttar Pradesh; India
1. Introduction Moradabad district, lying between 288199]298169N latitude and 788039]788599E longitude in the western part of Uttar Pradesh, a northern province of India ŽFig. 1., includes remote villages inhabited by a number of castes and ethnic groups Žnamely: Ahirs, Brahmins, Chauhans, Gadariyas, Jats, Kumhars, Muhaos, Pals, Rajputs, Vaishyas, etc.. each with its own diverse religious, cultural and social traditions. The economy of these villages is predominantly agricultural. Most of the villagers depend on livestock for agricultural operations and to augment their 1
Under: Regional Research Insititute of Unani Medicine (CCRUM-Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Go¨ ernment of India), Post Box 70, Aligarh - 202002, India.
0367-326Xr99r$ - see front matter Q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 3 6 7 - 3 2 6 X Ž 9 9 . 0 0 0 3 9 - 8
Z.A. Ali r Fitoterapia 70 (1999) 340]347
341
Fig. 1. Study area: Moradabad District, Uttar Pradesh, India.
income by selling out milk and other dairy products. Animals like oxen, buffaloes and cows are kept for these purposes. Goats and sheep are also raised because of perpetual demand of their meat and skin. Therefore, keeping the domestic animals in a good state of health is the prime objective of villagers. In remote areas, no organised healthcare facilities for livestock are available. Under such circumstances, the villagers depend mainly on local herbal medicine for the treatment of their domestic animals. Almost everyone knows a few remedies for routine maladies of animals, but the specialists in folk veterinary medicine, locally known as ‘Gotaney’, possess fairly good knowledge of the healing properties of local plants, acquired in the course of their long experience and association with the plants.
342
Z.A. Ali r Fitoterapia 70 (1999) 340]347
No ethnobotanical survey has been previously conducted in Moradabad district w1,2x. Hence, the present survey was undertaken among the rural population to record information on local plants used as veterinary medicine. Only those uses which do not seem to be well-known or recorded in the pertinent literature w2]13x are presented in this paper with a view to draw the attention of phytochemists and pharmacologists on these reported plants for further critical and scientific study.
2. Methodology Field work was carried out in 1994 and 1995. Information on folk medicinal uses of local plants was obtained through interviews with native informants who were cattle men, farmers, herb sellers, medicine men ŽGotaney. and shepherds. Data on the local name of the plant or the crude drug, medicinal useŽs., part used, other ingredients added Žif any., method of preparation and mode of administration were recorded for each claim. Authentic samples of all crude drugs and plant specimens were collected with the help of the informants. ‘The Flora of British India’ w14x and ‘Flora of the Upper Gangetic Plain and of the Adjacent Siwalik and Sub-Himalayan Tracts’ w15x were consulted for botanical identification. Voucher herbarium specimens were prepared and deposited in the Herbarium of the Survey of Medicinal Plants Unit, Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Aligarh ŽU.P.., India.
3. Results In the following enumeration plants are listed in alphabetic order by their botanical name together with respective family Žbetween brackets., prevalent local name, locality and voucher specimen number, followed by medicinal uses. Abutilon indicum ŽL.. Sweet ŽMalvaceae., ‘Kanghi’, Sherpur ŽZAA 450.. Fruit decoction mixed with ammonium chloride is given orally to treat haemorrhagic septicaemia. Acacia nilotica ŽL.. Del. ssp. indica ŽBenth.. Brenan ŽMimosaceae., ‘Kikar’, Dhoti ŽZAA 330.. Stem bark decoction mixed with powder of alum is used to wash the hoofs in hoofrots. Achyranthes aspera L. ŽAmaranthaceae ., ‘Chirchitta’, Bhagwanpur ŽZAA 423.. Inflorescences of the plant mixed with fruits of ‘kanghi’ Ž A. indicum. and Piper nigrum L. ŽPiperaceae., ‘kali mirach’ are crushed and made into a fine paste which is given for treating stomach disorders. Leaf paste applied to the womb of labouring buffalo is believed to facilitate delivery. Adhatoda zeylanica Medic. ŽAcanthaceae ., ‘Bisonta’, Hayatnagar ŽZAA 404.. Leaf paste is mixed with vinegar and applied over the hoofs in hoofrots.
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Aegle marmelos ŽL.. Corr. ŽRutaceae., ‘Bel’, Dhanori ŽZAA 78.. The gum obtained from the tree is given orally to relieve flatulence. Anisomeles indica (L.) Ktze. ŽLamiaceae., ‘Baggarro’, Daraoli ŽZAA 324.. The whole plant is crushed and made into a fine paste which is given orally to treat the loss of appetite. Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. ŽLiliaceae ., ‘Alli’, Sherpur ŽZAA 127.. Root paste is applied locally on wounds infested with worms. Azadirachta indica A. Juss. ŽMeliaceae., ‘Neemol’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 435.. Crushed flowers are mixed with fodder and given as refrigerant. Balanites aegyptiaca ŽL.. Del. ŽSimaroubaceae., ‘Hingota’, Chheetra ŽZAA 242.. Dried fruit is tied as an amulet around the neck of cattle to avoid the effect of evil eyes. Boerha¨ ia diffusa L. ŽNyctaginaceae., ‘Naradmuni-ki-bel’, Dhanori ŽZAA 435.. Whole plant of B. diffusa, ‘karela’ Žfruits of M. charantia., ‘tori’ Žfruits of Luffa acutangula ŽL.. Roxb., Cucurbitaceae ., ‘ganthi’, also known as ‘piyaz’ Žbulbs of Allium cepa L., Liliaceae . and ‘gur’ Žsolidified sugarcane juice. are taken in equal quantities, crushed and boiled in water: the resulting decoction is given orally for stomach disorders and common fever. Root paste mixed with vinegar is applied on abscesses as poultice. Brassica campestris L. ŽBrassicaceae ., ‘Sarson’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 232.. An ointment prepared by mixing the seed oil and soot is applied to the shoulder of oxen to treat sores caused by yoke. Calotropis procera ŽAit.. R.Br. ŽAsclepiadaceae., ‘Ankhra’, Majholi ŽZAA 432.. Freshly collected senescent leaves are crushed, mixed with fodder and given to the cattle to relieve flatulence. Dried latex mixed with solidified surgarcane juice and ‘zeera’ Žfruits of Cuminum cyminum L., Apiaceae. is given to increase lactation in goats and sheep. Root bark decoction is poured on the hoofs of cattle in hoofrots. Capsicum annum L. ŽSolanaceae., ‘Harimirach’, Dhanori ŽZAA 515.. Fresh fruits mixed with ‘adrak’ Žrhizome of Zingiber officinale Rosc., Zingiberaceae., ‘piyaz’ Žbulbs of A. cepa., ‘kala namak’ Ža naturally found salt which is a mixture of sodium sulphate and sodium chloride., and ‘khara soda’ Žsodium bicarbonate . are pounded and given orally for indigestion. Carissa carandas L. ŽApocynaceae., ‘kakronda’, Hafeezpura ŽZAA 91.. The paste of the aerial parts, obtained by crushing, is given orally for rinderpest in cattle. Cichorium intybus L. ŽAsteraceae ., ‘kasni’, Chowkhat ŽZAA 529.. Roots of the plant mixed with root of ‘bans’ Ž D. strictus., tender culms of ‘naal’ Ž Phragmites maxima Blatter and Mc Cann, Poaceae., fruits of ‘sonf’ Ž Foeniculum ¨ ulgare Mill., Apiaceae., and solidified sugarcane juice are crushed and boiled; the liquid is strained and given to hasten the afterbirth in buffaloes and cows.
344
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Citrullus lanatus ŽThunb.. Mats. et Nakai. ŽCucurbitaceae ., ‘Tarbooz’, Dhoti ŽZAA 192.. Leaf juice is applied to fresh cuts and wounds. Citrus medica L. ŽRutaceae., ‘Nimbu, Dhoti ŽZAA 152.. Fruit juice mixed with powdered fruits of Cuminum cyminum L. ŽApiaceae. is given for prolapse of uterus before delivery in buffaloes. Clerodendrum ¨ iscosum Vent. ŽVerbenaceae ., ‘Bhant’, Chuchela ŽZAA 632.. Leaf paste is given as an anthelmintic. Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ŽFabaceae., ‘Shisham’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 95.. Leaf paste mixed with ‘khand’ Žcrude sugar. is given for chronic diarrhoea. Datura metel L. ŽSolanaceae., ‘Dhatoora’, Baragaon ŽZAA 560.. Two unripe fruits are pounded to make a fine paste and given once a day for 2 consecutive days to treat diarrhoea. Dendrocalamus strictus Nees ŽPoaceae., ‘Bans’, Pathakpur ŽZAA 639.. Finely cut leaves are fed to the cattle for ‘foot-and-mouth disease’ Žan acute highly infectious viral disease of cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, characterized by the formation of vesicular eruptions in the mouth and on the feet.. Eruca ¨ esicaria ŽL... Cav. ssp. sati¨ a ŽMill.. Thell. ŽBrassicaceae ., ‘Kalatara’, Mao ŽZAA 236.. Seed powder is mixed with fodder of the cattle suffering from diarrhoea. Euphorbia prolifera Buch. } Ham. ex. D.Don ŽEuphorbiaceae., ‘Dudhi’, Dhanori ŽZAA 89.. Leaf paste is applied on the body of cattle to kill lice. Gomphrena serrata L. ŽAmaranthaceae ., ‘Ghundi’, Tombra ŽZAA 612.. A freshly made paste of the whole plant, obtained by crushing, is given orally to buffaloes for prolapse of uterus before delivery. Hordeum ¨ ulgare L. ŽPoaceae., ‘Jo’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 239.. Grain infusion is given orally for oliguria. Lens culinaris Medicus ŽFabaceae., ‘Masoor’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 517.. Seed decoction is given for haemorrhagic septicaemia in cattle. Ludwigia adscendens ŽL.. Hara ŽOnagraceae ., ‘Khurant bel’, Sherpur ŽZAA 135.. The paste of whole plant is mixed with molasses and plastered around the fractured limb after setting the bones right; splints and bandage are used to hold the bone and the plaster in position. Ludwigia octo¨ al¨ is ŽJacq.. Raven. ŽOnagraceae ., ‘Kund’, Shyampur ŽZAA 331.. Whole plant is crushed and made into a fine paste which is given orally to buffaloes and cows to hasten afterbirth. Melia azedarach L. ŽMeliaceae., ‘Bakain’, Jogipura ŽZAA 237.. Leaves mixed with pseudostem-bits of ‘kela’ Ž Musa sapientum L., Musaceae. are crushed, made into a paste and given as refrigerant.
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Mimusops elengi L. ŽSapotaceae., ‘Molsari’, Tigri ŽZAA 154.. Equal quantities of the fruit pulp of ‘molsari’, ‘kateera’ Žgum of Sterculia urens Roxb., Sterculiaceae ., ‘urad’ Žseeds of Phaseolus mungo L., Fabaceae. are crushed and made into a fine paste which is applied in the mouth of cattle to treat stomatitis. Momordica charantia L. ŽCucurbitaceae ., ‘Karela’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 238.. Fruits mixed with bulb of A. cepa are crushed in vinegar to obtain a paste which is applied to the forehead, horns and legs of cattle for ephemeral fever. Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. ŽCucurbitaceae ., ‘Kakora’, Dhoti ŽZAA 602.. Root decoction is given for bronchitis. Pedalium murex L. ŽPedaliaceae ., ‘Baragokhru’, Islamnagar ŽZAA 289.. Plant infusion is given for common fever. Phoenix acaulis Buch. } Ham. ex Roxb. ŽArecaceae., ‘Khajoori’, Dhanori ŽZAA 240.. The decoction of root suckers is given to cows for prolapse of uterus before delivery. Ricinus communis L. ŽEuphorbiaceae., ‘Andi’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 67.. Seed oil is given to cattle for intestinal obstruction due to constipation. Saccharum spontaneum L. ŽPoaceae., ‘Senta’, Sherpur ŽZAA 146.. Fresh leaves are fed to buffaloes to hasten afterbirth. Sesamum orientale L. ŽPedaliaceae ., ‘Til’, Chheetra ŽZAA 381.. Seed oil is applied in the mouth of cattle for stomatitis. Cakes prepared from the seed powder of ‘urad’ Ž Phaseolus mungo L., Fabaceae. are fed along with this treatment. Sesbania bispinosa ŽJacq.. Wt. ŽFabaceae., ‘Dhediyan’, Kumharpura ŽZAA 573.. Leaf paste is given for diarrhoea in cattle and sheep. Sida rhombifolia L. ŽMalvaceae., ‘Khurenti’, Chowkhat ŽZAA 575.. Leaf paste mixed with rice water is given for diarrhoea and dysentery in cattle. Syzygium cumini ŽL.. Skeels ŽMyrtaceae., ‘Jaman’, Pathakpur ŽZAA 215.. Equal quantities of the stem bark of ‘Jaman’, ‘amrud’ Ž Psidium guaja¨ a L., Myrtaceae. and ‘kikar’ Ž A. nilotica ssp. indica. are crushed together, boiled in water and cooled. The resulting decoction is given orally and also poured on the hoofs of cattle for ‘foot-and-mouth disease’. Trapa natans L. var. bispinosa ŽRoxb.. Makino ŽTrapaceae., ‘Singhara’, Hafeezpura ŽZAA 229.. Dried kernel powder is given with water for diarrhoea. Trichodesma indica ŽL.. R.Br. ŽBoraginaceae., ‘Andaoli’, Tombra ŽZAA 168.. Leaf paste is applied locally to treat mastitis Žswellings of mammary glands. of buffaloes and cows. Plant paste is given orally and also applied externally on the back of cows for prolapse of uterus after delivery. Trichosanthes cucumerina L. ŽCucurbitaceae ., ‘Komar’, Shyampur ŽZAA 325.. Fruits are fed to cattle for stomach disorders.
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Trigonella foenum-graecum L. ŽFabaceae., ‘Methi’, Dhoti ŽZAA 519.. Seed paste is mixed with fodder and given to increase lactation in goats. Seeds mixed with ‘har’ Žfruit of Terminalia chebula Retz., Combretaceae., ‘adrak’ Žrhizome of Z. officinale., ‘heeng’ Žoleo-resin of Ferula asa-foetida L., Apiaceae., ‘zeera’ Žfruits of Cuminum cyminum L., Apiaceae., ‘ajwain’ Žfruits of Trachyspermum ammi ŽL.. Sprangue, Apiaceae., ‘gur’ Žsolidified sugarcane juice., and ‘kala namak’ Žsodium sulphate mixed with sodium chloride. are pounded, boiled and the liquid is strained. This decoction is given for trypanosomiasis in cattle. Vitex negundo L. ŽVerbenaceae ., ‘Mala’, Chowkhat ŽZAA 138.. Fresh leaves are mixed with fodder and given as refrigerant.
4. Discussion and conclusions During field trips to different remote villages and adjacent forest areas of Moradabad district, some 45 plant species of 43 genera belonging to 27 families of angiosperms have come to light as folk veterinary medicine. Information on the folk use of the plants reported in this study is based on personal observations, first-hand field notes and material gathered from reliable informants who have long been using these herbal remedies with positive effects in the healthcare of their domestic animals. Most of the remedies consist of single plant species. However, in many cases recipes are made up of two to five different plant species and ingredients of non-plant origin Žalum, ammonium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, etc.. Moreover, the same plant can be used for more than one disease and a single disease may be treated by several plant species. In such cases it would be difficult to ascertain which plant is actually effective for a particular complaint. Ethnobotanical knowledge is transmitted orally from one generation to another. This knowledge is liable to be lost under the influence of rapid urbanization, expansion of agriculture and acculturation of indigenous people. Easy access to modern healthcare facilities means gradual loss of traditional knowledge. Moreover, the land areas available for the wild plants to grow are shrinking with every passing day. Therefore, special attention needs to be paid to further gather and document this empirical knowledge systematically and to protect and conserve the wild medicinal plants. More extensive ethnobotanical explorations, in this region in particular and in the other ethnobotanically unexplored areas of the country, in general, are deserved before most of these medicinal plants become endangered or their uses forgotten.
Acknowledgements Special thanks are due to all the informants who shared their ethnomedicinal knowledge with the author and to Dr Athar Ali Khan ŽLecturer, Department of
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Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. for his advice and comments on the manuscript.
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