Natural Product Radiance, Vol. 5(5), 2006, pp.

382-388 Explorer: Research Article

Some medicinal plants used by Irular, the tribal

people of Marudhamalai hills, Coimbatore,
Tamil Nadu
M Senthilkumar*, P Gurumoorthi and K Janardhanan
Ethnopharmacology Unit, Department of Botany, Bharathiar University,
Coimbatore -641 046, Tamil Nadu, India
*Correspondent author, E-mail: [email protected]
Address: M Senthilkumar S/O K Mariappan, Curzon Estate, Kotagiri (P.O), The Nilgiris- 643 217
Received 2 August 2005; Accepted 10 August 2006

Abstract dominated areas of Marudhamali hills at

The present paper deals with ethnobotanical study on 75 plant species used for several Coimbatore. The study technique
common diseases like scabies, skin allergies, diabetes, headache, jaundice, scorpion bite, diarrhoea, suggested by Jain9, 11 was followed during
leucoderma, rheumatism, earache, wounds, leprosy, asthma, dysentery, etc. by the Irulars (tribal) the survey. Plants were identified and
people of Marudhamalai Hills, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. The botanical, vernacular and family confirmed with the authentic herbarium
names, mode of preparations and uses have been provided for further pharmacological and clinical
evaluations.
of Botanical Survey of India (Southern
Circle), Coimbatore. The voucher
Keywords: Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants, Irulars, Tribals, Marudhamalai hills, Coimbatore, Tamil
specimens were deposited in the
Nadu.
Department of Botany, Bharathiar
IPC code; Int. cl8 — A61K 36/00
University, Coimbatore, India.
Introduction hills related to medicinal uses of
In India, exhaustive 75 plants. Enumeration
ethnobotanical studies are being carried For each species, botanical,
out in various ethnic communities because Materials and Methods family and local name (LN), mode of
the floral diversity and rich endemic taxa Marudhamalai hills are situated preparation and uses are being provided
of our country are of significance for at a distance of 15 km from Coimbatore. here for further reference. The voucher
richness of ethnomedicine. During the last It consists of an environment of moist dry- specimen numbers (VSN) are given in
four decades, a large number of plants deciduous type of forest at an altitude of parenthesis.
used in indigenous practices have been 426.72m MSL, 11.04E of longitude and
discovered through ethnobotanical studies 76.93N latitude. The North-East monsoon 1. Abrus precatorius Linn.; Family-
in India1-15. In recent years some workers sets in effecting heavy rains from the end Fabaceae; LN-Kundumani
like Palanisamy et al, Balasubramanian of October to November with an average The leaves are crushed and
et al, Hamasavalli, Nikkitha et al, rainfall of 117.5mm. The area has a applied on the affected part(s) for curing
Kathikeyani et al and Senthilkumar predominant red soil impregnated with scabies (VSN- MS 97).
et al16-23, have reported various medicinal organic matter and granite; bedrock is
plants used by Irular tribals in overlaid with shallow, sandy loam and 2. Abutilon indicum (Linn.) Sweet;
Coimbatore district. The present paper glacial soils which are moderate to well Family-Malvaceae; LN-Thutthi
attempts to bring information on drained. The authors conducted field study The leaves are crushed to extract
traditional knowledge of the primitive during the period of November 2003 to juice which is taken daily to ease
ethnic tribe, Irulars of Marudhamalai January 2004 in Irulars (tribal) childbirth (VSN- MS 784).

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a b

c d e

f g h i

j k
Fig. 1(a-k) : Some ethnomedicinal plants in Marudhamalai hills

a. Sarcostemma acidum; b. Jatropha glandulifera; c. Catharanthus roseus; d. Martynia annua; e. Pergularia daemia;
f. Toddalia asiatica var. floribunda; g. Pongamia pinnata; h. Clitoria ternatea; i. Boerhaavia diffusa;
j. Asparagus racemosus; k. Abrus precatorius

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3. Acalypha alnifolia Klein ex ex Nees; Family-Acanthaceae; LN- 17. Bidens pilosa Linn.; Family-
Willd.; Family- Euphorbiaceae Nelavembu Asteraceae
Crushed leaves are used in dysentery Leaf decoction is given to cure The warm juice of the fresh plant
(VSN- MS 89). diabetes (VSN- MS 418). is used to treat earache and conjunctivitis,
and as a styptic on wounds (VSN- MS 275).
4. Acalypha fruticosa Forsk.; 11. Annona squamosa Linn.; Family-
Family-Euphorbiaceae; LN-Sinni Annonaceae; LN-Sitapalam 18. Blepharis repens (Vahl) Roth.;
Roots and leaves are used to cure Fruit juice is taken orally to Family-Acanthaceae
stomachache, dyspepsia and given as control dysentery. Seed paste is applied Leaves crushed and the paste is
antidote (VSN- MS 334). on the forehead for relief from headache applied on the forehead in headache (VSN-
(VSN- MS 89). MS 400).
5. Acalypha indica Linn.; Family-
Euphorbiaceae 12. Argemone mexicana Linn.; 19. Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.; Family-
Whole plant is crushed and the Family-Papaveraceae; LN-Kudiyoetti Nyctaginaceae; LN-Mukurattai
juice is given to cure bronchitis in children The seed powder is used to treat Leaf paste is applied on the cuts
(VSN- MS 274). colic pain and dysentery (VSN- MS 5). and wounds to stop bleeding (VSN-
MS 75).
6. Aerva lanata Juss. ex Schult.; 13. Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Boj.;
Family-Amaranthaceae; LN-Sirupulai Family-Convolvulaceae; LN-Samuthra 20. Buchanania lanzan Spreng.;
Leaves are macerated and few pachai Family-Anacardiaceae; LN-Mudaima,
drops are given orally to the asthmatic Leaves are used as abortifacient; Moral
child at the time of wheezing (VSN- and applied as poultice on wounds and The roots and leaves are pounded,
MS 55). skin diseases (VSN- MS 247). mixed with buttermilk and given in
diarrhoea (VSN- MS 177).
7. Albizia lebbek Benth.; Family- 14. Aristolochia indica Linn.;
Mimosaceae; LN-Katuvagai Family-Aristolochiaceae; LN-Isramuli, 21. Capparis sepiaria Linn.; Family-
Flowers are used to cure skin Adgam Capparidaceae; LN-Karunjurai
eruptions, swellings and antidote to poison Root tonic is used as stimulant Decoction of leaf is used in
(VSN- MS 300). and to treat menstrual problems. In cough and skin diseases (VSN- MS 90).
powdered form it is given in honey for
8. Aloe vera (Linn.) Burm. f.; Family- leucoderma (VSN- MS 270). 22. Carissa carandas Linn.; Family-
Liliaceae; LN-Chotthukatalai Apocynaceae; LN- Kalakkay
Fresh juice is used as 15. Asparagus racemosus Willd.; Decoction of the leaves is given
cathartic and cooling. It is also used in Family-Liliaceae; LN-Thannervittan, for fever (VSN- MS 146).
treating fever and eye diseases (VSN- MS Kizhay, Ammaikodi
112). Root extract is used in diarrhoea, 23. Cassia angustifolia Vahl; Family-
dysentery and general debility (VSN- Caesalpiniaceae; LN-Nilavirai
9. Amaranthus viridis Linn.; Family- MS 08). Leaves and fruits are used as
Amaranthaceae; LN-Nelavemu laxative and purgative (VSN- MS 48).
Leaves are used as emollient in 16. Asystasia gangetica T. Anders.;
scorpion sting (VSN- MS 57). Family-Acanthaceae; LN-Palagai 24. Cassia auriculata Linn.; Family-
Root paste is applied to cure skin Caesalpiniaceae; LN-Aavarai
10. Andrographis paniculata Wall. allergies (VSN- MS 97). Seeds are ground and the paste
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is applied to cure skin diseases (VSN- MS Powdered leaves or fresh leaves Roxb.; Family- Erythroxylaceae; LN-
92). are taken in treating diabetes (VSN- Sempulichan
MS 2). An infusion of the wood bark is
25. Cassia occidentalis Linn.; administered as stomachic, diaphoretic
F a m i l y - C a e s a l p i n i a c e a e ; L N - 32. Commelina benghalensis Linn.; and diuretic (VSN- MS 107).
Thagarai Family-Commelinaceae; LN-
Seeds and leaves are used Kanavazhi 39. Eucalyptus globulus Labil.;
externally in skin troubles. Leaves are also Whole plant is used to treat Family-Myrtaceae; LN-Karpuramaram
used in foot and mouth disease of cattle leprosy (VSN- MS 792). Dried leaves in the form of
(VSN- MS 123). tincture are used in asthma and chronic
33. Corchorus trilocularis Linn.; bronchitis (VSN- MS 111).
26. Catharanthus roseus G. Don; Family-Tiliaceae; LN-Peratti,
Family- Apocynaceae; LN- Talakkaippoondu 40. Euphorbia thymifolia Linn.;
Nithyakalyani Plant macerated with water Family-Euphorbiaceae; LN-
The root decoction is given orally yields, mucilage, prescribed as a Sittrapaladai
as an abortifacient (VSN- MS 1405). demulcent. Seeds are used in fever and Dried leaves and seeds are
for cleaning bowls (VSN- MS 35). aromatic, astringent and stimulant, they
27. Celosia argentea Linn.; Family- are used as laxative (VSN- MS 280).
Amaranthaceae; LN-Alarapoo 34. Crotalaria retusa Linn.; Family-
The leaves are crushed and the juice Fabaceae 41. Euphorbia tirucalli Linn.;
is taken orally twice daily to ease Plant is used in scabies and Family-Euphorbiaceae; LN-Tirukalli,
childbirth (VSN- MS 648). impetigo (VSN- MS 57). Kalli
Decoction of the tender branch
28. Cleome icosandra Linn. syn. C. 35. Crotalaria verrucosa Linn.; or the root is given to treat colic and
viscosa Linn.; Family- Capparidaceae; Family-Fabaceae; LN- Kilukiluppai gastralgia (VSN- MS 201).
LN-Naykadughu The leaf decoction is given orally
Seeds are given internally as a to cure jaundice (VSN- MS 3). 42. Evolvulus alsinoides Linn.;
vermifuge (VSN- MS 507). Family- Convolvulaceae; LN-
36. Dodonaea viscosa Linn.; Family- Vishnukarandai
29. Cleome monophylla Linn.; Sapindaceae; LN-Virali Leaves are smoked in chronic
Family- Capparidaceae Crushed stems are tied on the bronchitis and asthma (VSN- MS 260).
Pounded root is used to restore fractured part to hasten the fractured
consciousness from fainting (VSN- MS 69). bone setting. Leaf paste is applied on 43. Ficus benghalensis Linn.;
swelling in cattle until cured (VSN- Family-Moraceae; LN- Aalamarram
30. Clitoria ternatea Linn.; Family- MS 138). Infusion of the bark is used
Fabaceae; LN-Sanguchedi as astringent, tonic and in dysentery,
Seeds are crushed with water to 37. Emilia sonchifolia DC.; Family- diarrhoea and the bark is used in
form a paste, which is slightly warmed Asteraceae diabetes. Latex is used to relieve toothache,
and applied on testis to cure swellings due Leaf juice is useful in treating eye cough and genital diseases (VSN- MS
to syphilis (VSN- MS 159). inflammation. Root is used in diarrhoea 182).
(VSN- MS 271).
31. Coccinia indica Wight & Arn.; 44. Gisekia pharnaceoides Linn.;
Family- Cucurbitaceae; LN-Kovai 38. Erythroxylum monogynum Family-Aizoaceae; LN-Manalikkirai

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Plant decoction is used for worms Lythraceae; LN-Maruthani Kattuelumichai

(VSN- MS 198). Leaves are used to dye and Fruit decoction is used as antidote
improve hair conditioning and soften skin to insect poison. Root is used in colic
45. Gloriosa superba Linn.; Family- of hands. Young shoot is used in leprosy (VSN- MS 877).
Liliaceae; LN-Kannuvalikodi (VSN- MS 416).
Root is purgative, anthelmintic 57. Oxalis corniculata Linn.; Family-
and used to cure leprosy, parasitical 51. Leptadenia reticulata Wight & Oxalidaceae; LN-Puliyarai
infection of skin and piles. Leaves are used Arn.; Family-Asclepiadaceae; LN- Leaves as such are eaten or leaf
to destroy head lice (VSN- MS 423). Palakudai juice is taken orally to check dysentery
Plant stimulant, tonic, useful in (VSN- MS 83).
46. Grewia hirsuta Vahl; Family- leprosy (VSN- MS 1205).
Tiliaceae 58. Passiflora edulis Sims; Family-
The fruits and roots are used to 52. Leucas aspera Spreng.; Family- Passifloraceae
treat acute diarrhoea and dysentery (VSN- Lamiaceae; LN-Tumbai Juice of ripe fruit is taken to cure
MS 69). Two or three drops of leaf juice jaundice (VSN- MS 3).
with onion juice are dropped through
47. Gynandropsis gynandra (Linn.) nostrils to get relief from chronic 59. Passiflora foetida Linn.; Family-
Briq.; Family- Capparidaceae; LN- headache. Root is rubbed on tooth to get Passifloraceae; LN-Mupparisa valli,
Velakura relief from pain (VSN- MS 18). Siruppunakkalli
Leaf juice is used for earache The leaves are used in wound
(VSN- MS 60). 53. Martynia annua Linn.; Family- dressing and are sometimes applied to the
Martyniaceae; LN-Pulinagam, head to treat headache and giddiness
48. Jatropha glandulifera Roxb.; Thelkodukkukai (VSN- MS 4).
Family-Euphorbiaceae; LN- The leaves are used to treat
Dundigamu epilepsy and are applied to cure 60. Pergularia daemia (Forsk.)
Seed oil is used in chronic tuberculosis, the leaf juice is used as a Chiov.; Family-Asclepiadaceae; LN-
ulcerations, foul wound ringworm, gargle to relieve sore throat (VSN- MS Velipparuthi
rheumatism and paralysis. Plant juice 889). Leaf juice is used as expectorant
used to remove film from the eyes. Water and to treat infantile diarrhoea and
extract of root is given to children 54. Mirabilis jalapa Linn.; Family- asthma. Root bark is mixed with cow
suffering from abdominal enlargement Nyctaginaceae; LN-Pattarashu milk and used a purgative in rheumatism
(VSN- MS 244). Leaf paste is applied to the (VSN- MS 949).
affected part(s) for curing skin eruptions
49. Justicia tranquebariensis (VSN- MS 14). 61. Phyllanthus amarus Schum. &
Linn.f.; Family-Acanthaceae; LN- Thon.; Family-Euphorbiaceae; LN-
Pinnakkupootu 55. Mundulea sericea A. Cheval.; Kizhanellai
Young leaves are crushed and Family-Fabaceae;LN-Kattupporasu, Leaf juice is administered to cure
filtered in pure water, kept in dark for Pillavaram fever and jaundice (VSN- MS 10).
overnight. The infusion is given internally Plant is insecticidal and seeds are
in the morning for curing jaundice (VSN- used as fish poison (VSN- MS 87). 62. Polycarpaea corymbosa Lam.;
MS 955). Family-Caryophyllaceae; LN-
56. Naringi crenulata (Roxb.) Nilaisedachi
50. Lawsonia inermis Linn.; Family- Nicolson; Family-Rutaceae; LN- Leaves are used as poultice

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(VSN- MS 85). 69. Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.; Family-Rhamnaceae; LN-Elanthai

Family-Loganiaceae; LN-Yetti A decoction of the root bark is
63. Pongamia pinnata Pierre.; The paste of stem bark is applied used in the treatment of diarrhoea and
Family-Fabaceae; LN- Pungai, Ponga on the abdomen to cure stomachache dysentery (VSN- MS 01).
Root juice is used for curing sores (VSN- MS 15).
and cleaning foul ulcers. It is given
internally with equal quantities of coconut 70. Thespesia populnea Soland. ex Conclusion
milk and lime water for treating Correa; Family-Malvaceae; LN- It is evident from the present
gonorrhoea (VSN- MS 40). Poovarasu study that several plants in Marudhamalai
Crushed fruits are applied on hills possess genuine medicinal efficacy
64. Richardia scabra Linn.; Family- insect stings as an antidote (VSN- MS hence the indigenous people of this
Rubiaceae 1172). district practice traditional medicinal
The root possesses emetic and system for the treatment of various
diaphoretic properties (VSN- MS 11). 71. Toddalia asiatica (Linn.) Lam. diseases. But with the advent of rapid
var. floribunda Gam.; Family- social transformation and tourism
65. Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Rutaceae; LN-Milakaranai development Irulars are forced to shift
Voigt syn. Asclepias acida Roxb.; Root is ground with lemon fruit from the natural habitats. Therefore, to
Family- Asclepiadaceae; LN- (Citrus sp.) and applied to get relief save this traditional heritage
Kodikkalli, Kondapala, Somamum from itching and allergy related skin documentation of the traditional
A dilute extract of the whole plant diseases (VSN- MS 109). knowledge of older generation is
is used internally to relieve rheumatic necessary for the sustainable development
pains (VSN- MS 816). 72. Trianthema portulacastrum of younger generation on natural
Linn.; Family-Aizoaceae; LN- resources. In this context, observations on
66. Sida cordata (Burmn. f.) Sharunnai 75 species belonging to 43 families were
Borssum; Family-Malvaceae; LN- An infusion of the root is given made during the survey. Suitable clinical
Arival manippundu internally to relieve constipation (VSN- MS trials coupled with extensive
The leaf juice is effective in 797). phytochemical investigations are required
treating diarrhoea during pregnancy. The to decipher the chemical nature of
pounded leaves are applied locally to 73. Vernonia cinerea Less.; Family- biologically active compounds for more
relieve cuts and bruises (VSN- MS 1088). Asteraceae; LN- Mukuttipundu scientific utility.
Plant juice is used for
67. Sida rhombifolia Linn.; Family- indigestion, piles and malaria. Leaf juice References
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