SANDEEPAMOL P S

MEDICINAL PLANT DIVERSITY IN

KULATHUPUZHA LOCALITY, KOLLAM DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to identify the “Medicinal

Plant Diversity in Kulathupuzha Locality, Kollam District”. Medicinal

plants, also called medicinal herbs, have been discovered and used

in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. Plants

synthesize hundreds of chemical compounds for functions including

defense against insects, fungi, diseases and herbivorous mammals.

Numerous phytochemical with potential or established biological

activity have been identified. However, since a single plant contains

widely diverse phytochemicals, the effects of using a whole plant as

medicine are uncertain. Further, the phytochemical content and

pharmacological actions, if any, of many plants having medicinal

potential remain unassessed by rigorous scientific research to define

efficacy and safety. In this study involves the identification of

medicinal plants in Kulathupuzha Locality, Kollam District. Plants

with medicinal importance are identified and listed in the present

study. There are fifteen medicinally important plants are collected

from the locality.

 I. INTRODUCTION

Nature is always a golden sign to show the prominent

phenomena of co-existence. Natural products from plants, animals

and minerals are the basis for treating human diseases. Plants are

used for variety of purposes. Medicinal plants also called medicinal

herbs, have been discovered and used in traditional medicine

practices since prehistoric times. Plants synthesis hundreds of

compounds for functions including defense against insects fungi,

disease and herbivorous mammals.

Plants have been used for medicinal purposes long before

recorded history primitive men observed and appreciated the great

diversity of plants available to them. The medicinal use of plants

seems to be developed through observations of wild animals, and by

trial and error as herbs in their area to its knowledge base they

methodically collected information on herbs and developed well

defined herbal pharmacopoeias

Various drugs listed as conventional medications were

originally derived from plants. Salicylic acid, a precursor of aspirin,

was originally derived from white willow bark and the medowsweet

plant. Cinchona bark is the source of malaria fighting quinine . The

Opium poppy yields morphine,codeine and puregoric,a remedy for

diarrhea. Morphine is the most important alkaloid of the opium

poppy remains the standard against which new synthetic pain

relives is measured similarly, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the

component Cannibas sativa responsible for the CNS effect,has also

been found to reduce nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy.
 Substances derived from the plants remain the basis for a

large proportion of the commercial medications used for the

treatment of heart diseases, high blood pressure, pain asthma ,

cancer and other problems. Plants contain a number of metabolites,

only a small percentage has been investigated phytochemically and

some fractions of them have been submitted for biological screening.

Globally, there has been an unparalleled growth in the plane

derived medicinally useful for mutations, drugs and health care

products. It has a market covering more than 60% products derived

from plant origin. India exhibits remarkable outlook in modern

medicines that are based on natural products besides traditional

system of Indian medicines. Almost 70% of the modern medicines in

India are derived from natural products. Medicinal plants play a

central role not only as traditional medicines but also as trade

commodities, meeting the demand of distant markets.

To complete with the growing market, there is urgency to ex

peditiously utilize and scientifically validate more medicinally useful

plants while conserving these species, which seems a difficult task

ahead.
 II. METHEDOLOGY

The present study mainly focus on field study. The method

of study involves the identification of Medicinal Plants from

Kulathupuzha Locality, Kollam District. Plants with medicinal

importance are identified and listed in he present study. Apart from

the medicinal use, the local names and a brief description about

each of the plants are identified and make a detailed study about

it. Finally a herbarium was prepared by using these plants.

III. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

1. Adhatoda vasica

Family : Acanthaceae

Local Name: Adalodakom

Adalodakam, also known as Vasaka plant or Malabar Nut Tree

is a tall shrub from the family Acanthaceae. Being a plant native

to India, it has been largely used in traditional medicinal systems

like Ayurveda.

There are in fact two species of plants referred to as Vasaka. One

is Adhatoda vasica while the other is Adhatoda beddomei (Cheru

Adalodakam). In this article, we are mainly considering the former.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

Leaf of Vasaka plant is the most useful part which contains an

alkaloid called Vasicine. The presence of this alkaloid makes it an

effective remedy for cough and respiratory-related problems like

bronchitis and asthma. The roots and flowers also possess similar

medicinal properties.

2. Asparagus racemosus

Family: Asparagaceae

Local name: Shatavari

Asparagus racemosus (satavar, shatavari, or shatamull,

shatawari) is a species of asparagus common throughout India and

the Himalayas. It was botanically described in 1799. Because of its

multiple uses, the demand for Asparagus racemosus is constantly on

the rise. Because of destructive harvesting, combined with habitat

destruction, and deforestation, the plant is now considered

"endangered" in its natural habitat.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

Shatavari is important in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.

Extracts made from dried roots are used for various reproductive

and hormonal issues in women. It is also used in cases of gastric

ulcers and indigestion.

3. Ayapana triplinervis

Family: Asteraceae

Local name: Ayapana

Ayapana triplinervis (aya-pana, water hemp) is a tropical

American shrub in the family Asteraceae. This plant has long

slender leaves which are often used to make a stimulating medicine.

It contains Herniarin, a methoxy analog of umbelliferone, while its

essential oil contains thymohydroquinone dimethyl ether. The flowers

are pale pink and the thin, hairless stem is reddish in color.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

The herb is stimulant, tonic in small doses and laxative when

taken in quantity. A hot infusion is emetic and diaphoretic.

Decoction of the leaves is antiseptic and haemostatic; useful against

various kinds of haemorrhage and to clean foul ulcers. An aqueous

extract of the dried leaves is a cardiac stimulant. Fresh leaves are

used by the Marma for cut and stomachache. Ethanolic extract of

the aerial parts of the plant possess antibacterial and anti fungal

properties.

4. Azadirachta indica

Family:meliaceae

Local name: Neem plant

 Azadirachta indica, commonly known as neem, nimtree or
Indian lilac, is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one

of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to the Indian

subcontinent, i.e. India, Nepa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and

Maldives. It is typically grown in tropial and semi-tropical regions.

Neem trees also grow in islands located in the southern part of

Iran. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

Products made from neem trees have been used in India for

over two millennia for their medicinal properties. Neem products are

believed by Siddha and Ayurvedic practitioners to be anthelmintic,

antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, contraceptive, and

sedative. It is considered a major component in siddha medicine and

Ayurvedic and Unani medicine and is particularly prescribed for

skin diseases. Neem oil is also used for healthy hair, to improve

liver function, detoxify the blood, and balance blood sugar levels.

Neem leaves have also been used to treat skin diseases like eczema,

psoriasis, etc.

Insufficient research has been done to assess the purported

benefits of neem, however. In adults, short-term use of neem is

safe, while long-term use may harm the kidneys or liver; in small

children, neem oil is toxic and can lead to death. Neem may also

cause miscarriages, infertility and low blood sugar.

5. Centella asiatica

Family: Apiaceae

Local name: Indian pennywort

Centella asiatica, commonly known as Indian pennywort,

Asiatic pennywort or goyu kola is a herbaceous, frost-tender

perennial plant in the flowering plant family Apiaceae. It is native

to the wetlands in Asia. It is used as a culinary vegetable and as

a medicinal herb.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

In traditional medicine, C. asiatica has been used to treat

various disorders and minor wounds. Clinical efficacy and safety

have not been confirmed by high-quality medical research. Contact

dermatitis and skin irritation can result from topical application.

Drowsiness may occur after consuming it. The herb may have

adverse effect on liver function when used over many months.

6. Cyclea peltata

Family: Menispermaceae

Local name: lndian Moon Seed

Indian Moon-Seed is a slender twining shrub, frequently

climbing up on tall trees. Leaves are alternate, heart shaped, 2.5-10

cm long, 2.5-3.75 cm broad, stipule 5-10 cm long and nerves 7-11.

The flowers are unisexual, pale yellow. The fruits are spherical

drupes, white in color. Indian Moon-Seed is found in Western Ghats.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

The roots of patha have great medicinal value and are used

for medicinal purpose, both, internally as well as externally.

External application of the paste of its roots and leaves is extremely

beneficial, in infected wounds, sinuses, and skin diseases like

erysipelas and pruritus. The external application of this paste is

said to be useful in serpant bite also. The root juice is salutary in

headache, as nasal drops. The roots have anti-inflammatory activity

and hence alleviated the edema. Patha is a valuable wound healer

and antidermatosis herb.

7. Eclipta prostrata

Family: Asteraceae

Local name: Bhringraj

Eclipta prostrata commonly known as false daisy, yerba de

tago, Karisalankanni , and bhringraj, is a species of plant in the

sunflower family. It is widespread across much of the world. This

plant has cylindrical, grayish roots. The solitary flower heads with

white florets. The achenes are compressed and narrowly winged.

This species grows commonly in moist places in warm temperate to

tropical areas worldwide. It is widely distributed throughout India,

Nepal, China, Thailand, and Brazil.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

The plant has traditional uses in Ayurveda. It is bitter, hot,

sharp, and dry in taste. In India, it is known as bhangra or

bhringaraj. Wedelia calendulacea is known by the same names, so

the white-flowered E. alba is called white bhangra and the yellow-

flowered W. calendulacea is called yellow bhangra.

In Southeast Asia the dried whole plant is used in traditional

medicine although there is no high-quality clinical research to

indicate such uses are effective.

8. Elephantopus scaber

Family: Asteraceae

Local name: Anachuvadi

Elephantopus scaber is a tropical species of flowering plant in

the sunflower family. It is native to tropical Africa, Eastern Asia,

Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. It has

become naturalized in tropical Africa and Latin America. Its natural

habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

E. scaber is used as a traditional medicine. Different parts of

the plant are used in traditional medicine of India as an astringent

agent, cardiac tonic, and diuretic, and is used for eczema,

rheumatism, fever, and bladder stones. E.scaber modulates

inflammatory responses by inhibiting the production of TNF α and and

IL-1β..

9. Hemigraphis alternata
Family: Acanthaceae

Local name:Waffle plant

Hemigraphis alternata is a member of the family Acanthaceae

native to Java. It is a prostrate plant with purple colored leaves.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

In Indonesia, Hemigraphis alternata is used to promote

urination, check and heal hemorrhages, stop dysentery, and treat

venereal diseases. The plant is popular in the United States and

rarely the United Kingdom to use in hanging baskets for gardens.

10. Murraya koenigii

Family: Rutaceae

Local name: Curry tree

The curry tree (Murraya koenigii) or curry leaf tree is a

tropical to sub-tropical tree in the family Rutaceae (the rue family,

which includes rue, citrus, and satinwood), and is native to India.

Its leaves are used in many dishes in the Indian subcontinent.

Often used in curries, the leaves are generally called by the name

"curry leaves", although they are also actually "sweet neem leaves"

in most Indian languages.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

The leaves of Murraya koenigii are also used as a herb in

Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine in which they are believed to

possess anti-disease properties, but there is no high-quality clinical

evidence for such effects. Curry leaves can help in dealing with

digestive issues. It is used to treat the stomach upset. It also help

maintain cholesterol level.

11. Ocimum tenuiflorum

Family: Lamiaceae

Local name: Tulsi

Ocimum tenuiflorum (synonym Ocimum sanctum), commonly

known as holy basil or tulsi, is an aromatic perennial plant in the

family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and

widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian

tropics.Tulsi is cultivated for religious and traditional medicine

purposes, and for its essential oil. It is widely used as a herbal tea,

commonly used in Ayurveda, and has a place within the Vaishnava

tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving

holy basil plants or leaves. The variety of Ocimum tenuiflorum used

in Thai cuisine is referred to as Thai holy basil it is not the same

as Thai basil, which is a variety of Ocimum basilicum.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

Tulsi (Sanskrit:-Surasa) has been used in Ayurveda and

Siddha practices for its supposed treatment of diseases. Its benefits

are unknown.

12. Phyllanthus niruri

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Local name: Stonebreaker

Phyllanthus niruri is a widespread tropical plant commonly

found in coastal areas, known by the common names gale of the

wind, stonebreaker or seed-under-leaf. It is a relative of the spurges,

belonging to the genus Phyllanthus of the family Phyllanthaceae.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

Phyllanthus niruri, also known as Bhumyamalaki, Keezhanelli

(Malayalam, Tamil) has been used in Ayurveda, Siddha for problems

of the stomach, genitourinary system, liver, kidney, and spleen, and

to treat chronic fever.

Amazonian tribes historically used Phyllanthus niruri to treat kidney

stones and gallstones, naming it Chanca piedra or Quebra-pedra,

respectively, Spanish and Portuguese terms for stonebreaker.

Phyllanthus niruri is nowadays marketed as a herbal remedy under

the name Chanca piedra.

13. Plectranthus barbatus,

Family: Lamiaceae

Local name: Coleus

Plectranthus barbatus, also known by the synonym Coleus

forskohlii and vernacular names forskohlii and Indian coleus, is a

tropical perennial plant related to the typical coleus species. It

produces forskolin, an extract useful for pharmaceutical preparations

and research in cell biology.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

In Ayurvedic traditional medicine, Coleus has been used to

treat heart diseases, spasmodic pain, painful urination and

convulsions.
14. Rauvolfia serpentina

Family: Apocynaceae

Local name: Indian snake root

Rauvolfia serpentina, the Indian snakeroot, devil pepper, or

serpentine wood, is a species of flower in the milkweed family

Apocynaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and East Asia

(from India to Indonesia). Rauvolfia is a perennial undershrub

widely distributed in India in the sub-Himalayan regions up to

1,000 metres (3,300 ft). It is the source of the phytochemical,

reserpine, which has been used in the treatment of systolic

hypertension.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

The root is used to make medicine. Indian snakeroot is used

for mild high blood pressure, nervousness, trouble sleeping

(insomnia), and mental disorders such as agitated psychosis and

insanity. Reserpine is used to treat mild to moderate hypertension,

schizophrenia, and some symptoms of poor circulation.

15. Scoparia dulcis

Family: Plantaginaceae

Local name: Kallurukki

 Scoparia dulcis is a species of flowering plant in the plantain

family. Common names include licorice weed, goatweed, scoparia-

weed and sweet-broom in English, tapeiçava, tapixaba, and

vassourinha in Portuguese, escobillo in Spanish, and tipychä kuratu

in Guarani. It is native to the Neotropics but it can be found

throughout the tropical and subtropical world. Although S. dulcis is

considered a weed in many parts of Bangladesh, its use in

traditional medicine has led to overexploitation. The plant is also

found as a weed in Florida citrus groves.

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

As a traditional medicine, S. dulcis has been used for diabetes

in India and hypertension in Taiwan. In Siddha medicine it is used

for treatment of kidney stones, but it needs rigorous diet method. It

is called as Kallurukki (stone melter) in Tamil. In Brazil, it has

been used for various problems such as hemorrhoids and wounds.

VI. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

The present study states that many plants have high level of

medicinal uses. These plants could be used for indigestion, fight the

flu, treat poison, and rashes.

Medicinal plants are inseparable from local livelihoods because

they have long been collected, consumed, and managed through local

customs and knowledge. Management of traditional therapies is

urged, because the therapies are empirically and knowledge based,

often culturally inherited and important to pharmacology and local

livelihoods. However traditional therapies are currently being eroded

due to changing lifestyles.

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