Folk Medicines of Kurukshetra District (Haryana), India

Author(s): S. D. Lal and B. K. Yadav

Source: Economic Botany, Vol. 37, No. 3 (Jul. - Sep., 1983), pp. 299-305
Published by: Springer on behalf of New York Botanical Garden Press
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 Folk Medicines of Kurukshetra District (Haryana), India1
S. D. LAL AND B. K. YADAV2

Information on 69 species and 66 prescriptions for therapeutic doses are giv

and medicinal applications of each species are presented. Popular names, em-
pirical properties and manner of using prescriptions are described. The putati
plant remedies are not evaluated nor are any chemical principles identified.

Recently efforts have been made to reveal folklore medicines through

botanical explorations. In India the literature on diverse native floras and
uses of plants is voluminous (Handa et al., 1951; Chopra et al., 1956; Jain
1965; Shabnam, 1964; Gupta, 1964; Juyal and Uniyal, 1966; Uniyal, 1968;
al., 1969; Kapoor et al., 1971; Shah and Kapoor, 1974; Kirtikar and Basu, 1
Kaul and Yadav, 1980; Lal and Lata, 1980). A perusal of this literature
that the Kurukshetra district has never been surveyed from the ethnob
point of view. Such ethnobotanical studies can doubtless help to disco
drug plants provided the studies are conducted scientifically. Expeditions
taken primarily by investigators interested in the cultural attributes of p
societies have also yielded valuable information regarding the uses of pla
medicine. Clearly field work is becoming rapidly the most crucial area o
centration for ethnobotanists.

METHODOLOGY

Data were obtained from native informants who were healer

medical practitioners), priests, sanyasis (hermits) and comm
knowledge of the therapeutic value of plants. Because of the f
of the population is illiterate, oral interviews were held in
derived information was recorded.
Plant specimens were collected and identified by the authors and deposited i
the Botany Department, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. For conforma-
tion, specimens were compared with herbarium material at the Botanical Surv
of India, Dehradun. More than 250 informants were interviewed; older men an
women were preferred. Data were collected from almost every village of the
Kurukshetra district. The area of study, situated 160 km north of New Delhi, l
at 28059'N and 76°50'E.

RESULTS

Diabetes

1. Extract, obtained after boiling the shade-dried pods of matur (Pisum sativum L., Faba
Yadav 101) in water, without seeds, given to patients for diabetes.
2. Water, kept for 3 days in a container made of belpatter wood (Hibiscus tiliaceus L., Malvac
Yadav 102), administered orally for diabetes.

1 Received 22 April 1982; accepted 25 September 1982.

2 Dept. of Botany, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 132 119, India.

Economic Botany, 37(3), 1983, pp. 299-305

8) 1983, by the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458

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300 ECONOMIC BOTANY [VOL. 37

Piles

1. Mixture of 2 tablespoons of powdered bhang leaves (Cannabis sativa L., Cannabinaceae Yadav
132), 4 tablespoons of elaichi (Elettaria cardamomum Maton, Zingiberaceae Yadav 121) fruit with
250 ml lassi (buttermilk) taken twice a day before breakfast and dinner for 1 wk to treat piles. Patient
should take only dalia (boiled, half-crushed wheat), milk and rice (Oryza sativa L. Poaceae Lal 153)
and avoid strictly common salt and lalmirch (dried fruits of Capsicum annuum L., Solanaceae Lal
131) during the course of treatment.
2. Chronic piles are treated by taking 250 ml hot-water extract of morpankh (Thuja tetragona
Hook., Cupressaceae Yadav 159) leaves twice a day, i.e., in morning and evening for 3 wk.

Female disorders

1. Half tablespoon of powdered plant of santi (Boerhaavia diffusa L., Nyctaginaceae Lal 10
taken with water thrice a day to obtain relief from menstruation troubles.
2. Chewing of sopari (Areca catechu L., Palmaceae Yadav 134) is said to strengthen muscl
vagina.
3. Woven flexible stem of chirchitta (Lycium barbarum L., Solanaceae Yadav 114) tied around
hips of women is said to facilitate delivery of child.
4. Fine-powdered belpatter (Hibiscus tiliaceus L., Malvaceae Yadav 102) fruit, thoroughly mixed
with khoa (condensed milk) in the ratio 1:4; 50 g are taken in morning and evening for 1 mo to reduce
the swollen abdomen of women caused by delivery.

Vermifuge

1. Extract of plant or flowers of guladaud (Carthamus oxyacantha Bieb., Compositae Jain 151)
acts as an anthelmintic for children.
2. Delicate leaves of morwa (Sansevieria zeylanica Willd., Haemodoraceae Yadav 164) used a
paste, for their anthelmintic properties.

Headache and cold

1. Haldi (rhizome of Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae Jain 152) and split roots of aak (
procera (Ait.) R.Br., Asclepiadaceae Yadav 130), kept together for 20 days are ground a
product taken in morning with malai (milk cream) for 3 days to obtain relief from heada
2. Santi (Boerhaavia diffusa L., Nyctaginaceae Lal 103) and kalimirch (Piper nigrum
ceae Jain 150) fruit mixed together and crushed to obtain paste which is taken once a day
for colds.

Skin diseases

1. Local application of paste obtained from the mixture of tender leaves of neem (Azadirachta
indica A. Juss., Meliaceae Lal 133) and kalimirch (Piper nigrum L., Piperaceae Jain 150) fruit helps
remove facial pimples.
2. About 50 g wet seeds of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Meliaceae Lal 133) and 150 g misri
(crystalline sugar) ground to make tablets of 100 mg each. 3 tablets taken thrice a day to treat boils
and pimples.
3. 3-4 leaves of kalabansa (Withania somnifera Dunal, Solanaceae Jain 170), after roasting in sarson
(Brassica campestris L. var. sarson, Cruciferae Jain 139) oil, applied to boils for 4-5 days.
4. Oral administration of hot-water extract of dried pitpapra (Fumaria parviflora Lam., Fumari-
aceae Lal 125) to treat boils.
5. Wood oil of ker (Acacia ferruginea DC., Mimosaceae Jain 105) and bar (Ficus benghalensis
L., Moraceae Jain 127) latex applied locally against scabies.
6. Heated leaves of datura (Datura alba Nees, Solanaceae Yadav 108) are bandanged onto boils
for treatment.
7. Paste, obtained by rubbing chandan wood (Santalum album L., Santalaceae Lal 115) on stone
with water, applied externally against boils.
8. Pinch of mucilaginous extract of pedicellate portion of fresh fruit of ghia (Luffa aegyptiaca Mill.,
Cucurbitaceae Lal 160) applied 7 times, at one treatment, to the back of child to remove prickly heat.

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1983] LAL & YADAV: FOLK MEDICINES 301

Jaundice

1. Oral administration of water extract of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Meliaceae Lal 133)
leaves twice a day, for 3-4 days to treat jaundice.
2. Macerated stem of channa (Cicer arietinum L., Fabaceae Yadav 109) soaked in water overnight;
250 ml filtrate taken for 1 wk to treat jaundice.

Bronchitis

1. Half tablespoon of shade-dried, powdered bhang (Cannabis sativa L., Cannabinaceae Yadav
132) leaves with equal quantity of honey, taken 3 times a day to eliminate cough, bronchitis and other
respiratory troubles; tea or hot water taken after each dose.
2. Oral administration of leaf decoction of safeda (Eucalyptus citriodora Hook., Myrtaceae Lal
104) at bedtime for 2-3 days for cough and cold.
3. Decoction of 5-6 leaves and 5-6 inflorescences of puthkanda (Achyranthes aspera L., Ama-
ranthaceae Sharma 129) taken about 1 h before lunch and dinner for 5-6 days for colds and cough.
4. Extract of lasun (bulblets of Allium sativum L., Liliaceae Yadav 147), with double the amount
of honey, administered orally, once a day for 3 days for whooping cough.
5. Yellow leaves of adusa (Adhatoda vasica Nees, Acanthaceae Sharma 107) chewed for treatment
of cough.
6. One fourth tablespoon of shade-dried, powdered kalabansa (Withania somnifera Dunal, Sola-
naceae Jain 170), with 25 g gulkand (paste obtained from petals of Rosa indica L., Rosaceae,
Sharma 156 and sugar) taken thrice a day for 1 mo for asthma. Dose is taken with warm water in
winter and with cold water in summer. Eating of aalu (Solanum tuberosum L., Solanaceae Sharma
155), chawal (Oryza sativa L., Poaceae Lal 153) and phoolgobhi (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis,
Cruciferae Lal 119) are prohibited during the course of treatment.

Liver troubles

1. Whole shade-dried plant of puthkanda (Achyranthes aspera L., Amaranthaceae Sharma 129) is
powdered with 4 times misri (crystalline sugar). 2 tablespoons of this powder with cow's milk o
water twice a day, 1 h before each meal, for 1 mo taken for liver troubles.
2. All parts of mako (Solanum nigrum L., Solanaceae Bhardwaj 128) are crushed and filtered. Oral
administration of the filtrate mixed with equal amount of misri (crystalline sugar) for 15 days to treat
liver inflammation and urinary troubles. Dose for adults: 1 tablespoon; for children: half tablespoon
I h before each meal. Use of common salt is prohibited.
3. One tablespoon juice of gajar (root of Daucus carota L. var. sativa, Apiaceae Lal 112), sangtra
(fruit of Citrus reticulata Blanco, Rutaceae Sharma 146), muli (root of Raphanus sativus L., Crucif-
erae Yadav 167) and 1 tablespoon extract of apamarg (Sonchus asper Vill., Compositae Bhardwaj
113) leaves administered orally thrice a day, 1 h before each meal for 10-12 days, for spleen and liver
troubles.

Fever

I. Mixture of equal quantities of powdered roots of hirankhuri (Evolvulus alsinoides L., Convol
vulaceae Yadav 148,) and ajwain (fruits of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague, Apiaceae Yadav 1
are boiled with water in closed vessel, then filtered; 50 ml filtrate taken once a day for 1 mo fo
typhoid.

Pain

I. Hot-water extract of whole plant of nilikandiari (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. and Wen
Solanaceae Sharma 140) gargled twice a day for 3-4 days to treat toothache.
2. Decoction of amaltas (Cassia fistula L., Caesalpiniaceae Sharma 168) fruit applied locally dur
severe toothache.
3. Powdered haldi (rhizome of Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae Jain 152), mixed with cow's m
administered as body analgesic.
4. Dried seeds of nilikandiari (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. and Wendl., Solanaceae Sha
140) inhaled to obtain relief from migraine.

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302 ECONOMIC BOTANY [VOL. 37

5. Use of water extract of makai (Zea mays L., Poaceae Yadav 260) styles to re
achache.
6. Warm extract of sukhdarshana (Crinum defixum Ker-Gawl., Amaryllidaceae Lal 1ll) le
poured on boil in ear of child to ease earpain.
7. Hot-water extract ofpalash (Buteafrondosa Roxb., Fabaceae Bhardwaj 145) flowers given ora
to treat severe stomachache.
8. For severe stomachache of children water extract of podina (Mentha arvensis L., Lami
Sharma 171) leaves is administered orally.

Rickets

1. Water extract of khar (Euphorbia hirta L., Euphorbiaceae Sharma 126), zira (fruits of Carum
carvi L., Apiaceae Jain 116) and sittamisri (crystalline sugar) used to treat rickets; dose is 10 g daily
for 3 mo.

Epilepsy

1. Powdered, dried roots of chhuimui (Mimosa pudica L., Mimosaceae Lal 149) soaked in water
for 3 days; filtrate helpful in epilepsy.

Digestive disorders

1. Leaves of chulai (Amaranthus viridis L., Amaranthaceae Sharma 122) ground with kalimirch
(Piper nigrum L., Piperaceae Jain 150) fruit and common salt; paste taken for 7 days to expell worms
from stomach and to improve digestion.
2. Shade-dried, powdered flowers of aak (Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br., Asclepiadaceae Yadav
130) mixed with equal quantity of powdered mine salt to make tablets of 100 mg each. 3 tablets at a
time, thrice a day with cold water taken orally for stomachache.
3. Equal quantities of tender leaves of jamun (Eugenia jambolana Lam., Myrtaceae Sharma 124),
endocarp of aam (Mangifera indica L., Anacardiaceae Sharma 166) and khaskhas (seeds of Papaver
somniferum L., Papaveraceae Jain 161) mixed together and taken to treat dysentery. Curd and rice
recommended for meals, whereas use of lalmirch (dried fruits of Capsicum annuum L., Solanaceae
Lal 131), sour foods and Brassica oils prohibited during course of treatment.
4. One kela (fruit of Musa paradisiaca L., Musaceae Yadav 142) and 50 mg opium (Papaver
somniferum L., Papaveraceae Jain 161), taken orally with cow's milk to treat dysentery.
5. Infusion of bark of janglisaru (Casuarina equisetifolia L., Casuarinaceae Lal 163) administered
orally for ulcers, constipation, and stomachache.

Baldness

1. Continuous use for 3 mo of powdered jawar (grains of Sorghum vulgare (L.) Pers., Po
Sharma 163) mixed with Brassica oil applied locally on bald heads is said to stimulate the grow
new hair.

Aphrodisiac

1. To increase sexual potency in men naryal (fruit of Cocos nucifera L., Palmaceae Sharma 135)
and latex of bar (Ficus benghalensis L., Moraceae Jain 127) taken orally; dose is 50 g daily for 3
mo.

2. Powdered leaves of chhuimui (Mimosa pudica L., Mimosaceae Lal 149), with crystalline
and water taken in morning and evening for about I mo is said to increase sexual potency in m

Snake bite

1. Sufficient quantity (as much as the patient can eat) of gur (crude sugar obtained from Saccharum
officinarum L., Poaceae Yadav 162) and urine of snake-bitten person administered orally for snake
bite.

Tonsilitis

1. Paste obtained from flowers of jaljari (Ranunculus muricatus L., Ranunculaceae Jain 148),
kalimirch (Piper nigrum L., Piperaceae Jain 150) fruit and common salt taken orally against tonsilitis.

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1983] LAL & YADAV: FOLK MEDICINES 303

Abortifacient

1. Seeds of gajar (Daucus carota L., var. sativa, Apiaceae Lal 112) with old gu
eaten for termination of 3 wk pregnancy.

Antiseptic

1. After removing thorn from skin, latex of aak (Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br., Asclepiadaceae
Yadav 130) applied as an antiseptic.
2. Powdered leaves of bhringaraja (Eclipta alba Hassk., Compositae Lal 117) applied locally to
treat wounds.

Oedema

1. Continuous use of karela (Momordica charantia L., Cucurbitaceae Jain 106) fruit as a vegeta
for chronic oedema.
2. Bath taken with water extract of amarbel (Cuscuta reflexa Roxb., Convolvulaceae Jain 110) fo
acute oedema.

Tonic

1. Water-soaked seeds of channa (Cicer arietinum L., Fabaceae Yadav 109) consumed in mornin
with hot milk as a tonic.
2. Juice of fresh leaves of brahmibooti (Hydrocotyle asiatica L., Apiaceae Sharma 137) used as
eyedrops, particularly for cataracts. Also given to relieve fever. Fresh leaves said to be tonic for
brain.

Kidney troubles

1. Fresh leaves of methi (Medicago sativa L., Fabaceae Yadav 144) consumed as a vegetable for
kidney stones; dose is 50 g daily for 4 wk.
2. About 50 g leaves of patherchut (Kalanchoe pinnata Pers., Crassulaceae Lal 138) taken with
common salt, daily for I mo to dissolve kidney stones.
3. Boiled seeds of kulth (Dolichos biflorus L., Fabaceae Jain 158) eaten for kidney stones; dose
is 50 g daily for 1 mo.

Leprosy

1. Paste, prepared by rubbing fresh fruit of balamkhira (Kigelia pinnata DC., Bignoniaceae Lal
165) against stone, applied locally to treat leprosy.

Rheumatic pains

1. Boiled leaves of bichhubooti (Urtica dioica L., Urticaceae Yadav 157) applied externally for 1
wk for gout and rheumatic pain.

Eye diseases

1. Extract of kaner (Nerium odorum Soland., Apocynaceae Sharma 143) flowers used to prevent
eye infection; 2 drops reported to be sufficient at a time.
2. Equal quantities of gorakhmundi (inflorescence of Sphaeranthus indicus L., Compositae Yadav
118), leaf and flower buds of safed aak (white-flowered Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br., Asclepiada-
ceae Yadav 130), and brahmibooti (leaves of Hydrocotyle asiatica L., Apiaceae Sharma 137) are
dried in shade and then powdered. Pinch of this powder with 250 ml cow's milk taken orally twice a
day for about 2 mo to treat eyesight disorder.

DISCUSSION

The natives of Kurukshetra district are known as Haryanavis

spoken by them is Haryanavi, a dialect of Hindi. Apparently
to be treated for really serious ailments by doctors in the gov
or dispensaries, while plant remedies are employed in emergen

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304 ECONOMIC BOTANY [VOL. 37

maladies. Haryanavi folk medicine is an art practiced mainly by pe

Guided by their long experience, they are said to be capable of he
diseases, viz., asthma, baldness, diabetes, epilepsy, filariasis, hemi
dice, kidney stones, leprosy, liver troubles, oedema, piles, rheum
spleen troubles, tonsilitis, typhoid, etc. On the other hand, young
consider the belief in plant remedies a sort of superstition. Sin
systematic schooling for transmitting knowledge of these putative
from one generation to the next, it is believed that with the passi
generation, little of this traditional knowledge will survive.
Regarding our listing of medicinal plants, it must be noted tha
individual plants and their uses are listed separately, in many cases
compounded of two or more plants. Thus, the possibility that the a
of these remedies is derived in part from synergistic effects betwe
not be ignored.
The wealth of wild medicinal plants is one of the vital resource
portant bearing on human health and the region's economy. Most p
entrepreneurs associated with ayurvedic, unani and allopathic sys
cine use crude drugs, collected from wild sources. In the recent pas
of crude drugs utilized has increased many times. Fortunately Ind
with many natural blessings in terms of human health and welfar
genial climate and soil for rich plant growth and in this connecti
plants gain special significance.
More than 95% of the information gathered by the present inv
consistent among the informants consulted. However, some of th
differed in their reports on the way to use the same plant. These
been using these preparations against ailments from time immem
knowing their effective constituents. Although some of these pla
analysed for various constituents (Chopra et al., 1956), there is no
to which are the effective principles in most of the preparations l
Since the Haryanavis have often observed the positive effects of t
preparations, they have strong faith in their own recipes. Thus, th
of these remedies is quite high among 95% of the Haryanavis pop
district. At present, 75% of the population surveyed in this localit
the indigenous system of medicine involving mostly herbal drugs.
It will obviously require painstaking scientific research to test
these putative remedies. In the meanwhile, it is believed that this
should be recorded before it is lost with the passing of another generat
er these folk medicines will eventually be found to be effective o
course, quite defensible from the ethnobotanical perspective to rep
ployment as ethnobotanical phenomena, just as it is legitimate to
folk classification of plants of some group of native peoples, even
classification differs from our latest phylogenetic theories. Patentl
question the legitimacy of recording, as a sociological phenomeno
siasm in America for laetrile or krebiozen, or, earlier, the devotion
to bleeding, use of leeches, and tonsilectomies. Finally, we are no
the effectiveness of these folk remedies, merely recording the use
ucts by a people in a little-known region of the world.

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1983] LAL & YADAV: FOLK MEDICINES 305

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to Dr. S. K. Jain, Director, Botanical Survey of In

the ms and for his valuable suggestions, and to Dr. R. S. Mehrotra, Head of
shetra University, Kurukshetra, and Dr. U. C. Bhattacharya, Deputy Direct
India, Dehra Dun, for providing the facilities.

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