Natural products used by the Kanikkars of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

An attempt has been made to identify folklore medicinally important plants frequently used by the Kannikars tribal residing in
the part of Kanyakumari Wild Life Sanctuary of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. Kannikars are the dominant tribal group in
this region. The survey was conducted in eighteen Kannikars settlelment of Pechiparai Panchayat. Through general conversations
with traditional healers the details of medicinal plants used, mode of treatments, methods of preparation and type of
administration was collected and documented. About 38 plants belonging to 22 families are documented. The wild plants found
in this region are used for treating skin diseases, fever and other ailments including bites of snakes, spiders and scorpions are
enumerated in the present paper. Kannikars are mostly using the leaves of plants followed by roots sometimes the whole plants,
seed and fruits. The common diseases treated by the herbal practitioner were asthma, digestive problems, animal bites and skin
diseases. Most of the plants are belonging to Fabaceae followed by Asteraceae and Acanthaceae.

Full text

ISSN 2278- 4136
ZDB-Number: 2668735-5
IC Journal No: 8192
Volume 2 Issue 1
Online Available at www.phytojournal.com
Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
Vol. 2 No. 1 2013 www.phytojournal.com Page | 255
Natural products used by the Kanikkars of Kanyakumari
district, Tamil Nadu, India
F. Brisca Renuga1* and S. Mary Mettilda Bai1
1. Holy Cross College Rd, Vattakarai, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, 629004, India
[E-mail: brisrem@gmail.com]
An attempt has been made to identify folklore medicinally important plants frequently used by the Kannikars tribal residing in
the part of Kanyakumari Wild Life Sanctuary of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. Kannikars are the dominant tribal group in
this region. The survey was conducted in eighteen Kannikars settlelment of Pechiparai Panchayat. Through general conversations
with traditional healers the details of medicinal plants used, mode of treatments, methods of preparation and type of
administration was collected and documented. About 38 plants belonging to 22 families are documented. The wild plants found
in this region are used for treating skin diseases, fever and other ailments including bites of snakes, spiders and scorpions are
enumerated in the present paper. Kannikars are mostly using the leaves of plants followed by roots sometimes the whole plants,
seed and fruits. The common diseases treated by the herbal practitioner were asthma, digestive problems, animal bites and skin
diseases. Most of the plants are belonging to Fabaceae followed by Asteraceae and Acanthaceae.
Keyword: Ethno medicine, Kannikars, Kanykumari.
1. Introduction
Since time immemorial man has used parts of
plants in treatment and prevention of many
ailments (Chah et al., 2006). Our ancestors made
new discoveries of the healing power of plants
through trial and error. Although some of the
therapeutic properties attributed to plants have
proven too erroneous, medicinal plant therapy is
based on the empirical finding of hundreds and
thousands of years (Gurib- Fakim, 2006). WHO
has estimated that at least 80% of all the global
inhabitants rely on traditional systems of
medicine for their primary health needs and these
systems are largely plant based. Ethno medicines
have received renewed global attention of
scientists in India and abroad because of their
wide local acceptability, and providing leads to
the discovery of new drugs of plant origin.
India has a rich tradition in medicinal plant study
and is one of the twelve mega biodiversity centers
and eighteen hot spots in Eastern Himalayas and
Western Ghats apart from being known for
ancient civilization and deep-rooted in tradition,
is also known for its rich diversity, both cultural
as well as biological (Ravikumar et al., 2000).
Ethno biological surveys indicated that about
8000 species of medicinal plants are used as food,
medicine, phytochemical, biocides and other
products. The traditional healers are dwindling in
numbers and the indigenous traditional
knowledge of medicinal plants of various ethnic
communities which has been transmitted orally
for centuries is disappearing from the face of the
earth due to the advent of modern technology,
transformation of traditional culture (Ganesan et
al., 2004) changing pattern of climatic conditions
and scarcity of species due to over grazing by

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animals which is caused by human activities. In
addition to theses there is a grave danger of
traditional knowledge disappearing soon since the
younger generation is not interested to carry on
this tradition (Rajadurai et al., 2009). It is,
therefore, important that before this rich
unwritten folk-lore on uses of plants and plant
resources becomes lost forever it should be
properly documented and preserved (Rao, and
Henry, 1997). . Therefore it becomes the
responsibility of the scientific community to
unravel the information and to document it for
availability to the whole world for the benefit of
human being.
The Kannikars are the predominant and local
inhabitant, inhabiting the Southern tip of Western
Ghat region of Kanyakumari district, Tamilnadu.
The members of this community are familiar with
several herbs and well versed in using these herbs
in various ailments including snake and spider
bites. Although a number of reports are available
on ethno botany of Kanyakumari district (Anitha
et al., 2008; Kingston et al., 2009; Ayyanar and
Ignacimuthu, 2009; Sukumaran and Raj, 2010
and Ariharan et al., 2012).
the detailed study on ethno medicinal plants used
to cure different diseases by Kannikars tribes of
Kanyakumari district has not been explored to the
desired level. So, the present study is started with
the aim to collect the information on the present
status of medicinal plants used by the Kanikkars
of Kanyakumari district.
2. Methodology
2.1 Study area and ethnic people
The study was conducted during 2009 -2010
under the project of “Survey of medicinal plants
of Kannikars of Kanyakumari District,
Tamilnadu” funded by University Grant
Commission to collect the information on plants
used by traditional healers in the Southern tip of
Western Ghat. The selected study area is Kani
settlements of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu.

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Kanyakumari district is the southernmost part of
Western Ghats region which is located between
77° 15' and 77° 36’ of east of longitude and 8°
03’ and 8° 35' north of Latitude. The fieldwork
was conducted in several villages namely
Mothiramalai, Thottamalai, Chappangupparai,
Koovaikadu, Kothaiyar, Alamparai,
Koruvakuzhi, Kothaiyar, Koovaikadu, Puravilai,
Valayamthanki, Thottamalai, Chappangupparai,
Vannachipparai, Mothiramalai, Thottamalai,
Chappangupparai, Koovaikadu of Pechiparai
Panchayat situated in the southern tip of Westen
Ghat region of Kanyakumari District. Kanikkar
tribal living scattered in 24 forests settlements in
Tamil Nadu. More than 200 families and nearly
1500 members of Kannikars are found in the
study area. During the visit their daily activities
were closely observed and interpersonal contacts
were established by frequent visits. During the
course of exploration of medicinal plants the
information has been gathered from seven
informants (6 males and 1 female) between the
ages of 47 to 78 in the study area. Among them
three are regular tribal practitioners and are gone
deep into the jungle for the collection of
medicinal leaves.
The ethno medicinal information was collected
through general conversations with traditional
healers and questionnaires were used to gather
their knowledge. Details of medicinal plants used,
mode of treatments, methods of preparation and
type of administration were documented by
interacting with them as well as through direct
observations. The information collected was
validated by comparing the information given by
the local people.
3. Result
The result of this study have revealed 38 plant
species belonging to 22 families that are used for
various purposes by Kani traditional healers of
Kanyakumari district (Table 1). Leaves were
found most frequently used part followed by root,
whole plants and fruits.
Table 1: Plant parts used by Kani tribes of Kanyakumari district for various ailments
SI.
No Botanical Name Family Vernacular name
Plant
part(s) used
1
Aerva lanata
(L.) Juss.ex Schultes
Amaranthaceae
Kannupeelai
Leaves
2
Abutilon indicum
(Link.) Sweet
Malvaceae
Tutti
Leaves
3
Acalypha fruticosa
Forsk (or)
Acalypha chrysadenia Suess. &
Friedrich
Euphorbiaceae Balamunja(Mal)( Tri), Sinni
(Tam.)
Leaves
4 Achyranthes aspera Mull Amaranthaceae
Nayuruvi (Tam.)
Devil's Horsewhip (Eng) Whole plant
5
Acorus calamus
L.
Vasampu
Rhizome
6 Andrographis paniculata Nees Acanthaceae
Nila vembu or kiriyath (Tri)
Chiriyanangai (Tam) Leaves
7
Areca catechu
Linn
Lauraceae
Pakku
Nut
8 Asparagus racemosus Willd Asparagaceae
Thanneervittan kizhangu
Root
9 Bellicoryne plumbaginifolia Liliaceae
Vishanarayani(Tri)
Wild garlic (Eng.) Bulbs
10 Cassia occidentalis Linn. Caesalpiniaceae Peithuvarai (Tam.)
Leaves and
Pod
11
Cassia alata
Linn.
Caesalpiniaceae
Yanaithavarai
Leaves
12 Cardiospermum halicababum Linn. Sapindaceae
Mudakatthan(Tam)
Balloon Vine(Eng)
Uzhingai (Tri)
Leaves
13
Centella asiatica L.
Apiaceae
Vallarai(Tam.)
Leaves
14
Cinnamomum verum
J. Presl.
Lauraceae
Karuvappattai
Bark

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4. Enumeration
 Aerva lanata (L.) Juss.ex Schultes
The juice prepared from ten to fifteen
grams of whole plant with 150ml of water
is taken orally three times a day for a
period of two days to reduce eczema.
 Abutilon indicum (Link.) Sweet
Paste of fresh leaves with water applied
topically to cure ringworm infection.
 Acalypha fruticosa Forsk (or) Acalypha
chrysadenia Suess. & Friedrich
Leaves ground into paste with water is
used to treat skin diseases
 Achyranthes aspera Mull.
Handful of leaves of Foeniculum vulgare,
Achyranthes aspera with dry powder of
Cinnamomum verum and Areca catechu
boiled in coconut oil is applied for burns.
 Acorus calamus L.
Decoction of pound rhizome is used to
cure phlegm and paste of rhizome applied
topically to control skin diseases.
 Andrographis paniculata Nees.
A leaf ground to paste with little common
salt is given twice daily to control fever or
decoction of leaves to cure any type of
fever.
 Asparagus racemosus Willd
Powdered root with got’s milk is given
twice a day to cure leucorrhoea.
 Bellicoryne plumbaginifolia
Juice of pounded bulb is given every hlf
an hour duration (depends on the severity
of bites) for snake bite. Leaf paste is
applied on the spider bitten area. Paste of
bulb is applied over the head for mental
disorder.
15 Cissmpelos pareira L. Menispermaceae
Malithangi
(Tri.)
Little ironweed (Eng.) Leaves
16
Clitoria ternates
Linn.
Fabaceae
White Sangupushpam(Tam.)
Leaves
17
Clitoria mariana
Linn.
Fabaceae
Purple Sangupushpam Tam.)
Leaves
18
Costus speciosus (J.Konig) Sm.
Zingiberales
Kostam, Channakkizhangu
Root
19
Curcuma zedoaria
Chrism)Roscoe
Zingiberaceae
Kichili kilangu(Tri)
Root
20
Desmodium gangeticum
(L.) DC
Fabaceae
Orila(Tri)
Root
21
Eclipta prostrate L.
Asteraceae
Karisalankanni
Leaves
22
Elephantopus scaber
Linn.
Asteraceae
Yanaichavattadi
Leaves
23
Erythrina variegata
Linn.
Fabaceae
Mullumurunkai
Leaves
24
Evolvulus alsinoides
(L.)
Convolvulaceae
Vishnukarandi
Whole plant
25 Foeniculum vulgare L. Umbelliferae
Karuncheeragam (Tam.)
Fennel (Eng) Fruits
26
Justicia adhatoda
L.
Acanthaceae
Adhathoda
Leaves
27
Leucas aspera
(Wild)Link
Lamiaceae
Thumbai
Leaves
28
Ocimum sanctum
Linn.
Lamiaceae
Thulasi
Leaves
29 Ophiorrhiza mungos L. Rubiaceae Avalpori (Tri)
Leaves and
Flower
30
Pseudarthria viscida
W&A
Fabaceae
Moovila(Tri)
Root
31
Rhinacanthus nasutus
(L.) Kurz
Acanthaceae
Naga malli(Tri)
Leaves
32
Selaginella rupestris
(L.) Sping
Selaginellaceae
Garudapacha
(Tri)
Leaves
33 Tephrosia purpurea (L.)Pers Fabaceae Kolingi(Tri.)
Wild indigo (Eng.) Whole plant
34
Tribulus terrestris
L.
Zygophyllaceae
Sirunerinji
Fruits
35
Trichopus zeylanicus
Gaerten
Dioscoriaceae Arokyapachilai Leaves
36
Tridax procumbens
L
Asteraceae
Vettukayapundu
Leaves
37 Veronia cinerea L. Asteraeae
Kucheri (Tri.)
Purple Fleabane (Eng.) Leaves
38
Wrightia tinctoria
. (Roxb.)R.Br
Apocynaceae
Dandappala(Tri) Vetpalai
Leaves

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 Cassia occidentalis Linn.
Leaves made into paste are given for
hydrophobia or ordinary dog bite.
 Cassia alata Linn.
Fresh leaves paste used for ringworm
infection.
 Cardiospermum halicababum Linn.
Decoction of whole plant is used to cure
swollen legs and related kidney problems
in pregnant women.
 Centella asiatica L.
Paste of leaves with water is applied
topically to control eczema. The paste is
taken orally to treat leucorrhea.
 Cissmpelos pareira L. and Veronia
cinerea
One tablespoon leaf juice of both
Cissmpelos pareira and Veronia cinerea
mixed with half a cup of coconut milk and
is given twice a day to relief chest pain.
 Clitoria ternates Linn and Clitoria
mariana Linn
Leaves and stem of Clitoria ternates or
Clitoria mariana ground into paste and
applied topically on the throat to remove
thorns in throat. The same paste is also a
remedy for the corns on foot.
 Costus speciosus (J.Konig) Sm
Paste of tuber with common salt is applied
on decayed tooth to relief pain. Paste of
tuber with common salt and garlic is a
remedy for diarrhea.
 Curcuma zedoaria (Chrism) Roscoe
Through conversation it was understood
nearly 72 types of tubers were used as
their food and is collected from the jungle
in different season
 Desmodium gangeticum (L.)DC. Plate1
(I)
One to two grams of is heated with water
to make a decoction which is used to
control dysentery
Thirty to sixty ml of this decoction is
given twice a day will reduce the fever,
body pain and cardiac disorder.
 Elephantopus scaber L. Plate 1. (III)
Fresh leaf and rhizome paste are
externally applied to treat the eczema.
Fresh leaf juice is given for snake and
spider bite.
 Erythrina variegate L.
Leaves juice with honey is used to kill
intestinal worm and used as a stimulant
for lactation and menstruation.
 Evolvulus alsinoides L.
The juice prepared from whole plant with
goat’s milk is taken orally three times a
day for a period of three days to reduce
body heat and mouth ulcer. The latex is
used to remove thorns from leg.
 Justicia adhatoda L.
Leaf decoction with honey is given three
times a day till the cough subsidies.
 Leucas aspera (Wild.)Link.
Leaves juice is given for snake bite at an
interval every one hour.
 Ocimum sanctum L
Leaf decoction is used to reduce cough
and fever
Ophiorrhiza mungos L. Plate 1 (II)
Root decoction is used to remove toxins
from the body.
 Pseudarthria viscida W&A
Root decoction is used to control fever,
dysentery and cardiac disorder.
 Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz
Leaf juice applied on deep cut wounds.
The wounds will close within three days.
 Selaginella rupestris (L.) Sping The
leaves are crushed and used for wounds
 Tephrosia purpurea (L.)Pers.
Crushed root with common salt is applied
on aching teeth. Root juice with garlic is
used for dysentery.
 Tribulus terrestris L.
The fruits are used to reduce the
reproductive disorders
 Trichopus zeylanicus Gaerten
Leaf juice is given as enhancer.
 Tridax procumbens L.
Leaf juice is immediately applied to cure
cut wounds

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 Veronia cinerea L.Plate1 (IV)
Leaf juice is given for scorpion bite. Leaf
decoction is best for fever.
 Wrightia tinctoria. (Roxb.) R.Br
The leaf paste is applied topically for
mumps. Coconut oil heated with the
leaves of Wrightia tinctoria is used for
psoriasis.
5. Discussion
Plants are known to provide a rich source of raw
materials for traditional medicine, so traditional
medicinal practices are known to still be an
important component of everyday life in many
regions of the world (Bussmann and Sharon,
2006). People in the remote rural areas of India
are forced to resort to traditional practitioners and
to use traditional medicine for the continued
maintenance of their health and also to alleviate
their diverse sufferings. This practice which has
considerable economic importance in the tribal
culture has never been properly standardized.
There were diversities in the preparation and use
of the herbal medicines in the different groups of
tribals.
Common health problems in the study area were
external problems such as burns, cuts and
wounds, cough, fever, headache, poison bites and
skin diseases and the largest number of
medicinally important plant was used to treat
these troubles. Some of the plants encountered in
this survey have also been worked upon by
different scientists and reported the presence of
alkaloids, tannins and glycosides. Further,
detailed investigations need to be carried out to
bring forth and document this rich treasure of
herbal medicine and to the test of scientific
knowledge by investigating the curative
principles and the active phytochemical
constituents to test their efficacy in the health
care needs as the same may be lost over a period
of time. Much of the modern scientific medicines
have evolved from traditional medicines. The
standard attained in modern medical practice on
the treatment of disease is therefore as a result of
continued scientific study and investigation
which have thus produced a wealth of
information about the nature and physiological
activity of the many compounds extracted from
plants Sonibarea and Gbileb (2008).
Documenting the indigenous knowledge through
ethno botanical studies is important for the
conservation of biological resources as well as
their sustainable utilization.
6. Acknowledgement
The author is thankful to The UGC for the
financial support to carry out this work and also
to the College management and ethnic informants
for their active co-operation without whom the
work won’t be a successful one.
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