PHCOG J ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Ethnobotanical investigations among traditional healers

in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh, India
Rajendra Chary Vijayagiri and Estari Mamidala*
Infectious Diseases & Metabolic Disorders Research Lab, Kakatiya University, Warangal-506 009, Andhra Pradesh, India

Submission Date: 11-10-2012

ABSTRACT

An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from traditional healers on the use of medicinal
plants in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh during July 2011 to August 2012. The indigenous knowledge of
local traditional healers and the native plants used for medicinal purposes were collected through questionnaire and
personal interviews during field trips. The investigation revealed that, the traditional healers used 65 species of
plants distributed in 58 genera belonging to 35 families to treat various diseases. The documented medicinal plants
were mostly used to cure skin diseases, poison bites, stomachache and nervous disorders. In this study the most
dominant families were Euphorbiaceae and fabaceae and leaves were most frequently used for the treatment of
diseases. This study showed that many people in the studied parts of Warangal district still continue to depend on
medicinal plants at least for the treatment of primary healthcare. The traditional healers are dwindling in number and
there is a grave danger of traditional knowledge disappearing soon since the younger generation is not interested to
carry on this tradition.

Keywords: Ethnobotanical, Traditional healers, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh.

INTRODUCTION indigenous knowledge through ethnobotanical studies is

Plants have been used in traditional medicine for several
thousand years.[1] The knowledge of medicinal plants has
been accumulated in the course of many centuries based
on different medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Unani
and Siddha. In India, it is reported that traditional healers
use 2500 plant species and 100 species of plants serve
as regular sources of medicine.[2] The knowledge about
ethnic therapies should also be restored and maintained,
as this provides enormous data regarding the medicinal
properties of plant not known to the modern men.[3]
During last few decades there has been an increasing
in the study of medicinal plants and their traditional
use in different parts of the world.[4] Documenting the
*Corresponding author.
Estari Mamidala
E-mail: estari08@gmail.com
DOI: 10.5530/pj.2012.34.2
Phcog J | Dec 2012 | Vol 4 | Issue 34
important for the conservation and utilization of biologi-
cal resources.
Today according to the World Health Organization
(WHO), as many as 80% of the worlds people depend on
traditional medicine for their primary healthcare needs.
Warangal is one of the 23 districts in Andhra Pradesh and
the traditional healing systems are still popular here. The
present-day traditional healers are very old. Due to lack
of interest among the younger generation as well as their
tendency to migrate to cities for lucrative jobs, wealth of
knowledge in this the area is declining. During the course
of exploration of ethnomedicinal plants of the district,
the information have been gathered from the healers of
rural areas (Mulugu, Venkatapur, Regonda, Parkal, Shay-
ampet and Hasanparthy) found near forest area where the
people depend mostly on those areas for their need and
have sound knowledge of herbal remedies. So far no sys-
tematic ethnobotanical survey has been made in this area
and this is the first report on the medicinal plants used by
the local traditional healers.
13
 Rajendra Chary Vijayagiri, et al.: Ethnobotanical investigations among traditional healers in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh, India
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study area and Ethnobotanical survey
Andhra Pradesh is the fourth largest state in India
with a geographical area of 2, 75,000 sq. km., and has
Hyderabad as its capital. The State has the second longest
coastline (972 km) among all the States in India. Andhra
Pradesh lies between 12o41 and 22oN latitude and
77o and 4o40E longitude, and is bordered by Maharashtra,
Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bay of Bengal, Tamil Nadu
and Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh is divided into three
major regions namely Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema
and Telangana. The state has 23 districts. Total forest
area is about 63.81 lakh hectares (64,000 sq.km), dense
cover comprised 28,309 sq.km. The rest is made up of
open forest i.e. not dense enough (19,498 sq.km), scrub
(4,898 sq.km) and blanks (11,000 sq.km). Andhra Pradesh
has a network of 22 sanctuaries and 4 national parks cov-
ering an area of 12,579.205 km. Or 4.57% of the geo-
graphical area of the state.[5]
Warangal district is located 18.0oN79.58oE, situated to
the northern area of Andhra Pradesh state of India. It
is the 2nd largest city after Hyderabad that lies in the
Telangana region. This is surrounded by Karimnagar dis-
trict to the North, Nalgonda district to the South west,
Khammam district to the East and Southeast and the
Medak district to North West., Warangal district has an
area of 12,846 km, The total forest cover of Warangal
is more than 3,000 square kilometer whereas both Pakhal
(spread over 860 sq. km) and Eturunagaram wildlife
(spread over 806 sq. km) sanctuaries comprise only 1,666
square kms Paddy is the major crop cultivated in this dis-
trict followed by groundnuts, sugarcane, cereals, millets
and pulses.[6]
Local traditional healers
Local traditional healers having practical knowledge
of plants in medicine were interviewed in 6 rural areas
(Mulugu, Venkatapur, Regonda, Parkal, Shayampet and
Hasanparthy) (Fig. 1) of the Warangal district during July
2011 to August 2012. During the course of the study, six
field trips were carried out in the study area. Methods of
selecting informants depended upon the distribution of
local people having folk knowledge. They were requested
to collect specimens of the plants they knew or to show
the plant species on site. These informants were tradi-
tional healers themselves or had tradition of healing in
their families and had knowledge of the medicinal use
of the plants. Fuel wood from the surroundings was the
14
Figure 1. Location map of the study area.
main energy source for cooking and eating. The wealth of
medicinal plant knowledge among the people of this dis-
trict is based on hundreds of years of beliefs and obser-
vations. This knowledge has been transmitted orally from
generation to generation. However it seems that it is van-
ishing from the modern society since younger people are
not interested to carry on this tradition.
Interview with traditional healers
Adopting the methods of Martin,[7] ethnomedicinal
data were collected through general conversations with
the informants. The questionnaires were used to obtain
information on medicinal plants with their local names,
parts used, mode of preparation and administration. A
total of 6 informants, comprising 5 males and 1 female
were identified between the ages of 45 and 80. They were
selected based on their knowledge of medicinal plants
either for self-medication or for treating others. Infor-
mants were asked to come to field and show the plants
with local name; the species mentioned by the informants
were taxonomically identified.
Preservation of plant specimens
Standard method was followed with regard to collection
of plant materials, drying, mounting, preparation and
preservation of plant specimens.[8] Voucher specimens
of medicinal plants in triplicates were collected, pre-
pared and identified. Plants with their correct nomen-
clature were arranged alphabetically by family name,
vernacular name and ethnomedicinal uses. The identifi-
cation and nomenclature of the listed plants were based
on the senior Botany faculty of Kakatiya University,
verified and all the preserved specimens were deposited
at Kakatiya University, Warangal, and Andhra Pradesh,
India.
Phcog J | Dec 2012 | Vol 4 | Issue 34
 Rajendra Chary Vijayagiri, et al.: Ethnobotanical investigations among traditional healers in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh, India

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of the survey are presented in Table 1 and the
species of the plants are arranged in alphabetical order.
The present investigation comprises 65 species of eth-
nomedicinal plants distributed in 58 genera belonging to
36 families. For each species Botanical name, family, local
name, parts used methods of preparation, administration
and ailments treated are provided. Traditional healers are
using these plants to cure diseases related to Poisonous
Bites (snake, scorpion and insect), Wound Healing, Skin
Problems, Ear Pain, Sexual Transmitted Diseases, Dental

Table 1. Medicinal plants used for the treatment of different ailment by traditional healers of Warangal district.
S.N. PLANT SCIENTIFIC NAME VERNACULAR NAME FAMILY MEDICINAL USES
1 Abrus precatorius Gurijalu Fabaceae Snake bite
2 Abulitan indicum Thutthuru benda Malvaceae Wound healing, itching
(Adavi benda)
3 Acalypha indica Muripinda Euphorbiaceae STDs, ear pain, dental treatment
4 Achyranthus Utthareni Amaranthaceae Menstrus cycle, tooth ache
5 Aegle marmelous Maredu Rutaceae Scabis, antidote
6 Allium cepa Vellulli liliaceae Appetite loss, age changes
7 Aloe barbadensis Kalamanda Aloaceae Wound healing, hair fall contrl and good
sleeping
8 Alternanthera sessilis Ponnaganti koora Amaranthaceae Acidity, digestion
9 Androgrophis paniculata Nelavemu Acanthaceae Snake bite, scorpion bite, Digestion, Diabetes
and anti helmenthic
10 Annona Squamosa Seeta phalam Annonaceae Wound healing
11 Areva lanata Kondan pindi (pindikura) Amaranthaceae Cough, Dissolve kidney stones, diabetes,
STDs
12 Asimam sanctum Thulasi Lamiaceae Stomach pain, throat infections
13 Azardirachta indica Vepa Melieceae Skin disease, tooth brush Rheumatism
14 Bouhera difsusa Doggeti kura (Punarnava) Bignoniaceae Wound healing
15 Calotropis zygansia Jilledu Apocynaceae Anti poisonous
16 Carica papaya Poppedi kaaya caricaceae Asthma, blood motions
17 Casia occidentalis Penta chennangi (Kasintha) Leguminaceae Skin disease, bone fractures and pain killer
18 Centella asiatica Brahmi aaku Apiaceae Antibiotic
19 Ceriscoides turgida TellaVelaga kaya Rubiaceae Digestion, anemia
20 Dathuraptra metal Ummettha Solanaceae Knee pain, skin disease
21 Eclipta alba Gunta galijearu Compositaceae Strengthen, stops hair fall, increase hungry
22 Emblica Officinalis Usiri Phyllanthaceae Stomach ache, digestion
23 Euphorbia antiquorum bramhajemudu Euphorbiaceae Cancer & Diabetes
24 Ficus benghalensis Marrivruksham moraceae Ulcers, tooth brush and vomiting
25 Ficus hispida Brahma medi Moraceae Tuberculosis, Urine burning, hydrocoel
26 Ficus recemosa medi Moraceae Diarrhoea, Diabetics
27 Hemedesmus indicus Suganda paala Apocynaceae Blood purifier, diabetes
28 Holarrehena antidysentrica Kodisha Apocynaceae Arthritis
29 Holeptelia integrefolia Navili naara Ulmaaceae Pain killer
30 Ipomoea obscura Golla jiddu (Nallakokkita) Convolvuaceae Asthma and chest pain
31 Justicia adhatoda Addasaram (Ippatheega) Acanthaceae Fever, cough
32 Limonia acidissima velaga Rutaceae Skin disease, diabetes
33 Litsea glutinosa Narra mamidi Lauraceae Bandage on broken limbs
34 Madhuka langifolia Ippa chettu Sapotaceae Stomach ache
35 Mangifera indica Mamidi Anacsardiaceae Diarrhea
36 Mimosa pudica Atthipatthi Fabaceae Fertility improvement, skin diseases
37 Momordica charantia Kakara Cucurbitaceae Jaundice, diabetes and stomach disorders
38 Moringa Munaga Morigaceae Jetta, skin diseases
39 Mucuna prurita Duldumma (Duradagondi) Fabaceae Tooth ache
40 Parthenium histeroforium Vayyari bhama Asteraceae Reduce bleeding
41 Phyllanthus acidus China usiri Euphorbiaceae Piles, lung disease
42 Phyllanthus niruri Nela usiri Phyllanthaceae Diabetes, Jaundice, stomach ache
43 Phyllanthus reticulatus Pulicheru Euphorbiaceae Diarrhea, tooth ache
44 Physalis angulata Pedda buddagashe solanaceae STDs, asthma, malaria
45 Piper longum Pippallu Pipereceae Stomach ache, Lung disease
46 Piper nigram Miriyaalu (Maricham) Pipereceae Cough
(Continued)

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 Rajendra Chary Vijayagiri, et al.: Ethnobotanical investigations among traditional healers in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh, India

Table 1. Continued...
S.N. PLANT SCIENTIFIC NAME VERNACULAR NAME FAMILY MEDICINAL USES
47 Piper vetel Thamalapaaku Piperaceae Fever, skin disease, Digestion
48 Pongamia pinnata Ganuga Fabaceae Itching, diabetes, gastric problems and wound
healing
49 Psidium guava Jama Myrtaceae Mouth ulcers
50 Ricinus communis Amudam Euphorbiaceae Increase secretion of milk, stomach pain,
Jaundice, diarrhea
51 Schyzygium Neredu Myrtaceae Excessive urination, diabetes
52 Solanum surettense China mulka Solanaceae Urinary problems
53 Soymida febrifuga Somidi chekka Meliaceae Dysentery
54 Teprosia purpurea Vempali Fabaceae Urinary problems, diabetes
55 Terminalia bellerica Thaani kaaya Combretaceae Blood pressure, asthma
56 Terminalia chebula Karakkaaya Combretaceae Digestion, throught infections
57 Tinospora cordifolia Guduchi (thippateega) Menispermaceae STDs, control sugar level
58 Trianthema portulacastrum Thella galijeru Aizoaceae Kidney disease
59 Tribuluste restris Palleru Zygophyliaceae Lung diseases
60 Trigonella foenumgraecum menthulu leguminoceae Allergy, appetite loss, cholesterol
61 Trodax procumbens Nallaalam (Gaddichamanthi) Astaraceae Wound healing
62 Vitex nigunda Vaavili Lamiaceae Body pains, cold, headache and inflammation
of throat
63 Withania sominifera Ashwagandha Solanaceae Fertility improvement in male and sedative,
make mentally constant
64 Xanthium strumarium Gokhru (marula matangi) Astaraceae Anti inflammations, Poisonous bites
65 Zingibar officinale Sonti Zingibaraceae Stomach ache, Fever, asthma

Treatment, Menstrus Disorders, Appetite loss, Hair Fall p urpurea, Solanum surrettense, Zingiber officinale. Preference
Control, Cold, Cough, Headache, Fever, Diarrhea, Fer- for their use may be related to their availability.
tility Problems, Digestive Disorders, Dysentery, stomach
Ache, Diabetes, Urinary Problems, Piles, Malaria, Ulcers, Different parts of medicinal plants were used as medi-
Jaundice, Vomiting, Hydrocoel, Cancer, Rheumatism, cine by the local traditional healers. Among the different
Asthma, Bone Fractures and Inflammations. plant parts, the leaves were most frequently used for the
treatment of diseases followed by whole plant parts, fruit,
The dominant families of ethnobotanical importance are stem, root, stem and root bark, seed, flower and latex.
Euphorbiaceae (5 species), Fabaceae (5 species), Sola- The methods of preparation (Figure 2) fall into four cat-
naceae (4 species), Amaranthaceae (3 species), Acan- egories, viz.: plant parts applied as a paste (29%), juice
thaceae (3 species), Lamiaceae (3 species), Apocynaceae extracted from the fresh plant parts (33%), powder made
(3 species), Astaraceae (3 species), Piperaceae (3 species),
Rutaceae (2 species), Meliaceae (2 species), Leguminoceae
(2 species), Phyllanthaceae (2 species), Moraceae (2 spe-
cies), Myrtaceae (2 species), Combritaceae (2 species),
Malvaceae (1 species), Liliaceae (1 species), Aloeaceae
(1 species), Bignoniaceae (1 species), Caricaceae (1 species),
Apiece (1 species), Rubiaceae (1 species), Composita-
ceae (1 species), Ulmaaceae (1 species), Convolvuaceae
(1 species), Lauraceae (1 species), Sapotaceae (1 species),
Anacsardiaceae (1 species), Cucurbitaceae (1 species),
Morigaceae (1 species), Menispermaceae (1 species),
Aizoaceae (1 species) and Zygophyliaceae (1 species).

Local traditional healers are commonly using the follow-

ing plants to treat more number of diseases. They are:
Vitex negundo, Acalypha indica, Ocimum sanctum, Allium
cepa, Azadirachta indica, Pongamia pinnata, Casia occidentalis,
Centella asiatica, phyllanthus niruri, phyllanthus emblica, phy-
salis angulata, Ficus benghalensis, Risinnus communis, Teprosia Figure 2. Method of preparation.

16 Phcog J | Dec 2012 | Vol 4 | Issue 34

 Rajendra Chary Vijayagiri, et al.: Ethnobotanical investigations among traditional healers in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh, India
Figure 3. Number of remedies used for various diseases.
from fresh or dried plant parts (22%), infusion (12%) and
decoction (4%). External applications (mostly for skin
diseases, snake bites and wounds) and internal consump-
tion of the preparations were involved in the treatment
of diseases.
In the present study number of remedies using for dif-
ferent diseases as shown in Figure 3. Traditional healers
of Warangal district used fifteen species to treat stom-
ach problems (six plants to treat stomachache and twelve
plants to cure digestive problems). Plants are the source
of medication for preventive, curative, protective or pro-
motive purposes. Use of medicinal plants such as Mint,
Ginger, Sacred basil and Omum can be observed in
daily life. Kaur 1999 also highlighted the use of some of
these medicinal plants for maternal health.[9] The people
of Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh of India used
28 plants for the treatment of jaundice.[10] In the present
study only Momordica charantia, Ricinus communis, Phyllanthus
niruri ware used for the treatment of jaundice. Acalypha
indica, Achyranthus, Azadirachta indica, Ficus benghalensis
Mucuna prurita, Phyllanthus reticulates and Terminalia arjuna
were used to treat dental problems.
CONCLUSION
This study concluded that even though the accessibility
of Western medicine for simple and complicated diseases
is available, many people in the studied parts of Warangal
Phcog J | Dec 2012 | Vol 4 | Issue 34
district is still continue to depend on medicinal plants, at
least for the treatment of some simple diseases such as,
cold, cough, fever, headache, poison bites, skin diseases
and tooth infections. The present day traditional healers
are very old. Due to lack of interest among the younger
generation as well as their tendency to migrate to cities for
lucrative jobs, there is a possibility of losing this wealth
of knowledge in the near future. It thus becomes nec-
essary to acquire and preserve this traditional system of
medicine by proper documentation and identification of
specimens.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are grateful to the local traditional healers in
the Warangal district for sharing their knowledge on herbal
medicine. We also thank Department of Botany, Kakatiya
University, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India for permitting
to confirm the identified plant specimens with herbaria.
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