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Ethnomedicine of Kurichyas, Kannur district, Western Ghats, Kerala

Article · January 2010

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Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources
Vol. 1(2), June 2010, pp. 249-253

Ethnomedicines of Kurichyas, Kannur district, Western Ghats, Kerala

N P Rajith1 and V S Ramachandran2*
1
Amity Institute for Herbal & Biotech Products Development, Ambalamukku, Peroorkada. P O,
Thiruvananthapuram-695 005, Kerala, India
2
Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641 046, Tamil Nadu, India
Received 11 June 2009; Accepted 5 February 2010

The Kurichyas are one of the tribal communities of Kerala who have their settlements in Kannavam, Kannur district.
Extensive field studies were undertaken in order to study the utilization of wild medicinal plants which has resulted in the
collection of 50 species belonging to 31 families. The plant name, family, vernacular name and ethno-botanical uses have
been enumerated in this communication.
Keywords: Ethnomedicines, Kurichyas tribe, Kannur district, Kerala, Medicinal plants, Western Ghats.
IPC code; Int. cl.8  A61K 36/00

Introduction by Karnataka state and on West by Arabian sea.

India, a land of amazing biodiversity, has a vast Kannavam is 40 km away from Kannur town and is
store house of natural resources that can be well connected by road5. Major population is
sustainably used as food, nutritional supplements and Kurichyas tribe. The Govt. of Kerala has built 110
medicine. The Western Ghats region of Kerala is a houses for them and has also provided 4 hectares of
great emporium and treasure house of ethno-botanical land per family. Their inhabitations are surrounded by
wealth. Tribal medicines offer a vast scope for Kannavam forest. A medicinal plantation garden was
medical research. With the rapid intrusion of modern established by the Kerala state forest department
civilization the ancient tribal tradition and culture is during 1988. It is located at Vengalam, an adjoining
on the verge of extinction. Based on the ethno- village within the range of Kannavam forest. It holds
botanical studies, many alkaloids and other important a variety of medicinal plants including common and
chemicals are being isolated from plants by using some endangered ones.
better techniques of chemical analysis and isolation
Tribe
methods; however, much work has still to be done.
Kurichyas are found in the forest areas of
New medicinal uses of plants are being reported
Thalassery and North Kannur. They are aristocrats
continuously by several workers from different
among the hill tribes like Paniya, Adiya and Kurumba
localities1-4. In the present study, an attempt has been
and occupy the highest position among them.
made to investigate and document some of the
The Kurichyas were skilled bow-men and
medicinal plants used by people of Kurichyas tribe of
played an important role in the Pazahasi Raja’s
Kannur district to cure their ailments.
rebellion at the beginning of 19th century. Most of the
aged Kurichyas are a treasure house of indigenous
Study Area
knowledge. They still use medicinal plants obtained
The study area is Kannavam, a village with an area
from the adjoining forests. The knowledge of
of 400 hectares, located at the southern part of Kannur
medicinal plants has descended from ancestors and
district. This district is the second Northern most
most of them are not willing to reveal their knowledge
district of Kerala and lies between 11°40′ and 12°08′
to the outsiders.
N latitude and 75°11′ and 76°08′ E longitude and is
bounded on the North by Kasargode district of Kerala Methodology
state, on the South by Calicut and Wayanad, on East The survey was conducted between August 2004
—————— and March 2005 during different flowering periods.
* Correspondent author: E-mail: [email protected] The information was gathered from the elderly
250 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, JUNE 2010

Kurichyas tribal medicine men, who knew well about four species followed by Apiaceae, Aristolochiaceae,
the surrounding cultivated and wild plants in forests, Euphorbiaceae, Rutaceae and Solanaceae with three
their local names, parts used, preparation of herbal species each. The study deals with various types of
medicine, mode of administration, dose and uses in human ailments.
different ailments and diseases (Plate 1). Plants were
The herbal specialists of Kurichiya, collect
identified with the help of relevant published flora6
medicinal plants from their natural habitat at different
and voucher specimens have been deposited in the
seasons and prepare the plant products; the
Herbarium, Department of Botany, Kongunadu Arts
preparations ranges from decoctions, paste, powder
and Science College (Autonomous), Coimbatore for
with the mixture of roots, tubers, leaves, stems,
further reference.
twigs and administer the respective medicine in
appropriate doses to the patients. The plant species are
Results and Discussion
used either individually or in combination with other
In the present investigation, a total of 50 species of
plant parts.
medicinal plants, belonging to 31 families were
identified, which are in common use among the In the present study, there are 17 plants (asterisk
Kurichiyas of Kannavam forests. The collected plants marked in Table 1) that are newly reported for their
are arranged in alphabetic order by providing the medicinal use. It is interesting to note that some of the
correct plant name followed by the family, local species enumerated have a great trade potential in the
names, parts used along with their ethno-medicinal medicinal plant market. Acorus calamus, Biophytum
uses (Table 1). Out of 50 plant species enumerated, 45 sensitivum, Centella asiatica, Cyclea peltata, Eclipta
species belong to dicotyledons and 5 prostrata, Emblica officinalis, Ensete superbum,
are monocotyledons. Based on the life-forms, there Hemidesmus indicus, Indigofera tinctoria, Rauvolfia
are 15 herbs, 15 shrubs, 09 twiners/climbers and serpentina, Oroxylum indicum and Solanum anguivi,
11 trees. The dominant families were analyzed and to name a few are some of the high value species
found that Asteraceae was the dominant family with which can be cultivated on a large scale.

Plate 1—Kurichyas and various plants used by them

 RAJITH & RAMACHANDRAN: ETHNOMEDICINES OF KURICHYAS, KANNUR DISTRICT, KERALA 251

Table 1—Medicinal plants used by Kurichayas tribe of Kannur district

Plant name/Accession No. Family Vernacular Uses

Name

Achyranthes aspera Linn. Amaranthaceae Valiya kadaladi Fresh roots are grounded and applied
N.P.Rajith 12/6103 externally on the affected portion against
snake bite and scorpion sting.
Acorus calamus Linn. Araceae Vayambu Fresh rhizome is grounded and mixed with
N.P.Rajith 24/6108 hot water taken three times daily for 3 days
early morning in the empty stomach for
curing dysentery.
Aegle marmelos Correa ex Roxb. Rutaceae Kuvvalam Fresh fruits are used as raw, cooked or
N.P.Rajith 33/6125 pickled. Fresh roots are grounded and made
as paste and taken for curing dysentery and
vomiting.
Aristolochia indica Linn. Aristolochiaceae Cheriya Fresh root is grounded along with the roots
N.P.Rajith 13/6115 eswaramulla of Rauvolfia serpentina and mixed in water
and taken twice daily for 3 days against
snake bite.
Aristolochia tagala Cham. Aristolochiaceae Valiya Fresh leaves are grounded and taken as such
N.P.Rajith 17/6130 eswaramulla for stomachache. Fresh root is grounded and
applied externally against poisonous bites.
Asparagus racemosus Willd. Liliaceae Sathavari Dried rhizome is pounded and one tea spoon
N.P.Rajith 22/6087 is mixed in one glass of cow’s milk and
taken twice daily against urinary disorders.
Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell.- Arg. Euphorbiaceae Nagadanthi Dried seeds are pounded and taken for
N.P.Rajith 27/6109 stomachache.
*Biophytum sensitivum (Linn.) DC. Oxalidaceae Mukkutti A fresh whole plant is grounded and applied
N.P.Rajith 29/6122 externally on the affected area against
poisonous bite.
Boerhavia diffusa Linn. Nyctaginaceae Thazhuthama Fresh whole plant is sliced and boiled in
N.P.Rajith 41/6131 water and taken as such against urinary
calculi.
*Bridelia stipularis (Linn.) Blume Euphorbiaceae Cherupanachil Fresh fruits are chewed and taken as such
N.P.Rajith 47/6136 against mouth ulcer.
Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn. Sapindaceae Uzhinja Crushed roots are applied on legs to cure
N.P.Rajith 50/6120 swellings.
*Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban Apiaceae Kudakan Leaves are grounded along with fresh
N.P.Rajith 42/6117 turmeric and applied against skin diseases.
Centrantherum anthelmenticum (Linn.) Asteraceae Katujeerakam Chewed as such against stomachache.
O. Kuntze
N.P.Rajith 11/6124
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume Lauraceae Karuppa Used as a carminative.
N.P.Rajith 10/6129
*Commelina benghalensis Linn. Commelinaceae Veliapadathi Crushed juice of herb is given twice a day
N.P.Rajith 28/6134 for the treatment of jaundice.
*Cyathula prostrata (Linn.) Blume Amaranthaceae Cheriya One tea spoon dried root powder is boiled in
N.P.Rajith 30/6088 kadaladi water and taken thrice daily against fever.
Cyclea peltata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thoms. Menispermaceae Padathali Crushed roots are given for stomach pain;
N.P.Rajith 37/6090 leaves are used in the treatment of bronchitis
and cough.
(Contd)
252 INDIAN J NAT PROD RESOUR, JUNE 2010

Table 1—Medicinal plants used by Kurichayas tribe of Kannur district —Contd

Plant name/Accession No. Family Vernacular Uses

Name

*Cynoglossum zeylanicum (Vahl. ex. Hornem.) Boraginaceae Tumbakoduveli Fresh roots are grounded and mixed in hot
Thunb. ex. Lehm. water and taken thrice daily for 3 days
N.P.Rajith 40/6089 against diarrhoea.
Desmodium triflorum (Linn.) DC. Fabaceae Ataka chokki Whole plant is used for curing stomachache
N.P.Rajith 43/6091 and piles.
Eclipta prostrata (Linn.) Linn. Asteraceae Kayyoonni Used in hair oil preparation and promotes
N.P.Rajith 01/6101 hair growth.
Elephantopus scaber Linn. Asteraceae Anachuvadi Whole plant is used for curing diarrhoea,
N.P.Rajith 18/6104 bronchitis and other skin ailments.
Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (syn. Phyllanthus Euphorbiaceae Nelli For cooling the body and as a blood purifier.
emblica Linn.)
N.P.Rajith 04/2711
*Emilia sonchifolia (Linn.) DC. Asteraceae Muyalchevi Crushed leaves cure the worm infection.
N.P.Rajith15/6102
Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman Musaceae Kalluvazha Powdered seeds are mixed with milk and
N.P.Rajith 16/6105 given twice a day for urinary disorder and
kidney stone.
*Eryngium foetidum Linn. Apiaceae Kattumalli Bathing with the leaf decoction is claimed to
N.P.Rajith 02/6106 be effective against muscular pain.
Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC. Rutaceae Kuttipanal Leaves used as antidote for snake bite.
N.P.Rajith 49/6108
Hemidesmus indicus (Linn.) R.Br. Asclepiadaceae Nannari The roots are grounded with Black pepper
N.P.Rajith 44/6107 (Piper nigrum Linn.) and taken orally for
treating stomach ulcers and used along with
the mixture of long pepper (P. longum) for
curing bronchitis and cough.
*Hydnocarpus pentandrus (Buch-Ham.) Oken Flacourtiaceae Thaali Crushed leaf extract applied on the head for
N.P.Rajith 03/6110 better hair growth and cooling effect.
*Ichnocarpus frutescens (Linn.) R.Br. Apocynaceae Palvalli Root extract used for vomiting; leaf extract
N.P.Rajith 19/6112 for stomach pain.
Indigofera tinctoria Linn. Fabaceae Neelayamari Crushed plant is applied on the poisonous
N.P.Rajith 32/61 bite and used as an antidote.
Leea indica (Burm. f.) Merrill Leeaceae Nallu Crushed roots and leaves are useful in
N.P.Rajith 09/2716 stomach related problems like diarrhoea,
dysentery and ulcer.
Mimosa pudica Linn. Mimosaceae Thottavadi Crushed young leaves used for healing
N.P.Rajith 48/2736 wounds.
*Naringi crenulata (Roxb.) Nicolson Rutaceae Kattunarakam Root extract given for curing vomiting and
N.P.Rajith 06/2721 dysentery.
Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Vent. Bignoniaceae Palakapayyani Crushed roots used for curing diarrhoea;
N.P.Rajith 45/2740 stem bark applied for reducing muscular
pain.
*Pimpinella monoica Dalzell Apiaceae Kadajeerakam Seeds are directly taken for curing
N.P. Rajith 46/2739 stomachache.
Piper longum Linn. Piperaceae Tippali Mixture of roots and dried spikes along with
N.P.Rajith 36/2733 roots of Solanum anguivi Lam. and leaves of
Desmodium triflorum are given for curing
cough, bronchitis and fever.
(Contd)
 RAJITH & RAMACHANDRAN: ETHNOMEDICINES OF KURICHYAS, KANNUR DISTRICT, KERALA 253

Table 1—Medicinal plants used by Kurichayas tribe of Kannur district —Contd

Plant name/Accession No. Family Vernacular Uses

Name

Plumbago zeylanica Linn. Plumbaginaceae Koduveli Crushed roots applied for curing skin
N.P.Rajith 20/2719 diseases.
Rauvolfia serpentina (Linn.) Benth. ex Kurz Apocynaceae Amalpori Fresh crushed roots are used for treatment of
N.P.Rajith 14/2735 dysentery and in snake bite, the decoction of
powdered rhizome and leaves is given.
Santalum album Linn. Santalaceae Sandanam Paste of heartwood is applied on the
N.P.Rajith 08/2717 forehead for reducing headache and for skin
ailments.
*Schumannianthus virgatus (Roxb.) Rolfe Marantaceae Kuvva Boiled rhizome is given for curing dysentery
N.P.Rajith 07/2737 and vomiting.
*Scleropyrum pentandrum (Dennst.) Mabberley Santalaceae Malayammachi Crushed roots given for curing stomach
N.P.Rajith 23/2728 ailments.
Scoparia dulcis Linn. Scrophulariaceae Kalluruki Crushed root extract is given for stomach
N.P.Rajith 34/2709 pain, urinary disorders and kidney stone.
Solanum anguivi Lam. Solanaceae Puttarichunda Crushed roots used for curing diarrhoea and
N.P.Rajith 39/2732 for skin ailments.
Solanum nigrum Linn. Solanaceae Manithakkali Fresh and dried fruits used in the treatment
N.P.Rajith 25/2713 of ulcer in mouth.
*Solanum torvum Swartz Solanaceae Anachunda Root extracts applied on cracked foot. Fried
N.P.Rajith 05/2747 fruits are taken for curing cough.
*Thottea siliquosa (Lamkey) Ding Hou Aristolochiaceae Cheirya Fruits boiled with coconut oil are applied on
N.P.Rajith 38/2725 chootarambu the forehead for curing headache.
Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. f. Menispermaceae Chittamruthu Fresh juice of stem is mixed with black
& Thoms. pepper and given thrice a day for 3 days for
N.P.Rajith 31/2741 curing fever.
*Vitex negundo Linn. Verbenaceae Korinochi Crushed leaf paste is applied on forehead to
N.P.Rajith 26/2714 cure headache.
Ziziphus oenoplia (Linn.) Mill. Rhamnaceae Cheriyalanta Crushed root bark taken for the treatment of
N.P.Rajith 21/2710 ulcers and healing of wounds.

* New use reported.

Conclusion References
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their personal medical care; in order to supplement 44-49.
their requirements, it is suggested that the potential 2 Ramachandran VS and Nair VJ, Ethnobotanical studies in
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backyards/kitchen gardens. It is hoped that the 1981, 2, 65-72.
information gathered from the indigenous community 3 Ramachandran VS, Further notes on the Ethnobotany of
will provide further lead in developing new herbal Cannanore District, Kerala, J Econ Taxon Bot, 1987, 11 (1),
47-50.
formulation.
4 Viswanathan MS, Premkumar EH and Ramesh N,
Acknowledgements Ethnomedicines of Kanis in Kalakkud – Mundanthurai Tiger
The authors are thankful to Dr. M. Aruchamy, Reserve, Tamil Nadu, Ethnobotany, 2001, 13, 60-66.
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