Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge
Vol. 5(2), April 2006, pp. 237-242
Medicinal flora of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh – A Review
Jitendra B Jain
*
, Sheetal C Kumane & S Bhattacharya
Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Airport Bypass Road, Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal 462036, Madhya Pradesh
E-mail: jinendrabjain@yahoo.co.in
Received 26 October 2004; revised 7 March 2005
Plants are natural industries, which provide high quality food and raw material for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and
perfumery industries without causing environmental degradation. Medicinal plants as a group comprise approximately 8000
species and account for around 50% of all the higher flowering plant species of India. India possesses almost 8% of the
estimated biodiversity of the world with around 0.126% million species. In India, Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgarh are known
to harbour a rich wealth of medicinal plants. Studies have shown that these two states are pool of dozens of
pharmaceutically important plants. Medicinal activity of few such plants has already been reported but a good number of
plants still used by local folklore are yet to be explored. A detailed survey was carried out by the authors to collect
information on both reported and unreported medicinal plants of this region. The present article represents statistical data of
the medicinal plants of this region.
Keywords: Medicinal plants, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh
IPC Int. Cl
8
: A61K36/00, A61P11/06, A61P11/08, A61P13/00, A61P19/00, A61P21/00, A61P29/00, A61P35/02
Ayurveda, the Science of Life, dates back to the days
of Caraka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita (1,200 AD).
That the body and mind should remain healthy and
there should be equilibrium between the two is the
recurring theme of Ayurveda. And, that for achieving
this end, drug-plants and drug- yielding plants, has
been acknowledged throughout the centuries
1-7
.
The passage of time saw the birth and development
of modern medical system. Tremendous loss to
environment due to inhabitation and industrialization
of country has made us realize that the civilization to
which we owe our comfort has exhausted the planet’s
environmental capital. Modernization has exposed the
human race to increased risk of bronchitis, asthma,
lung cancer, and various skin diseases. Global
Warming and Green House Effect are the problems of
gigantic magnitude that have threatened the very
existence of life on this planet.
The faster pace of life and the need for rapid cure led
to the proliferation of synthetic drugs. However, with
synthetic drugs came the problems of side effects, ill
effects, and complications. This has led to the revival of
herbal treatments for a large number of diseases. Since,
the world population is growing at an alarming rate, so is
the demand for medicines. To cope with the increasing
demands of medicines, steps are being taken to populate
important economic plants to meet ever-increasing
demands of human populations.
India is one of the 12-megabiodiversity centres
with two hot – spots of biodiversity in the Western
Ghats and Northeastern Region. There are about 400
families in world of the flowering plants; at least 315
are represented by India
8
. In India, Madhya Pradesh
and Chattisgarh are the two states known to have a
rich flora of medicinal plants. The present review
aims to create awareness about this medicinal wealth
of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh to draw the
attention of phytochemists.
Ethnomedicinal survey was conducted in different
parts of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh and a number
of valuable data on the uses of indigenous medicinal
plants were recorded
9-15
. The survey of literature shows
that considerable work has been done on tribals of
Bastar, Bhopal, Chhatarpur, Chhindwara, Durg,
Jabalpur, Jhabua, Khargone, Rewa, Raipur, Sagar,
Satpura, Seoni and few other districts of Madhya
Pradesh and Chattisgarh
16-21
. An obvious advantage of
such an approach is that, we can compare the uses of
plants by different tribal people located in various parts
of state. Sometimes, it is found that same plant is used
for the same purpose by the people located hundred
miles apart, although same part of the plant may not be
used. Or sometimes same plant is found to be used for
different ailments in different region of the same state.
_
_____________
* Corresponding author
INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 5, NO. 2, APRIL 2006
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JAIN et al. :MEDICINAL FLORA OF MADHYA PRADESH AND CHATTISGARH
239
Table 1⎯ Plants with biological activity
Botanical name Common name Family Part used Reference
Plants with anticancer activity
Bacopa monnieri Wett. Jalbrahmi Scrophulariaceae Plant 18
Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Kanphuti Sapindaceae Plant 2
Cleome viscosa L. Hulhul Capparidaceae Plant 2
Clerodendrum serratum Spreng. Bhargi Verbenaceae Root 3
Eulophia nuda Lindl. Ambarkand Orchidaceae Tuber 4
Mallotus philippinensis Muell. Arg. Kamila Euphorbiaceae Fruit 3
Operculina turpethum Silva Manso Enum. Nisotha Convolvulaceae Root 3
Solanum surattense Burm.F. Kateri Solanaceae Plant 8
Plants with antidiabetic activity
Cocculus hirsutus L. Jamti Menispermaceae Plant 7
Kyllinga triceps Rottb. Nirbisi Cyperaceae Root 4, 18
Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia (L.) Macbride Madhua Sapotaceae Bark 18
Pongamia pinnata (L.) Merr. Karanj Fabaceae Plant 8
Plants with antiinflammatory activity
Balanites aegyptiacas Delile. Hingot Zygophyllaceae Root 2
Barleria cristata L. Jhinti Acanthaceae Plant 3
Clerodendrum serratum Spreng. Barangi Verbenaceae Root 3
Desmodium gangeticum DC. Shalparni Fabaceae Root 2
Dregea volubilis Benth. Nakchhikni Asclepiadaceae Plant 3
Euphorbia neriifolia L. Sehund Euphorbiaceae Plant, Leaves 3
Girardinia zeylanica Decne. Alla, Bichua Urticaceae Leaves 3
Gossypium herbaceum L. Kupas, Rui Malvaceae Flower 2
Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. Merasingi Asclepiadaceae Plant 3
Lepidium sativum L. Chaunsar Cruciferae Seed 2
Martynia annua L. Bichu, Hathajori Pedaliaceae Fruit 3
Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso Enum. Nisotha Convolvulaceae Root 3
Oxalis corniculata
L. Clover sorrel Oxalidaceae Leaves 2
Pavonia odorata Willd. Bala,Sugandhibala Malvaceae Root 2
Pistia stratiotes L. Jalkhumbi Araceae Root 4
Polycarpaea corymbosa Lamm. Bhisatta Caryophyllaceae Leaves 2
Spilanthes acmella L. Akar kara Asteraceae Flower 8
Stereospermum suaveolens DC. Padal Bignoniaceae Root 3
Tectona grandis L. Sagwan Verbenaceae Wood 3
Tephrosia purpurea Pers. Sarpankha Fabaceae Root 2
Thespesia populnea Soland. Bhendi, Parsipur Malvaceae Flower 2
Vanda tessellata Hook.ex G.Don Vanda Orchidaceae Root 4
Plants with antirheumatic activity
Alangium salvifolium L. F. Ankol, Akola Alangiaceae Leaves 18
Althaea rosea Cav.Diss. - Malvaceae Flower 2
Baliospermum montanum Muell. Danti Euphorbiaceae Root 3
Berberis asiatica Roxb. Rasont Berberidaceae Plant 2
Boerhavia diffusa L. Punarnova Nyctaginaceae Root 3
Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Kanphuti Sapindaceae Leaves, Plant 18
Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels Chireta, Jamti Menispermaceae Root 2,18
Costus speciosus Sm. Keu Zingiberaceae Root 4
Crateva nurvala Ham. Barna, Barun Capparidaceae Leaves 2
Cryptolepis buchananii Roem & Schult. Dudhi Asclepiadaceae Leaves 18
Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats. Palmarosa Grass Poaceae Whole Plant 18
Cynodon dactylon Pers. Dubghas Poaceae Plant, Rhizome 4
Contd…
INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 5, NO. 2, APRIL 2006
240
Table 1⎯ Plants with biological activity (Contd…)
Botanical name Common name Family Part used Reference
Dalbergia lanceolaria L. Bithua Fabaceae Oil 2
Euphorbia tirucalli L. Danda Thuar, Sind Euphorbiaceae Milky Juice 3
Ficus benghalensis L. Bada Moraceae Milky juice 3
Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall. Kurchi Apocynaceae Plant 8
Jatropa curcas L. Safed Arand Euphorbiaceae Seed 3
Kydia calycina Roxb. Puli, Boranga Malvaceae Leaves 2
Leonotis nepetifolia R. Br. Hajurchei Lamiaceae Leaves 3
Lepidium sativum L. Chaunsar, Halim Cruciferae Seed 2
Madhuca longifolia (var. latifolia) (L.)
Macbride
Madhua Sapotaceae Bark 18
Mallotus philippensis Muell. Arg. Kamila Euphorbiaceae Root 3
Melia azedarach L. Bakain, Bakarja Meliaceae Seed 2
Momordica charantia L. Karela Cucurbitaceae Fruit 8
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. Parijata Oleaceae Leaves 18
Papaver rhoeas L. Lalpost, Lal Papavaraceae Root 2
Pavonia odorata Willd. Bala Malvaceae Plant 2
Pergularia daemia (Forsk) Chiov. Jutuk Asclepiadaceae Plant 18
Psoralea corylifolia L. Bavachi Fabaceae Seed 2
Pueraria tuberosa DC. Bankurma Fabaceae Root 2
Sida acuta Burm. Chikna Malvaceae Root 2
Smilax zeylanica L. Chobchini Liliaceae Root 4
Spondias pinnata Kurtz. Amara Anacardiaceae Leaves, Bark 18
Trewia nudiflora L. Pindara Euphorbiaceae Root 3
Tribulus terrestris L. Chhota Gokhru Zygophyllaceae Root 2
Urginea indica Kunth Enum. Jangli Piyaz Liliaceae Bulb 4
Vanda tessellata Hook.
Vanda Orchidaceae Root 4
Plants with diuretic activity
Acalypha indica L. Khokali Euphorbiaceae Plant 3
Althea rosea Cav. Diss. - Malvaceae Seeds 2
Amaranthus caudatus L. - Amaranthaceae Plant 18
Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC - Oxalidaceae Leaves 2
Boswellia serrata Roxb. Kundur Burseraceae Gum 2
Butea monosperma O. Kuntze Palas Fabaceae Leaves, Flowers 18
Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Kanphuti Sapindaceae Root 2
Cassytha filiformis L. Amarbeli Lauraceae Plant 3
Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker. Safed Musli Liliaceae Root 18,2
Cissampelos pareira L. Akauadi Menispermaceae Root 2
Cleome viscosa L. Hulhul Capparidaceae Plant 2
Cordia oblique Willd. Bhairala Boraginaceae Fruit 3
Crinum asiaticum L. Chindar Amaryllidaceae Seeds 4
Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Kalimusli Amaryllidaceae Rhizome 4
Curcuma zedoaria Rosc. Kachura Zingiberaceae Root 4
Cynodon dactylon Pers. Dhoboghas Poaceae Juice 4
Desmostachya bipinnata Stapf. Infl. Cap. Dab. Poaceae Root 4
Fumaria indica Pugsley. Pitapapara Fumariaceae Plant 2
Gossypium herbaceum L. Kupas Malvaceae Root 2
Gmnelina arborea Roxb. Gamari Verbenaceae Fruit 3
Gymnema sylvestre (Retz)R. Br. Merasingi Asclepiadaceae Leaves 3
Heliotropium indicum L. Hattajurie Boraginaceae Plant 3
Heliotropium strigosum Willd. Chitiphul Boraginaceae Plant 3
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Lalambari Malvaceae Leaves 2
Homonoia riparia
Lour. Fl. Cochinch. - Euphorbiaceae Root 3
Indigofera glabra L. - Fabaceae Plant 2
Lepidium sativum L. Chaunsar Cruciferae Seeds 2
Mangifera indica L. Amb Anacardiaceae Fruit 2
Contd…
JAIN et al. :MEDICINAL FLORA OF MADHYA PRADESH AND CHATTISGARH
241
Table 1⎯ Plants with biological activity (Contd…)
Botanical name Common name Family Part used Reference
Melia azedarach L. Bakain Meliaceae Flowers, Leaves 2
Mucuna prurita Hook. Goncha Fabaceae Root 2
Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Ambuj Nymphaeaceae Root 2
Nicandra physalodes Gaertn. - Solanaceae Plant 3
Oxalis corniculata L. Amrul Oxalidaceae Plant 2
Phyllantus reticulates Poir. Buinowla Euphorbiaceae Leaves 3
Phyllantus urinaria L. Hazarmani Euphorbiaceae Plant 3
Physalis divaricata L. Chirpoti Solanaceae Plant 18
Pistia stratiotes L. Jalkhumbi Araceae Root 4
Plumbago zeylanica L. Chitrak Plumbaginaceae Root 8
Polygonum hydropiper L. - Polygonaceae Herb, Leaves 3
Psoralea corylifolia L. Bavachi Fabaceae Fruit 2
Rorippa indica L. - Brassicaceae Plant 18
Scirpus grossus L.F. Kasuru Cyperaceae Root 4
Sebastiania orientale Muell-Arg. - Fabaceae Seeds 2
Sida acuta Burm. Chikna Malvaceae Root 2
Solanum nigrum L. Makoi Solanaceae Fruit 8
Solanum surattense Burm.F. - Solanaceae Fruit 8
Stereospermum personatum (Hassk.) Padar Bignoniaceae Root Bark 18
Stereospermum suaveolens DC. Pad Bignoniaceae Root Bark 3
Tectona grandis L. Sagwan Verbenaceae Flowers, Seeds 3
Thalictrum foliolosum DC. Mamira Ranunculaceae Root 2
Urginea indica Kunth Enum. Jangli Piyaz Liliaceae Bulb 4
Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash Khas Poaceae Root 8
Plants with antiasthamatic/antibronchitis activity
Acalypha indica L.
Khokali Euphorbiaceae Plant 3
Baliospermum montanum Muell-Arg. Danti Euphorbiaceae Leaves 18
Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC Lajalu Oxalidaceae Leaves 2
Boerhavia diffusa L. Punarnava Nyctaginaceae Plant 3
Celastrus paniculatus Willd. Jyotismati Celastraceae Seed Oil 2
Cissampelos pareira L. Akauadi Menispermaceae Root 2
Clerodendron serratum Spreng. Bhargi Verbenaceae Root 3
Costus speciosus L. Pushkara Zingiberaceae Root 4
Crinum asiaticum L. Chindar Amaryllidaceae Tuber 4
Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Kalimusli Amaryllidaceae Rhizome 4
Curcuma zedoaria Rosc. Kalihaladi Scitaminaceae Rhizome 4
Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. Shalpurni Fabaceae Root 2
Dregea volubilis Benth. Nakchhikni Asclepiadaceae Plant 3
Eulophia nuda Lindl. Ambarkand Orchidaceae Plant 4
Euphorbia hirta L. Dudhi Euphorbiaceae Plant 3
Euphorbia neriifolia L. Sehund Euphorbiaceae Plant 3
Evolvulus alsinoides L. Shyamakranta Covolvulaceae Leaves 3
Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R.Br Merasingi Asclepiadaceae Plant 3
Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall. ex. Dc. Kurchi Apocynaceae Bark 8
Indigofera tinctoria L. Neel Papilionaceae Plant 2
Lepidium sativum L. Chaunsar Cruciferae Plant 2
Madhuca indica Gmel. Madhua Sapotaceae Bark 8
Mallotus philippinesis Muell-Arg. Kamala Euphorbiaceae Leaves 3
Mimosa pudica L. Touch Me Not Mimosaceae Root 8
Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Ambuj Nymphaeceae Flower 2
Ochna Obtusata spp. Pumila -
Ochnaceae Root, Bark 18
Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso Enum. Nisoth Convolvulaceae Root 3
Oroxylum indicum Vent. Arlu Bignoniaceae Root Bark 3
Pavonia odorata Willd. Bala Malvaceae Plant 2
Passiflora foetida L. - Passifloraceae Leaves, Fruit 18
Pergularia daemia Forssk. Sagovani Asclepidaceae Leaves 18
Contd…