Folk Remedies in India
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Since the 1950s the study of ethnobotany has increased. Ethnobotany is the word used to define the experience of people observing birds and animals, and testing leaves, fruits and tubers for abilities to satisfy hunger or heal wounds. India has elements that contribute to ethnobotanical richness, floristic diversity, ethnic diversity, and rich tradition; it has a variety of climatic and physiographical conditions, cold and arid, warm and human, hot and dry, and wet. India has about 45,000 plant species and medicinal properties have been assigned to several thousand of them. Approximately 2000 are found frequently in the literature and the indigenous systems commonly use 500. Current work involves botany, pharmacognosy, chemistry, pharmacology, and biotechnology of herbal drugs. The demand for herbal drugs in India is usually met from natural populations; cultivation is taking place on some species (Jain, 1994). Aches in the joints, gouty and sciatic pains are treated by many plants in Indian ethnomedicine. Ammi majus (bishopsweed), cultivated in India, known also as Egopodium podagaria (goutweed), is used as a sedative and diuretic and can be used internally for aches of the joints, gouty and sciatic pains, and externally as a fomentation for inflamed parts. Roots and leaves are boiled together and applied to the hip, occasionally renewed; this application takes away the swelling, inflammation, and pain (Grieve, 1
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itable cough, sore throat and laryngitis. An infusion is made by boiling 1 oz. of the bruised root without its bark, with 1 pint of water for a few minutes. A recipe thought highly of includes: a large teaspoon of linseed, 1 ounce of Liquorice root, and 1/4 lb. of raisins; put them into 2 quarts of soft water and simmer to 1 quart; add 1/4 lb. of brown sugar and a tablespoon of white wine vinegar or lemon juice; drink 1/2 pint when going to bed and use a little whenever the cough is bothersome (Grieve, 1992).
Atropa Belladonna, cultivated in India, has many uses which include its action on the circulation and collapse of pneumonia and other acute diseases; it relieves local inflammation and congestion. A tincture in small doses is said to protect against scarlet fever; leaves, applied externally as a poultice, are held to be curative of cancer. Preparations and dosages include: powdered leaves, 1 to 2 grains; fluid extract leaves, 1 to 3 drops; fluid extract root, 1/4 to 1 drop; tincture, 5 to 15 drops; alcoholic extract, 14 to 1 grain; and juice, 5 to 15 drops (Grieve, 1992).
Commiphora myrrha is used as an expectorant in the absence of feverish symptoms. Dosages include: 10 to 30 grains; of fluid extract, 5 to 30 minims.;
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Stramonium Jimsonweed, Influenza Cinchona, Atropa Belladonna, INDIA Introduction, Nux Vomica, India Egopodium, Liquorice Powder, Constipation Piper, Digestion Curcuma, Bronchitis Glycyrrhiza, grieve 1992, fluid extract, dosages include, cultivated india, 1 grain, 5 15, rodale's 1987, 2 cups water, herb 2, 1 ounce, 15 drops, 5 15 drops, grains fluid extract, debility constipation 4, constipation 4 8,
Approximate Word count = 1568
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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