Elephantopus scaber L. - A traditional panacea for several ailments

Abstract

The role of natural products, herbal medicines, and traditional medicines is being increasing in the recent years for the prevention and management of human disorders. The present paper deals with ethnomedicinal use of Elephantopus scaber L. collected from Nishangada forest (Kakraha range) of Bahraich, a tarai district of eastern U.P. India. During field survey on 5 August 2006 and 2 January 2007, out of many collected plants we got the information about a herbaceous flora locally called as "Hastipata" by tribal peoples. These tribals are the migrants of Nepal in Nishangada forest (Kakraha range) of Bahraich, working as labour named as Phool Kumari, Pooja Chaudhary and Man Kumari Chaudhary. The botanical name of plant was confirmed by available literature in the department library. The tribals informed us about its use regarding the cure of various human ailments. The gathered informations from them revealed that the decoctions of fresh leaves are used as wash for eczema. Crushed leaves are boiled in the coconut oil and applied to ulcers and eczema. The paste of root is applied in rheumatism and the tribal people apply powder of root with pepper in toothache. The tribals informed that, this traditional knowledge about the plant "Hastipata" has descended from one generation to another as domestic practice and treatment given by them is found very effective.

Keywords

• Herbal medicines
• Ethnomedicinal herb
• Tribals