Research Article
Ethnomedicinal Uses of Host Plants ofWild Silk Moths in Mizoram
Esther Lalhmingliani1*, G Gurusubramanian1, N Senthil Kumar2, Ruth Lalfelpuii2, HT Lalremsanga1 and SamuelLalronunga3
Corresponding author: Dr. Esther Lalhmingliani, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Tanhril-796004, Tel: 9436195943/85745475947 (M), India; E-mail: es_ralte@yahoo.in
Citation: Lalhmingliani E, Gurusubramanian G, Kumar NS, Lalfelpuii R, Lalremsanga HT , et al. Ethnomedicinal Uses of Host Plants of Wild Silk Mothsin Mizoram. J Environ Soc Sci. 2015;2(1): 114.
Copyright © 2015 Esther Lalhmingliani et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Journal of Environmental and Social Sciences | Volume: 2, Issue: 2
Submission: 14/07/2015; Accepted: 12/08/2015; Published: 18/08/2015
Abstract
The paper deals with the host plants of wild silk moth of Mizoram having ethno medicinal values. The study provides medicinal usage of 22 species of the host plants of wild silk moths belonging to 14 families. They are listed along with their scientific name, local name, family, part used, methods of preparation and types of ailments treated. Documenting the indigenous knowledge through ethno botanical studies is important for the conservation and utilization of biological resources. This will not only safeguard our forest but would have direct impact on the conservation of food plants of different wild silk moths to ascertain the continued existence of these valuable entomofauna among other components of biodiversity.
Keywords: Wild silk moths; Host plants; Ethnobotany; Mizoram
Introduction
The use of plants and animals as a source of medicine and food is as old as humanity. Ethno medicine or herbal medicines are ingreat demand in both developed and developing countries like Indiain primary health care because of their great efficacy and little or noside effect [1]. According to the studies on ethno medicine and folkmedicine, about 2000 species of plants have been newly identified asdrug yielding plants and are well known for their use in about 4000drug industries of various Indian system of medicine. It is estimatedthat about 7500 plants are used in local health traditions in mostlyrural and tribal villages of India. Out of these the real traditionalmedicinal value of over 5000 plants is either little known or hithertounknown to the mainstream population [2].
Arora reported that over 16000 species of higher plants are known to occur in India and out of these 9000 are economically useful whereas 7500 of these species are reported to be used for health care by various ethnic communities in India [3]. India officially recognizes about 2500 plants as having medicinal value and it has been estimated that over 6000 plants are used in traditional, folk and herbal medicine. The number of medicinal plants in India both indigenous and introduced has been variously put between 3000- 3500 species of higher plants. About 255 of the drug prescribed worldwide come from plants, 121 such active compounds being in current use. Of the 252 drugs considered as basic and essential by World Health Organization (WHO), 11% are exclusively of plant origin and a significant number are synthetic drugs obtained from natural precursors [4]. More than 80% of world’s population mostlyin poor and less developed countries depend on traditional plantbased herbal medicines for their primary health care needs [5,6]. The north eastern region of Indian sub-continent harbours 50% of theplant wealth of India [7]. Mizoram is included under “Indo MyanmarHotspot” and is very rich in the resource of folk medicine. Accordingto the reports made by Lalramnghinglova [8], it is inferred that 95% ofthe rural population of Mizoram rely on traditional herbal medicineand 98% of raw materials are harvested from the wild plant resourceor biological resources.
Wild silk moths belonging to the order Lepidoptera, familySaturniidae comprises of about 1861 species in 162 genera and 9 subfamilies [9,10]. They include such Lepidoptera as the giant silk moths,royal moths and emperor moths. Wild silk moths can be eitherunivoltine or multivoltine depending on the geo-climatic conditionsand are distributed in both temperate and tropical region [11]. Thewild silkworms are polyphagus and feed on a wide variety of plantssome of which have ethno medicinal value. They migrate from onearea to another and breed continuously throughout the year.
Description of the study site
Mizoram is the southernmost state in North-east India boundedby Myanmar in the east and Bangladesh in the west, and by states ofTripura, Assam and Manipur in the North. Mizoram falls under theIndo-Burma biodiversity hotspot [12,13] and is rich in wild flora andfauna, both in variety and abundance [14]. It has an area of 21,081 sqkm and lies between 21° 56´ N -24° 31´ N latitude and 92° 16´ E - 93°26´ E longitudes. The topography of the state is characteristically hillyand the altitude varies from 28-2156 m from sea level. Vegetation istropical forest and semi- evergreen forest according to Champion andSeth [15]. Three distinct seasons are observed in Mizoram viz. cold orwinter season from November to February, warm or spring seasonfrom March till mid of May and rainy or summer season from secondhalf of May to October [16].
Materials and Methods
Surveys were conducted throughout Mizoram from 2012-2014to document the diversity of host plants of wild silk moths so as tostudy their possible ethno medicinal value. Extensive literature surveywas done to collect information on the traditional use of the plants.Information on local name of medicinal plants, parts used, mode ofpreparations, routes of remedy administration were also recordedby consulting local traditional practitioners, elders and patients whowere associated with the traditional healers from different parts of thestate. Identification of the plants was done with the help of existingliteratures, published books and specialists on the subject fromBotanical Survey of India, Shillong [8,17-21].
Results and Discussion
The study revealed the ethno medicinal usage of 22 species of hostplants of wild silk moths. All the plant species recorded during thestudy period are listed along with their scientific name, local name(mizo), part or parts used in the preparation and medicinal uses(Table 1).
Table 1: Host plants of wild silk moths having ethnomedicinal value.
A brief description of host plants of wild silk moth having ethnomedicinal value is given below [8,17-21].
Cinnamomum verum
An evergreen aromatic tree, upto 18 m tall, with smooth grayish bark. Leaves red when young. The dried bark and buds are used as aspice.
Distribution: Common throughout Mizoram
Part used: Bark
Mode of used: Decoction of the bark is useful for cancer, asthma,diarrhoea and vomiting.
Curcuma longa
A perennial herb with bright-yellow tuberous rhizomes. Theyoung flowers are eaten as vegetables.
Distribution: Common throughout Mizoram
Part used: Rhizome
Mode of used: Juice of the rhizome is used in cholera, diarrhoea,stomach ulcer and asthma.
Dillenia pentagyna
A middle-sized tree with very large leaves. It is a light demanderand fire resistant. Growth moderately fast.
Distribution: Keifang and Maite.
Parts used: Bark & leaves.
Mode of used: Decoction of the bark and leaves is used for curinggastric problem, asthma and cancer.
Evodia flaxinifolia
Small to middle sized evergreen tree, strong smelling of carawaywhen bruised.
Distribution: Ruallung, Sialsuk, Chalfilh, Durtlang etc.
Part used: Fruit
Mode of used: The fruit is antipyretic and is used for treatingdysentery.
Lyonia ovalifolia
A small tree with thick brown bark. Wood light reddish brown,soft.
Distribution: 900 - 1500 m.
Part used: Roots
Mode of used: Decoction of roots is used for cuts, sprain andrheumatism.
Litsea polyantha
Medium-sized tree, bark dark grey; leaves alternate, obovate:flowers pale greenish- yellow; fruits ellipsoid, seated on sauce- shapedperianth tube.
Distribution: Frequent throughout Mizoram, in tropicalevergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
Parts used: Leaf & fruit
Mode of used: Leaf paste is applied on boils, ulcers and the fruitis used in rheumatism.
Litsea cubeba
Small tree with greenish bark, aromatic.
Distribution: Frequent throughout Mizoram, up to 1800m
Part used: Fruits
Mode of used: Raw fruits are used to treat stomachache, headache,dizziness, hysteria and memory loss.
Lagerstoemia speciosa
Moderate-sized tree; bark grey; leaves ovate or elliptic – lanceolate;flowers large, conspicuous, mauve- purple in terminal pyramidalpanicles up to 45cm long; fruits ellipsoid or sub- glubose.
Distribution: Frequent, in tropical wet evergreen and semievergreenforests, fairly frequent in South – western part of Mizoram.Also cultivated as ornamental plants.
Parts used: Bark & root
Mode of used: Decoction of root is taken for jaundice. Barkinfusion is taken orally for diabetes, diarrhoea and dysentery.
Mangifera indica
Evergreen trees up to 15 cm; leaves oblong lanceolate; sepalsovate, hairy on back; petals oblong, white; disc 4-5 lobes.
Distribution: Common throughout Mizoram
Parts used: Fruits, bark & tender leaves
Mode of used: Bark is made into paste, mixed with water andis used to treat stomachache and fever. Tender leaves are dried andmade into powder which is used for treating diabetes. Ashes of theleaves are good remedy for virus, burns and scalds. Gum is usedfor treating toothache. Stem and leaf powdered together is good forulcerated tongue. Rind of unripe fruit mixed with curd is used fortreatment of cholera. Cold water extract of the leaf was also used fordiarrhoea and dysentery.
Manihot esculenta
A sub- herbaceous shrub with large tuberous roots and milkyjuice; Leaves alternate, palmately lobed, long petioled; flowerslarge monoecious in racemes males above, females below; calyx campanuate 5 lobed; petals absent; stamens 10 in two whorls. Also cultivated for tubers.
Distribution: Common throughout Mizoram
Part used: Leaf
Mode of used: Juice is used as a remedy for skin disease.
Maesa indica
Evergreen shrub or small tree; berries pinkish white.
Distribution: Common throughout Mizoram
Part used: Leaf
Mode of used: Decoction of the leaves is used for bath in caseof fever during convalescence. Tender leaves are used to treatstomachache.
Psidium guajava
A small evergreen or sub- deciduous tree with smooth pinkishbrown bark exfoliating in thin flakes; leaves opposite oblong orelliptic oblong; flowers white; berry globose or pyriform varying insize and shape.
Distribution: Common throughout Mizoram
Parts used: Leaf & bark
Mode of used: Decoction of bark is used for stomachache,fever, headache, gonorrhea, menstrual disturbances and sores. Theyoung leaves are used as tonic in diseases of digestive function.A decoction of young leaves and shoots is prescribed as febrifugeand antispasmodic baths. The pounded leaves are locally applied inrheumatism. A decoction of the leaves is used as gargle to relievetoothache and gum boils.
Prunus cerasoides
A moderate sized tree. Wood red, scented, moderately hard anddurable.
Distribution: Common throughout Mizoram.
Part used: Bark
Mode of use: Decoction of bark is used in fever.
Ricinus communis
A tall glabrous annual, sometimes shrubby or subarboreous;leaves alternate, broad, palmate 7 to many lobed; flowers serrate, largein terminal sub- panicled racemes.
Distribution: Common throughout Mizoram
Parts used: Seed oil, leaves and roots
Mode of used: Oil is used as purgative. Leave are warmed and tiedas bandage on swellings, boils and in joints affected with rheumatism.Dried root is used as febrifuge.
Rhus semialata
Small tree, leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 4-6 pairs, opposite,dentate, triangular or elliptic ovate; flowers numerous, greenish white or pale yellowish- green; fruits sub- glubose or orbicular, compressed,green when young, red brown when ripe.
Distribution: Common throughout Mizoram between 500 and1200 m asl.
Part used: Fruits
Mode of used: The fruits are grinded and mixed with water andthe mixture is used to cure colic and diarrhoea.
Schima wallichii
Medium size to large evergreen tree, young shoots silky pubescent;branches lenticellate; bark dark grey or brown with deep verticalcracks and small thick angular plates; leaves oblong-lanceolate orobovate, acute or acuminate, flowers white, fragrant, solitary, axillaryon lenticellate pedicels; stamen yellow.
Distribution: Common throughout Mizoram, from tropicalevergreen to sub- tropical hill forest
Parts used: Bark, sap, leaves and fruits.
Mode of use: Juice of crushed bark is applied externally on cutsand wounds as an antiseptic. The sap is used for aphthae. Decoctionof dry fruits is taken orally as an effective remedy against snake- biteand the juice of crushed leaves is also prescribed for snake bite.
Syzigium cumini
Middle size or large evergreen tree with oblong or ellipsoidberries.
Distribution: Common up to 1500 m
Part used: Bark
Mode of used: Decoction of bark is used to treat constipation,fever, jaundice, urinary problem, asthma and dysentery.
Terminalia chebula
A middle-sized tree with ellipsoid or obovoid 5 ribbed fruits.Wood brownish grey, very hard, durable.
Distribution: Ascending to about 1500 m
Part used: Bark
Mode of used: Fruit is used for treatment of diabetes, diarrhoeaand dysentery.
Terminalia arjuna
A large almost evergreen tree. Leaves sub-opposite, 7.5-14.5 x3-9 cm, oblong, coriaceous with 2 glands at base, obtuse or roundedat apex. Flowers yellowish-white, in pedulous, axillary and terminalspikes; bracteolates linear. Fruits ovoid or oblong, fibrous, woody5-winged.
Distribution: Introduced and planted along roadside.
Parts used: Barks & leaves.
Mode of used: Bark and leaves are used in treatment of sores,ulcer, asthma, wounds etc
Terminalia tomentosa
A moderate size or large deciduous tree.
Distribution: Thenzawl, Mamit, Kawrthah, Bunghmun, Sesawng,Thenhlum.
Part used: Bark
Mode of used: The bark is used in cough, bronchitis, ulcer,diarrhea and dysentery.
Zyziphus mauritiana
A small or middle sized, much branched deciduous tree armedwith stipular spines.
Distribution: Common, ascending to an altitude of about 1,500m.
Parts used: Bark, fruits & leaf
Mode of used: Fruits is prescribed for haemoptysis, menstrualand other vaginal disorders, for bilious and rheumatic infections. Adecoction of bark is used as an astringent in gingivitis. A decoction ofleaves is prescribed for loss of voice, giddiness and for piles.
Zanthoxylum rhetsa
A small to average sized evergreen tree; trunk, shoots andpetioles armed with recurved prickles, strongly pungent smell; leavesimparipinnate; leaflets 5-10 pairs, oblong lanceolate, oblique at thebase; flowers greenish-white in trichotomous cymes in large terminalpanicles; fruits globose, reddish, rugose.
Distribution: Common, in tropical evergreen and semievergreenforest.
Part used: Roots
Mode of used: The roots are grinded, mixed with water and isused to treat fever.
Discussion
The present study provides medicinal usage of 22 species of thehost plants of wild silk moths belonging to 14 families. These plantswere used for the treatment of different diseases like burns, diabetes,dysentery, skin disease, rheumatism, cholera, fever, digestivedisorders, constipation and other common ailments. Most of theseplants were utilized in fresh state as decoction, paste, juice, etc. Adetailed study on the chemical constituents of these plants is a mustso as to investigate their pharmacological effect. Documentationand scientific surveying of the flora and fauna from any area isindispensable to any scientific study and conservation program.Ethno botanical plants are now under threats due to increasingurbanization, clearing of forest due to shifting cultivation, populationexplosion and unplanned exploitation. Therefore, urgent attentionto create public awareness about the conservation of medicinal plantresources for sustainable utilization is needed which will help inmaintaining the ecosystem. Documenting the indigenous knowledgethrough ethno botanical studies is important for the conservationand utilization of biological resources. This will not only safeguardour forest but would have direct impact on the conservation of food plants of different wild silk moths to ascertain the continuedexistence of these valuable entomofauna among other componentsof biodiversity.
Acknowledgement
The financial assistance provided by Central Silk Board, Ministryof Textiles (Govt. of India), Bangalore, is highly acknowledged.Authors sincerely appreciate various people for their help and cooperation during field collection. Gratitude also goes to the Head,Department of Zoology, Mizoram University.
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