Traditional uses of some indigenous plants as medicine by Sundarbans’ people in West Bengal

Somnath Das
Department of Education, CDOE, The University of Burdwan, India.

Subhobrata Bondopadhyay
Raiganj University, West Bengal, India.

Published online: 15th December, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2023.e02.006

Keywords: Traditional uses, indigenous plants, primitive people, Sundarban area.

Abstract:

Out of 45,000 plant species in India, more than 4,000 are known to be herbs. In Sundarbans, this number is more than a hundred. Trees, herbs and shrubs have been used for various ailments. In most cases, the long-term adverse reactions have forced the entire world today to look for ways to survive by searching for the herbal plants scattered in the forests and the knowledge accumulated over centuries of experience through application. In search of even though there is an advanced medical system available today, the people of Sundarbans have not lost their faith in the traditional herbs that have been passed down from generation to generation. People here lead their lives through hard struggles. They get benefits by using raw plant parts traditionally during illness. In many cases, plants are used as traditional medicine and are more effective than modern medicine, according to the local healer of Sundarbans. In this chapter, the scientific and vernacular names of some of the  medicinal plants of Sunderbans, plants part, traditional uses  & method of uses  in particular disease for curing their daily health problems are elaborately described.

References:

  • Acharya, C. K.,Madhu, N.R., Khan, N. S., & Guha, P. (2021). Improved Reproductive Efficacy of Phyllanthus emblica L. (Gaertn.) on Testis of Male Swiss Mice and a Pilot Study of its Potential Values. Int. J. Food. Nutr. Sci., 10(4), 7-14.
  • Acharya, C.K., Khan, N. S., & Madhu, N.R. (2021). Medicinal uses of amla, Phyllanthus emblica L. (Gaertn.): a prospective review. Mukt. Shabd Journal, X(X), 226-310.
  • Acharya, C.K., Khan, N.K., & Madhu, N.R. (2022). A Comparative GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Ethyl Acetate Fruit Extract of Phyllanthus emblica L. (Gaertn.) Growing in Two Phyto-geographically Contrasting Regions of West Bengal, India. Jour. Pl. Sci. Res., 38(1), 343–355.
  • Acharya, C.K., Khan, N.S., & Madhu, N.R. (2022). Traditional Phyto-therapeutic uses by Tribal People in Western Sundarbans: Henry Island, Fredric Island and Bakkhali, West Bengal, India. Jour. Pl. Sci. Res., 38(2), 513–523. https://doi.org/10.32381/JPSR.2022.38.02.8
  • Acharya, C.K., Das, B., Madhu, N.R., Sau, S., Manna De, M., & Sarkar, B. (2023).  A Comprehensive Pharmacological Appraisal of Indian Traditional Medicinal Plants with Anti-diabetic Potential. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd., Advances in Diabetes Research and Management, pp. 163–193, Online ISBN-978-981-19-0027-3. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0027-3_8
  • Banerjee, A.K. (1964). Forest of Sundarbans centenary commemoration vol. writers Buildings Calcutta, India.
  • Banerjee, J., Biswas, S., Madhu, N.R., Karmakar, S. R., & Biswas. S. J. (2014). A better understanding of pharmacological activities and uses of phytochemicals of Lycopodium clavatum: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 3(1),  207-210
  • Banerjee, L.K., Sastri, A.R.K., & Nayar, M.P. (1989). Mangroves in India. Identification manual, B.S.I., Govt. of India.
  • Basu, C., Bhattacharyya, S., & Chaudhuri, P. (2022). Role of mangroves in pharmacotherapy. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), B. Sarkar (eds.), The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine, Vol. 1, pp. 62-73. https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2022.e01.005
  • Bhattacharjee, P. (2021). Some medicinal plants with anti -fertility potential used by the tribal people of the District Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev., 24, 30-39. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2021.v24.004
  • Bhowmik, B., Dey, B., Mondal, P., & Roy, P. (2022). Ethno-medicinal properties of some selected holy plants of West Bengal, India. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), B. Sarkar (eds.), The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine, Vol. 1, pp. 86-96. https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2022.e01.007
  • Bose, P. (2018). Metal contamination in traditionally used Medicinal plants: a serious threat in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, India. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.16, 26-39. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2018.v16.004
  • Chaudhary, K. (2016). 24 Pargana (Uttar- dakshin-Sundarban), Dey’s publishing, Kolkata.p-385
  • Choudhuri, A.B., & Chaudhury, A. (1994). Mangroves of Sundarbans. Vol. 1. India. IUCN, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Darro, S., & Khan, N. (2023). Documentation of some endangered medicinal plants growing in Indravati National Park, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, India. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev., 36, 378-387. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2023.v36.033
  • Das, Somnath. (2022). Vegetables as traditional medicines cultivated in Purba- Medinipur district in west Bengal, The basic hand book of Indian ethnobotany and traditional medicine, vol-1. Vanumati Sarkar(ed.). pp-134-145.
  • Das, Somnath. (2023). Environmental Education (2023), Sanjib Prakashan, Kolkata.
  • Das, S.K., Rakesh Acharya and Koushik Sen (2022). Phytosomes: a cutting-edge technique for herbal drug delivery and its clinical applications. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), B. Sarkar (eds.), The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine, Vol. 1, pp. 96-133. ISBN: 978-81-957954-1-3. https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2022.e01.008
  • De, M., & Sharma, L. (2023). A comparative physico-chemical, phytochemical and spectroscopic analysis of two medicinal plants belongs to Euphorbiaceae family: Acalypha indica L. and Euphorbia hirta L. growing in Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.32, 206-215. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2023.v32.018
  • De, M., Sharma, L., & Acharya, C. (2023). A Comprehensive Chemical Characterization of Leaves of Five Potential Medicinal Plants in Paschim Medinipur District, W. B., India. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev., 36, 20-36. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2023.v36.002
  • Dhakar, S., & Tare, H. (2023). Therapeutic Potential of Polyherbal Tablets: A Comprehensive Assessment of Pharmacological Activity. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.34(Special Vol.), 97-105. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2023.v34spl.010
  • Erfani, H. (2021). The practical and potential importance of herbs such as ginger in Chemical Environmental Science. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev., 24, 24-29. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2021.v24.003
  • Ghosh, A.K. (1940). Submerged Forest in Calcutta, Sci. & Cult. 6.
  • Ghosh, S., Nahar, N., Dasgupta, D., Sarkar, B., Biswas, P., Chakraborty, R., Acharya, C.K., Jana, S.K., Madhu, N.R. (2022). Socioeconomic Disparity in Health of Rural Communities in the Himalayan Foothills: Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal. Chettinad Health City Medical Journal, 11(2), 9-18. https://doi.org/10.24321/2278.2044.202215
  • Jana, D. (2020). Sreekhanda Sundarban, Deep prakashani, Kolkata. pp-234-237.
  • Jyotirmayee, B., Nayak, S., Mohapatra, N., Mishra, M., Samal, H., & Mahalik, G. (2023). Evaluating biochemical and pharmacological properties of Curcuma longa L. grown organically in two locations of Odisha, India: In vitro study. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev., 36, 359-377. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2023.v36.032
  • Kar, D., Ghosh, P., Suresh, P., Chandra, S., & Paul, D. (2022). Review on Phyto-chemistry & pharmacological activity of Melia azedarachInt. J. Exp. Res. Rev., 28, 38-46. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2022.v28.006
  • Kenneth, Z. (1993). Religious medicine: The History and Evaluation of India Medicine. Routhledge, PPX-XII.
  • Madhu, N. R., & Sarkar, B. (2015). Adulticidal and repellent properties of indigenous plant extracts against Larvae of mosquito: A Review. International Journal of Experimental Research and Review1, 28-33. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2015.v01.004
  • Maiti, A., Madhu, N.R., & Manna, C. K. (2010). Ethnomedicine used by the tribal people of the district Purulia, W. B., India in controlling fertility: and experimental study. Pharmacologyonline, 1, 783-802.
  • Maiti, A., Madhu, N.R., and Manna, C. K. (2013). Natural products traditionally used by the tribal people of the Purulia district, West Bengal, India for the abortifacient purpose. International Journal of Genuine Medicine, Volume 3 / Issue 2 / e14, 1-4.
  • Mandal, R. (2022). Heliotropium indicum L: An Ethnomedicinally Important plant of India. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), B. Sarkar (eds.), The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine, Vol. 1, pp. 36-45.
  • https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2022.e01.003
  • Naskar, K.R. (1998). Barater sundar ban o mangeove udhvid, pachisbanga.
  • Naskar, K.R. (2000). Pachismbonger Sundarbon, Prakriti Oporichiti, Pachismbanga South 24- Parganas.
  • Pal, A., Jhulki, S., & Kundu, S. (2022). A comprehensive analysis of ethnopharmacological and pharmacotherapeutics of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha). © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), B. Sarkar (eds.), The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine, Vol. 1, pp. 20-35.
  • https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2022.e01.002
  • Parsard, R.P., Naskar, K.R., & Guha Bakshi, D.N. (1987). Mangrove swamps of Sundarbans-An Ecological perspective Nayaprakash, Calcutta.
  • Pimple, B., Vadje, S., Kuchekar, M., Chumbhale, D., Tare, M., & Baheti, D. (2023). Pharmacognostic Investigations of Impatiens balsamina Linn. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.30, 119-126. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2023.v30.013
  • Pyne, S., & Santra, S. (2017). Accumulation of Arsenic, Copper and Iron in Common Medicinal Plants of Murshidabad district, West Bengal, India. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.9, 54-62. Retrieved from https://qtanalytics.in/journals/index.php/IJERR/article/view/1303
  • Raha, S., Mukherjee, P., Saha, A., & Sanyal, T. (2022). Aquatic Macrophytes: An Untold and Valuable Panoramic Resource of Ethnomedicine. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), B. Sarkar (eds.), The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine, Vol. 1, pp. 46-61. https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2022.e01.004
  • Saha, A., Moitra, S., & Sanyal, T. (2022). Anticancer and Antidiabetic Potential of Phytochemicals Derived from Catharanthus roseus: A Key Emphasis to Vinca Alkaloids. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), B. Sarkar (eds.), The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine, Vol. 1, pp. 01-19.
  • https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2022.e01.001
  • Sanyal, P., Banerjee, K., & Chowdhury, M.K. (1984). Dancing Mangals of Indian Sundarbans. J. Indian Soc. Coastal Agri. Res., 2(1)
  • Sanyal, R. (2022a). A review study on Medicinal plants and their conservation for sustainable development. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), Dr. N. R. Madhu & Dr. B. K. Behera (eds.), A Basic Overview of Environment and Sustainable Development, pp. 18 -28. ISBN: 978-81-957954-2-0. https://doi.org/10.52756/boesd.2022.e01.002
  • Sanyal, R. (2022b). Traditional practices of ethnomedicinal plants among forest-dependent communities of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), B. Sarkar (eds.), The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine, Vol. 1, pp. 74-84. https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2022.e01.006
  • Sarkar, B. (2017). Traditional use of medicinal plants and its biodiversity in India. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.10, 23-26. Retrieved from https://qtanalytics.in/journals/index.php/IJERR/article/view/1295
  • Sarkar, B., Bhattacharya, P., Yen Chen, C., Maity, J., & Biswas, T. (2022). A comprehensive characterization and therapeutic properties in ripened Noni fruits (Morinda citrifolia L.). International Journal of Experimental Research and Review29, 10-32. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2022.v29.002
  • Sarkar, B., Biswas, P., Acharya, C.K., Ghorai, S.K., Nahar, N., Jana, S.K., Ghosh, S., Sarkar, D., Behera, B., & Madhu, N.R. (2021). Knowledge of Traditional Indian Medicinal Plants for the Management of COPD. Chettinad Health City Medical Journal, 10(4), 184 – 189. https://doi.org/10.36503/chcmj10(4)-05 Sarkar, B., Jana, S., Kasem, S., & Behera, B. (2016). Therapeutic potential of some Medicinal plants on wound healing. Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev.2, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2016.v2.001

check for update

The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany
and Tradition
al Medicine
Vol. 2

How to Cite
Somnath Das and Subhobrata Bondopadhyay (2023). Traditional uses of some indigenous plants as medicine by Sundarbans’ people in West Bengal. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), Mrs. Bhanumati Sarkar, Dr. (Professor) Surjyo Jyoti Biswas, Dr. Alok Chandra Samal & Dr. Akhil Pandey (eds.), The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicine [Volume: 2], pp. 72-88. ISBN: 978-81-962683-5-0.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2023.e02.006

SHARE WITH EVERYONE

Continue reading in any device

Continue reading in any device

Our Other Books –