PA01.48. Ethnomedicinal Heritage to combat Arthritis and its contribution to Ayurveda

Arthritis was known to mankind as “Sarjumshotham” from antiquity. This was known to Indian Ayurveda since 3000 years as a disease with painful swellings of joints and ligaments. This is the greatest and uncommon or less known crippling disease of unknown causation, infesting, claiming and involving maximum loss of human working power. The latest survey in US showed 11 million persons suffering from arthritis, consisting of about 6.4% of total US population. It is now widely spread in different parts of the World especially in temperate zones and with largest sufferers in India, Central America and Mediterranean countries. The onset of the disease is usually between age of 20 60 with two peaks at 35 and 45 years respectively. In clinical population, the females are more susceptible to disease than males and the ratio being 2 3 females to one male. METHODOLOGY: Ethnomedicinal surveys were undertaken during 2006 2009 in 42 tribal pockets of Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh, India with good forest cover. The study area lies between 77° 47’ and 80° 0’ of the eastern longitude and 18° 40’ and 19° 56’ of northern latitude. Interviews were conducted with tribal vaidhyas belonging to Gond, Lambada and other tribal communities at their dwellings. The data were verified in different villages among the interviewers showing the same plant sample. The knowledgeable informants and medicinemen and vaidhyas were taken to the field and along with collection of plants for the voucher specimens, method of application, preparation of dose and mode of administration of the plants as given by the tribal informants was recorded. Each practice was cross checked with at least 4 5 informants. The survey yielded 8 plant species belonging to 6 families of Dicotyledons used to combat arthritis. Based on habit, herbs include 1species, followed by shrubs 2 and trees are 5. While classifying plants depending upon the plant part used, leaf constitutes highest percentage (62.5%) of utilization for the purpose and stem, stem bark and root 12.5% each. It is quite interesting to note that 1 plant viz., Dolichandrone atrevieres (Roth.) Sprague. And 5 practices are reported as new records after comparison with work of Jain (1991, 1997). RESULT: Most of the ethnic practices are now recognized to have specific beneficial effects in Ayurveda and the development of modern medicine. The methods of investigation employed by a traditional herbalist are not quantitatively different from modern chemotherapeutic investigation. In present day scenario, the herbal medicines and Ayurveda are gaining popularity and appreciated not only in India but also abroad. The knowledge and heritage of herbal medicines is an important source of information for scientific community, research workers and medicinal practitioners. It is high time now to conserve plants of medicinal value, bringing out light to ethnomedicinal practicesin Ayurveda as well as conservation and preservation of the original germplasm.