Blood pressure lowering, fibrinolysis enhancing and antioxidant activities of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton. (Small cardamom) fruit powder was evaluated for its antihypertensive potential and its effect on some of the cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with stage 1 hypertension. Twenty, newly diagnosed individuals with primary hypertension of stage 1 were administered 3 g of cardamom powder in two divided doses for 12 weeks. Blood pressure was recorded initially and at 4 weeks interval for 3 months. Blood samples were also collected initially and at 4 weeks interval for estimation of lipid profile, fibrinogen and fibrinolysis. Total antioxidant status, however, was assessed initially and at the end of the study. Administration of 3 g cardamom powder significantly (p<0.001) decreased systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure and significantly (p<0.05) increased fibrinolytic activity at the end of 12th week. Total antioxidant status was also significantly (p<0.05) increased by 90% at the end of 3 months. However, fibrinogen and lipid levels were not significantly altered. All study subjects experienced a feeling of well being without any side-effects. Thus, the present study demonstrates that small cardamom effectively reduces blood pressure, enhances fibrinolysis and improves antioxidant status, without significantly altering blood lipids and fibrinogen levels in stage 1 hypertensive individuals.

Medicinal plant diversity of Sitamata wildlife sanctuary, Rajasthan, India

The present study has been carried out in Sitamata wildlife sanctuary of Chittorgarh and Udaipur district located in south-west region of Rajasthan. A field survey of the study area was carried out during 2002-2004 to document the medicinal utility of herbs occurring in this area. Two hundred fourty-three genera belonging to 76 families have been reported which are used by the tribals of about 50 villages around the sanctuary as means of primary health care to cure various ailments. The study revealed the new ethnobotanical uses of 24 plant species belonging to 20 genera. A list of plant species along with their local name, plant part/s used and mode of administration for effective control in different ailments of ethnomedicinal plants are given.

Folk herbal medicines from tribal area of Rajasthan, India

A floristic survey of ethnomedicinal plants occurring in the tribal area of Rajasthan was conducted to assess the potentiality of plant resources for modern treatments. The information on medicinal uses of plants is based on the exhaustive interviews with local physicians practising indigenous system of medicine, village headmen, priests and tribal folks. The Aravalli hills of Mewar region of Rajasthan are inhabited by many tribes; Bhil, Garasia, Damor and Kathodia being the main ones. In a floristic survey 61 ethnomedicianl plant species belonging to 38 families were recorded from this region. A categorical list of plant species along with their plant part/s used and the mode of administration reported to be for effective control in different ailments is prepared.

Folk herbal medicines used in birth control and sexual diseases by tribals of southern Rajasthan, India

An ethnobotanical survey of tribal area of southern Rajasthan was carried out during the year 2001-2002 for ethnosexicological herbal medicines. The information on ethnosexicological herbs is based on the exhaustive interview with local medicine-men and -women, birth attendants and other knowledgeable persons who prescribe their own herbal preparation to check birth control, including abortion at initial stages, preventing conception or by making either member of the couple sterile and to cure various sexual diseases like leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea, menorrhagia, to regularize menses and syphilis in both the sexes. During ethnobotanical survey, 53 plants belonging to 33 families have been reported from the study area, which are used to cure sexual diseases, and for family planning. A list of plant species along with their local name, habit, flowering and fruiting period, plant part/s used and the mode of administration to cure the sexual diseases are given.

Ethnomedicinal and obnoxious grasses of Rajasthan, India

The present communication is an account of 24 ethnomedicinal and 10 obnoxious grasses of Rajasthan. The ethnomedicinal grasses are used by forest dwellers for various ailments in their daily life. In spite of the fact that certain grasses are of high medicinal value, some grasses are also alleged to be obnoxious. These obnoxious grasses hamper the economic balance of tribal as well as rural communities. The necessity to popularise the identity and utility of grasses and the need to build up a database on local knowledge/information held by tribes is stressed. Local name, Botanical name, plant parts used, causing injuries and methods of application or administration are given.