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.