Crop weeds diversity and their ethnomedicinal uses in the treatment of common ailments in Jajpur district of Odisha (India)

Abstract

An ethnobotanical exploration was undertaken in three selected Community Development Blocks (C. D. Block) namely Dasarathpur, Rasulpur and Sukinda in the crop fields of rice in 'Kharif' (warm rainy season) and in mus- tard, black gram, groundnut and potato crop fields in 'Rabi' (winter season). Some common people comprising of tribal and non-tribal were approached to name and show the weeds in these crop fields, which they use for medicinal pu rposes to cure human and animal diseases. Of the total 65 weed species present in 3 C.D. Blocks under study, it was r evealed that common people use 53 species for medicinal purposes. Some of the potential ethnomedicinal weeds are Alternanthe- ra sessilis, used in dysentery; Amaranthus spinosus, in abscesses and eczema; Blumea lacera, to hasten the expulsion of placenta of cow after calving; Chenopodium album, used to improve appetite, abdominal pains; Cynodon dactylon, used as antihaemorrhagic, in dysentery and nasal bleeding; Cyperus rotundus, roots are useful in dysentery, vomiting, epile p- sy; Eclipta prostrata, as anthelmintic, and wounds; Euphorbia hirta, in ring worm and old wounds; Heliotropium indi- cum, in abscess of joints; Marsilea minuta, in sleeplessness and insect bites etc .