Shri Laxmanrao Mankar Institute of Pharmacy, Amgaom Gondia, Maharashtra, India - 441902

*Corresponding author: Tulsidas Nimbekar, Shri Laxmanrao Mankar Institute of Pharmacy, Amgaom Gondia, Maharashtra, India – 441902, Tel: 9326861962; Email: [email protected]

Citation: Nimbekar T, et al. (2022). Wild Edible Vegetables Used for Health Benefit by Rural People of Gondia District in Maharashtra State, India. Traditional Medicine. 3(1):9.

Received: April 21, 2022

Published: August 13, 2022

ABSTRACT

The population outburst resulted into an inadequate accessibility of food resources such as cereals, pulses, vegetables and fruits to the individual. Documentation and spreading responsiveness of utilization of wild edible plants in the regular family diet may be a solution to overcome this alarming problem. Wild edible vegetables play an important contribution to the livelihood of the households who gather and consume them. As per the traditional knowledge, these wild edible vegetables or plants play a significant task in the sustenance of forest people residing in forested areas. A scientific study of edible wild plants is important for pin pointing the potential sources which could be even utilized at the time of scarcity and cultivated as well as a source of food for the budding population. In respect of this, the present work was undertaken which documents as many as 50 plant species that easily found in the surveyed area. The area for wild edible vegetables having some medicinal potential has been carried out in 12 villages of Gondia district, Maharashtra, India. The study showed that the plants used are either eaten raw, cooked by boiling in water, frying in oil or baked to be served as dishes such as stew, salad as hot drink and as nutraceuticals.

Keywords: Wild edible plant, Gondia, Forest dwellers and Traditional knowledge

INTRODUCTION

Domesticated vegetables have been selectively bred for look, production quality, taste, length of storage, and qualities other than nutrition and these vegetables sold in the market are exposed to various pesticides, herbicides, and range of other chemicals and they have been genetically modified or irradiated. At this context safety of eating is a general concern; wild foods don’t have these problems.

Wild plants are reported to be edible and easily available even during adverse conditions like drought and scarcity. Such wild species are accepted like other cultivated species and they play an important role in solving the various food troubles of the world. India is in the second position in population as well as vegetable production as per the requirements [1]. Forest resources, mainly plants and plant products, have an important place in the daily life of tribals and other forest dwellers. Forest provides food as Forest products (NTFPS) that are necessary not only for meeting their own requirements, but these are also a potential source of their income for livelihood [2].

Though plants have been used as a source of food, fodder, shelter, clothing, medicine and a verity of helpful commodities from earliest time, the value of wild edible plants in food security has not been given adequate attention in India [3]. Wild edible plants are the precious gift from our nature and most of the ethnic communities strongly depend on it for their day to day life. Wild vegetables are available locally and therefore inexpensive for low income sectors of the economy. They are good sources of important nutrients, which play significant roles in nutrition, food security and serve as supplements for the management of nutrition related illnesses. Foods plants are not only supplement to the food quality, but also an important option during starvation for survival and thus makes significant contribution to the human nutrition throughout the year [4,5].

Gondia district of Maharashtra state is well-known for the forest resources with abundant amount of flora and fauna. During the year 2020-21, an estimated 2833 sq. km of area was under forest which constituted 50.22% of the total area. Forest resources contribute significantly to the economy of the district. Nagzira, 152 sq. km and Navegaon National park, 133 sq. km, Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary (123 sq km), New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary (151 sq km) and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary (97 sq km) are the national reserve forests [6,7]. These local people are still depending on wild food resources throughout monsoon season and consume with conventional way. During the first spell of rain in June –July leafy vegetables are available on a large scale.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Area

Gondia is an eastern district of Maharashtra and lies between 20.39 to 21.380 North and 79.27 to 82.420 East having total forest area of 2151.15 sq.km. The district is divided into eight talukas where most of the residents depends upon agriculture amongst fifteen villages were preferred from district which are in association with the dense forest. The vegetation of the district is interestingly diverse, as on north eastern part of district Satpuda hilly ranges are running, apart from this district has protected areas like Navegaon National Park and Nagzira Wild life Sanctuary which has been declared as Tiger Reserve by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and 46^th of the country on the date of 7^th September 2013 [8,9].

Field Survey

The detailed field survey was carried out by four members from our Institute during the period of May 2020 to April 2021. During this period field tours were conducted in different seasons of the year. During the survey, data on local name, edible parts, available period, habit and habitat, phenology and fruiting period and nature of uses were collected and recorded. The data had been collected from the local people who have a strong connection with traditional agriculture for their day-to-day needs. The Primary data was collected through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), group discussion, semi-structured interviews and household survey. The collected plant parts were identified using relevant scientific literature [10,11].

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The present study focuses mainly on some of the plants reported from forest areas of Gondia district for their alternative uses as nutritionally useful plants and reveals the data obtained during the study. A total of 50 plant species belonging to 28 families have been recorded in the present study (Table 1).

Table 1. Nutritionally important plant with their family and vernacular name. (11-15)

Sr.No	Vernacular Name	Botanical name	Family	Part used	Medicinal and nutritional uses
1	Aaghada	Achyarnthes aspera	Amaranthaceae	Whole Shrub	In traditional medicinal system, A. aspera is known for diuretic and hepatoprotective properties and used to cure several diseases viz., malarial fever, dysentery, asthma, hypertension and diabetics. Dry seeds are Eaten as raw.
2	Dumber sati	Agaricus bisporus	Agaricaceae	Mushroom	Agaricus mushroom is used for cancer, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, “hardening of the arteries” (arteriosclerosis), ongoing liver disease, bloodstream disorders, and digestive problems. Fruiting bodies are eaten as vegetables
3	Patur	Alternathera sessilis	Amaranthaceae	Leaves	Treat hepatitis, tight chest, bronchitis, asthma and other lung troubles, to stop bleeding and as a hair tonic. Leafy shoots are eaten as vegetables
4	Rajgira	Amaranthus cruentus	Amaranthaceae	Leaves	Low levels of healthy red blood cells (anemia) due to iron deficiency, Stomach ulcers, Diarrhea and in Swollen mouth and throat.
5	Matbhaji	Amaranthus spinosus	Amaranthaceae	Leaves	The root paste with equal volume of honey controls vomiting, when mixed with sugar and water controls Dysentery. Among vegetables, amaranths are rich sources for micronutrients and dietary minerals.
6	Khedabhaji	Amaranthus spinosus	Amaranthaceae	Leaves	It is used to treat diarrhoea. The root is also used for toothaches. leaves are considered a good emollient and applied externally in cases of ulcerated mouths, eczema, burns, wounds, boils, earache and hemorrhoids.
7	Chaulayi Bhaji	Amaranthus viridis	Amaranthaceae	Leaves	The young leaves and stem of the plant use as a vegetable. Useful as an Antioxidant
8	Suran	Amorphophallus paeoniifolius	Araceae	Rhizomes	Commonly available tuber in South India, widely used in folk medicine for treatment of acute rheumatism, tumors, lung swelling, asthma, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
9	Shepu	Anethum graveolens	Apiaceae	Leaves	Nutrients including Vitamin A, C, D, riboflavin, manganese, folate, iron, copper, potassium, magnesium, zinc and dietary fibres. Thus, imbued with these nutrients and antioxidants.
10	Washte	Bambusa arundinacea	Poaceae	Stems	In Ayurveda for the treatment of cough, skin diseases, wounds, digestive disorders, nausea, gynecological disorders and fever. The decoction of leaf and node portion use as a traditional medicine. The young shoot of this plant is the good source of carbohydrate.
11	Koilari	Bauhinia purpurea	Caesalpiniaceae	Leaves	Antibacterial activity, diarrheal condition. Flowers are eaten as vegetables in the form of "Bhaje" (Cooked) & Fruits are eaten as vegetables
12	Khaperkhuti	Boerthavia diffusa	Nyctaginaceae	Leaves	Punarnava is mainly used to treat accumulation of fluids (Oedematous conditions) in the body. It is considered to be an effective "Rasayana". It is also used in the treatment of anemia and liver diseases as recommended by Indian Ayurveda.
13	Navalakol	Brassica oleracea	Crucifarae	Fruits	It is used in the treatment of gout and rheumatism. The leaves can be used as a poultice to cleanse infected wounds. Also as Cardiotonic, Stomachic.
14	Jangli Tur	Cajanus scarabaeoides	Leguminosae	Fruits	Uses for treatment of anemia, smallpox, gonnorhoea, rinder pest, sores, dysentery, cholera, swelling and different inflammatory disorders
15	Bahava	Cassia fistula	Caesalpiniaceae	Flowers	laxative, anti-inflammatory, for swelling. Fruits used for asthma, diabetes and eczema.
16	Tarota	Cassia Tora	Caesalpinaceae	Leaves	According to Ayurveda the leaves and seeds are acrid, laxative, antiperiodic, anthelmintic, ophthalmic, liver tonic, cardiotonic and expectorant.
17	Kuradu	Celosia argentea	Amaranthaceae	Leaves	Used in traditional medicine for the treatment of headache, sores, ulcers, eye inflammations, skin eruption, painful menstruation and carpal tunnel syndrome.
18	Awadi-dhawadi	Chenopodium album	Chenopodiaceae	Leaves	Used as anthelmintic, antiphlogistic, antirheumatic, contraceptive, laxative, odontalgic etc. It is also used in the treatment of rheumatism, bug bites, sunstroke, urinary problems, skin problems etc.
19	Tendli	Coccinia grandis	Cucurbitaceae	Fruits	The fruit are used to make medicine. People take ivy gourd for diabetes, gonorrhea, and constipation. Some people apply ivy gourd leaves directly to the skin for wounds. Ivy gourd fruit and leaves are used as a vegetable.
20	Dhopa	Colocasia esculenta	Araceae	Leaves	It has been utilized for treatment of various ailments such as asthma, arthritis, diarrhea, internal hemorrhage, neurological disorders, and skin disorders. The juice of corm is widely used for treatment of body ache and baldness.
21	Kena Leaf	Commelina benghalensis	Commelinaceae	Leaves	Laxative, diuretic, carminative and antiinflammatory. Leaf use in burn.
22	Chechbhaji	Corchorus aestuans	Tiliaceae	Leaves	Roots or leaves is taken for the treatment of gonorrhea, seeds are used for the treatment of stomach-ache and pneumonia
23	Chinchnuk	Corchorus olitorius	Malvaceae	Fruits	The leaves are demulcent, diuretic, febrifuge and tonic. Richness in potassium, vitamin B6, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C
24	Kevkanda	Costus speciosus	Zingiberaceae	Rhizomes	Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. It is also use as Ayurvedic medicine hence uses to treat fever, rash, asthma, bronchitis, and intestinal worms.
25	Pakanbhed	Cryptocoryne retrospiralis	Araceae	Leaves	It useful in arthritis, Antibacterial Activity, for the treatment of diarrhoea, fever and jaundice, burns and boils.
26	Mataru	Dioscorea bulbifera	Dioscoreaceae	Fruits	Used in the treatment of Piles, dysentery, syphilis, ulcers, cough, leprosy, diabetes, asthma, and cancer. Tubers are eaten as a vegetable.
27	Umber	Ficus racemosa	Moraceae	Fruits	The leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhoea The root is chewed as a treatment for tonsillitis.
28	Pipal	Ficus religiosa	Moraceae	Leaves	Used in asthma, laxative, purgative, neuralgia and inflammation.
29	Ambadi	Hibiscus Sabdariffa		Leaves	Used for the treatment of high blood pressure, liver diseases and fevers. In large amounts, hibiscus tea acts as a mild laxative. In traditional treatment for high blood pressure, cholesterol reduction. It useful in heat control
30	Kuda	Holarrhena pubescens	Apocynaceae	Flowers	It has antibacterial and Amoebicidal properties. Also use in piles as well as in general bleeding. Several Indian tribes use this plant in diabetes.
31	Karmotabhaji	Ipomoea aquatica	Convolvulaceae	Leaves	It is used against piles, and nosebleeds, as an anthelmintic, and to treat high blood pressure.
32	Popati	Lablab purpureus	Fabaceae	Fruits	It is antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, tonic, aphrodisiac, hypocholesterolemic, galactagogue, has antispasmodic properties and is an appetite suppressants.
33	Lauki	Lagenaria siceraria	Cucurbitaceae	Fruits	Reduces stress, Benefits the heart, Helps in weight loss, Helps in treating sleeping disorders, Prevents premature greying of hair, Helps in digestion and Benefits the skin
34	Pathari	Launea procumbens	Asteraceae	Leaves	Used as a food and washing agent, rheumatism, galactogogues, and increases milk production. Eye redness and itchiness and also traditionally used in kidney (painful urination), liver and sexual diseases like gonorrhea.
35	Kavatha	Limonia acidssima	Rutaceae	Fruits	It is used as tonic for heart and lungs, the unripe fruit is used as anti-diarrhoeal, leaves of wood apple are anti-diabetic, fruit pulp is used in the treatment of sore throat etc.
36	Dodaka	Luffa acutangula	Cucurbitaceae	Fruits	rich in a vast array of essential components like dietary fibers, water content, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, magnesium and vitamin B6. They are naturally low in calorie content, unhealthy saturated fats and cholesterol.
37	Pudina	Mentha spicata	Lamiaceae	Leaves	It is useful in stomach disorder, carminative, tonic, stomach tonic, anti-cough, anti-seizure, astringent, analgesic and sedative.
38	Katwal	Momordica dioica	Cucurbitaceace	Fruits	Unripe Fruits are eaten as vegetables, Diabetics, laxative, hepatoprotective and diuretics.
39	Shevga	Moringa oleifera	Moringaceae	Fruits	Used as cardiac and possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities.
40	Aaratfari	Olax psittacorum	Olacaceae	Leaves	In Ayurvedic medicine, the bark is used in anaemia and as a supporting drug in diabetes; also in the treatment of fever.
41	Ambuti	Oxalis corniculata	Oxalidaceae	Leaves	This plant is edible and it is used as salad. This plant is anti-scorbutic and used in the treatment of scurvy. This herb is anti-inflammatory, anthelminthic, diuretic, febrifuge, relaxant, stomachic, astringent, analgesic and styptic in nature.
42	Bhuiawala	Phyllanthus amarus	Euphorbiaceae	Whole shrub	It is an important plant of Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine which is used in the problems of stomach, genitourinary system, liver, kidney and spleen.
43	Kapalfodi	Physalis Pubescens	Solanaceae	Whole shrub	The whole plant is antipyretic, depurative, diuretic, pectoral, vermifuge. A decoction is used in the treatment of abscesses, coughs, fevers, sore throat etc. An infusion of the whole plant is used as a narcotic
44	Owabhaji	Plectranthus amboinicus	Lamiaceae	Leaves	It is used in herbal medicines for the treatment of various disorders such as asthma, flu, eczema, and cardiovascular disorders.
45	Ghorbhaji	Portulaca oleracea	Portulacaceae	Leaves	In folk medicine, acting as a febrifuge, antiseptic, vermifuge. It exhibits a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antibacterial, antiulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties.
46	Sherdira	Smilax zeylenica	Smilacaceae	Stems	It useful blood purification Root and rhizome has antirhumatic, Antioxidant activity. It is also used in the treatment of venereal diseases.
47	Palakbhaji	Spinacia oleracea	Amaranthaceae	Leaves	Spinach is high in vitamin A, vitamin C. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that promotes skin health and immune function. Vitamin K1. This vitamin is essential for blood clotting, Folic acid, Iron and Calcium
48	Anas sati	Termitomyces heimii	Agaricaceae	Mushroom	Bioactive components in mushrooms have potential uses as antioxidants, immunomodulators, antitumors, and antimicrobials. Termitomyces also has a potential for treating neurodegenerative disorders. Fruiting bodies are eaten as vegetables
49	Undirkani	Theriophonum indicum	Araceae	Leaves	Leaves are eaten as Vegetables.
50	Methi bhaji	Trigonella foenum-graecum	Fabaceae	Leaves	Fenugreek leaves are eaten in India as a vegetable. It is taken by mouth for digestive problems such as loss of appetite, upset stomach, constipation, inflammation of the stomach (gastritis). Fenugreek is also used for diabetes, painful menstruation, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity.

 

Most of these plants are seasonal and available in specific duration of the year. Remaining plants which are perennial and available throughout the year are also utilized in particular month of the year due to the plant part which is used in diet available for few months only. Many plants have been consumed for dual purpose i.e. as a food and for medicinal purposes. Out of total plant parts, around 54 % leaves, which are followed by 24 % of fruits, 4 % flowers, 4 % Rhizome, 4 % mushroom, 6% whole shrub and 4% stems of plant are used by the people of Gondia district. The details of plant parts used are presented in graphical form in Figure 1 and table 2.

Figure 1: Analysis of usable parts of edible wild plants of the studied area

Table 2: Usable parts of edible wild plants of the studied area

 

Part Used	No. of plant species	Percentages
Whole Shrub	03	6
Mushroom	02	4
Leaves	27	54
Rhizomes	2	4
Stems	2	4
Fruits	12	24
Flowers	2	4
Total	50

 

 

Most of the tribal communities has good knowledge of edible plants available in surrounding forest and know how to eat the edible part and discard the other parts. This traditional knowledge of consuming wild plants is passed on orally from one generation to another and need to be safeguarded. Thus, wild edible plants can act as a link between habitat, season of availability, local people and culture associated with tribal people [12].

All the plants are very important for nutrition’s purpose and improvement of health. Among these plants species most of the plants are used for medicine purposes, like, Diabetics, Malaria, Jaundice, Stomach disorder, Cough, Piles, Amebic stool, Gastritis, Arthritis, blood purification, Cyst, Worm, etc. Different dishes prepared by them having medicinal properties [13,14].

CONCLUSION

The final conclusion of the present study is that, there are plenty of plants are available in the forest of Gondia district which could be utilized in the diet as an alternative food having medicinal and nutritional value. However, there is lack of scientific studies on these plants especially their nutrients and anti-nutrients composition. Hence it is essential to conduct a detailed nutritional and cultivation related investigation of some of potential plants. It has been also observed that traditional knowledge of wild food is a sharply declining due to rapid depletion of forest cover and our education system. It is not focus on the traditional knowledge which has been established in our social and cultural system. It is essential to educate teachers on this platform to teach the students. The new generation will be interested to study the plants and local resources.

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