Medico-Botany of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Recent Study

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Preface Andaman & Nicobar is one of the richest biodiversity hotspot in the Word and is known for its rich medicinal flora. It is situated in the Bay of Bengal between 6°45' and 13°41' North latitudes and 92°12' East to 92°57' East longitudes, oriented in a North-South direction over a length of about 912 km. It is an abode of 6 primitive tribes, viz., Andaman’s, Jarawas, Onges, Nicobarese, Shompens and the Sentinels. Besides, there are local people and people who have migrated from the mainland are inhabited. The population of Andaman & Nicobar is largely dependent on Indigenous system of medicine. CCRAS is serving the needs of the Andaman & Nicobar population in the health sector since 1984. In 1988, CCRAS had published a book entitled; "Observation on Medico-Botany of Andaman & Nicobar Islands" where it has covered 305 medicinal plants of this region along with the folklore uses, After the Tsunami in December 2004, there is a great change in the medicinal flora of Andaman & Nicobar. Hence, CCRAS has taken up a project entitled, "Medico-Botanical Survey of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Selected areas)". The present publication, "Medico-Botany of Andaman & Nicobar Islands - Recent Study" is the outcome of the above mentioned project. The present publication encompasses data on 560 medicinal plants about their Botanical Name, Sanskrit Name, Local Name, Distribution, Availability, IUCN status and Threat status. Out of the studied plants, there are 163 plants being used in Ayurvedic System of Medicine; for these plants, Sanskrit Name, Distribution, Parts Used, Pharmacological Properties Ayurvedic Preparation (Formulations), Major indications (Therapeutic Uses) are provided. There are 204 folk uses reported for various health ailments like Kamala (jaundice), Madhumeha (Diabetes), Netradosha (Opthamolic diseases, Tvak Roga (Skin diseases), Ashmari (kidney stones), Shweta pradar (Leucorrhoea), E.N.T. diseases, Cuts & wounds (Vrana) etc, Besides, there are 222 high quality digital photographs incorporated in the present publication.

My deep appreciation to the work carried out by the entire survey team led by Dr. Santosh S Mane posted at Regional Research Center of Ayurveda (RRCA), Port Blair with the help of local BSI officials and Dr. G.V.R. Joseph, A.D. (Botany) who is instrumental in coordinating the entire practical and publication work and lie also shooted majority of the photographs. Dr. B.S. Sharma put his efforts in going through the Ayurvedic portion of the manuscript. I acknowledge Dr. Chinmay Rath, Mrs B. Susmitha, Mr. Ashish Kumar Tripathi, Mr. Abhishek for their support and assistance in compiling the text material of the book and secretarial assistance given by Mr. Md. Haroon Ansari and Ms. Aarti Negi.

My appreciation is due to Dr. Srikanth, Dy. Director General and Dr. M.M. Padhi Ex. Dy. Director General for their unstinting cooperation and encouragement to the team throughout the work.

Introduction Andaman & Nicobar Islands are one of the India's richest biodiversity hotspot. With a diversified ecosystem like tropical evergreen forest, wetlands, mangroves, coral reefs etc. some of the promising medicinal plants used in Indian system of medicines are located in this region.

According to Pandey and Divakar (2008) the indigenous flora of these Islands mainly derived from its having Burmese & Malaysian relatives with similarities those of South East Asia, Srilanka, North East, Western Ghats of South India. Hence the flora of Andaman group of Islands exhibit similarities towards the taxa of South East Asia and main land India. Whereas flora of Nicobar Islands exhibit towards the taxa of Malaysia.

Herbal medicines which formed the basis of health care throughout the world since time immemorial are still widely being used and have considered importance in National and International health sectors especially in Indian systems of medicines. Many herbs are being used directly as therapeutic agents. Besides, there are several medicinal plants which act as starting material for synthesis of drugs or as models for pharmacological active compounds. Due to the above reasons and as explained, Andaman & Nicobar Islands are one of the richest biodiversity hotspot having many medicinal plants. There is a great need to systematically study the medicinal flora of this region.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are an abode of 6 primitive tribes, Viz., Andaman’s, Jarwas, Onges, Nicobarese, Shompens, and the Sentinels. These tribes and also the other locals largely depend on the plants for the treatment of various ailments. Documenting the folklore used by various medicinal plants from the various tribes is an asset to the Nation for exploring new drugs. With the above issues in mind Regional Research Center of Ayurveda (RRCA), Port lair under Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences under Ministry of Ayush has taken up a project entitled: "Medico-Botanical survey of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (selected areas)".

CCRAS had its presence in Andaman & Nicobar Islands since 1984. Since then CCRAS has been instrumental in serving the needs of the people of Andaman & Nicobar in the health sector. In 1988 CCRAS has published a book entitled "Observation on Medico-Botany of Andaman & Nicobar Islands", where it has covered 305 medicinal plants of this region along with the folklore uses. After the Tsunami in Dec. 2004 there is a great change in the medicinal flora of Andaman & Nicobar. Out of the 305 plants which were collected during the earlier study only 118 plants the survey team could collect in the present exploration even after extending their surveyed areas.

Present publication encompasses 560 medicinal plants out of which 163 plants are being used in Ayurvedic system of medicine. 204 folk uses were reported for various health ailments like Kamala (Jaundice), Madhumeha (Diabetes), Netradosha (Ophthamolic diseases), Tvak Roga (Skin diseases), Ashmari (Kidney stones), Shweta pradar (Leucorrhoea), E.N.T. diseases, Cuts & wounds (Vrana) etc...

Book's Contents and Sample Pages