Introduction

During the last two decades, the development of drug resistance as well as the appearance undesirable side effects of certain antibiotics has lead to the search of new antimicrobial agents mainly among plants extract with the goal to discovered new chemical structure which overcome the above disadvantages.

Medicinal plants are very commonly available in abundance especially in the tropics and in temperate region. Recent years many of these natural sources have been destroyed by overexploitation and deforestation in Indian sub-continent. A part from the used in the treatment of illness through self-medication. These medicine plants are valuable for modern medicine in other ways. The success of any health care system depends on availability of suitable drug on a sustainable basis.  With the increasing cost of modern medicine it become more difficult for the poor people to afford allopathic medicine. Here medicinal plants play an key role in the health care of the poor people.

The North Maharashtra University campus area is the sacred place. The campus is situated in such a place, which is outside of human habitations and usually have some protected devices. Some medicinal plants occur, i.e. Azadiracta indica, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Annona squamosa, Bombax ceiba, Dalbergia sissoo, Erythrina variegata, Ficus benghalensis, Mangifera indica, Tamarindus indica, Phyllanthus amarus k. schum and thonn etc. The medicinal plants are planted or naturally grown, i.e. Phyllanthus amarus k. schum and thonn, Alstonia scholaris, Azadirachta indica, Andrographis paniculata, Asparagus racemosus, Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia chebula etc. in the study area.

In the present investigation various kinds of medicinal plant grow naturally in North Maharashtra University campus in rainy season. All Categories of peoples literates or illiterates, rich and poor of near by villages use these kind of medicinal plants in order to cure various disease. Most of the poor people from villages is unable to take modern medicare due to economic incapability that’s why they used medicinal plant to cure most of the disease (Rahman 1999, Rao 1991, Khan and Huq 1975, Lawerence 1951, Naderuzzaman and Tarcque 1993) have investigated more of the medicinal plant which is commonly used in remote areas of the Country.

Matarial and Methods

The survey of medicinal plant in the area of North Maharashtra University campus was carried out. The study area was selected 750 acres on land connecting Village Bhambhori, Takarkheda, Paldhi well connected with most popular river Girna. The measurement of the area about 750 acres before establishing university it was total grassland and terrestrial ecosystem its situated on the bank of river Girna. This area had been surveyed in 180 days interval for collection plant species. Collection were made throughout rainy and winter season in 2007 and particularly care was taken, not to miss the flowering stages of the fruits the following data was recorded from the herbarium specimen i.e. date of collection, number, local name, scientific name, family, habitat, medicinal uses and distribution. Herbarium sheets were prepared in multiple sets and flowers were preserve in 70% alcohol for the future study. Identifications were made with the help of Hooker (1872-1888), Khan (1975), Cronquist (1968), Heywood (1979), Lawrence (1951), Naderuzzaman and Prain (1993,1903). Medicinal uses were made with the help of Alam (1996), Bhattachariya (1989), Biswas (1973), Ghani (1998), Guha (1994), Hassan (1988), Kirtikar (1987).

The data were cross-checked by interviewing were than three vaidyas on the uses of specific plant species and preparation of herbal formulations. A participant’s observation method was employed to understand the methods and techniques adopted by vaidyas in preparation of various herbal formulations.

In order to verify the identity of local names of medicinal plant species field visits were undertaken with vaidyas. Specimens of each species identified were brought to the School of Environmental and Earth Sciences, North Maharashtra University, herbarium for scientific identification where they were subsequently deposited.

Result and Discussion

Results are shown in Table no. 1 among 26 No. of plant species and their relative activities. A total of 26 species belong to 22 families were collected and identified. As a results these medicinal plant are used by a common people for curing following diseases especially for Abscess, Asthama, Abortion, Burning sensation, Blood pressure, Cough, Cold, Chicken pox, Constipation, Dysentery, Diarrhea, Diabetes, Eczema, Fever, Fracture of bone, Headache, Heart diseases, Jaundice, Menstrual diseases, Paralysis, Piles, Skin diseases, Snake bite, Sex problem, Toothache, Vomiting, Wound, Worm, Stomach pain, Ulcer and Hepatitis B which is not having any remedial measurement in medical practices and other. Different plants of different species are used as medicine for treating various diseases; bark, leaf, fruit, root, wood, lately, seed, stem and mucilage and whole plant of three species were also used as medicine. The well analysis and listed information about plant material collected from the study area is describe in Table no. 1 and these uses for remedial measures.

Traditional treatments and diseases

In general, the traditional Vaidyas have categorized all ailments into two broad types:

Those visible in any part of the body or organs.

Those invisible or functional that are in the state of infliction.

They assume that the cause of disease is either proximate or remote. In the proximate condition, the symptoms are visible on the organ or structure whereas in the remote condition the symptoms are difficult to find out. Diseases are primarily treated with home-made herbal formulations accompanied by advise for balanced diets. Vaidyas alter the constitution of each herbal formulation based upon the requirements of the patient. Hence, they increase or decrease the potency of formulations based upon the needs of the patient and the duration of the treatment. In general, for treating diseases traditional Vaidyas prescribe three important things:

Herbal formulations

Balanced diets

Proper lifestyle regiments including good moral conduct

This approach and practice is very similar as described in Ayurvedic texts (Dash 1982, Khory 2004). Vaidyas believe that any disorder is a result of imbalance in ‘Vata’ (air), ‘Pitta’ (phlegm) and ‘Kaph’ (cough). Traditional Vaidyas prescribe the use of til (Sesamum orientale) oil as the best medicine for treating the disorders related to ‘Vata’, Cow’s ghee for ‘Pitta’, and Honey for ‘Kaph’. For proper digestion, they prescribe ginger, long pepper and black pepper as useful medicines for regulation of the activity of enzymes. Besides plant made formulations, traditional Vaidyas frequently use various milk products (milk, butter, refined butter, curd) and honey for treating diseases.

Table 1: Mentioning Local name, Scientific name, Family, Part use and Process of use for each Species.

Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to the local people of near by villages connected to North Maharashtra University campus area for their co-operation and help during the medicinal studies. Also thankful to Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme (RGNFS) for providing financial assistance to carry out Ph. D. work.

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