Wonderful world of weeds....

Walking in the path of
The valley..Discovering…
wonderful world of weeds…..


Introduction..
• Of all the plants on the surface of the Earth, many are considered to be weeds. Unless they possess beautiful flowers or bear fruit to eat, or even provide shade in the sun, we call them weeds, tread them down and pull them up. Primitive cultures retain the knowledge of plants that serve man as medicinal herbs to cure ailments.

• Our attitude towards plants is a singularly narrow one. If we see any immediate utility in a plant
we foster it. If for any reason we find its presence undesirable or merely a matter of indifference,
we may condemn it to destruction forthwith.

• we turn our backs on the wealth of tasty and nutritious foods that we literally walk over each day– the foods that are growing beneath our feet

How it has started..

What a diversity of creative wanderers: Weeds. I enjoy their beauty and variety, and do nothing to reap their
rewards. I neither hoe, nor plant, nor water, nor fertilize, nor prune ... and they come and go in lovely
profusion as the seasons move.
• When I was walking with my grand mother in the path of the valley school she was plucking leaves, smelling them ,tasting them..
• I exclaimed "Yuk, those are just weeds. Who would eat those?" I told her they are weeds- ,we always get rid of them. we step on them ..and we never bothered about it . When she started talking to me about them I was amazed. And realized how precious they are.
• I thought of documenting it before we eliminate it totally..

A flowering weed;
Hearing its name,
I looked anew at it.

About the Project…
• The area I have chosen to document the weeds is just the path from Valley school’s main gate to the other gate which opens to Jayaram uncles house (the newly constructed houses for the teachers)
Deliverables:
I have used 3 means of presentation in this project
• Herbarium
• Slide presentation
• Written presentation

• My dream is to document all the weeds in Valley school with the help of my grand mother

Landmark..
• The landmarks on the path I have walked with my grand mother to document the weeds are mentioned below (map given in a different sheet)
• The main gate—office (right )—dining room---teachers residence—five stones—boys hostel—jayrams old residence----jayrams new residence—hagars family—sudha auntys house----the other gate -Exit
Scope..
• Realize that primitive culture lore holds a wealth of information of medicinal uses of the native flora. Many of the modern pharmaceutical wonder drugs came from plant finds in the Amazonian rainforests.
• the primitive cultures knew that the plants held the answers for the ailments of the body.
• uncultivated foods have been the source of life for the poor. Many types of green leaves are consumed as veggies and most are rich sources of calcium, iron, carotene, vitamin C, riboflavin and folic acid.

I Observed…
• Most of the medicinal weeds found near Jayaram and Sudha antys house (not planted)
• Most of them are seasonal weeds. I have collected them in the month of November just after the monsoon
• Lot of them are creepers and herbs.
• They are healthy and survived wherever they are.

I Discovered..
• Uncultivated or forest food is nothing new in our culture. It's always there, especially for the indigenous people. The whole notion of 'weed' doesn't really exist.

• In rural India these are what sustain a large chunk of the families. Sometimes as much as 50 to 60 percent of the diet comprises “forest weeds".

• Most of the weeds are edible and has got medicinal properties.

• Local people (old generation) fairly recognize them and they know the value of it

• Unfortunately the knowledge hasn’t passed to the next generation and soon this knowledge will be nowhere


Limitations
• It is I suppose pretty much a labor intensive job collecting these and as a result they cannot possibly have any market value (which is sometimes a dashed good thing, considering what GM foods has done to a major portions of the indigenous plant varieties in this country, with active participation from the Indian government and the thoroughly stupid and ignorant bureaucrats).

The sad part..
• What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, Fortune of the Republic, 1878.
• Weeds are always considered waste and we always tried to get rid of them in our beautiful well maintained gardens.
• Nature created it for us. We destroy it without knowing its value. When we realized it may be too late.
• Unfortunately the knowledge hasn’t passed to the next generation and soon this knowledge will be nowhere

Amazed…
• Any plant species that has survived the hundreds of millions of years it took to arrive at the present era has acquired some very ingenious and aggressive strategies for disseminating it's seeds and flourishing wherever the winds or tides may take it. With all the efforts humans take to eliminate many of these plants, it stands to reason that the successful species of the future may be even more aggressive and adaptable to a variety of threatening situations.

Reflection….

• People have become conditioned to the idea that only bought things have value and command respect. Foraging is viewed by those of that mind-set as a "dirty activity." It is an affront to their dignity to get their hands dirty harvesting "weeds" to eat. People who do that aren't respected, and respect is everything in their eyes. Besides, they wouldn't know which wild plants were which anyway.

• Today, when money runs out and people are hungry, they go to food pantries. If THEY are out, they have no idea where to turn. It is the rare person or family who will scavenge in the trash bins behind grocery stores, and even rarer those who know which of the plants they are walking over every day are edible, and will stoop down, grab the leaves, and graze on them.






• Scientific name: Mimosa pudica

• Local kannada name: muttidare muni, nachike mullu
• Sanskrit name: Lajjalu (shy natured)
Namaskaari (leaves fold in 'Namaste' posture)
• Value:
• It arrests bleeding.
• Fastens the wound healing process.
• Very useful in diarrhea (athisaara) Amoebic dysentery (raktaatisaara) and bleeding piles.
• It is mainly used in herbal preparations for gynecological disorders.
• It has been said to have medicinal properties to cure skin diseases.
• It is also used in conditions like bronchitis, general weakness and impotence.







• Scientific name :. Phyllanthus amarus
• Kannada- Nela nelli, Kiranelli gida
• Sanskrit- Bhumyamalaki, Bahupatri;
• Used as medicine as well as food:.
• Medicinal uses:
• expels stones, supports kidneys
• kills bacteria,
• treats malaria
• increases urination
• prevents mutation
• relieves pain
• reduces fever times daily
• protects liver
• mildly laxative
• detoxifies liver
• expels worms
• reduces spasms
• reduces inflammation
• kills viruses
• aids digestion
• reduces blood sugar
• lowers blood pressure
• lowers cholesterol



• Botanical Name: Cassia tora
• Family:Caesalpinraceae
• Kannada name:togache togate
• Sanskrit : Chakramarda,Dadmari,Dadrughra,Taga

• Uses: the leaves and seeds are acrid, laxative , antiperiodic, anthelmintic, ophthalmic, liver tonic, cardiotonic and expectorant. The leaves and seeds are useful in leprosy, ringworm, flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, constipation, cough, bronchitis, cardiac disorders.



• Botanical name : Achyranthes aspera Linn.
Family : Amaranthaceae
• Kannada Name: bili utrani
APAMARGA (SVETA)
• SANSKRIT Apamargah,
• MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, asthma, bronchitis, flatulence, painful inflammations, vomiting, skin diseases, renal and vesical calculi.
Useful part : The whole plant




• Local Name: Ekke,
• Biological Name: Calotropis gigantea, Asclepias gigantea
• Asclepiadaceae family
• use
• , It is used as a traditional medicinal plant raditionally alotropis is used alone or with other medicinals to treat common disease such as fevers, rheumatism, indigestion, cough, cold, eczema, asthma, elephantiasis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• According to Ayurveda, dried whole plant is a good tonic, expectorant, depurative, and anthelmintic. The dried root bark is a substitute for ipecacuanha. The root bark is febrifuge, anthelmintic, depurative, expectorant, and laxative. The powdered root used in asthama, bronchitis, and dyspepsia.
• The leaves are useful in the treatment of paralysis, arthralegia, swellings, and intermittent fevers.
• The flowers are bitter, digestive, astringent, stomachic, anthelmintic, and tonic
• Other Uses
• Arka is a main ingredient of Arka tailam, an ayurvedic herbal oil. This oil is useful in eczema and eruptive skin diseases. It relieves the pain and burning in scorpion and insect bites. It is used by women for removing hair from parts of body. It is a useful local application for the relief of painful joints and swellings, and for ringworm of the scalp.




• Kannada:kadu jirige
• Botanical name : Vernonia cinerea (Linn.) Less.
Family : Asteraceae
SANSKRIT Sahadevi, uttamakanyapatra

• MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, tonsillitis, stomach pain, diarrhea, intermittent fever, eczema, herpes, ringworm, and elephantiasis. Leaves are useful in conjunctivitis, and in lacrimation. Seeds are useful in worm infestation, cough, psoriasis, leukoderma and in other skin diseases. Plant possess anti cancerous property.
•
Useful part : Whole plant




• Botanical Name : Sida Cordifolia
• Family Name : Malvaceae
• Common Name : Bala, Country
• Part Used : Whole Plant
• Product offered : Wholeplant
• Uses : The plant is aphrodisiac, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and tonic in nature. It effects on central nervous system and provides relief from anxiety. It is used to reduce the body weight. It lowers the blood pressure and improves cardiac irregularity. It is useful in fevers, fits, ophthalmia, rheumatism, leucorrhoea, micturition, gonorrhoea, colic, nervous disorders and general debility. The root juice is used for the healing of wound. Whole plant juice is used in spermatorrhoea. Plant bark is effective in curing facial paralysis and sciatica. It is also used to improve sexual strength. The oils are used topically to the sore muscles, sore joints in arthritis and rheumatism, in sciatica and neuritis of legs. It is diaphoretic in nature and increases perspiration and thus reduces fever.




• Botanical name: Boerhavia diffusa
• Family: Nyctaginaceae
• Kannada name: adaku puttana gida

• Main Uses:
• for liver disorders (jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis, anemia, flukes, detoxification, chemical injury, etc)
• for gallbladder disorders (stones, sluggish function, low bile production, emptying, and detoxification)
• for kidney and urinary tract disorders (stones, nephritis, urethritis, infections, renal insufficiency/injury, etc)
• for menstrual disorders (pain, cramps, excessive bleeding, uterine spasms, water retention)
• to tone, balance, and strengthen the adrenals (and for adrenal exhaustion and excess cortisol production


• Botanical name : Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.
• Kannada: nela tengu
• Family : Amaryllidaceae
Sanskrit: Talamoolika,
• Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, leucorrhoea, sexual weakness, skin disease, diarrhea, colic, vomiting and jaundice.
Useful part : Tuberous root


• Botanical name : Tylophora indica

• Kannada: ananta moola, nepalada beru,aadu muttada balli

• Family : Asclepiadaceae

• Sanskrit: Svasaghni,
• Medicinal uses
•
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, cough, asthma, bronchitis, dysentery, diarrhea, wounds, ulcer, hemorrhoids, malignant tumor, and leukemia.
•
Useful part : Roots, Leaves.





• Botanical Name:Cocculus hirsutus.

• Local Name:dagadiballi, Jal Jamani , patalagarudi

• Family: Menispermaceae

• Uses:
• The roots and leaves of external application of its paste alleviates the toxins.
• The leaves are cooling, mucilaginous and are useful in eczema.
• . The decoction of its roots, dried ginger and pippali (Piper longum) is given along with milk in rheumatic disorders.
• To alleviate the abdominal pain, the combination of its roots and latakaranja (Caesalpinia crista) seed, matted in water is given orally. In gonorrhoea,
• the leaves juice with cumin seed powder and sugar, works well.
• As a general tonic, the powder of its leaves is recommended along with the milk and rock candy
• . The roots are useful as an adjunct in diabetes mellitus.
• . It is used in anorexia, with great benefit.
• It also works well in asthma, cough and cold.
• extremely good results in delaying the ejaculation. The roots are useful in serpant bite;
• Along with poisonous bites, they are useful in leprosy, skin diseases, pruritus, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, bronchitis, cough, gout, intermittent fever, tubercular glands, hypertension and general debility.



• Scientific name : Oxalis corniculata

• Family : Oxalidaceae
• Local kannada name: HulichikkiSanskrit

• Sanskrit: Changeri, Amlapatri

• MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
• It is used in the treatment of influenza, fever, urinary tract infections, enteritis, diarrhoea, traumatic injuries, sprains and poisonous snake bites[].
• An infusion can be used as a wash to rid children of hookworms.
• The plant is a good source of vitamin C and is used as an antiscorbutic in the treatment of scurvy[

The leaves are used as an antidote to poisoning by the seeds of Datura spp, arsenic and mercury].

The leaf juice is applied to insect bites, burns and skin eruptions.
• It has an antibacterial activity.
• Useful part : Whole plant.
• Found near jayaram uncles house


• Botanical name:Emilia sonchifolia DC.\
• kannada name: Ilikivi soppu
• Uses:
• The use of Emilia coccinea as a vegetable
• leaves are chopped and cooked alone or with pulses such as peas and beans
• Crushed green leaves are used to treat wounds, sores and sinusitis. Dried powdered leaves are also applied to sores. Roots or leaves are boiled and the decoction is used to treat syphilis. The roots are used to treat colic in babies





• Botanical name:Euphorbia hirta Linn.
• Kannada name:bayi odakana gida,kempu neneyakki gida,halu kudi
• Sanskrit:Nagarjun
• Uses
• Called halu kudi because of the healing property of the milky juice.
Juice used for colics.
Juice used as ophthalmic drops for conjunctivitis or ulceration of the cornea.
Infusion or tea of the plant, 4 glasses daily, for bronchits and labored breathing, asthma, chronic dysentery.
Used for boils and wounds.
Decoction of dry plant used for skin disease.
Decoction of fresh plant used as gargle for the treatment of thrusth.
Decoction of the root used to allay vomiting, chronic diarrheas, and fevers.
Root decoction also beneficial for nursing mothers deficient in milk: 4-5 glasses of tea.
The same root decoction as an enema for constipation.
Root used for snake bites.
Used in sores, wounds, boils. As ear drop for pustular swellings in the ear.
Asthma: Make into cigarette or burn and inhale smoke.
Superficial bleeding: Crush leaves and apply on affected paret, as local hemostatic.
Recent interests from the folk medicine grapevine
Dengue
• A flurry of queries and web blogs, gatas-gatas has found new interest for gatas-gatas (tawa-tawa) for its use in dengue, with increasing anecdotal reports of "cures."



• Botanical name:Passiflora foetida L. (stinking passion flower)
• Kannada name kukke(basket)balli
• Uses
• Young leaves and plant tips are edible.
• Dry leaves are used in tea in Vietnamese folk medicine to relieve sleeping problems.
• The antibacterial properties of
• leaf and fruit (ethanol and acetone) extracts were screened against four human pathogenic bacteria
• The results showed the leaf extract having remarkable activity against all bacterial pathogens
• compared to fruits to cure many
• diseases like diarrhea, intestinal tract, throat, ear infections, fever and skin diseases



• Botanical name: Asparagus racemosus
• Local name:Shatavari
• Uses:
• This plant is used traditionally for treatment of many diseases. Tuber, leaves and fruits are used in gonorrhea, piles, diabetes, rheumatism, cough, diarrhoea, dysentery, gastric troubles and headache, also for increasing lactation.




Local name: agniballi, bekkinatoddinaballi
Botanical name: Cardiospermum halicacabum
Sanskrit name: karnaspota
English:baloon vine
Uses:
• It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, nervous diseases, stiffness of the limbs and snakebite

• The leaves are applied as a poultice in the treatment of rheumatism
• A tea made from them is used in the treatment of itchy skin
• Salted leaves are used as a poultice on swellings.
• The leaf juice has been used as a treatment for earache


A flowering weed;
Hearing its name,
I looked anew at it.



Weeds should get a new name
"volunteer vegetables"-- uncultivated foods"-- I think I like "uncultivated foods" better.