ETHNOBOTANY
(TEXT BOOK)
M. Sc. IVth Semester
APSU REWA
Author
DR RADHE SHYAM NAPIT
Asst Professor, Botany
PM College of Excellence Govt. Nehru P G College Burhar, Shahdol
FOREWORD
Prof. (Dr.) P. Pushpangadan
M.Phil., Ph.D., FAS, FBRS, FES, FIAT, FNRS, FNSE, FNESA, FNAASc. FRSC (UK)
(Padam Shri Awardee,) UN Equator Initiative Laureate and Borlaug Awardee)
Former Director, NBRI &CIMAP, Lucknow & JNTBGRI & RGCB, Trivandrum)
Hon, Director General & Senior Vice President, RBEF.
Ethnomedicinal Plants have always been a fundamental
area of tribal men. Ethnic people are repository of experience and
knowledge on indigenous flora and fauna. Unfortunately, this
traditional wisdom developed over years of observation, trial and
error, is vanishing rapidly due to the assault of modern civilization
into ethnic areas. This compilation contains firth unit’s lists 52
plants and their specific features. TEXT BOOK ETHNOBOTANY:
Ethnobotany is an interdisciplinary field exploring the relationship
between plants and people. It combines 'ethnology' the study of
culture and 'botany’ the study of plants. It includes plants used as food, medicine, crafts, crops,
weeds, wild or cultivated, and the present and past ways of manipulation, use and/or
exploitation by people. It can be considered as a relatively new field compare to anthropology,
archaeology or botany. In recognition of the need to document the fast-disappearing knowledge
system & wisdom, an All India Coordinated [Prof. Dr. P. Pushpangadan (1984)] Research
Project on Ethnobiology was launched in (1982) Dr. Triloki Nath Khoshoo (Dr. T. N. Khoshoo)
was instrumental in developing the concept of this project was appointed chief coordinator of
this project in September (1983). The tribal knowledge system on plants and animals exists as
oral tradition and only a fraction is available to science even today. Will further enrich the
expertise of readers in the treatment of various ailments and also know ethnobotany's. The
botanical name of each plant has been followed by their common names prevalent in different
languages and then is provided with various aspects of uses. The information is comprehensive
and consolidated. Diseases cured by Ethno-medicinal plants are often one of the most dreaded
ailments afflicting the mankind today. It’s like a slow poison which usually stays unnoticed and
permanently in the human body, weakens the immune system and predisposes human beings
for greater health hazards and clinical complications. The modern man looks optimistically
towards genetic engineering for final resolution of the ailment but that is still a far cry. Till then,
every individual suffering from any diseases has to rely on the medical aid available for
controlling the diseases. In the Indian system of medicine, there are a many variety of plants
which have been traditionally, used for control and cure of diseases. But the indigenous
knowledge has not been scientifically and properly documented. Moreover, this information is
fragmented and scattered. The first step therefore is to collect and select the available
information on plants that have been used since ancient times for curing many diseases.
I am sure that the compendium will serve as a good base for further Postgraduate M.
Sc. Botany, researches, and research scholars, study material for college students and will be
useful to different strata of society.
Prof. Dr P. Pushpangadan
Padamshri Awardee,
Senior Vice President (RBEF)
PREFACE
Ethnomedicinal Plants have always been a fundamental area of tribal man and ethnic
people are repository of heap experience and knowledge on indigenous flora. Unfortunately, this
traditional knowledge and wisdom, developed over years of observation, trial and error, is
vanishing rapidly due to the assault of modern civilization into ethnic areas. The compilations of
whole units various plants which find useful in the treatment of various diseases and other
subject like Definition, Introduction and scope of Ethnobotany Historical review (History of
Ethnobotany), and outline idea of various branches or sub - disciplines of Ethnobotany, Plants
used in various systems of medicine, Ethnobotanical Metabolites, Ethnobotanical importance,
Detailed study of the common plants and their parts used in different purpose. Some plant's
another uses by ethnic people, plant used for miscellaneous. Practical’s Laboratory exercises
corresponding to theory courses covering all Units. The botanical name has been followed by
the common names prevalent in and then is provided information on various aspects of uses.
The information has been comprehensively consolidated and made available at one place.
Ethnobotanical studies needs are one of the most treat method to dreaded ailments
afflicting to humankind today. It is a slow affective with when comes stay permanently, improve
of the health immune system and human beings for greater health care hazards and clinical
complications. The modern man looks optimistically towards genetic engineering for final
resolution of the ailment but that is still a far. Till then, every individual suffering from many
diseases has to really on the medical aid available for controlling the diseases. In the Indian
system of medicine, there are much variety of plants, which have been traditionally used for
control, and cure of diseases. Nevertheless, the indigenous knowledge has not been
scientifically and properly documented. Moreover, this information is fragmented and scattered.
The first step therefore is to collect and collect the available information on plants that have
been used since ancient times for cure of many diseases. In this compendium on
“Ethnomedicinal plants in cure of various diseases” the author has made a maiden attempt
together and compile the information in such a manner that it can serve as a ready – reckoner
for any further work. The present book has been prepared for the students of postgraduate
levels. Moreover, it is also helpful for the students doing research in botany as well as
ethnobotany. Following information’s are being submitting by the author.
From the inner core of my heart, I present deep gratitude and sincere regard to my
teacher(Super Guru); ** Dr. Smt. Darshan Thakur, retired Principal Govt. P.G. College,
Narsinghpur (M.P.) for her active and encourageous guidance to enlighten me in the path of
ethnobotanical work.
Unless the active support of, *Prof. S. K. Mishra, Head of Department Botany. I get the
mission could not have been completed, I will remain forever indebted to him for his kindness
and support in my journey.
I owe my sincere regard to Prof. K. Kumar Dept., of Zoology for his enthusiastic and
active support in every walk of this book writing of “Text Book of Ethnobotany”.
I will always remember of his cordial support * Prof Bharat Sharan Singh Prof. Dept., of
Zoology, Chairman of Private University (M P.) * Sincere regards grateful to *Prof. Amit Nigam,
Dept. of Physics, Pt S N Shukla University Shahdol (M P).
I put my sincere regard to Prof. Asha Agrawal & Prof. Sangeeta Mashi (In charge
Principal), PM College of Excellence, Govt. Nehru PG College Burhar District Shahdol (M.P.),
support for completion of this book.*
Prof. Krishna Singh, Dept. of English, thankful to encouraging support to book writing
work IGNTU Amarkantak (M.P.). I put my sincere regard to Prof. A. K. Upadhayaya HOD
Sociology, PM College of Excellence, Govt. Nehru PG Burhar District Shahdol (M.P.). support
for completion of this book,
I put my sincere regard to Dr. R. C. Tripathi, Prof. Dept. of Economics Pt. Ram Kishor
Shukla Govt. College Beohari.
I will never forget the active support of my Student Miss Kirti Sonkar, and friend Dr. Prita
Pillai, (Shrimol) Kerala for his kind cooperation.
I am thankful to all my Friends and Shri Sunil Kumar Mishra for the active support for
presenting the work in this shape successfully.
At last, but not least I owe my profound indebtedness to my father Late Shri Ram Kripal
Napit & Mother Smt Munni Bai & all heart touching elder and younger brothers for their
blessings and wife Smt. Sandhya and son Ashutosh Sen (Arya's) support.
I am sure that the compendium will serve as a good base for further book writing,
research work and will be useful to different starts of society are interested in such type of study.
I would be thankful if the reader notified me of any errors or failure. I also welcome
remarkable comments and suggestions from research scholars’ students and fellow teachers.
Date: 09/3 2024
Place:Budhar-Shahdol
Radhe Shyam Napit PhD
Assistant Professor Department of Botany
CONTENT
Unit-1 Aims and Objectives of Ethnobotany, Introduction, Ethnobotanists Examine
Human-Plant Interrelationship, (a) Abstract: (b) Concrete, Brief History of
Ethnobotany Ashtanga Ayurveda (Octopartite divisions of Ayurveda), (A) Ayurveda
(B) Siddha (C) Unani, The Chinese have a compilation, Modernization especially
industrialization and urbanization could endanger traditional knowledge, Sub-
disciplines of Ethnobotany or Multidimensional Scope of Ethnobotany,1.
Paleoethnobotany, 2.Archaeoethnobotany, 3. Ethnotaxonomy, 4. Ethnoecology, 5.
Ethnopharmacology, 6.Ethnopaediatrics, 7. Ethnoagriculture, 8. Ethnomycology,
9.Ethnotoxicology,10.Ethnonarcotics,11.Medico-ethnobotany
(Ethnomedicobiology), 12.Ethnosilviculture,13. Ethnoetymology, 14.
Ethnolinguistics,15. Ethnomusicology, 16. Ethno - Orthopaedics, 17. Ethno -
Ophthalmology, 18. Ethno-Horticulture, 19. Ethnophytochemistry, 20.
Ethnocusmetics, 21. Ethnogynacology, 22. Ethno-bryology, 23.Ethnoveterinary,
24.Ethnolichenology, 25 Ethnopteridology, 26. Ethnotaxonomy 27. Ethnoforestry,
28.Generalethnobotany, 29. Ethnosilviculture, 30. Ethnozoology, 31.
Ethnoentomology, 32. Ethnohorticulture, 33. Ethnoforestry, 34. Ethnogastrology,
35. Dravidians, Plants in Religion and Ritual, Ethnomedicinal knowledge of
the Street Herbal Vendors, Ethno - Ecology and Anthropology, Folk Classification,
Archaeoethnobotany, Why it is relevant to Archaeobotany? Energisation in
Ethnobotany, Ethnobotanical Knowledge Practices (EKP), Loss in EKP can be
caused in one or more of the following situations, Concept of Ethnobotany,
The importance of ethnobotanical study has been in many aspects these are,
Ethnobotany as an Interdisciplinary Science, Ethnobotanical Studies areas of India,
Methods In Ethnobotany, Learning outcomes, Preparation of herbarium needs tool
and techniques, Modern Ethnobotany, Ethnobotanical Work Completed In BSI.
Unit-2 Plants used in various systems of medicine: Ayurvedic, Unani, Homoeopathic and
Allopathic system, Role of ethnobotany in development of Society, Preservation of
Genetic diversity. Plant used by villagers and tribal people. CBD, WTO and
Biodiversity Act of India, Ethnobotanical and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and
IP, Ethnobotanical Metabolites: (Alkaloids, Steroids, and Terpenoids.
Unit-3 Ethnobotanical importance of Aconitum napellus, Allium cepa, Mentha arvensis,
Allium sativum, Strychnos nux-vomica, Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) Ocimum
sanctum, Atropa belladonna, Azadirachta indica, Piper nigrum, Butea
monosperma, Pterocarpus marsupium, Eugenia aromatica, Eugenia
jambolana,Terminaliaarjuna, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, Holarrhena
antidysenterica, Withania somnifera, Lawsonia inermis.
Unit-4 Ethnobotanical importance: Cassia fistula, Cannabis sativa, Ricinus communis,
Emblica officinalis, Santalum album, Tinospora cordifolia, Andrographis paniculata,
Centella asiatica, Bacopa monnieri, Phyllanthus niruri, Plants in Mythology, Taboos
and Totems in relation to plants, Folklore and Folk tales, Wild life protection in
tribal, Plants domestication by the tribal., Plants in Similes and Metaphors.
Unit-5 Detailed study of the common plants and their parts used in the treatment: Folk Medicinal
Plants, Plant Parts Used for Medicinal Purposes: Rhizome, Stems (Wood), Bark, Leaf,
Gums, Resins, Tannins, Flowers, Fruits, Seeds, Essential Oil, Fatty Oil, Folklore
Value: Plants in folk’s medicine: Remarkable Point: 1. Expulsion of Worm 2. Leukemia
(Cancer) 3. Skin diseases 4. Urino - Genital Problems 5. Rheumatism / Chronic Gout 6. Malaria
Fever 7. Leprosy 8. Heart Disease 9. Headache or Migraine 10. Amoebic Dysentery 11.
Bronchitis, And Asthma 12. Piles Disease 13. Tuberculosis 14. Leucoderma (Psoriasis, and
Dandruff, 15. Antiviral (Antimicrobial) 16. Spermatorrhoea, Leucorrhoea, Menorrhagia
17. Hair Loss and Whitening of Hair 18. Cancer 19. Eye Pain (Eye Diseases), 20. Ear
Pain (Ear Diseases) 21. Wormicide for Stomach Worms (Stomach-Abdominal Pain)
22. Jaundice. References, Medicinal Plant Database of India.
PRACTICALS : Laboratory exercises corresponding of theory courses covering to all Units.
INDEX
UNIT-1 Page No
1. Aims and Objectives of Ethnobotany: Introduction 1
2. Brief History of Ethnobotany 4
3. The Chinese have a compilation 8
4. Modernization especially industrialization and urbanisation could endanger traditional
knowledge 8
5. Sub-Disciplines of Ethnobotany or Multidimensional Scope of Ethnobotany 10
6. Plants in Religion and Ritual 13
7. Ethnomedicinal knowledge of the Street Herbal Vendors 15
8. Ethno-ecology and Anthropology 16
9. Folk classification 19
10. Archaeoethnobotany 21
11. Energisation in Ethnobotany 23
12. Ethnobotanical Knowledge Practices (EKP) 24
13. Concept of Ethnobotany 26
14. Ethnobotany is Usually Defined as Anthropological Approach to Botany 27
15. National Botanical Research Institute of India 30
16. Ethnobotanical Studies areas of India 31
17. Methods in Ethnobotany 32
18. Semi Structured Questionnaire Approach of Qualitative Ethnobotany 37
19. Modern Ethnobotany 42
20. Ethnobotanical Work Completed In BSI: Exercise 43
Unit-2
21. Plants Used In Various Systems of Medicine 48
22. Methods of Drug Administration in Ayurveda 56
23. Medicinal Plants used in Alternative/Traditional Medicines 69
24. Expanding Complementary and Alternative (CAM) Approaches 73
25. The Herbal Medicines in Dietary Supplements 81
26. Siddha Medicine System 83
27. Medicinal Plants from Siddha System Medicine used for Treating Diseases 85
28. Endangered species of plants facing threat due to continuous exploitation from wild:
(IUCN Red Listed Medicinal Plants of Siddha) 90
29. Unani Medicine 94
30. Antioxidant & Immunomodulator Activity in Unani Medicine 106
31. Detoxification using water and cow milk 108
32. Homeopathy System of Medicine 110
33. Homoeopathic medicinal plants with uses 116
34. Allopathic System 127
35. Role of Ethnobotany on Indian Society 143
36. Some Ethnobotanical plants used by tribals given bellow:Table-1. 147
37. Edible Wild plants used by tribals 177
38. CBD, WTO and Biodiversity Act of India 182
39. Intellectual property Rights (IPRs) 184
40. Convention on Biological Diversity CBD 186
41. WTO and TRIPS 187
42. Ethnobotanical Knowledge’s (EK) Documentation 188
43. Biodiversity Law-2002 and BAC Biodiversity Administration Committee 189
44. Principles of genetic conservation: (Aims of the workshop) 195
45. Indian Biodiversity Act and Model ABS Agreement-related IPR issues 197
46. Intellectual property Rights (IPR) 203
47. Intellectual Property (IP) 210
48. Metabolite: Primary metabolite, Secondary metabolites 221
49. Alkaloids 227
50. Steroids 231
51. Terpenoids 242
UNIT-3
52. Ethnobotanical Importance 246
53. Aconitum napellus Linn. (Ranunculaceae) “Monk’s-hood, wolfsbane” 247
54. Allium cepa L. (Liliaceae) "Pyaj, Onion, Palandu" 249
55. Mentha arvensis Linn. (Lamiaceae) "Podina" 250
56. Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) “Lahsun / Garlic” 251
57. Strychnos nux-vomica L. (Loganiaceae) "Kochila, poison nut, semen Strychnos,
Quaker Buttons” 253
58. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. (Liliaceae) “Ghigwar, Gwarpatha” 254
59. Ocimum sanctum L.(Lamiaceae) "Tulsi, Holy basil " 255
60. Atropa belladonna L.(Solanaceae)"Belladonna / deadly Nightshade" 257
61. Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae) "Neem, Indian lilac" 259
62. Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae) "Kalimirich, Black pepper" 260
63. Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (Fabaceae)
"Chheula, Paḷas, Flame-of-the-forest" 260
64. Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Fabaceae) “Vijahra, Vijayasar,Vijhara, Malabar Kino,
Indian Kino Tree," 261
65. Eugenia aromatica (Linn.) Baill., syn., Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr.,L.M.Perry
(Myrtaceae)"Lauga, Myrtaceae" 262
66. Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. (Myrtaceae) "Jamun, Black plum" 263
67. Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. (Combretaceae) “Kahua,
Arjuna, Arjun tree" 265
68. Terminalia bellirica, Roxb. (Combretaceae) "Baheda, Bibhitaki" 266
69. Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) “Harra / Hritika" 268
70. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) “Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, poison
gooseberry, winter cherry” 269
71. Lawsonia inermis L. (Lythraceae) “Mehndi, Hina" 271
72. Holarrhena antidysenterica (Linn.) Wall (Apocynaceae) " Koraya, Karva, Indrajav,
Kutaja" 272
UNIT – 4
73. Ethnobotanical Importance of Plants: Cassia fistula –Amaltas (Karkacha / Golden
Shower) 276
74. Cannabis sativa Linn. (Cannabaceae) "Ganja, Bhang, Marijuana, Hemp, Gallow
grass" (Marijuana family) 278
75. Ricinus communis Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) “Arandi / Rendi, Castor oil /
Castor bean” 279
76. Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Euphorbiaceae) "Amla, Indian gooseberry
Malacca tree" 281
77. Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers. (Menispermaceae) "Gurij, Heart-leaved
moonseed, Guduchi or Giloy 283
78. Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees. (Acanthaceae)" Kalmegh, Bhuneem,
Kalmegh, Desi Chirayita, Green Chiretta" 284
79. Santalum album Linn. (Santalaceae) " Chandan, Sandal, Sandalwood" 286
80. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. (Apiaceae) " Brahmi Mandukaparni,
Indian pennywort" 287
81. Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Pennell. (Plantaginaceae) "Jal Brahmi Water hyssop," 288
82. Phyllanthus niruri Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) "Bhumi Amla, Stonebreaker or Seed-under-
leaf" 290
83. Plants In Mythology: Taboos and Totems in Relation to Plants, Folklore and Folk Tales
Wild Life Protection in Tribal, Plants Domestication by the Tribal, Plants in Similes and
Metaphors. 291
84. Enumeration of Folk Plants 298
85. Folk Proverbs 304
86. Folk Tales 305
87. Folklore Importance of Plants with Reference to Madhya Pradesh 311
88. Taboos and Totems in relation to plants: Taboos and Totems 316
89. The Worship of Plants and Animals 316
90. Wild life protection in tribal: Folklore and Folk tales 317
91. Molecular methods 325
92. Plants used as cosmetics 331
93. Biodiversity control Crabs in Paddy 331
94. Plants in folk medicines 333
95. Demonstration of Metaphors of Plants and Trees 334
Unit - 5
96. Detailed Study of the Common Plants and their parts used in Treatment Folk
Medicinal Plants: Expulsion of Worm 341
97. Leukemia (Cancer 347
98. Skin Diseases 352
99. Urinogenital (disease) Problems 357
100. Rheumatism/Chronic Gout 361
101. Malaria Fever 365
102. Leprosy 370
103. Heart Disease 374
104. Headaches (Migraine) 378
105. Amoebic Dysentery 383
106. Bronchitis, and Asthma 387
107. Piles Disease 391
108. Tuberculosis 395
109. Leucoderma (Psoriasis, and Dandruff) 401
110. Antiviral (Antimicrobial) 409
111. Spermatorrhoea, Leucorrhoea, Menorrhagia 414
112. Hair Loss and Whitening of Hair Cancer 420
113. Eye Pain (Eye Diseases) 429
114. Ear Pain (Ear Diseases) 432
115. Wormicide for Stomach Worms (Stomach-Abdominal Pain) 437
116. Jaundice 442
117. Traditional knowledge (TK) 447
118. Biopiracy 448
119. Timber and Wood Work (House Building Materials) 453
120. Medicinal Value of Plants Parts as Root, Stem, Leaves and Bark etc.
Table No -01 465
References 475
Photographs 481
Dedicated
TO
The Memory of
My Parents & My Teachers
Late Shri Ram Kripal Napit & Dr. DarshanThakur
Mother Smt. Munni Bai (Narsinghpur)
Village Pondi, (Shahdol)
Dr. S.K Mishra (Shahdol)
Dr. S. K. Jain, Father of Indian Ethnobotany
Dr. S. K. Jain, F.N.A., a renowned botanist with global
recognition popularly known as the Father of Indian
Ethnobotany, peacefully passed away at his residence in
Lucknow in the wee hours on 20th April, 2021 due to
COVID-19 infection at the age of 95 years. He was born on
30th June, 1926 at Amroha town in Uttar Pradesh, India.
He belonged to a farmer’s family in Seohara, Bijnor. Dr.
Jain graduated in 1943 and topped in post-graduation
during 1946 from Allahabad University, Prayagraj. He got
an opportunity to work with Prof. M.B. Raizada for post-
graduation training in plant taxonomy. He also worked at
Mycology Division, Indian Agricultural Research
Fig.1. Dr. Sudhanshu Kumar Jain Institute, Delhi (1946-47) for his postgraduate
(1926-2021)
dissertation. Dr. Jain started his scientific career as an
Assistant Professor at Meerut College, Meerut till 1949. At the age of 22, on 5th May, 1948, he
was married to Mrs. Satya Jain, a Hindi scholar having keen intellect and literary taste. Dr. Jain
worked as a stipendiary trainee in plant taxonomy at Indian Botanic Garden, Kolkata and later at
famous Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (now ICFRE) and received his training under the
guidance of late Prof. M.B. Raizada from 1949-51. There he came in contact with Dr. N.L. Bor, a
world renowned taxonomist on grasses. Dr. Jain served at CSIR-Publication & Information
Directorate, New Delhi (now NISCAIR) as editorial staff (1951-53) and at CSIR-National
Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow as a Senior Scientific Assistant in the herbarium
during 1953-1956. Afterwards, he joined as a Systematic Botanist at Botanical Survey of India
(BSI), Pune Regional Centre during 1956-1960. Then he served at BSI, Allahabad and Kolkata
centres as Economic Botanist from 1960-1971. Late Dr. E. K. Janaki Ammal who prepared the
revised mandate of Botanical Survey of India at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI),
Lucknow, recommended this post. She assigned Dr. Jain the duties of Economic Botanist to
carry out the research work on Economic Botany and Ethnobotany as well. During this period,
Dr. Jain earned his Ph.D. from Pune University for his commendable work on ‘Studies on the
vegetation of arid, semi-arid and some adjacent regions of western India’ under the guidance of
a renowned plant taxonomist Dr. H. Santapau, the then Director, and Botanical Survey of India.
Later on he served at BSI, Shillong and Kolkata from 1971 to 1977 as Deputy Director.
Thereafter, Dr. Jain was transferred to BSI, Kolkata as Joint Director in 1977 where during
1978, he became the Director, BSI, Kolkata and served there till June, 1984.
Dr. Jain had specialization in ethnobotany, medicinal plants, plant taxonomy (Floristics,
Grasses and Orchids), phytogeography and conservation of endangered taxa. He described 24
taxa new to science. In recognition of his work, over 22 generic and specific epithets have been
commemorated in his name. He was a hardcore field botanist and intensively explored all over
India including Andaman & Nicobar Islands and consulted most of the major herbaria in India as
well as in Australia, China, France, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, UK, USA and USSR. Dr.
Jain pioneered the Flora of India series in 1977. He documented under-exploited uses of about
2000 plant species, recognized endemic species of India and restricted collection and sale of
orchids and also launched a research project on “Endangered and Endemic species in India
covering National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. His understanding in ecology of habitats led in
conservation of One-horned Rhinoceros by transferring its pair from Assam to Dudhwa National
Park in Uttar Pradesh and later served for making policies to provide similar alternate habitats to
rare flora and fauna.
Dr. Jain was a good administrator and a disciplined personality. He was also the
mastermind as coordinator of the “All India Coordinated Research Project on Ethnobiology
(AICRPE)” as a multi-institutional research project sponsored by Ministry of Environment,
Forests, New Delhi in 1982. He accomplished several valuable research projects funded by
CSIR, DST, MoEnF&CC, INSA, ICFRE, and Earth watch, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Rain
Forest Alliance, USA and Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship, Italy. Dr. Jain left his mark on many
institutions and professional associations as he contributed his knowledge as an active member
of many expert committees, selection boards, task forces including The Man and the Biosphere
Program (MAB), World Hunger Program and CITES. He was the mastermind behind the
publication of the 1st volume of The Indian Plant Red Data Book at BSI, Kolkata in 1984. After
superannuation from BSI in June, 1984, Dr. Jain joined as Pitamber Pant Fellow of Mo
EnF&CC, New Delhi at CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow for a period of
three years from 1984-86. He was awarded as Emeritus Scientist by CSIR for his project on
Comparative and Deductive Studies in Ethnobotany in 1986. The outcome of this research
project was his famous book ‘Dictionary of Indian Folk Medicine and Ethnobotany’ (1991). This
valuable publication was presented as evidence in US courts, which helped to win India the
famous Turmeric Patent. Due to his immense contribution in establishing an epicentre of
Ethnobotanical studies in South-East Asia, Dr. S.K. Jain’s name today figures prominently
amongst the internationally acclaimed top ethnobotanists.
Dr. Jain was the founder President of the Society of Ethnobotanists (SEB) in 1980 and
in order to promote and enrich the field of ethnobotany, he took initiative for the publication of an
international journal Ethnobotany in 1989. For encouraging young ethnobotanists, he initially
launched three medal awards in SEB during 1992. He was a mastermind in the organisation of
over 15 training courses from 1986 – 2004 at various places in universities as well as
institutions to inculcate and promote ethnobotany. In 1994, Dr. Jain successfully organised 4th
International Congress on Ethnobiology at CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow
in which more than 300 delegates, including 82 foreign delegates, participated.
On 14th August, 1995, Dr. Jain laid the foundation of the ‘Institute of Ethnobiology (IOE)’ at
Lucknow as the first honorary director of IOE. This institute was later on shifted to Jiwaji
University in 2002. This Institute possesses immense information about Dr. Jain’s career, his
field visits, research projects, research articles, books, annual reports,
conferences/symposia/training courses, correspondences with scientists/institutes, pocket
diaries, visiting/greeting cards, photographs, projection slides, video cassettes, line drawings,
medals and mementoes and many more things to know deeply about him. IOE was
rechristened as SK Jain Institute of Ethnobiology commemorating his significant contributions in
this area in 2012. Dr. Jain established ethnobotany in India, mentored and guided over a dozen
students in ethnobotany, plant taxonomy and conservation. Sustained efforts of Dr. Jain helped
various universities to include ethnobotany in curricula for the graduation, post-graduation, M.
Phil as well as D.Phil. programmes. Through his persuasion, Botany Division of CSIR-Central
Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow was renamed as Ethnobotany Division as CDRI was
the place in which the word ‘Ethnobotany’ was written in an official file in India for the first time.
For the promotion of plant taxonomy, he laid the foundation of Association for Plant
Taxonomy (APT) in 1998 and took initiative for the publication of APT journal ‘Phytotaxonomy’
in 2000. He also initiated organization of Botanical archives at CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow and always
emphasized on the importance of preservation of scientific archives. He also served as INSA
Honorary Scientist to work on the project of Scholastic Genealogy.
During over seven decades of research career, he published more than 380 research
papers and popular articles (including 182 publications in Ethnobotany alone) in national and
international journals and magazines, authored/edited over 52 books and guided 14 students for
their Ph.D. degrees of various universities. Dr. Jain delivered invited lectures at various R&D
organizations and universities including Harvard University. As a result of his sustained efforts,
ethnobotany is now regarded as a thrust area of research by many funding agencies such as,
AYUSH, CSIR, DBT, DST, ICFRE, ICMR and MoEF&CC as a database under natural drug
discovery and the herbal drug development programmes. Dr. Jain never ‘retired’ in real sense.
In fact, he handled many projects after his retirement and half of his publications came out only
after 1984. He continued to promote ethnobotany throughout his life. His recent ideas about
studies on urban ethnobotany have been very timely initiative, which will be certainly carried
forward by his disciples.
During his lifetime, Dr. Jain received countless prestigious honours and fellowships of
national and international acclaim which include fellowship of Indian National Science Academy
(INSA), New Delhi (1982); Linnaean Society of London (FLS); Prof. P. Maheshwari Memorial
Medal, Indian Botanical Society (IBS), 1982; J W Harshberger Medal, SEB (1992); S B Saksena
Memorial Gold Medal from INSA (1996); Dr. H. Santapau Medal from Association of Plant
Taxonomy (2002); William Carey Medal from Agri - Horticultural Society of West Bengal (2006)
and three lifetime Achievement Awards from IOE (2013), IBS (2018) and BSI (2020). He was
the first Asian to receive the Distinguished Economic Botanists Award, USA in 1999.
To describe about some major qualities of Dr. Jain is his humility in admitting what he
did not know, correcting his own views and ever willingness to learn. These are commendable
qualities which should be learnt by scholars who are dedicated to their works. He always helped
his students to progress in their careers through not only his invaluable suggestions but also
providing financial assistance to some of the needy ones. His mentorship qualities have always
been admired by his students as he used to inspire students with his personal examples and
also encouraged them to read/know something other than Botany in a day. He bestowed his
students with many opportunities leading to the path of success. He used to treat everyone with
respect, dignity and fairness even in the absence of the person. His commitment to work never
affected his devotion to family and friends and this balancing must be learnt by budding
researchers. Dr. Jain, a person with great wisdom, was a source of novel thoughts and
inspiration. He had a sharp memory and remembered most of the things and was a living
encyclopaedia till he breathed his last. His sad demise is indeed a great loss to botanical
fraternity. He left an extraordinary legacy to many and will be remembered for several centuries
coming ahead.
