INTRODUCTION:

The dependency of man on plants evolved gradually along with the development of civilization. The herbal plants biodiversity and cultural biodiversity of India is highly rich that contributes to traditional system of medicine.

India is the largest producer of medicinal herbs and is called as botanical garden of the world. Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita give extensive description on various medicinal herbs¹. The state of Jharkhand occupies a unique position in the tribal map of India having 62 scheduled tribes including 15 primitive tribes².

The Ranchi district of Jharkhand state is highly rich in biodiversity and ethno- medicinal properties. The utility of plant by the aboriginal people of Ranchi district for different purposes have been mentioned by Sahu et.al. in their project report on ethno botanical studies of Ranchi district of Jharkhand, conducted during 2001-2004³. A number of plants have been found to have medicinal properties including Eclipta alba, Carica papaya, Psidium guajava, Moringa oleifera, Aloe vera, Brassica oleracea etc. These traditional knowledge is passed orally to the next generation and hence these knowledge is needed to be preserved.

Material and method:

This research work has been conducted in following line of direction:

1. Survey – The experimental plants was selected on the basis of ethnomedicinal literatures, field survey and documentation of ethnomedicinal information based on conversation with Pahanas, Vaidyas, faith healers, knowledgeable persons.

2. Study area / Data collection –The data was collected from different blocks of Ranchi district i.e. Kanke, Ratu, Itki and Ormanjhi of Jharkhand.

The data was collected by following methods:

1. Through interview – The ethno medicinal data was collected through direct interview with primitive tribes, local healers, vaidyas, hakims.

2. Through literature – Secondary information like maps, flora, census statistics and report on forest use was collected.

3. Through digital photography – The collection of data, field survey, interaction with local people, knowledgeable persons, vaidyas etc. was performed and recorded by digital camera.

In the course of study it was observed that many of the plants were consumed as ethno medicines. The plants were collected and preserved. Photographs of the plants were also taken and their botanical identification was established.

3. Material collection and identification- Plants were collected from different blocks of Ranchi district of Jharkhand and were identified using Botany of Bihar and Orissa vol.2 (Part III- IV) and was also confirmed by Prof. (Dr.) Kunul Kandir, HOD, Prof-in-charge of Plant taxonomy, ethno botany and medicinal plants.

4. Moisture Content determination -

The plant samples were dried and crushed into powder. 5 gm of dried sample was weighed. It was oven dried at 70°C for 2 days. Dry weight of the sample was taken. The percentage weight loss was reported as the percentage moisture content. Percentage of moisture was calculated as per following formula:

Moisture content (%) = Fresh weight of sample- dry weight ×100/Fresh weight of sample

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

A number of research works have been performed on ethnomedicinal plants for their physic- chemical and phytochemical evaluation for their use in the treatment of various ailments ^4-7. Charak Samhita and Sushrut Samhita are regarded two most important documents of this system of medicine⁸. In the present study moisture content of some of the ethno medicinal plants like Psidium guajava, Carica papaya, Moringa oleifera and Spinacia oleracia were performed and which was found to be highest in Carica papaya i.e. 81.37% followed by Moringa oleifera (81.19%), Psidium guajava (76.44%) and Spinacia oleracea (70.74 %). The findings will help in determining potential, quality and benefit of these plants in treatment of anaemia. The work will help in documentation of traditional knowledge along with scientific touch⁹.

Psidium guajava Carica papaya Moringa oleifera

Psidium guajava Carica papaya Moringa oleifera Spinacia oleracea

Table 1: Observation table for moisture content determination of Psidium guajava

S. No.	Number of observation	Fresh weight of sample	Dry weight of sample	Fresh weight- dry weight	Percentage of moisture content
1.	1	5.01	1.20	3.81	76.04
2.	2	5.00	1.10	3.90	78.00
3.	3	5.00	1.17	3.83	76.60
4.	4	5.00	1.27	3.73	74.60
5.	5	5.01	1.25	3.85	76.84
6.	6	5.01	1.29	3.72	74.25
7.	7	5.00	1.02	3.98	79.60
8.	8	5.00	1.04	3.96	79.20
9.	9	5.01	1.31	3.70	73.85
10.	10	5.01	1.23	3.78	75.44
				Total	764.42

Average moisture content = 76.44%

Table 2: Observation table for moisture content determination of Carica papaya

S. No.	Number of observation	Fresh weight of sample	Dry weight of sample	Fresh weight- dry weight	Percentage of moisture content
1.	1	5.00	0.96	4.04	80.80
2.	2	5.00	0.93	4.07	84.40
3.	3	5.00	0.87	4.13	82.60
4.	4	5.00	0.81	4.19	83.80
5.	5	5.01	0.92	4.09	81.63
6.	6	5.01	0.79	4.02	80.23
7.	7	5.00	0.89	4.11	82.20
8.	8	5.00	0.74	4.06	81.20
9.	9	5.01	1.05	3.95	78.84
10.	10	5.01	0.95	4.06	81.03
				Total	813.73

Average moisture content = 81.37 %

Table 3: Observation table for moisture content determination of Moringa oleifera

S. No.	Number of observation	Fresh weight of sample	Dry weight of sample	Fresh weight- dry weight	Percentage of moisture content
1.	1	5.01	0.94	4.07	81.23
2.	2	5.00	0.98	4.02	80.40
3.	3	5.00	0.87	4.13	82.60
4.	4	5.00	0.83	4.17	83.40
5.	5	5.01	0.96	4.05	80.83
6.	6	5.01	0.78	4.23	84.43
7.	7	5.00	0.90	4.10	82.00
8.	8	5.01	1.10	3.91	78.04
9.	9	5.00	1.08	3.92	78.40
10.	10	5.01	0.97	4.04	80.63
				Total	811.96

Average moisture content = 81.19 %

Table 4: Observation table for moisture content determination of Spinacea oleracea

S. No.	Number of observation	Fresh weight of sample	Dry weight of sample	Fresh weight- dry weight	Percentage of moisture content
1.	1	5.00	1.46	3.54	70.80
2.	2	5.01	1.32	3.69	73.65
3.	3	5.00	1.50	3.50	70.00
4.	4	5.00	1.42	3.58	71.60
5.	5	5.01	1.43	3.58	71.45
6.	6	5.00	1.49	3.51	70.20
7.	7	5.01	1.59	3.42	68.26
8.	8	5.01	1.36	3.65	72.85
9.	9	5.01	1.51	3.50	69.86
10.	10	5.00	1.56	3.44	68.80
				Total	707.47

Average moisture content = 70.74 %

CONCLUSION:

Anaemia is one of the most common disorder in both developing and developed countries. Different plants have been explored for the treatment of anaemia that are of great value as they are the source of medicines for diseases. The result help in authenticity of the traditional system of medicine and the development of future therapeutic for anaemia. It was concluded that these plants possess a good amount of moisture that make them potential herb.

Acknowledgement:

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Kunul Kandir, Professor and Head Department of Botany, Ranchi University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India for her encouragement and valuable suggestions for the improvement of the article.

REFERENCES:

1. Farha F and Kumar Anil (2020) Study on Ethnomedicinal plants for the cure of anaemia in Ranchi district of Jharkhand, India 7(2): 399-403.

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Received on 05.06.2023 Modified on 01.07.2023

Research J. Science and Tech. 2023; 15(3):135-139.

DOI: 10.52711/2349-2988.2023.00022