Volume 15, Issue 2

Ethnomedicinal, Traditional, And Nutritional Aspects of Mahua (Madhuca Longifolia): Evidence from Kannod, Dewas District, Madhya Pradesh

Author

Dr. Archana Panwar

Abstract

Traditional, nutritional, and ethnomedicinal uses of Madhuca longifolia (Koenig) J.F. Macbr. (Mahua) remain integral to rural and semi-tribal communities of central India, particularly in the Kannod block of Dewas District, Madhya Pradesh. This study documents field-based ethnobotanical knowledge related to the medicinal, dietary, and socio-economic applications of Mahua through interviews conducted with 60 informants across selected villages. The species is widely employed in traditional healthcare for the management of digestive disorders, rheumatism, skin ailments, fever, inflammation, and general weakness. Phytochemical investigations reported in prior literature indicate the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, steroids, and glycosides, which may explain its reported hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antihyperglycemic properties. Nutritionally, Mahua flowers serve as an energy-rich seasonal food source containing natural sugars, moderate protein, dietary fiber, essential amino acids, and minerals. Seed oil, characterized by a substantial proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, is utilized for culinary, medicinal, and industrial applications, while processed seed cake contributes to animal feed systems. Despite its multifunctional importance, localized ethnobotanical knowledge remains insufficiently documented and vulnerable to erosion. The findings underscore the need for region-specific conservation strategies and scientific validation to support sustainable utilization of this culturally and economically significant species.

References
1.    Jain, S. K. (1991). Dictionary of Indian Folk Medicine and Ethnobotany. New Delhi: Deep Publications.
2.    Kala, C. P. (2005). Ethnomedicinal botany of the Apatani in the Eastern Himalayan region of India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 1(11), 1–8.
3.    Kapse, V., Patil, S., & Jadhav, P. (2010). Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) oil as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production. International Journal of Chemical Sciences, 8(2), 1021–1028.
4.    Kirtikar, K. R., & Basu, B. D. (1935). Indian Medicinal Plants (Vol. 3). Allahabad: Lalit Mohan Basu.
5.    Mishra, A., & Padhy, R. N. (2013). Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of Madhuca longifolia. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 19(1), 38–42.
6.    Patel, R., Shah, P., & Desai, K. (2016). Fatty acid composition and physico-chemical properties of Mahua oil. Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, 4(3), 112–118.
7.    Rai, P. K., & Lalramnghinglova, H. (2011). Ethnomedicinal plants used by indigenous population of Chhattisgarh, India. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 136(1), 173–182.
8.    Saxena, N. C., Singh, N., & Sinha, S. (2018). Role of non-timber forest products in livelihood security of forest fringe communities in central India. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 17(2), 310–317.
9.    Schultes, R. E., & Reis, S. V. (1995). Ethnobotany: Evolution of a Discipline. Portland: Dioscorides Press.
10.    Sharma, R., Singh, A., & Verma, P. (2010). Traditional uses and pharmacological properties of Madhuca longifolia. Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, 1(4), 438–443.
11.    Singh, K. K., & Singh, K. (2011). Nutritional evaluation of Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) flowers. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 48(5), 567–572.
12.    Tewari, D. N. (2005). Non-Timber Forest Products of India. Dehradun: Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh.
13.    Verma, S., Chauhan, N. S., & Dixit, V. K. (2012). Evaluation of anti-ulcer and analgesic activity of Madhuca longifolia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 144(3), 764–771.
14.    Warrier, P. K., Nambiar, V. P. K., & Ramankutty, C. (1996). Indian Medicinal Plants: A Compendium of 500 Species (Vol. 4). Chennai: Orient Longman.
15.    World Health Organization (WHO). (2013). WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023. Geneva: World Health Organization.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.62226/ijarst20262610

PAGES : 1786-1793 | 3 VIEWS | 1 DOWNLOADS

Download Full Article