Traditional knowledge of Kani tribals in Kouthalai of Tirunelveli hills, Tamil Nadu, India

Documentation of indigenous knowledge through ethnobotanical studies is important for the conservation and utilization of biological resources. The present study is an attempt to document the ethno medicinal knowledge of two Kani tribal communities residing in the floristically rich Peringammalapanchayath of Nedumangadutaluk, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, South India. Ethno botanical uses of medicinal plants were obtained from them through intensive interviews from traditional practitioners and few elderly people. The present investigation revealed that the Kani tribes of Njaraneeli and Elanjium settlements of Peringammalapanchayath were using a number of plants for curing various ailments. A total of 101 medicinal plants were documented. The reported medicinal plants belong to 47 families. Regarding the plants mentioned by the respondents, the most-cited families were Leguminoceae, followed by Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae and Apocynacea.From the data analyses, it is clear that; the Kanis use herbs (48%), followed by climbers (28%), trees (12%), shrubs (11 %), and lianas (1%). The study revealed that most healers use plants that are easily accessible and available for the treatment of minor and common illnesses such as gastrointestinal problems, gynaecological problems, leucorrea, skin disorders, cold, fever, cough, headache, wounds, rheumatism, hair falling, snake poison, jaundice.

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An ethno-medicinal survey of plants in Andhra Pradesh State by this researcher revealed that some less known medicinal plants have been used by the indigenous tribes. The valid scientific name, family, local name, habit and traditional formulation of 30 species belonging to 30 genera and 20 families are enumerated in the paper. The ethnic tribes of Andhra Pradesh are involved in using these medicinal plants. Traditional beliefs, concepts, knowledge and practices among them for preventing, lessening or curing of diseases are accessible till now. Still they depend upon such traditional healthcare and the need for immediate documentation of such knowledge and conservation of these valuable plants are emphasized to secure it for our future generation.

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Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2011

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2014

An ethnomedicinal survey was conducted among the primitive tribal community residing in Pedabayalu Mandalam, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. Although the tribe is fast losing their traditional customs, their traditional medicinal practitioners still exist although the traditional medicinal wisdom of the primitive tribes has not been previously documented. In the present ethnomedicinal survey, it was observed that primitive tribal traditional medicinal practitioners use medicinal plant parts for treatment of ailments. A total of 30 plants were used by the tribal healers in their medicinal formulations. These plant species were distributed into 23 families. Of the 30 plants the ailments treated with medicinal plants by the tribal healers were quite limited. A review of the available scientific literature suggests that many of the medicinal plants used by the tribals can be validated scientifically in their traditional uses based on reported pharmacological activities present i...

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The term Ethnobotany was first used by Harshberger (1895) and its scope was much elaborated later. Ethnobotany, as an organized discipline of study in India, is rather young, just about five decades old. A number of ethnobotanists of the world have conducted comparative ethno botanical studies on different ethnic groups and different geographical regions. The comparative ethnobotany is helpful in understanding the plant use patterns and factors that affect the use of plants among different populations inhabiting different environments. During the last two decades a number of comparative ethno botanical studies have been conducted in many regions of the world. The present research work was carried out in 19 villages of 4 blocks of Datia district and 41 villages of 5 blocks of Sheopurkalan district. The research work was carried out from January 2012 to October 2015. A total of 35 plant species were reported from both the study regions. As a result of comparative study of medicinal plants it was observed that 23 plant species are used for the treatment of dissimilar diseases in Datia and Sheopurkalan districts, while 12 plant species are used for similar diseases in Datia and Sheopurkalan districts.

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The present study deals with the study of some of the medicinal plants were used by sugali tribes of the Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. These tribes are depending on the medicinal plants for traditional health care. 25 Medicinal plants were identified and botanical name, local name, family, habitat, part of plant used, mode of consumption, disease cured and preparation method are represented.

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Ethnobotanical Leaflets, 2006

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Medicinal Plants: Biodiversity, Sustainable Utilization and Conservation

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