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VOL. 6, ISSUE 5 (2021)
Indigenous uses of ethnomedicinal plants among Malayali tribals in siriya Kalvarayan Hills, Eastern Ghats, India
Authors
Annadurai Pushparaj, Gideon Daniel Andrew, Annadurai Vinothkanna, Ganesan Mohan, Dhandayuthapani Kandavel
Abstract
The Eastern Ghats of India are rich in biodiversity and contain several flora and fauna. We surveyed the Siriya Kalvarayan hills from Puliyankottai to Serapattu. The study area is ~20 km lengthwise and 10 km breadth wise and is located~55 kilometers away from Kallakurichi in Villupuram district. We identified nearly 90 genera containing close to 100 species, which belong to over 46 families. The Periya (large) and Siriya (small) Kalvarayan hills form an integral part of the Eastern Ghats of India with an elevation of 2500-4000 feet above sea level. These hills contain several angiosperms, gymnosperms, shrubs as well as trees, which have long been considered to have tremendous potential for use in ethnomedicine, as per traditional ethnobotanical literature. We document the ethnobotanical uses and phytochemical constitution of some novel, and as yet, little explored plant species (totally 61/100 surveyed) and discuss the potential uses of these plants in treating a range of health issues. We surveyed the local population (mostly Malayalis) through a questionnaire-based interview to assess their knowledge of traditional medicine. Also, we checked the dependence of residents of 8 villages upon different forms of traditional medicine (Ayurveda, Siddha and Naturopathy). When plant photographs were shown to the respondents, they identified them and shared the local names by which those plants are called. Also, we identified the extent of inclination/dependence of the respondents towards allopathic medicine for treating a range of ailments. The specific plant parts and the species used by the tribals were identified through a survey to assess the ethnobotanical awareness of the Malayali people. Quantitative indices such as Information Consent Factor (ICF), Fidelity Level (FL) as well as Use Value (UV) were also measured. Our study led us to identify 10 species which are not listed in the National Medicinal Plants Board website. Also, we came across a few plant species which are either endangered or threatened, as per the IUCN red list. We wish to study the secondary metabolites of all the plants for which, little or no published literature exists.
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Pages:1243-1260
How to cite this article:
Annadurai Pushparaj, Gideon Daniel Andrew, Annadurai Vinothkanna, Ganesan Mohan, Dhandayuthapani Kandavel "Indigenous uses of ethnomedicinal plants among Malayali tribals in siriya Kalvarayan Hills, Eastern Ghats, India ". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 6, Issue 5, 2021, Pages 1243-1260
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