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VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Bridging tradition and science: Ethnomedicinal plant use among the Irula Tribe of Arayur, Nilgiris
Authors
Lourdu Pouline Susai, Leon Stephan Raj Thiraviam
Abstract
Recent trends in plant science have
increasingly emphasized the documentation and scientific validation of
traditional medicinal knowledge as a valuable resource for novel drug
discovery. In line with this shift, indigenous communities like the Irula tribe
of Arayur village represent crucial repositories of ethnobotanical wisdom
developed over generations. This study documents the ethnomedicinal knowledge
of the Irula tribe, focusing on plant resources utilized for traditional
healthcare practices. Ethnobotanical data was collected through semi-structured
interviews, guided field walks, and participatory rural appraisal methods. A
total of 45 plant species belonging to 24 families were documented, with Fabaceae
(20%), Asteraceae (13%), and Lamiaceae (10%) being the dominant families.
Leaves constituted the most frequently used plant part (45%), followed by roots
(17%), bark (12%), whole plant (10%), fruits (8%), and flowers (8%). Regarding
mode of administration, oral consumption was predominant (66%), followed by
topical application (23%), inhalation (7%), and other methods (4%). The
documented medicinal plants were primarily used to treat respiratory ailments
(25%), gastrointestinal disorders (20%), skin diseases (16%), and fever (12%),
highlighting their crucial role in primary healthcare management among the
Irula community. This study bridges traditional ecological knowledge with
contemporary plant science, emphasizing the significance of preserving ethnomedicinal
wisdom while suggesting further pharmacological investigations to validate the
therapeutic efficacy of these indigenous plant resources.
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Pages:235-242
How to cite this article:
Lourdu Pouline Susai, Leon Stephan Raj Thiraviam "Bridging tradition and science: Ethnomedicinal plant use among the Irula Tribe of Arayur, Nilgiris". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 235-242
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