ETHNOMEDICINAL PRACTICES AMOUNG A MINORITY GROUPS OF MALAYALI TRIBES RESIDING IN VATHAL HILLS OF EASTERN GHATS

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1 WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES Senthilkumar et al. S SJIF Impact Factor Volume 6, Issue 6, Research Article ISSN ETHNOMEDICINAL PRACTICES AMOUNG A MINORITY GROUPS OF MALAYALI TRIBES RESIDING IN VATHAL HILLS OF EASTERN GHATS Dr. Mariappan Senthilkumar* and Sivashankaran Pasupathi Assistant Professor in Botany, PG and Research Department of Botany, Government Arts College, Dharmapuri , Tamil Nadu, India. Article Received on 07 April 2017, Revised on 27 April 2017, Accepted on 17 May 2017 DOI: /wjpps *Corresponding Author Dr. Mariappan Senthilkumar Assistant Professor in Botany, PG and Research Department of Botany, Government Arts College, Dharmapuri , Tamil Nadu, India., ABSTRACT Medicinal plants have been used by the local peoples since ancient period for the treatment of various diseases. An ethnobotanical survey study was conducted to collect information about the medicinal plants used by Malayali tribes in Vathal hills of Eastern Ghats, Dharmapuri district Tamilnadu, India. The tribes are still depend on various medicinal plants for their primary health care needs and most commonly used to cure skin diseases, poison bites, stomachache and nervous disorders respectively. To document their indigenous knowledge on the utilization of medicinal plants particularly most common ethnomedicinal plants. Traditional medicinal knowledge is important not only for its potential contribution to drug development and market values, but also for the people s healthcare. The tribal peoples used a total of 120 species of plants distributed in 86 genera belonging to 56 families were identified as commonly used ethnomedicinal plants. Maximum plants were present in Fabaceae followed by Apocyanaceae, Solanaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Acanthaceae, and Amaranthaceae. As a result, the present study clearly revealed that the malayali peoples possessed a good knowledge of medicinal plants usage. Documentation of traditional uses of medicinal plants for the treatment of various ailments by tribal people can open upon new avenues for research leading to discovery of novel compounds and new drugs. KEYWORDS: Ethnomedicinal plants, Herbal Medicine, Malayali tribes. Vol 6, Issue 6,

2 INTRODUCTION Plants have been used in traditional medicine for several thousand years. The knowledge of medicinal plants has been accumulated in the course of many centuries based on different medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. In India, it is reported that traditional healers use 2500 plant species and 100 species of plants serve as regular sources of medicine. [1] About 200 years ago our pharmacopoeia was dominated by herbal medicines [2] and almost 25% of the drugs prescribed worldwide were come from plants. Of the 252 drugs considered as basic and essential by the WHO, 11% are exclusively of plant origin and a significant numbers are synthetic drugs obtained from natural precursors. [3] Plants are important sources of therapeutic drugs and play a significant role in the survival of the tribal and ethnic communities. India is rich in cultural and floristic diversity and also a store house of ethnobotanical knowledge. In the last few years there has been an exponential growth in the field of herbal medicine and these drugs are gaining popularity both in developing and developed countries because of their natural origin and less side effects. [4] Historically all medicinal preparations were derived from plants, whether in the simple form of plant parts or in the more complex form of crude extracts, mixtures, etc. The primary benefits of using plant-derived medicines are that they are relatively safer than synthetic alternatives, offering profound therapeutic benefits and more affordable treatment. [5] Use of herbal medicines in Asia represents a long history of human interactions with the environment. Plants used for traditional medicine contain a wide range of substances that can be used to treat chromic as well as infectious diseases. A vast knowledge of how to use the plants against different illnesses may be expected to have accumulated in areas where the use of plants is still of great importance. [6-8] Traditional medicine has a long history of serving people all over the world. Medicinal plants are the local heritage with global importance. The knowledge of medicinal plants has been accumulated in the course of many centuries based on the different medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy in India. [9,10] Traditional herbal medicine is readily available in rural areas for the treatment of snakebite. Application of the plant or its sap onto the bite area, chewing leaves and bark or drinking plant extracts or decoctions are some procedures intended to counteract snake venom activity. Plants are used either single or in combination, as antidotes for snake envenomation by rural populations in India and in many parts of the world. [11] Vol 6, Issue 6,

3 Many traditional medicines in use are derived from medicinal plants, minerals and organic matter. Medicinal plants, since times immemorial, have been used in virtually all cultures as a source of medicine. The use of traditional medicine and medicinal plants in most developing countries, as a normative basis for the maintenance of good health, has been widely observed. Furthermore, an increasing reliance on the use of medicinal plants in the industrialized societies has been traced to the extraction and development of several drugs and chemotherapeutics from these plants as well as from traditionally used rural herbal remedies. [12] India is one among the 12-mega biodiversity centers having about 10% of the world s biodiversity wealth, which is distributed across 16 agro-climatic zones. Out of 17,000 species of higher plants reported to occur within India, 7500 are known to have medicinal uses. This proportion of medicinal plants is the highest known in any other country against the existing flora of that country. Even today, indigenous and certain local communities practised herbal medicine to cure a variety of diseases, with plants particularly used as folk medicine to treat snakebites. [13] Because of these advantages the medicinal plants have been widely used by the local peoples in their day to day medicinal needs. The study highlights the importance of documenting, ethno botanical information and indigenous traditional knowledge about the medicinal plants used by the tribes in their day to day life to cure some common ailment. [14,15] Ethnobotany involves the study of how communities of a particular region make use of indigenous plants in the region for food, clothing and medicine. [16] Plants are significant sources of medicines that are used in the treatment of various categories of human diseases. [17] Ethnomedicine refers to the medicinal practices of ethnic groups or indigenous societies; such are present throughout the world and still continue their traditional medicinal practices. [18] It is possible that because of residing within or in the close vicinity of forests with an abundance of floral species, plants form the mainstay of medicinal practitioners of these societies for treatment of various ailments of both human beings as well as domesticated animals. [19] The ethnobotanical data available is majorly useful to discover various modern day drugs. Thousands of medicinal plants species are present in throughout the whole world. There are about 258,650 higher plants species are used as medicines. [20] Plants are the best medicines to cure ailments because they contain drugs which very effective against diseases and have no harmful side effects. [21,22] Utilization of plants for medicinal purposes in India has been documented long back in ancient literature because they are essential to human survival. [23] Vol 6, Issue 6,

4 Local people in many parts of India are using traditional medicine prepared from medicinal plants or animals found in their locality. People for long time in the human history were documented in Vedic Sushruta Samhita. Many parts of the country were covered with numerous medicinal plants which were extensively used in Aurvedic centuries. [24] Considering the important of the study is to analyze the ethnobotanical information to be documented with the several field visits to cover all the areas of vathal hills of Malayali tribal villages. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study area, Vattal Hills is located in the Dharmapuri district Tamilnadu, India. There are many villages occurring and every Malayali village has several hamlets. Hamlets are found in different elevations ( m). Malayalis are illiterate and speak only Tamil. Temperature in the study area ranges from 12 C to 25 C during Mar-Apr and averages between 12 C during Dec and 35 C during Apr-May. The area of investigation approximately lies between 87º0 to 89º0 longitudes and 28º0 to 37º0 latitude. Field investigations were conducted in every two weeks in every month (October 2015 to September 2016). Ethnobotanical data were collected according to the methodology suggested by Jain. [25] The interviews were conducted in the local language in Tamil. Ethnobotanical information included with the local name of the particular plant, parts utilized, medicinal uses and methods of preparation and administration. The mode of drugs preparation and identification of local medicinal plants with the help of experienced Malayalis, which was later, verified and reconfirmed. The collected ethnobotany information was recorded on field note books and plants were identified using the Flora of the Presidency of Madras [26] and Flora of Tamil Nadu carnatic. [27] Based on the information provided by tribals, plant specimens were collected, dried, processed, identified taxonomically and they were deposited in the departmental herbarium, PG and Research Department of Botany, Government Arts College, Dharmapuri. RESULT In this study, a total number of 120 plants blacking to 56 families where recorded (Table -1). The field survey clearly depicts that the distribution of plants where medicinally used by the malayali tribes in Vathal hills. From our study, Fabaceae family plants have the highest number of species (9 species) followed by Apocynaceae (7 species), Solanaceae (5 species), Asclepiadaceae, Moraceae, Rutaceae, Verbinaceae, Acanthaceae (4 species), Vol 6, Issue 6,

5 Caesalpinaceae, Combretaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Meliaceae, Menispermaceae, Rubiaceae (3 species), Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Capparidaceae, Convonulaceae, Dioscoreaceae, Lilliaceae, Malvaceae, Mimosaceae, Sapindaceae, Zingiberaceae (2 species) and rest of the families have only one species of each. Contains only one species of each plants where used to treat diseases which including pain headachy gastrointestinal disorders poisoning blending from cuts and owns the heart disorders diabetes, skin function, eye disorders, respiratory track disorders and infertility in human. In most cases a single plant or part was used to treat single hilliness. However for example Terminalia arjuna the bark of the tree was used to treat both diabetes and heart disorders. Michelia chempaca bark, leaves and flower were used for cold, fever, stomache and urinary problems. Similarly whole plants of Cissus quadragularis where used to treat different pains. The leaves of Centella asiatica, Becopa moneri where used for refreshment of mental strength. The leaves of Ocimum sanctum where used for coughs, to clear eyes and to treat acne. Based on information collected from the local tribal peoples are in agreement with the previous reports about the plants. For common ailments such as wound and skin diseases of medication where used by common routine medicinal plants. A treatment of the same disorders with different plant species presents a fruit advantage because some plants may not be available through the year. Because of seasonal various or other reasons like being absent such/particular area. Therefore preparation of medicines and treatment of diseases are sometime accompanied by ritchual. The product of medicinal plant are consumed raw or taken as decoction (juice)/infusion (oral treatment) and paste (external application). Fresh leaves, roots and stem where more frequently used when compare to other parts of the plant. Among the total distribution of plant Fabaceae, covered the highest percentage (27%) followed by Apocynaceae (19%), Euphorbiaceae (16%), Asclepiadaceae (12%), Amaranthaceae (10%), Poaceae (8%), Arecaceae (6%) and Sterculiaceae (4%) (Figure-1). Vol 6, Issue 6,

6 Table 1: List of Ethnomedicinal plants, parts and medicinal uses in Vathal Hills. Binomial Name Family Name Parts Used Medicinal Uses Abrus precatorius Linn Fabaceae Root Root used for poisonous bite Acalypha indica L. Euphorbiaceae Leave decoction taken in internally. Achyranthus aspera Linn. Amaranthaceae, root Diuretic, toothache and asthma. Acorus calamus Linn. Acoraceae Root, Sedative, analgesic, dyspepsia, Rhizome asthma, gastritis and diarrhea. Adathoda vasica Nees Acanthaceae Leaf Antispasmodic, bronchodilator, expectorant. Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Rutaceae Leaf, Bark Blood purifier Alangium salvifolium L. Alangiaceae Fruit, root, Bites by rabbits, rats, dogs, bark antidote for snake bite. Aloe vera Linn. Liliaceae Leaf Lung disease, stomach disorders, skin burns. Alstonia schlolaris R. Br. Apocyanaceae Bark Fever, malaria, ulcers, asthma. Amaranthus spinossus L. Amaranthaceae Whole Used as eruptive fever and Plant eczema. Andrograpis paniculata Leave crushed into paste and haceae Nees. taken twice daily Anisomeles malabarica (L.) R. Br. Ex. Sims. Lamiaceae Dyspepsia and fever Root, paste for external Annona squemosa Linn. Annonaceae Root, Leaf application, root bark decoction orally for scorpion Aristolochia bracteolate Lam. Aristolochia indica L. Aristolochiaceae Aristolochiaceae Root Artocarpus heterophyllus Moraceae Asparagus racemosa Willd. Asparagaceae Azadirachta indica A.Juss. Meliaceae Basella rubra Linn Cadaba indica Lam. Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. Basellaceae Capparidaceae Caesalpinaceae Root Leaf, whole plant and Flowers Stem Cannabis sativa Linn. Cannabinaceae Leaf bite Decoction of roots is used to cure stomach pain. Leaf used an antinode to snake bite and scorpion sting. juice taken orally to cure ulcer Tuber juice used for leucorrhoea, blindness, diarrhoeal and fever. Chicken pox, earaches, sprains and headache. Sores and gonorrhea, ulcers, boils and abscesses, snake bite. leaves and flowers to treat menorrhagia, and syphilis. Fever, cough, flatulence, dyspepsia, Jaundice, arthritis and Diabetes. Root and leaves extract is used for liver disorders. and flowers are sedative, analgesic and narcotic Vol 6, Issue 6,

7 Canthium parviflorum L Capparis divaricata L. Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Carissa carandas L. Cassia aruiculata L Rubiaceae Capparidaceae Sapindaceae Apocyanaceae Caesalpinaceae, root, bark Bark,, Root Fruit, Flower Cassia fistula L. Fabaceae Whole plant Dysentery, fever. Dysentry, Stomach problems Centella asiatica (L.) Apiaceae Memory power Cicer arietinum L. Fabaceae Seeds, roots Cinnamonum zeylanica Lauraceae Bark Cissampelos pareira L. Menispermaceae Root Cissus quadragularis L. Vitaceae Whole plant Citrollus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. Cucurbitaceae Root, fruit Citrus medica Linn. Rutaceae Flower Clitorea ternetia L. Fabaceae Whole plant Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Cucurbitaceae Menispermaceae Whole plant Root Costus specious Sm. Zingiberaceae Reduce sugar Curculigo orchioides (Gaertn.) Amaryllidaceae, shoots Curcuma longa Linn. Zingiberaceae Datura metel Linn. Solanaceae Leaf Leaf extract reduces body pain, decoction plant is used for curing rheumatism. Stomach ache, anthelmintic, fever. Fruit juice applied on head region. Dried and powered flower is mixed with milk or taken as plate. Erysipelas, fever, malaria, rheumatism, purgative, ulcers, antipyretic and skin disease. Cough, heart pain, sperm growth, cold, liver infections, anti- poison. Bark is used as vomiting cardiac disease, dysentery, fever, skin disease and general debility Diuretic, purgative, dyspepsia, dropsy and urinary troubles grind into paste and applied externally. Infected tooth, breast infections, tonsils, fits, ear infections, joint pains. juice is used against fever and dyspepsia. Madness, skin diseases, throat infections. juice taken for internally for ulcer. Skin diseases, dyspepsia, colic, cough and fever. The peel is remedy for dysentery, sedative. Shoots: use for stomachache and expel intestinal worms. used an astringent. The decoction of the bark is given in case of diarrhea Leaf mixed with black pepper to cure cough, asthma and Vol 6, Issue 6,

8 Dicoma tomentosa cass Asteraceae whole plant Dioscorea oppositifolia Linn. Dioscorea esculenta Burkill. Emlica officinalis Gaertn Dioscoreaceae Dioscoreaceae Euphorbiaceae Tuber Tuber and Fruit Evalvulus alsinoides Linn. Convolvulaceae Whole plant Ficus racemosa Roxb. Moraceae Bark, root Ficus religiosa Linn. Galega purpurea (L.)Pers. Gloriosa superba Linn. Moraceae Fabaceae Liliaceae and Bark, roots Rhizome and seed Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Fabaceae Root Gmilina arborea Gossypium herbeceum Linn. Gymnema sylvestre R.Br. Verbinaceae Malvaceae Asclepiadaceae Root and Bark Whole plant Leaf Helicteres isora L. Sterculiaceae Fruit Heliotropium indicum L. Boraginaceae Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br. Hemionitis arifolia (Burm. f.) T. Moore Hiptage benghalensis (L.) Kurz. Holarrhena pubescens (Buch-Ham.) Asclepiadaceae Pteridaceae Malpighiaceae Apocyanaceae Root Leaf Whole plant chromic ulcers. Tooth ache, Healing wounds, skin diseases. Tuber used to reduce swelling and restoring kidney. Tubers eaten after boiling for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic As antioxidant, tonic and cosmetics Viral fevers, asthma, thyroid, skin diseases. Roots are useful for hydrophobia gynaecological disorders. paste is applied in skin diseases. The dried bark powder mixed with honey is used as an aphrodisiac Grasping power, throat infections, wounds. Intestional worms, snake bite,baldness, rheumatic pain The root decoction is given orally to treat throat pain. Impotency, Prolong coitus time. Wound swellings, increases the sperm count, disorders, burnt, swollen leg, rat bites, vomiting during pregnancy. Leaf powder orally to treat diabetes, used to reduce the sugar level of the blood. Fruit powder to cure diarrhea and blood dysentery The leaves given orally to treat snake bite and scorpion sting. Hepatopathy, nephropathy, leucoderma and vomiting. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (menorrhagia / hematomunia). Juice of leaves is taken orally to treat insecticide, scabies, asthma and various skin diseases. Detoxification, uterus disorders, bloody stools, fits, piles, kidney stones, leprosy. Vol 6, Issue 6,

9 Hydrocotyle asiatica (L.) Urban Apiaceae Indigofera tinctoria L. Fabaceae Ipomea batatas Poir Convolvulaceae Tuber Jatropha curcus Linn. Euphorbiaceae Leaf Pronunciation, jaundice, blood purification, kids memory power. Bronchitis, cough, respiratory infections, tuberculosis. Tubers roots for fever and bronchitis. Latex used mouth wash, bleeding gums and toothache, dental problem Justicia adhatoda L. Acanthaceae Sinus problems Lawsonia inermis L. Lythraceae Nail infection and increase hair growth. Leptadenia reticulate Roots and Bronchitis, Constipation, cures Asclepiadaceae W&A leaves bleeding, Disorders, earache. Melia azedarach L. Meliaceae, Small box, viral fever, skin Seed oil, Infections, antiseptic. Hair growth, skin diseases, Mentha arvensis wild Lamiaceae digestion, black marks on face, ear infection, dysentery. Michelia champaca L. Mimosa catechu L. Momordica charantia L. Magnoliaceae Mimosaceae Cucurbitaceae Morinda tinctoria Roxb. Rubiaceae Bark Bark,, Bark, flowers, fruits, seeds Moringa oliefera Lam. Moringaceae Whole plant Murraya paniculata Rutaceae Root, Nerium indicum Mill. Apocyanaceae Root Nymphea nouchali Burn. Nymphaeaceae Tuber Ocimum sanctum L. Lamiaceae Leaf Passiflora foetid L. Passifloraceae Fruit Phonenix dactylifera L. Arecaceae Fruit, seeds Cold, Fever, Stomach ache, Urinary problems. Leprosy chicken pox, cough, dysentery. Diabetes, Blood pressure, body swellings, dysentery. Tie the bark on the affected portion. Indigestion and eye diseases, Eyes and increases sperm production in men. Dropsy, body ache, fever, used an astringent, are laxative, used in bleeding gums It is used to treat indigestion, it is anti-diabetic, the tubers are can be used eaten food items and usually boiled and roasted. Juice of leaves is taken orally in empty stomach curing cold. Fruit powder and block pepper taken with milk to great relief asthma. Hiccups, back ache, fertility, menstruation problems, blood purification, brain infections, dysentery, stomach and eye Vol 6, Issue 6,

10 Physalis minima L. Solanaceae Whole plant Pistia stratiotes, L. Araceae Whole plant Plumaria acuminate R.Br. Apocyanaceae Bark, latex, root Polygola arvensis Wild. Polygalaceae Roots Pongamia glabra Vent. Premna corymbosa R.& Willd Fabaceae Verbenaceae Leaf, Seed Prosopis cineraria L. Mimosaceae Whole plant Punica granatum L. Quisqualis indica L. Lythraceae Combertaceae Bark, leaves, seeds Fruits, Seeds Randia dumetorum Lamk. Rubiaceae Seed, Fruit Raphanus satlvus L. Rauwolfia tetraphylla Linn. Sapindus emarginatus Vahl. Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Willd. Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.)Voigt. Brassicaceae Seeds, root, leaves Apocyanaceae Whole plant Skin diseases Sapindaceae Fabaceae Apocyanaceae, fruits Bark, Flowers Fruits, Seeds Sesamum indicum L. Pedaliaceae whole plant Sida cordifolia (Linn.) Malvaceae leaves Smilax zeylanica L. Smilaceae Rhizome infections. Urinary infections, Antipyretic, anti-inflammatory. Ease menstrual flow, urination, digestion, gonorrhoea and urinary problems Bark is stimulant. Latex rubificient and purgative. Roots are catharactic. Antiseptic, asthma, chronic bronchitis. The root extract is used in Cleansing foul ulcers, fistulous sores and strengthening gums. Cardio tonic, expectorant, fever, and tumors Cough, asthma, bronchitis, chest congestion, nasal bleeding. Bark used to expel tapeworms. Rind used as astringent, Fruit is useful in bleeding gums. Fruits and seeds are anthelmatic. Seeds are used in diarrhoea and fever. Fruits are rubbed on hard Substances and paste is applied topically to cure skin diseases. Leucoderma, cough, joint pains, insect bites, dog bites. Eye infections, insect bites, head ache. Skin disease, Dysentery Dried stems emetic, infusion of roots given to persons bitten by rabies dogs. Scary dreams, constipation, infertile, and digestion. Stomtitis, Ashthmatic bronchitis, Nervous disorders One ounce decoction of rhizome is taken two times a day to treat dysentery. Unripe fruits are cooked and taken with food. Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad Solanaceae Fruit Solanum nigrum L. Solanaceae Leaf and flowers juice is Vol 6, Issue 6,

11 given orally to treat skin diseases, piles and ulcer Soymida febrifuga Roxb Meliaceae Bark Vaginal infections, enemata and rheumatism. Streblus asper L. Moraceae bark Dental problems, muscle Pain. Strychnos nuxvomica L. Loganiaceae Body boils Syzygium cuminii (Linn.) Dysentery, diabetics, Myrtaceae Bark Skeels antihelmintic fever. Tamarindus indica L. Caesalpinaceae tried in a cotton cloth and heated, later massage. Tectona grandis L.f. Verbinaceae Stem Wood is used for making furniture. Terminalia arjuna L. Combretaceae Bark leaves Leaf juice used to cure for menstrual problem and earache Terminalia belliberica Combretaceae Infertility, Diabetics Blood pressure, cholesterol, Tinospora cordifolia Menispermaceae diabetic, cough, asthma, (Thunb.) Miers kidney stones. Paste of leaves and root is Tridex procumbens Linn. Asteraceae Leaf applied topically to treat Vitex negundo Linn. Wattakaka volubilis (L. f.) Stapf. Witahnia somnifera (Linn.) Dunal. Verbeneceae Asclepiadaceae Solanaceae Leaf, Flower Root Ximenia americana L. Olacaceae Whole plant Zanthoxylum armatum L. Rutaceae Zizyphus jujube Mill. Rhamnaceae Root wound. used as vermifuge. Leaf paste is given to cure swellings Root paste is applied externally for ulcers, and scabies. Fever, colds, and as a laxative and eye lotion, to treat dysentery in calves. Blood purification, dental problems, head ache. Root decoction is given in fever and root power applied to old wound. Fig 1: Number of genus present in each families distributed in the study area (Vathal Hills). Vol 6, Issue 6,

12 DISCUSSIONS The malayali tribels were used a number of medicinal plants to treat pain arising from diverse causes. These plants included Capparis divaricata, and Carissa carandas, (stomach pain), Spilanthes calva (toothache), Cuscuta reflexa (stomach pain), Cissampelos pareira (rheumatic pain), Cynodon dactylon (rheumatic pain), Neolamarckia cadamba (rheumatic pain), Glycosmis arborea (toothache), Clerodendrum viscosum (toothache) and Cissus quadrangularis (rheumatic pain). Bark extract of Mangifera indica has been reported for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. [28] Many researchers have reported the external application as the dominant mode of administration in wound healing treatments. [29-32] The analgesic action of Spilanthes calva leaf extract has also been demonstrated. [33] Petroleum ether extract of Cuscuta reflexa reportedly demonstrated analgesic activities. [34] The analgesic and anti-inflammatory action Of Cissampelos pareira leaves have also been reported. [35] The analgesic activity of Cynodon dactylon has been reviewed. [36] Methanol extract of Neolamarckia cadamba bark has been shown to possess analgesic activity. [37] Although Glycosmis arborea needs to be scientifically studied, a related plant Glycosmis pentaphylla has been reported for possessing analgesic effects. [38] Ethanolic root extract of Clerodendrum viscosum also showed analgesic activity in acetic acid-induced pain model in mice. [39] Cissus quadrangularis is also known to have pain relieving activity. [40] A search of the relevant scientific literature on the plants used by the traditional practitioner to treat diabetes yielded the same sort of scientific validations as for the plants used by the traditional practitioner to treat pain. Diabetes was treated with plant parts from Terminalia arjuna, Coccinia cordifolia or Solanum tuberosum. The antidiabetic effect of Terminalia arjuna has been shown in alloxan diabetic rats. [41] Similar antidiabetic effect has been seen of Coccinia cordifolia extract in diabetic patients. [42] It may seem counter-intuitive, but the tubers of Solanum tuberosum (potato) reportedly possess hypoglycemic activity. [43] Taken together, it can be said that the plants used by the traditional practitioner at least to treat pain and diabetes have scientific validations and which may also apply to other plants used for treatment by traditional practitioner. An example is the use by the traditional practitioner of Terminalia arjuna bark to treat heart disorder, which has been validated scientifically. [44] However, in most of the cases, it was recorded that internal uses predominates external application. Juice and paste formulations were quite common for external applications. For Vol 6, Issue 6,

13 topical application, the paste was mixed with oil. If more than one plant is used, such preparations are more or less similar to Siddha formulations. Sometimes the healer may mix several plants as ingredients to cure a single disease but detailed information on the role of the components used in such formulations are obscure. [45] The most important aspect of the Malayali tribal medicine is that fresh plant material is used for the preparation of medicine. It is concluded that the healthcare system of Malayali tribe traditionally depends on herbal practices for their ailments. Moreover, elders and traditional healers have rich knowledge on herbal wealth. The traditional knowledge of the healers helped us in the documentation of the ethnobotanical information. Alternatively, if the fresh plant parts are not available, dried plant materials are used. For this reason several plants serve as alternative remedy to cure a single disease. From this study it is clear that traditional practitioner possess innate ability to discern the character of plants and exploit the plant resources to meet their health care needs. SUMMARY The medicinal plants used by the traditional practitioner can be potential sources of new drug discoveries. This study depicts that traditional knowledge forms the basis for the treatment of various ailments among Malayalis. Still, this age old practice forms the basic aspect of their lifestyle and rituals. Plants such as Andrographis, Adhatoda, Vitex and Plectranthus are the lead species and members belonging to the family Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Caesalpinaceae were more frequently used. Data depicts that most of the remedies are preferred as oral. Further, most of the reported preparations are drawn from a single plant; formulations containing two or more plants are rarely used. Present study reveals that medicinal plants continue to play a major role in healthcare needs of Malayali community. Hence, the documentation of traditional knowledge will help in the field of herbal research and enumeration of new medicinal plants for a particular therapeutic effect. At the same time the detailed pharmacological investigations of the herbal plants will be helpful in development of newer drugs for a particular condition. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors are greatly thankful to the Principal and Head of the Department, PG and Research Department of Botany, Government Arts College, Dharmapuri, for providing the laboratory facilities. Vol 6, Issue 6,

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