A qualitative study to explore the ethnomedicine practices towards hepatitis among the Irula traditional healers in Tamil Nadu, India.

Abstract

Irulas are known for their traditional medicine and healing practices. Ethnomedicine primarily describes the traditional medical approaches that take consideration of the cultural perspectives on health, illness, disease while addressing the delivery of healthcare and therapeutic modalities. The current study explores the ethnomedical practices towards hepatitis among the Irula traditional healers in Tamil Nadu. A Community-based in-depth interview (IDI) study was conducted among eight traditional healers (5 males and 3 females) from Irula settlements in Dharmapuri, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts. Apart from traditional healers, 11 Irula adults were interviewed to understand their cultural perspectives on health and illness. The major themes that emerged from the codes were the perception towards traditional healing and the process of treatment on hepatitis, the list of important conditions treated by the traditional healers, and the list of medicinal plants used for treating people. This qualitative study highlights the voices of the Irula tribal community and offers a rich source of information about ethnomedicine practices towards hepatitis among the Irula traditional healers in Tamil Nadu, India.