An Ethnobotanical Study of Plants used for the Treatment of Diabetes in the Warangal District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Herbal medicine is gaining popularity both in developing and developed countries because of their natural origin. The herbal drugs with antidiabetic activity are yet to be commercially formulated as modern medicines, even though they have been acclaimed for their therapeutic properties in the traditional systems of medicine. Ethnobotanical documentation is one way of capturing this body of knowledge. An Ethnobotanical survey was conducted on the medicinal plants frequently used for the management of diabetes mellitus in Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh by traditional healers. Information was obtained through structured questionnaire administered to traditional healers and herbalists in the region. The study revealed 15 species of plants belonging to 13 families. The decoction of the roots leaves and barks of these plants are the most commonly used while the extracts are taken orally for long period of time usually between 6 and 12 months, depending on the severity of the ailments. Chloroxylon swietenia and Costus speciosus of the families Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae respectively, were repeatedly mentioned by the traditional healers as the two mostly used for the management of diabetes mellitus in the study area. There is urgent need of recording all ethnobotanical information before they are lost and continuous efforts should be made to collect the information which will provide avenue for future generation.