Documentation of Local Health Traditions of Yadgir District, Karnataka

Abstract

Aim: The traditional medicinal practice in India includes different aspects of health such as prevention, promotion, and healing. Since there is need for documenting this traditional medicinal practice prevalent in different parts of the country for the preservation of the knowledge, the present study was undertaken to record the traditional knowledge of medicine from Yadgir district of Karnataka. Materials and methods: A Medico-Ethno Botanical survey was undertaken in the Yadgir district of Karnataka between September and December 2017. Data were collected from traditional healers and locals by means of personal interviews using a prescribed format. Results: A total of 20 folk claims used for the treatment of 16 different disease conditions were recorded. The remedies were mostly prepared in the form of decoction, paste, poultice, juice, etc. and were mainly taken orally. Eczema, paralysis, toothache, wound obesity, diabetes, fever, jaundice, fracture, cough, anemia etc. are some of the diseases usually treated by traditional practitioners. Only single ingredient was used in 16 documented claims whereas remaining 4 are compound preparations having more than one ingredient. It is observed that, most of the medicinal plants are used in fresh form, after collecting from their natural habitat whenever necessary. Conclusion: Since the documentation of traditional knowledge on medicinal uses of plants is vital for the future generation, this study could serve an important role in fulfilling this purpose. Clinical significance: The documented data can also serve as a base for the development of new medicines by scientific studies.