Ethnomedicinal Knowledge among Nicobarese Tribes of Car Nicobar Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract

Introduction: Car Nicobar is a separate island and an administrative headquarter of Nicobar district. It is 260 km (162 miles) away from Port Blair, i.e., Capital of Andaman and Nicobar [(A and N) Union Territory] having a geographical area of 126.9 km2, i.e., 49.0 sq miles. The Nicobar group of islands is inhabited by the two mongoloid group of tribes, viz., the Nicobarese and the Shompens. They are the sole aboriginals in these islands, who continue to sustain themselves with vigor and vitality and have been flourishing as a vibrant ethnic group. Total population of Car Nicobar is 17,841 including 9,735 males and 8,106 females. They get healthcare facilities through Bishop John Richardson (BJR) District Hospital and subcenters of A and N administration but mostly believe in their traditional remedies for various diseases. Objectives: Documentation of the day-to-day ethnomedicinal practices followed by the Nicobarese tribe of Car Nicobar Island for healing various common ailments. Materials and methods: An ethnomedicinal survey was carried out from July to August 2015 in 15 villages of Car Nicobar Islands of A and N Islands to gather the information on ethnomedicinal practices of Nicobarese tribe of Car Nicobar Island. Observations: During the survey 54 plant species belonging to 54 genera and 30 families which were used as herbal remedies by Nicobarese folk healer of Car Nicobar Islands in 29 common ailments were recorded. Conclusion: The present study, represents some interesting data on potential medicinal plants used by the tribes of Car Nicobar, and the lead obtained from these plants must be screened to determine their therapeutic and pharmacodynamic properties.