Plants used in ethno-veterinary medicine by malayali tribals in Salem district of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

A survey for documentation of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants used by the Malayali traditional healers in Peddanaickenpalayam block of Salem district, Tamil Nadu, southern India has been conducted during June 2010 to November 2010. Ethnoveterinary information was gathered through individual interviews and observations among the Malayali tribals. A total of 40 species of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants belongs to 27 families and 36 genera were recorded in the study with the help of nine ethnoveterinary traditional healers. Among the plant parts used by the Malayali tribals for their domestic animals, leaves are most commonly used for the preparation of medicine. Of the plants recorded Abrus precatorius, Andrographis paniculata, Cassia fistula, Dendrocalamus strictus, Gymnema sylvestre, Strychnos nux-vomica and Wattakaka volubilis are recognized as very commonly used ethnoveterinary medicinal plants. Our study suggested that, documenting the medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge can be used for conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants in the area and for validation of these plant preparations for veterinary treatment.