Species Richness and Therapeutic Diversity of Ethnomedicines of Eastern Ghats, South India

Abstract

The valayan tribes of Somagiri hills, Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India were interviewed during January 2020 to November 2021 through a survey instrument to record the details of ethnomedicines currently used by them to cure and manage various human ailments. The informants who had cooperated with the researchers have also revealed the method of drug preparation and the application besides the places of collection in and around the Somagiri hills. The present study has revealed that a total of 107 medicinal plants belonging to 47 angiosperm families and one pteridophyte family are being traditionally used to cure 19 different human ailments. Fabaceae (with 18 plant species) is found topping the list of ethnomedicines of the valayan community. Of the 107 ethnomedicinal plants verified using IUCN Red List, Chlorophytum borivilianum, and Aegle marmelos gain greater conservation significance owing to their enlistment as Endangered and Near Threatened categories, respectively. Of the different plant parts, leaves were the most widely used plant part which accounted for 41 species, followed by whole plant (36 species) and bark (21 species). The majority of plants species were used for Dermatological diseases (25%), followed by Gastro-intestinal diseases (14%), Poisonous bites (10%), General debility (9%), and Skeleto-Muscular System Disorders (7%). The majority of the ethnomedicinal drug preparation type was in the form of juice from 50% plants. The results confirm that the valayan tribes depended heavily on the medicinal plants of the Somagiri hills inhabited by them for their health care and so, stressing the need for revival of interest in ethnomedicine. Documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge is a valuable effort as it may carry secret solution for cancer and emerging forms of dreadful diseases like COVID-19 and Omicron.