Abstract

ETHNOMEDICAL SURVEY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN MORUR VILLAGE, SALEM DISTRICT, TAMILNADU

Dr. P. Brindha* and Dr. G. Essakky Pandian

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Abstract

Ethnomedicine is one of the systems of medicine that is widely practiced among the tribal populations of our country for the treatment of ailments. The present study is concerned with ethnomedical study in Morur village of Salem district. A Random sample of 50 elderly people aged over 40 were randomly selected and explained purpose of study on their own language. After receiving informed concern people were interviewed with semi structured questionaries. Among the information collected the indigenous use of plants, parts used, condition of the plants, method of preparation, route of administration, and indication are documented. Skin diseases, itching, tinea infection, eczema, heart disease, ear pain, renal calculi, memory, arthritis, conjunctivitis, tooth ache, jaundice, diabetes, worm infestation, mouth ulcer, peptic ulcer, diarrhoea, dysentery, piles, loss of appetite, wound, poisons, dry cough, asthma, expectorant, Headache, hair fall, disease of women and child were documented. Medicines that should be followed at the time of pregnancy and postpartum period are also documented. There's a chance that this age-old wisdom could vanish soon due to growing numbers, shifts in lifestyle, and the practice of passing down this knowledge through spoken word without any written records. Therefore, having these records would be incredibly beneficial for future generations. This will increase understanding of the value of growing and conserving medicinal plants. This will help when further pharmacological research on indigenous medicine is done, which will eventually result in the development of new drugs.

Keywords: Etnomedicine, Medicinal Plants, Morur Village, Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous.