ETHNOMEDICINAL USES OF SOME PLANT SPECIES BY TRIBAL HEALERS IN ADILABAD DISTRICT OF TELANGANA STATE, INDIA
*Dr. N.Rama Krishna, Ch. Saidulu, Dr. A. Hindumathi
ABSTRACT
An ethnobotanical survey was under taken to collect information from
tribal healers on the use of medicinal plants in Adilabad district of
Telangana State during 2007 – 2013.The indigenous knowledge of
local tribal communities such as Kolams, Naikpods, Pardhans, Gonds,
Thotis, Chenchus and Mathura healers and the native plants used for
medicinal purposes were collected through survey and personal
interviews during field trips. The investigation revealed that, the
traditional healers used 78 plant species belonging to 40 different
families, to treat various diseases.This study showed that many people
in the studied parts of Adilabad district still continue to depend on
medicinal plants at least for the treatment of primary healthcare. Most
medicinal plant species reported in this study were found to be under threat and this calls for
urgent conservation measures so as to maximize the sustainable use of these vital resources in
the study area. The traditional healers are dwindling in number and there is a grave danger of
traditional knowledge disappearing soon since the younger generation is not interested to
carry on this tradition.
Keywords: Ethno botanical, Tribal healers, Medicinal plants, Adilabad district, Telangana.
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