Abstract

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.