Research Article ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES ON SELECTED WILD MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY IRULA

Objectives: Tribal communities of Irulas have nurture rich knowledge about medicinal plants and its uses, in this respect, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out among the ethnic groups (Irulas) in Bolampatty Valley (NBR, Western Ghats), Coimbatore for future applications. Methods: An exhaustive ethnobotanical survey was done in the Bolampatty villages of Irula tribes in Coimbatore districts and the field visit was commenced from June2012 to December 2012. The Irulas settlements were identified through a number of field surveys and there were 40 informants between the ages of 25 and 64 were consulted to gather medicinal plants information. Results: In this present investigation, the tribes are using 28 valuable wild medicinal plant species belonging 23 families, and they were identified with relevant information and documented in this paper with regard to their botanical name, family, local name, parts used and utilization by the local tribal people for different human ailments. Among them plants like Herbs, Shrubs, Small trees, Big trees and Climbers were also identified. Majority of plant species were observed belonging to families of Acanthaceae, Rutaceae, Liliaceae, Asclepidaceae and Solanaceae. Conclusions: The common diseases were treated by the herbal practitioner for diuretic, snake bites, jaundice, piles, ulcer, swellings, weight loss, diabetics, cough & cold, body pain, diarrhea as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous. The collected detailed information on the list of plants and their therapeutic practices among Irula tribals may be helpful to improve the future pharmaceutical applications