Ethnobotanical survey of the plants used in the treatment of diabetes

100-104The paper deals with the plant based folk practices used in the treatment of diabetes. The study was conducted in two districts of Kerala, a state rich in floral diversity. Even though modern medical facilities are available in these places, people in villages still use plant therapy to a considerable extent. This may be attributed to the rich floral wealth of the state, which makes the access to the medicinal plants comparatively easy, the lower cost factor, and to a popular belief that plant derived medicines are better suited for the body. The impact of modernization and commercialization of medical treatment has telling effect on the number of these users and so a proper documentation and preservation of these practices are essential