European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

DOCUMENTATION OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE ON MEDICINAL PLANTS OF DRY DECIDUOUS FORESTS IN KOLLENGODE RANGE OF PALAKKAD DISTRICT, KERALA, INDIA

Mohamed Shijad V.M.* and Khaleel K.M.

ABSTRACT

The ethnic people’s understanding and the use of medicinal plants are found to be grounded on traditional background. Knowledge transfer practice among the ethnic communities is reported to be received from generation to generation. Even though these indigenous communities contribute to a very small proportion of the country’s population, their knowledge is of a great cultural, social, and potentially economic value. This must be protected and utilized in a conscientious manner and at the same time we have to take steps to make sure there is no disturbance to its ties to the communities. The present investigation was to identify and document some of the plant species used for medicinal purposes by the tribal communities in Kollengode forest area of Palakkad District, Kerala, India. Data are collected through a combination of tools and techniques of questionnaire, interview and discussion. About 96 medicinal plants, belonging to 89 genera and 47 families largely used as medicine by tribals and local people of Kollengode forest area have been enumerated in this paper. The predominant families are Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae. These plants contain valuable chemical substances and are employed in the treatment of various ailments. The present survey offers a model for studying the relationship between plants and human beings and also traditional remedies of vast therapeutic importance.

Keywords: Ailments, Indigenous, Kollengode, Therapeutic, Tribal communities.