Medicinal Plant Lore of Sugali Tribe, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

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Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Medicinal Plant-Lore of Sugali Tribe of Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:

This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.

Author:

M. Hamambara Reddy, K. Eshwara Reddy, R.R Venkataraju


Ancient Science of Life:

(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)

Full text available for: Medicinal Plant-Lore of Sugali Tribe of Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Year: 2000

Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

The study conducted in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh focuses on the medicinal plant-lore of the Sugali tribe, which has been accumulated over several centuries. The research highlights the use of fifty plant species from twenty-nine families, detailing their botanical names, parts used, preparation methods, administration, and the ailments they address. This area, characterized by a tropical semiarid climate with frequent droughts, has led the Sugali tribes to rely on indigenous natural remedies as an affordable means of healthcare, particularly as formal medical resources may be limited.

Understanding Folk Medicine: A Use for Indigenous Knowledge

The Sugali tribes utilize a variety of crude drugs to treat numerous ailments, including general conditions such as fevers, coughs, arthritis, and skin diseases, as well as more serious issues like jaundice and psychosis. The study notes that the tribes often lack formal medical knowledge, leading to the use of colloquial terms to describe various diseases, which may refer to multiple related ailments. This highlights the importance of documenting their folklore, as well as the phytochemical analysis confirming the presence of various beneficial compounds in the plants used. The combination of traditional knowledge with scientific validation effectuates an enriched understanding of the medicinal properties of these plants, achieving a balance between cultural practices and modern science.

Conclusion

The research underscores a critical need for preserving the rich traditions of the Sugali tribes while acknowledging the potential of their medicinal plants. The folklore surrounding these plants serves as a repository of knowledge that can be scientifically explored for new treatments. The collaboration between folklorists and scientific communities can lead to the isolation and characterization of active compounds within these medicinal plants, paving the way for their integration into contemporary medicine and ensuring that the valuable knowledge possessed by the Sugali tribes contributes to broader health benefits. Overall, this work highlights the significant interplay between traditional herbal practices and modern pharmaceutical possibilities, emphasizing the importance of conservation and research on indigenous medicinal resources.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What type of study is conducted on Sugali Tribe's medicinal plants?

The study investigates the medicinal plant-lore of the Sugali Tribe in Anantapur District, documenting their usage of 50 plant species based on folklore knowledge, including information on preparation, administration, and purposes for various diseases.

What is the climate like in Anantapur District?

Anantapur District has a tropical semiarid climate with red and black cotton soils. It experiences high temperatures, averaging a maximum of 38.5°C and a minimum of 16.8°C, with an average annual rainfall of 53.8 cm, leading to droughts.

How were traditional medicinal practices of the Sugali Tribe documented?

Folklore information was collected from herbalists in Sugali thandas and rural areas. Data on the usage of plant crude drugs, including preparation and administration methods, were recorded via audiotapes and field notes.

What phytochemical compounds are present in the crude drugs studied?

The study identified several chemical compounds in the crude drugs, including saponins, volatile oils, steroids, fatty acids, and flavonoids, indicating a diverse range of medicinal properties for various ailments among the Sugali Tribe.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Medicinal Plant Lore of Sugali Tribe, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Drug:
In the context of traditional medicine among the Sugali tribes, 'drug' refers to the various plant-based substances used for healing and treating ailments. The study emphasizes the importance of these natural remedies, which have been utilized for centuries, highlighting their preparation and applications in folklore healing practices of the community.

2) Knowledge:
This term encapsulates the accumulated understanding and expertise the Sugali tribes possess regarding medicinal plants and their uses. It underscores the importance of indigenous knowledge systems in preserving valuable information about plant lore that could benefit future generations, thereby emphasizing the role of cultural heritage in medicine.

3) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological pertains to the study of how drugs interact with biological systems, which is critical for understanding the mechanism of action of the plants used by the Sugali tribes. The research aims to validate traditional uses of these plants by investigating their chemical compounds and therapeutic effects, showcasing their potential in modern medicine.

4) Phytochemical:
Phytochemical relates to the chemical compounds produced by plants that often have health benefits. In this study, the significance of phytochemicals is highlighted as they provide the scientific basis for the therapeutic efficacy of the plant drugs used by the Sugali tribes, thereby linking traditional knowledge to contemporary pharmacology.

5) Medicine:
Medicine in this context refers to the holistic and traditional practices employed by the Sugali tribes to treat ailments using natural remedies. It signifies the importance of ethnomedicine, which integrates cultural beliefs, local flora, and experiential knowledge, presenting an alternative view on health and healing compared to conventional medicine.

6) Accumulation (Accumulating, Accumulate):
Accumulated signifies the collective knowledge and experiences that the Sugali tribes have gathered over generations regarding medicinal plants and their uses. This term emphasizes the importance of preserving and utilizing this knowledge for addressing health challenges faced by the community, reinforcing the value of traditional ecological wisdom.

7) Discussion:
Discussion in this context refers to the analytical examination of findings related to the medicinal properties of plants used by the Sugali tribes. It highlights the collaborative aspect of research, which involves dialogue among tribal medicine men, botanists, and phytochemists to interpret results and validate traditional practices.

8) Science (Scientific):
Science here encompasses the systematic study and investigation of medicinal plants based on empirical evidence and methodologies. It emphasizes the interdisciplinary approach that combines ethnobotany, pharmacognosy, and phytotherapy to validate the medicinal claims of the Sugali tribes, fostering an appreciation for the integration of traditional knowledge into scientific inquiry.

9) Psychosis:
Psychosis in the study indicates a specific ailment that some crude drugs are believed to address. The inclusion of mental health conditions like psychosis emphasizes the broad spectrum of diseases that traditional remedies target, showcasing the relevance of these practices in treating both physical and psychological health issues within the community.

10) Activity:
Activity refers to the biological efficacy of the medicinal plants being studied, particularly their pharmacological effects. The exploration of plant activity in treating various ailments underscores the importance of understanding the functional properties of these crude drugs, supporting both traditional practices and potential pharmaceutical developments.

11) Edema (Oedema):
Oedema refers to the accumulation of fluid in tissues, which is one of the conditions treated using plant-based remedies by the Sugali tribes. The identification of oedema as a target for treatment highlights the specific health issues that traditional medicine addresses, reinforcing the practical applications of their botanical knowledge in managing common ailments.

12) Famine:
Famine signifies the severe scarcity of food and resources, impacting the health and livelihood of the Sugali tribe. The reference to famine in the study underscores the socio-economic challenges faced by the community, which in turn influences their reliance on medicinal plants for sustaining health amidst resource scarcity.

13) Botany:
Botany is the scientific study of plants, which is crucial for understanding the medicinal properties and classifications of the crude drugs used by the Sugali tribes. This term highlights the importance of botanical knowledge in validating traditional uses of plants and contributes to the conservation of biodiversity within their environment.

14) Soil:
Soil refers to the natural resource that sustains plant growth, forming the basis for the medicinal flora utilized by the Sugali tribes. Understanding soil composition and health is vital for the cultivation of medicinal plants, stressing the need for sustainable practices to ensure the availability of these resources for future generations.

Other Science Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Medicinal Plant Lore of Sugali Tribe, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Active principle, Biological Activity, Crude drug, Chemical compound, Folklore information.

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