An ethnobotanical survey of naduvil panchayat in kannur district kerala
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: An ethnobotanical survey of naduvil panchayat in kannur district kerala
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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Jery Thomas, A. John De Britto
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: An ethnobotanical survey of naduvil panchayat in kannur district kerala
Year: 1999
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The paper presents an ethnobotanical survey of 32 plant species utilized by the tribal communities in Naduvil panchayat, located near the Paithalmala hills in the Kannur district of Kerala. Conducted by researchers Jery Thomas and A. John De Britto, the study aims to document the medicinal practices of the local tribes, focusing on the vernacular and botanical names, family classifications, and the morphology of useful plant parts, as well as their various medicinal applications. This region houses a significant tribal population with unique cultural and traditional practices, making it a valuable site for understanding plant-human interactions and the importance of preserving traditional knowledge related to ethnobotany.
Significance of Indigenous Knowledge
One of the important concepts highlighted in the study is the significance of indigenous knowledge in medicine. Tribal groups in Naduvil, including the Karimpalar and Marilan communities, possess a rich heritage of traditional medicinal practices passed down through generations. This knowledge is crucial for the utilization of local flora, which offers vital medicinal properties that are often easily accessible in their natural habitat. The survey details various plants, such as Adhatoda zeylanica for bronchitis and Moringa oleifera for swelling, detailing methods of preparation, administration, and the diseases they treat. Such insights not only emphasize the therapeutic potential of these plants but also underscore the need for their conservation amidst the diminishing traditional practices influenced by modern healthcare.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ethnobotanical survey conducted in Naduvil panchayat serves as a critical documentation of the medicinal plant knowledge held by tribal communities, which is increasingly at risk of being lost. The urgent need for the collection and preservation of this indigenous knowledge is evident, as it holds significant potential for the future of resource conservation and sustainable healthcare practices. The findings of this study advocate for stronger recognition of the relationship between biodiversity and its utilization, underscoring the importance of integrating indigenous wisdom into contemporary practices to promote both health and environmental sustainability.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What types of medicinal plants were studied in Naduvil Panchayat?
The study documented 32 plant species belonging to 31 genera across 25 families, used by local tribal communities for various medicinal purposes in Naduvil Panchayat, Kerala.
How did the researchers gather ethnobotanical information from tribals?
Researchers conducted interviews with traditional healers and local elders, developing trust to collect detailed information about the medicinal uses, preparation methods, and cultural beliefs surrounding these plants.
What role do tribal medicinal practices play in conservation?
Tribal knowledge of medicinal plants is crucial for understanding their utility and significance, helping to promote conservation and sustainable usage of biological resources in the region.
Why is it important to document indigenous knowledge of plants?
Documenting indigenous knowledge is vital for preserving cultural practices and preventing the loss of traditional medicinal expertise, which can contribute to biodiversity and health care solutions.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “An ethnobotanical survey of naduvil panchayat in kannur district kerala”. 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) Milk:
Milk is referenced in various traditional medicinal preparations, indicating its role as a solvent or carrier for active compounds in plants. It serves as a base for mixing plant extracts, enhancing absorption and effectiveness of herbal treatments, particularly in ailments like jaundice and dysentery. Its nutritional properties also provide supportive health benefits.
2) Swelling:
Swelling often indicates inflammation or injury, and is a common target of ethnobotanical treatments. Various plants mentioned, such as Calotropis gigantia and Vigna mungo, are used to alleviate swelling through topical applications. Their inclusion in traditional remedies highlights the significance of natural anti-inflammatory properties in indigenous medicine.
3) Water:
Water is a fundamental element in the preparation of herbal medicines, often utilized for extracting active ingredients through decoctions or infusions. The ethnobotanical practices discussed highlight its necessity in processes like boiling plant materials to compile healing vapors or to act as a medium in medicinal concoctions.
4) Medicine:
The term medicine encompasses various treatments derived from plant sources utilized by the indigenous populations in Naduvil Panchayat. The documented plants showcase a rich repository of ethnomedical practices, portraying how traditional knowledge harnesses flora for therapeutic purposes, thus bridging cultural practices with natural healing.
5) Cuminum cyminum:
Cuminum cyminum, commonly known as cumin, appears in the preparation of folk remedies to treat eye injuries and promote digestion. Its molecular composition includes beneficial compounds with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, emphasizing the reliance on local spices and herbs in traditional healing practices.
6) Knowledge:
Knowledge, especially indigenous knowledge, encapsulates the understanding of medicinal plant uses passed down through generations. It is vital for sustaining cultural practices and conserving biodiversity, allowing communities in Naduvil Panchayat to maintain health through traditional means amid growing external influences on lifestyle and medicine.
7) Butter milk (Buttermilk):
Buttermilk is mentioned as a medicinal additive combined with herbal concoctions for treating ailments like dysentery. Its creamy texture and probiotic properties may assist in digestion or mitigate the side effects of certain herbs, making it a functional base in traditional medicinal practices.
8) Turmeric:
Turmeric, recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties, is utilized in numerous traditional remedies documented in the study. Its inclusion in treatments for skin diseases, wounds, and inflammation highlights the significance of this spice in both culinary and therapeutic applications within indigenous practices.
9) Ulcer:
Ulcers are treated using plant-based remedies as indicated in the survey. The inclusion of Musa paradisiaca and other plants reflects the diverse ethno-pharmacological strategies employed to manage this condition, showcasing the complex interplay between local flora and traditional healthcare approaches within the community.
10) Musa paradisiaca:
Musa paradisiaca, commonly referred to as banana, is recorded for its medicinal applications, particularly in alleviating ulcers. Its nutritional composition, including vitamins and minerals, alongside its soothing properties, contribute to its utilization as an edible remedy, reflecting the interconnection between diet and health in traditional practices.
11) Insect poison (Insect venom):
Insect poison pertains to treatments for bites or stings from insects. The use of plants such as Ocimum tennuifolium indicates the reliance on local flora for managing adverse effects of insect encounters, showcasing ethnobotanical strategies to mitigate health risks associated with the natural environment.
12) Ricinus communis:
Ricinus communis, known as castor oil plant, is highlighted for its therapeutic properties in treating jaundice. Its extract is employed in folk remedies, indicating the plant's significance and versatile applications in traditional herbal medicine, thereby illustrating the depth of local botanical knowledge and uses.
13) Mimusops elengi:
Mimusops elengi, commonly called bullet wood, is valued in traditional medicine for treating body scars and toothache. Its bark and root extracts represent the extensive utilization of different plant parts in ethnobotanical practices, symbolizing how communities extract medicinal value from every aspect of flora available to them.
14) Vigna mungo:
Vigna mungo, also known as black gram, is included in traditional applications for treating swelling and sprains. Its employment in herbal preparations emphasizes the dual utility of food crops as medicinal resources, reflecting how subsistence farming contributes to community health and wellness.
15) Science (Scientific):
Science encompasses the systematic study of the natural world, which includes understanding the pharmacological properties of plants used in traditional medicine. The intersection of science with ethnobotany emphasizes the relevance of rigorous methodologies to explore, document, and potentially validate indigenous healing practices.
16) Avanakku (Āvaṇakku):
Avanakku, or Ricinus communis, is spotlighted for its role in treating jaundice in the community. This plant’s native names in different regional languages signify its importance in local healthcare, allowing for cultural and contextual understanding of its utilization in folk remedies.
17) Tulasi (Tulasī):
Tulasi, or Ocimum tennuifolium, is esteemed in traditional medicine for its numerous health benefits. Its applications in treating coughs and insect bites underscore the importance of this aromatic herb not only in culinary traditions but also as a vital component in the health practices of local communities.
18) Insect:
Insects commonly pose health risks through bites or stings, prompting the need for effective treatments within traditional medicine. Ethnobotanical knowledge regarding the use of specific plants for managing insect-related ailments highlights societal adaptations to ecological challenges and the integration of local flora in healthcare.
19) Botany:
Botany, the scientific study of plants, forms a critical foundation for understanding the uses and classifications of plant species documented in the ethnobotanical survey. This knowledge is imperative for conserving biodiversity and enhancing the efficacy of traditional remedies through informed botanical research.
20) Tumpa (Tumpā, Tūmpā):
Thumba, or Leucas aspera, appears in folk remedies for treating worm troubles and represents the local botanical knowledge within the community. Its inclusion affirms the reliance on indigenous plants for managing health issues and the persistent tradition of herbal medicine employed by tribal healers.
21) Sugar:
Sugar, particularly stone sugar, is referenced in concoctions for medicinal purposes, such as soothing coughs. Its use highlights the blending of culinary and medicinal practices in traditional remedies, where sweeteners may enhance palatability and aid in the delivery of herbal treatments.
22) Lemon:
Lemon, or citrus juice, serves as a flavoring and health-promoting additive in herbal preparations, such as those for dysentery. Its high vitamin C content and antimicrobial properties are appreciated in traditional practices, illustrating how common ingredients enhance the efficacy of medicinal concoctions.
23) Musha (Musa, Musā, Mūṣā, Muṣā, Musá):
Musa encompasses various banana species, especially Musa paradisiaca, noted for its nutritional and medicinal value. Its fruit and other parts find applications in traditional medicine, indicating how staple crops simultaneously serve dietary needs and therapeutic solutions within local health systems.
24) Curd:
Curd, similar to buttermilk, is used in various traditional remedies for its probiotic properties and soothing qualities. The documentation indicates its role in facilitating the effectiveness of certain plant treatments, thus reinforcing the idea that dietary components can significantly contribute to health-enhancing practices.
25) Worm:
Worm troubles signify a range of parasitic infections that are addressed through ethno-pharmacological approaches. The mention of plants targeting these ailments showcases the community's reliance on botanical resources to manage health challenges posed by gastrointestinal parasites, emphasizing the integral relationship between nature and health.