Less Known Ethnomedicinal Uses in Mysore and Coorg, Karnataka
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Some Less Known Ethnomedicinal uses from Mysore and coorg districts, Karnataka, Southern 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:
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R. D. Kshirsagar, N. P. Singh
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Some Less Known Ethnomedicinal uses from Mysore and coorg districts, Karnataka, Southern India
Year: 2001
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The ethnobotanical study presented focuses on the traditional medicinal practices of two southern districts in Karnataka, India: Mysore and Coorg. It highlights 51 lesser-known uses of 39 medicinal plants utilized by various tribal communities for treating specific ailments. The work documents the botanical names, local names, and the tribes that use these plants, illustrating the rich floral and ethnic diversity of the region. This research is particularly significant as it sheds light on the indigenous knowledge pertaining to medicinal plants, which is often overlooked and underreported.
Traditional Knowledge and Medicinal Plant Use
One of the key aspects of this study is the methodical collection of ethnobotanical knowledge from tribal informants. The researchers undertook nine field tours over several years to explore the traditional uses of plants among 14 tribes, such as the Jenukuruba and Soliga. The data gathered was deemed reliable as it was cross-referenced with information from multiple members of different tribes, ensuring the validity of the ethnomedicinal uses. For example, one plant, Acanthospermum hispidum, is used by the Kadukurubas for treating cough, demonstrating the significant role played by local flora in the healthcare practices of these communities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this research highlights the urgent need to document and preserve the indigenous knowledge surrounding medicinal plants, as it faces threats from modernization and encroachment on tribal lands. The findings presented not only provide insights into potential new medicinal uses but also serve as a reminder of the value of traditional knowledge in contemporary healthcare. This body of work could potentially lay the groundwork for the identification of new drugs and emphasize the importance of protecting the cultural heritage of local communities, making it relevant in today’s trade and patent scenarios.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What are the main findings of this ethnobotanical study?
The study identifies 51 lesser-known medicinal uses from 39 plants in Karnataka, particularly in Mysore and Coorg districts, based on traditional practices of local tribes. Each use is documented with botanical names, local names, and tribes involved.
What method was used to gather data for this research?
Data was collected through personal observations, interviews with local healers, and tribespeople over nine field tours. The study also relied on interactions with NGOs to build rapport and trust within tribal communities, ensuring the validity of the information obtained.
What is the significance of the traditional knowledge documented?
The traditional knowledge concerning ethnomedicinal plant uses is invaluable and serves as potential sources for developing new drugs. It highlights the risk of losing this knowledge due to modernization and land encroachment, emphasizing the need for preservation.
What tribes were involved in the ethnobotanical study?
The study encompasses 14 tribes, including Jenukuruba, Bettakuruba, Soliga, and others. These tribes maintain their ancient lifestyles and cultural practices, as well as their unique knowledge of local medicinal plants.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Less Known Ethnomedicinal Uses in Mysore and Coorg, Karnataka”. 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) Water:
Water is essential for life, and it plays a pivotal role in the preparation and consumption of traditional medicinal remedies found within the ethnobotanical practices outlined in the study. It serves as a solvent and medium for extracting active compounds from plants, illustrating its significance in medicinal applications and local rituals.
2) Ulcer:
Ulcers are painful sores that can develop in various body parts, particularly the mouth, and are treated using specific traditional methods highlighted in the research. The use of local plants such as Clitoria ternatea and Careya arborea emphasizes the importance of ethnomedicine in addressing ailments that may not be well understood by modern medicine with common home remedies.
3) Knowledge:
Knowledge, particularly indigenous and traditional knowledge, forms the foundation of the ethnobotanical study. It encompasses the understanding of plant uses among tribal communities and their medicinal applications, passed down through generations, thus showcasing the value of cultural heritage and the importance of preserving this wisdom amid modernization.
4) Garlic:
Garlic, a common plant used for its medicinal properties, is mentioned in various contexts within the ethnobotanical findings. It is often used in concoctions and treatments for conditions such as giddiness and as an antidote, indicating its relevance in local healing practices for enhancing health and wellness.
5) Vomiting:
Vomiting is a significant health issue that can arise from various ailments. The ethnobotanical study reveals the use of plants like Anogeissus latifolia by local tribes to counteract this condition, underscoring traditional remedies' role in managing symptoms that may not always be effectively treated by modern medicine.
6) Science (Scientific):
Science, particularly in the context of ethnobotany, involves systematically understanding the relationships between plants and their medicinal properties. This study exemplifies how scientific principles can be applied to validate traditional knowledge, potentially leading to new discoveries in pharmacology and natural product development.
7) Thirst:
Thirst is a basic biological need, but in the context of ethnomedicine, it can reflect underlying health issues that require attention. The use of specific plants for quenching thirst highlights the intersection of nutrition, herbal remedies, and cultural practices among the tribes of Karnataka, illustrating how traditional wisdom addresses basic physiological needs.
8) Hand:
The hand symbolizes manual interaction with the natural world, where the process of gathering and preparing plant remedies occurs. This study reflects the tribal practice of using hands in the collection and preparation of medicinal plants, emphasizing the tactile relationship between humans and their environment in traditional healing.
9) Anogeissus latifolia:
Anogeissus latifolia is a significant plant identified in the study for its medicinal application. Its use for managing vomiting sensations by certain tribal groups shows how specific plants are trusted sources for remedies, contributing to the body of ethnobotanical knowledge and potential applications in modern medicine.
10) Phyllanthus emblica:
Phyllanthus emblica, known for its health benefits, appears in traditional practices as part of a remedy for toothache. Its inclusion demonstrates the plant's cultural relevance and offers insights into indigenous knowledge, showcasing the medicinal value attributed to this species by local tribes.
11) Rubia cordifolia:
Rubia cordifolia is recognized in the ethnobotanical study for its use in alleviating giddiness. This plant reflects the local understanding of herbal remedies and their contributions to health, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research into such plants for potential therapeutic applications.
12) Ocimum sanctum:
Ocimum sanctum, commonly referred to as holy basil or tulsi, is used for various health benefits, including addressing graying hair. The presence of this plant highlights its cultural significance and the traditional belief systems surrounding its medicinal effectiveness in the local tribal communities.
13) Asparagus racemosus:
Asparagus racemosus is identified in the study for its multiple uses, such as treating toothaches and rickets. The varied applications of this plant underline its recognized therapeutic properties and suggest the rich biodiversity of the region, alongside the potential for further exploration in herbal medicine.
14) Bombax ceiba:
Bombax ceiba has been used for treating dizziness among tribal groups, which demonstrates the plant’s medicinal significance in local healing practices. Its inclusion reinforces the traditional beliefs about nature's healing powers, showcasing the reliance on specific flora to manage common health issues.
15) Butter milk (Buttermilk):
Buttermilk is utilized in traditional recipes as both nutrition and a medium for medicines. Its mention in conjunction with Anogeissus latifolia for treating poisoning exemplifies the cultural practices surrounding food and medicine, further highlighting the interconnectedness of diet and health in tribal communities.
16) Medicine:
Medicine, in this ethnobotanical context, refers to the traditional practices and herbal remedies derived from local plant species. The study’s focus on indigenous medical knowledge illustrates the importance of traditional medicine systems in rural communities and their contributions to treating various health conditions.
17) Coconut (Cocoanut):
Coconut appears in various applications within the study, highlighting its versatility as a food source and medicinal ingredient. Its use in hair treatments particularly emphasizes the plant’s cultural relevance and efficacy in addressing specific local health and cosmetic needs.
18) Mantra (Māntra, Mamtra):
Mantras represent the spiritual and cultural dimensions of healing practices among the tribes. In the study, their use in conjunction with herbal remedies signifies the integration of spiritual beliefs into the healing process, illustrating how indigenous practices encompass both medicine and spiritual well-being.
19) Camara (Cāmara, Camará):
Camara, specifically Lantana camara, is noted for its use in the preparation of a paste that relieves rheumatic pain, reflecting the plant's application in local healing methods. Its inclusion underscores the significance of plant synergies observed in traditional practices among tribal communities.
20) Karali (Karālī, Kaṟāḷi):
Karali refers to a location or context within Karnataka's tribal areas where medicinal plants are commonly used. It serves as an indication of geographic significance in the study and highlights the specific regional knowledge related to plant use in traditional medicine.
21) Castor:
Castor, particularly Castor oil, is frequently referenced in traditional remedies for body aches and joint pains. Its mention in the ethnobotanical findings illustrates its vital role in local medicinal practices, showcasing the effective use of plant-based oils in managing physical ailments.
22) Medha (Medhas, Medhā):
Medha refers to a local term associated with a tribal community or the practices observed within that community. It signifies the unique cultural identifiers associated with ethnobotanical practices in Karnataka, illustrating the localized knowledge systems that govern plant usage in traditional healing.
23) Kusha (Kusa, Kuśa, Kuśā):
Kusha is a significant plant in local traditions, often associated with ritualistic practices. Its mention may highlight the cultural practices tied to medicinal plant usage, indicating the confluence of tradition, spirituality, and health in the indigenous community's approach to well-being.
24) Lemon:
Lemon is a culinary and medicinal plant referenced in the study for its applications in treating conditions like mumps. Its inclusion denotes the importance of common household ingredients in traditional medicine, illustrating how familiar plants are leveraged for their health benefits in tribal communities.
25) Kadu (Kaḍū, Kādū):
Kadu refers to wild or indigenous aspects of plants within Karnataka's tribal ecosystem. Its mention signifies the knowledge of native plants among tribes, illustrating how local environments contribute to the understanding and use of indigenous flora for health and medicinal purposes.
26) Rice (Ṛce):
Rice serves as a staple food among the communities studied and is sometimes mentioned in conjunction with medicinal practices. Its traditional uses within herbal remedies reflect the cultural importance of food in health, highlighting the connections between nutrition and medicinal applications.
27) Milk:
Milk, particularly in combination with herbal remedies, has been highlighted for its nutritional and therapeutic roles. The study mentions its use in preparations, indicating its cultural significance in traditional practices and providing insights into the nutritional aspects of local ethnomedicine.
28) Drug:
Drug, in the context of this ethnobotanical study, refers to the potential for active compounds derived from traditional plant uses to be developed into pharmaceutical products. The research points to the wealth of traditional knowledge as a foundation for discovering new therapeutic agents in modern medicine.