Ethnobotanical Uses of Some Less-Known Medicinal Plants used by Adivasi Tribes of Asifabad mandal Adilabad District, Telangana State, India

Abstract

Ethno medicinal survey in Asifabad Adilabad District, Telangana State, which is mainly occupied by Adivasi tribes revealed that some less known medicinally important plants were used by traditional healers (ages between 40-80 years). In the present study, local name, scientific name, Sanskrit name, family, habit, useful parts have been of the less known medicinally important plants has been employed. Ethno botanical studies were conducted particularly in isolated and dense forest where the adivasi tribal community (Naikpod, Gond, kolan, Yerukala etc.) inhabit. Their cestrum’s and rituals during the ethno botanical studies of the area local by traditional healers belonging to the adivasi tribes were first visited, identified and gathered. Information on different plants used as medicine was recorded by direct observation, casual interview and structured questioner was gathered. In the present study, a number of plants which are used by adivasi tribes of Asifabad Adilabad (District), Telangana (State), India for treatment of different disease has been documented. The present study is based on the concept of “a plant for cure of a common disease”. For example a single plant was selected for common ailments like cough, wounds, common cold, fever, jaundices and joint pains, diarrhea, stomach ache, etc.. Among these plants, some species are cultivated and species are collected from the forest. From the present analysis and investigation plant parts are used roots, stem, bark, leaves, seeds and flowers. The present study concludes that, the tribes of Asifabad mandal used the pharmacognostic values of these plants. Such proven plant species may be used in the formulation of new drugs against different ailments. Hence, there is great need of cultivation and conservation of such ethnomedicinal plants and at the same time there is an immediate need of indigenous practices, knowledge of such plant resources and documentation.