Visakhapatnam:

Andhra University researchers, who did an ethno-medicinal study on the use of medicinal plants by the tribals of Kotia Hills on the Andhra-Odisha border, Vizianagaram district, found that they were treating a range of illnesses — from rheumatoid arthritis and fractures to asthma, diabetes and malaria — with 62 such species.

The researchers observed that the usage was appropriate for curing the disease and that they had inherited the knowledge of traditional medicines over successive generations.

“The knowledge they have is precious and needs to be recorded. The studies done have also to be substantiated by phytochemical analysis and pharmacological screening for their active principles,” said Prof. M. Venkaiah, department of Botany of the univesity.

The tribals of these areas belong mainly to the Mannedora, Kondadora, Jatapu and Savara communities and the most cited plant family they used was the Lamiaceae or mint, with its widely used culinary herbs, such as basil (tulsi), mint (pudina), rosemary (kumkuma puvvu), sage and others. They used plants growing on the ground, rather than below, for medicinal purposes, the study found. They were also combining this with small quantities of milk, ghee or honey to make the taste palatable.

Another survey shows that more than 80 per cent of tribal populations maintain their animals’ health too through traditional medicines largely of plant origin.
A total of 108 plant species belonging to 99 genera and 51 families have been identified as a potential source for treating 47 types of ailments.

Eight species calling under the Solanaceae family are the most in use followed by Caesalpiniaceae with seven. The first consists of plants such as mirapa, ummettha, tomato, pogaku and others.
Medicinal plants have been playing an important role in the survival and wellness of the ethnic communities who live in remote villages in the Agency areas.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC /by P. V. Prasad / March 11th, 2013