Medicinal Plants Used by Paliyar Tribes in Tamil Nadu
Author Information
Author(s): Ignacimuthu S, Ayyanar M, Sivaraman K
Primary Institution: Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai, India
Hypothesis
The study aims to assess the richness of ethnomedicinal plant species used by the Paliyar tribes in Madurai district forest areas.
Conclusion
The study shows that the Paliyar tribes continue to rely on medicinal plants for various health issues.
Supporting Evidence
- A total of 60 ethnomedicinal plant species were documented in this study.
- The medicinal plants were primarily used to treat skin diseases, poison bites, stomachaches, and nervous disorders.
- The study highlights the continued reliance on traditional medicine among the Paliyar tribes.
Takeaway
The Paliyar tribes use plants from the forest to make medicine for sickness, just like how we use medicine from the store when we feel bad.
Methodology
An ethnobotanical survey was conducted using botanical collections, group discussions, and interviews with tribal practitioners.
Potential Biases
Potential bias may arise from the reliance on self-reported data from informants.
Limitations
The study is limited to a small sample size of informants and may not represent the entire Paliyar community.
Participant Demographics
The informants included 12 individuals, with 9 males and 3 females, aged between 32 to 78 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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