Ethnomedicinal Uses of Sthalavrikshas (Temple Trees) in Tamil Nadu, Southern India

摘要

Worship of plants is practiced throughout the world and is?well established from pre-historic periods in India. In Tamil?Nadu state, India this customary practice follows with religious?faiths and culture. One such religious worship is?known as Sthalavriksha (sthal: locality, vriksha: tree) in?temples. Very few field studies have been conducted on?Sthalavriksha practice and its role in social, ecological?and environmental impacts of local people. In particular,?ethnomedicinal uses on Sthalavrikshas, occurring in the?temples of Tamil Nadu have been unexplored. A survey?was conducted at 1165 ancient temples of the state and?revealed the occurrence of 112 plant species during 2002-2006. At the time of study, several ethnomedicinal uses?of 101 Sthalavriksha species were recorded by both direct?observations and referred to by devotees, priests and?Nattuvaidyas (traditional healers) in the temples.