ETHNOMEDICINAL OBSERVATIONS FROM ATTAPADI HILLS OF WESTERN GHATS

摘要

The tribals of Attapadi hills, a part of Western Ghats in Kerala State, use 48 plant species (including one gymnosperm and two pteridophytes) belonging to 47 genera and 35 families as herbal remedy for their ailments. These plants are used as antidote, anthelmintic, pain reliever, cooling tonic, emetic, general health vitalizer, lactogen, purgative and for skin diseases. The use of Acalypha fruticosa for cold and cough, Cryptolepis buchananii for dental caries, Naringi crenulata for ulcer and Thespesia populnea for fungal infection are some of the interesting observations.