Traditional uses of medicinal plants among the tribal people in Theni District (Western Ghats), Southern India

A rich trove of ethnomedicinal knowledge among the Paliyar and Muthuvar tribal communities in Theni District, Western Ghats, Southern India, reveals 86 medicinal plant species used for treating various ailments. Dominant families include Acanthaceae (7 species) and Cucurbitaceae (5 species), with leaves being the most commonly utilized plant part. This study, conducted through standardized interviews with 12 traditional healers from August 2008 to July 2009, underscores the potential for discovering novel bioactive molecules from these plants, reflecting a deep cultural connection to local flora and its therapeutic applications.

Jeyaprakash, K., Ayyanar, M., Geetha, K., & Sekar, T. (2011). Traditional uses of medicinal plants among the tribal people in Theni District (Western Ghats), Southern India. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 1(1), S20–S25. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2221-1691(11)60115-9