Ethnomedicinal assessment of Irula tribes of Walayar valley of Southern Western Ghats, India

A comprehensive ethnomedicinal assessment of the Irula tribes in the Walayar valley, Southern Western Ghats, India, reveals 146 plant species with medicinal properties, including 26 new claims. The study highlights that Acorus calamus is predominantly used for treating coughs, while Canarium strictum and Melia dubia show high consensus (factor of 1.0) as insecticides. Leaves are the most utilized plant part (38%), followed by multiple parts (12%). Decoctions (63%) are the primary method of preparation. The findings underscore the need for further pharmacological and phytochemical studies to validate traditional knowledge, emphasizing the rich ethnobotanical heritage of this region.

Venkatachalapathi, A., Sangeeth, T., Ali, M. A., Tamilselvi, S. S., Paulsamy, S., & Al-Hemaidc, F. M. A. (2018). Ethnomedicinal assessment of Irula tribes of Walayar valley of Southern Western Ghats, India. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 25(4), 760–775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.10.011