Documentation and quantitative analysis of local ethnozoological knowledge among traditional healers of Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India

A quantitative ethnozoological study of traditionally used animals in Pachamalai hills of Tamil Nadu, India

“…The milk of B. primigenius taurus is also being used to treat menorrhagia in other communities (Mootoosamy and Fawzi Mahomoodally, 2014). In traditional stem of medicine in Tamil Nadu, L. punctata meat is used to treat asthma, cough, metrrorhagia and hemorrhoids (Chellappandian et al, 2014). However, scientific basis of goat's milk consumption as a remedy for jaundice is yet to be clarified.…”

“…However, scientific basis of goat's milk consumption as a remedy for jaundice is yet to be clarified. The egg white of G. domesticus was another highly cited animal product for the treatment of bone fracture (Chellappandian et al, 2014). The use of B. primigenius taurus urine for the treatment of jaundice was also mentioned in ancient ayurvedic literature Carak samhitha (Krishnamurthi et al, 2004); however the scientific basis of this practice is yet to be evaluated.…”

“…Indeed, previous studies have shown that some of these animal species were used to treat ailments in other parts of the India. For example in Theni district Sus scrofa domesticus is used for the ear ache (Chellappandian et al, 2014) and also Apis indica is being used for eye disease (Mahawar and Jaroli, 2006). Animal species with low FL for instance L. punctata (FL 7.9%) which is used to treat diseases during the postpartum period should not be neglected so as to reduce the risk of gradual disappearance of the knowledge for the future generation.…”

“…We documented the use of snake head fish for the treatment of small pox, colonorrhagia, body cooling, jaundice, blood purification and body strength. Chellappandian et al (2014) has documented the use of snake head fish against aphrodisiac. We documented the use of snail for the treatment of ear infection, body weakness and wounds.…”

“…Larger animals were identified according to traditional description of each remedy. Whenever necessary, these procedures were complemented by checking vernacular names provided by informants against the scientific names, with the aid of specialists familiar with the study areas as described previously (Chellappandian et al, 2014). The semi-structured questionnaire encompassed the following key questions: the local vernacular name of the animal used as remedy, part(s) used, conditions treated with the remedy, the method of preparation, the dosage, the route of administration, the reasons behind the preference of animal-based remedy, the efficacy of the animal-based remedy and any side effect (s).…”