Ethnomedicinal plants used by Kani tribals to treat Rheumatism in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Background: The search for safe and alternative remedy for rheumatic disorders from herbal resources is increasing nowadays hence the medicinal plants constitute a promising role in modern medication system due to the presence of several bioactive compounds. The people inhabiting in the forest areas are often affected with several skeletonmuscular disorders especially with rhematic problems, hence the present study was undertaken to document the plants used to treat such diseases.Methods: The present study was carried out to document the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used in treating rheumatism by Kani tribes who live in the KMTR region in the Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. Extensive field studies were conducted in five hamlets of Kani tribes focusing on the plants used in treating rheumatism. The data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and discussions among the traditional practitioners and other people of the hamlet.Results: The present ethnobotanical survey has led to the documentation of 59 species of medicinal plants belonging to 33 families. Of these, 26 species are the major utilized plants while 33 plant species are used in least quantity. Leaves are widely utilized against rheumatic problems. The medicinal formulations are prepared in the form of decoction, paste and powder which are administered topically or orally based on the disease condition. Conclusion:The medicinal plants were documented with the focus on conserving the ethnic knowledge of Kani tribes as documentary evidence for plant-based natural product research. Among the documented plants, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Elettaria cardamomum, Elephantopus scaber, Cymbopogon citratus, Allium cepa, Sida acuta, Pergularia daemia, and Lawsonia inermis were frequently cited and requires further pharmacological studies to develop an effective drug against chronic illnesses.

Ethnopharmacological importance of commonly used folk medicinal plants among the Malayali tribal community in Jawadhu Hills, Tamil Nadu, India: A review

“…It was found that the plants belonging to Lamiaceae, especially Leucas aspera and Vitex negundo were widely used to get relief from respiratory ailments (cold, cough and asthma), the presence of aromatic compounds are known to influence its therapeutic use (Goswami & Roy 2023. The abundant usage of Lamiaceae members in such ailments were also documented by Jenipher & Ayyanar (2024).…”

“…The vegetation profoundly benefits the tribe dwelling the hill for all sort of diseases (Ayyanar & Ignacimuthu 2005a). Rheumatism and arthritis are chronic musculoskeletal disorders leading to joint pain, swelling, inflammation and other muscular ailment, and they are inevitable either to due heredity or by age (Jenipher & Ayyanar 2022). Malayali tribals of Jawadhu Hills have formulated various ethnomedicinal plants like Achyranthes aspera, Atalantia monophylla, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Delonix elata, Chrysanthemum indicum, Curculigo orchioides, Datura stramonium, Dodonaea viscosa, Drynaria quercifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, Gnetum edule, Melia azedarach, Ocimum tenuiflorum , Strychnos nuxvomica, Syzygium cumini, Erythrina variegata, and Madhuca longifolia and are utilized along with various other ingredients like indigenous hen egg, goat milk, gum and latex of various plant to make the medication in more effective and natural (Ravikumar & Sankar 2003, Rajkumar et al 2012, Salai Senthilkumar 2017, Sekharan & Jagadeesan 1997, Senthilkumar et al 2014, Silambarasan et al 2023.…”