The paper enumerates the traditional uses of endemic and red-listed medicinal plants utilized by the Valaiyars of Karandamalai for primary health care. Intensive ethnobotanical surveys through structured questionnaires were conducted to tap the ethnobotanical wisdom of Valaiyars. Information on the medicinal uses of 45 plants belonging to endemic and red-list category was documented. Vernacular names of the plants, parts used, methods of medicine preparation, dosage, mode and time of administration were also gathered. Ethnomedicinal plants are arranged alphabetically followed by botanical name, family name, local name and parts used, mode of preparation and medicinal uses.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Topography of the Study Area
- Geology and Soil
- Climate and Rainfall
- Ethnography of Valaiyar
- Methodology
- Enumeration of Ethnomedicinal Plants
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to document the traditional uses of endemic and red-listed medicinal plants used by the Valaiyars of Karandamalai for primary healthcare. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted using structured questionnaires to gather information on the medicinal uses of these plants.
- Traditional medicinal practices of the Valaiyar community.
- The utilization of endemic and red-listed plant species for medicinal purposes.
- Documentation of plant names, parts used, preparation methods, and medicinal applications.
- Conservation implications of over-exploitation of medicinal plants.
- The relationship between the Valaiyar community and the surrounding environment.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by highlighting the rich history of medicinal plant use in India, emphasizing the country's significant biodiversity and the increasing reliance on herbal remedies globally. It also addresses the urgent need for conservation efforts due to the over-exploitation of medicinal plants, particularly endangered species. The chapter underscores the importance of understanding and documenting traditional knowledge to support both human health and biodiversity preservation.
Topography of the Study Area: This section provides a detailed geographical description of Karandamalai, its location within the Southern Eastern Ghats, and its geological features, including the predominant soil types and rock formations. The chapter also describes the area's climate, highlighting its hot and dry conditions except for riparian areas, and its rainfall patterns, characterized by a tropical dissymmetric type with peak rainfall during the retreating monsoon. This contextual information is crucial for understanding the environmental factors influencing the growth and availability of the medicinal plants used by the Valaiyars.
Ethnography of Valaiyar: This chapter delves into the cultural background of the Valaiyar community, describing them as an ancient caste traditionally involved in hunting and gathering forest products. Their historical context as a denotified tribe and their deep-rooted knowledge of herbal medicine are highlighted, emphasizing their role as repositories of traditional ethnobotanical wisdom accumulated over centuries. This section establishes the human element crucial to the study, providing insight into the cultural practices that underpin their use of medicinal plants.
Methodology: This chapter outlines the research methods used in the study, detailing the intensive field interviews conducted with the Valaiyar community using standardized ethnobotanical techniques. It describes the data verification process, taxonomic identification of plants with help from various floras, and the preparation and preservation of herbarium specimens. The meticulous approach to data collection and verification is emphasized, ensuring the reliability and scientific rigor of the findings.
Keywords
Endemic plants, Red-listed plants, Medicinal plants, Ethnobotany, Valaiyars, Karandamalai, Southern Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India, Traditional medicine, Conservation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Ethnobotanical Study in Karandamalai
What is the main focus of this study?
This study documents the traditional uses of endemic and red-listed medicinal plants used by the Valaiyar community of Karandamalai for primary healthcare. It investigates their ethnobotanical knowledge and the conservation implications of over-exploitation of these plants.
What are the key themes explored in the study?
Key themes include the traditional medicinal practices of the Valaiyar community; the utilization of endemic and red-listed plant species; documentation of plant names, parts used, preparation methods, and medicinal applications; conservation implications of over-exploitation; and the relationship between the Valaiyar community and their environment.
Which geographical area is the focus of the research?
The study focuses on Karandamalai, located within the Southern Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. The topography, geology, soil types, climate, and rainfall patterns of this area are described in detail to understand the environmental context of plant use.
Who are the Valaiyars?
The Valaiyars are an ancient caste traditionally involved in hunting and gathering forest products. They are considered a denotified tribe with deep-rooted knowledge of herbal medicine, accumulated over centuries.
What methodology was used in this ethnobotanical study?
The research employed standardized ethnobotanical techniques, including intensive field interviews with the Valaiyar community using structured questionnaires. Data verification, taxonomic plant identification using various floras, and herbarium specimen preparation are highlighted as crucial aspects of the methodology.
What is the content of the "Chapter Summaries" section?
The "Chapter Summaries" section provides concise overviews of each chapter, including the introduction (setting the context of medicinal plant use and conservation), topography of the study area (geographical and climatic details), ethnography of the Valaiyar community (cultural background and traditional knowledge), and the methodology (research methods and data verification).
What keywords describe this study?
Keywords include: Endemic plants, Red-listed plants, Medicinal plants, Ethnobotany, Valaiyars, Karandamalai, Southern Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India, Traditional medicine, Conservation.
What information is included in the "Table of Contents"?
The table of contents lists the following sections: Introduction, Topography of the Study Area (including Geology and Soil, and Climate and Rainfall), Ethnography of Valaiyar, Methodology, and Enumeration of Ethnomedicinal Plants.
- Quote paper
- R. Kottaimuthu (Author), N. Vasudevan (Author), 2014, Endemic and Red-listed Medicinal Plants used by the Valaiyars of Karandamalai, Southern Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/269170
