Ethnomedicinal plant diversity for gastrointestinal disorders in Kodagu district of Western Ghats

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important organs of the human body and is vulnerable to different diseases. The traditional culture and the natural ecosystem of Kodagu region have been relatively well conserved. Since orally transmitted traditional knowledge is possessed by older generation, most of it can disappear drastically following their deaths. The aim of this study was to record and analyse orally transmitted traditional knowledge about the treatment of digestive system disorders. During our survey 22 species used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorder were recorded. Interaction with traditional medicinal practitioners of the tribes and information gathered from them have revealed that effective healing has been resulted by the usage of the recorded species. The plant parts used, the therapeutic formulations, mode of administration adopted and practised are detailed in the present study.