Documentation of medicinal plants used by the Siddhi community in Haliyal Taluk, Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka

Abstract

A survey was conducted to document the medicinal plants utilized by the Siddhi community of Haliyal taluka, situated in the Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka state in the year 2023. Siddhis are one among the unique tribal groups of African ancestry. Medicinal knowledge about the plants was collected with the help of semi-structured questionnaires and discussions with the informants. The present study revealed a total of 45 medicinal plants belonging to 29 families have been recorded as remedies against 38 different ailments. Along with its botanical name, family, local name, habit, part used, mode of administration and method of preparation along with the dosage. The present study aimed to record the medicinal plants in the study area and practices of the Siddhi tribe and to promote awareness among the local people and forest officials to conserve these medicinal resources.