Diverse Medicinal Attributes of Indigenous Flora of Southwest India

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge gained by the local people or tribes of a specific region over a long period will be of immense significance. An attempt has been made to document the applications of common wild and cultivated medicinal plant species in the southwest coast of India. This study emphasizes vernacular names of medicinal plant species, flowering/fruiting season, parts of plant used and specific ethnic practices (product, route and remedy). Ethnic particulars of 28 plant species (9 trees, 8 shrubs, 9 herbs, 1 grass and 1 climber) are given, among them six plants are also predominantly used for edible purpose, 28 plants for medicinal purpose and 13 serve as nutraceuticals. The indigenous medicinal preparations mainly include decoction, paste, extract, oil, powder and juice. The ethnic nutraceutical delicacies mainly include soup, starter, snack and porridge. Some plant parts are preserved for use during offseason. Major routes of administration of ethnic products are oral, nasal and topical. Several ethnic knowledge-based courtiers have strong tradition to use specific plant species to fight against protein energy malnutrition as well as lifestyle diseases like cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular.