DOCUMENTATION OF ABORIGINAL TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND INHERENT INDIGENOUS THERAPEUTIC PLANTS OF COIMBATORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the medicinal plants used as therapeutic, nutritive and food additives which are consumed by the tribes of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India. The information was gathered from the local tribal community people, an aboriginal community who reside in the foothills, aroundthe Coimbatore district. Several field visited to the tribal inhabitant areas to collect data on medicinal and aromatic plants commonly used by them. The observations collected during field visits were put to group discussion. The medicinal plants were identified, photographed and sample specimens were collected for preparation of herbarium. The results of the study have been documented that 47 plants belonging to 24 families and 38 genera used to treat wound healing, diabetics, jaundice, skin diseases, gastro intestinal disorders, ulcer, fever, cold, cough, bronchitis, ring worm, snake bites, burns healing, eye diseases, swelling,rheumatism, cosmetics and also used for malnutrition.