ETHNOMEDICINAL SURVEY OF JAWADHU HILLS IN TAMIL NADU

Ethnobotanical survey was made on the utilization of medicinal plants among the people of selected six villages from Jawadhu hills, in Tamil Nadu, was carried out during December 2009-April 2010. They use forest plants, weeds, fruit plants, vegetables, spices, ornamental plants, ferns and many others as traditional medicine. Although many of these species are known as medicinal plants, others are mainly used for non-medicinal purposes such as preparing agricultural implements. Santalum album, Terminalia bellirica, Cassia fistula, Gymnema sylvestre, Melia dubia and Rauvolfia tetraphylla are the leading species used as remedies against a variety of complaints. The results of the present study provide evidence that medicinal plants continue to play an important role in the health care system of this tribal (Malayalis) community in Jawadhu hills of Tami Nadu.