MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY FOREST TRIBE OF
MANANTHAVADY THALUK WAYANADU DISTRICT
(KERALA, SOUTH INDIA)
R. RAJI AND K. RAVEENDRAN
DEPT P.G STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN BOTANY
SIR SYED COLLEGE TALIPARAMBA, KANNUR
(KERALA, INDIA)
ABSTRACT:
Paniya tribe is a very prominent tribal group of Wayanadu district of Kerala state with unique
culture and traditions. They are commonly called forest tribes. The study has revealed the use
of thirty three plant species belonging to thirty genera and twenty-five families. The different
parts of the plants are used to cure several kind of illness. The leaf is predominantly used, and
is followed by stem and root. This tribe prefers these plants as home remedy against urinary
complaints, skin diseases, asthma, leucorrhoea, dandruff etc.
KEY WORDS: Paniya tribes, Wayanadu, Medicinal plants, Mananthavady.
INTRODUCTION:
Ethno botany is a preliminary method of research, suitable for gathering information on the
use of plants. During the last few decades there has been an increasing interest in the study of
medicinal plants and their traditional use in different parts of the world but documenting the
indigenous knowledge through ethno botanical studies is important for the conservation and
utilization of biological resources. There are considerable economic benefits in the
development of indigenous medicines and in the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of
various diseases (Azaizeh et al., 2003). Due to less communication means, poverty, ignorance
and unavailability of modern health facilities, most people especially those in rural areas are
still forced to practice traditional medicine for their common day to day ailment. Most of
these people form the poorest link in the trade of medicinal plant (Khan et al., 2005). A vast
knowledge of how to use the plants against different illnesses may be expected to have
accumulated in areas where the use of plants is still of great importance (Diallo et al.,
Life sciences Leaflets 13:421 – 426, 2011. FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098
1999). The state of Kerala comprises of a large population of tribal communities belonging to
various ethnic groups. There are about 35 ethnic communities scattered in Kerala mostly in or
along the forests of Western ghats, including adiyan, kaadar, muduvan, paniyar,
malapandarum, chola naikar, kattunaikar, kaani, kurumba etc.(S.Paulsamy et al,2009)The area
of present ethno botanical study comprises Mananthavady thaluk inWayanadu district.
Wayanadu district situated on the southern part of the Deccan plateau. Its prime feature is the
Western Ghats mountain range, standing tall with lofty ridges and interspersed with dense
forest, tangled jungles and deep valleys. It is bounded on the east by Nilgiris and Mysure
district of Tamilnadu and Karnataka, on the south by Malappuram and on the west by
Kozhikode and Kannur district. It is situated between 11027' to 150 58' north latitude and 750
47' to 700 27' east longitude with the altitude ranging from 950-135cm above msl. The
temperature ranges between 160C (Dec-Jan) and to 300C (April-May).The annual rainfall
ranges from 300-1000 mm in the last 20 years. The major vegetation are semi-ever green,
evergreen and moist deciduous forest(Champion and Seth,1968).Total geographical area
of Wayanadu is 2124 km2,which omprises5.48% area of Kerala state.
Paniyas and kurichias are the major tribal communities of Wayanadu of which Paniya tribe
comprises larger population. Paniya is a socially marginalized group which constitutes the
largest single Scheduled Tribe in Kerala, India and is mainly seen in the Wayanad District.
Paniya women and men know about 265 distinct kinds of wild plants and animals with food
and nutritional value, which they collect on diverse landscapes as paddy fields and associated
areas marshy areas, waysides, plantations and forest. People of Paniya still depend on the
local flora and fauna for healing their illness. They use common plants found around their
dwellings and still maintain their ancient life style, culture and traditions. Paniyas are short,
dark complexioned, thick lipped with curly hairs and they generally stay in huts with high
foundations, mud wall, and bamboo doors.This roof thatched with paddy straw (Oryza sativa
L.) and dry leaves of Cympopogan citrates (DC.) Stapf. .A significantly lower proportion of
paniyas reported a poor perceived health compared to the other social groups. Similarly
Paniyas also reports less episodes of illness during a year than others. (Renee Larocque et
al.,2007). The Paniya tribe of Wayanad, Kerala, suffer from a range of health issues related to
their experience of marginality. They have indigenous forms of healing; however, the use of
biomedicine has increased. But, lack of time and resources means that the broader
dimensions of health and well-being remain un addressed (Sumant Badami, 2010) The
present paper focused on medicinal plants used by Paniyas of Mananthavady thaluk.
Life sciences Leaflets 13:421 – 426, 2011. FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098
Literature rivew was carried out on the study area before the fieldwork started. It is known
that majority of the tribal people in Wayanadu district used the medicinal plants mostly for
skin diseases and related problems (Nisha and Sivadasan 2007, Radheesh Narayanan and
Anilkumar, 2007 and Udayan et al.,2008). In addition Udayan et al.(2008)have reported 48
traditional plants used by Kurichia tribe inhabiting Thirunelli forest of Wayanadu district.
V.P Sija et al.(2008), reported 136 medicinal plan used by the Muulu Kuruma tribes
of Wayanadu district.
MATHODOLOGY:
Extensive field trips were organized between August-May 2008 in Paniya colonies of
Mananthavady thaluk based on a formal interview schedule prepared for the purpose and 5
villages were randomly selected for the study (Erumanathoor, Kannothumala, Muthireri,
Periya, Valat). The information on medicinal uses of plants was collected by inter views
with old age men belonging Paniya tribe. The plant species were identified with help of
floras(Gamble.,1935&1994.,Gopalan and Henry,2000, Mohanan and Sivadasan,2002, Nair
and Nayar,1986&1987) and are preserved in the Department of P.G studies and Research in
Botany Sir Syed college Taliparamba.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
A large number of plant species occur in tribal inhabited localities of Mananthavady thaluk.
The people of Paniya possess vast knowledge regarding uses of plants. In the study 33
medicinal plant species (trees:5 sps, shrubs: 8sps, hrb: 13sps, climbers: 7sps) belonging to 31
genera and 26 families of angiosperms were found to be useful to cure various diseases. Out
of the 25 families 3 families were belongs to Monocotyledon and remaining 23 families were
Dicotyledons. In Dicot, the dominant families were Solanaceae (4 species), Fabaceae (2
species), Asclepiadaceae (2species).Where as in Monocots, Marantaceae (2 species), Poaceae
(2 species) and remaining taxa belongs to one member of each species (table no, 1) The
utility lies through their roots, bark, leaves, fruits and seeds. These are taken internally or
applied externally in the form of infusion, decotion, paste or powder.
CONCLUSION:
The findings of the present study reveal that the herbal medicines have great potentiality to
cure various types of diseases. The ethno botanical survey of this area shows people possess
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