Ethnobotanical Leaflets 10: 198-207. 2006.

Ethno-Medico-Botanical Studies From Rayalaseema Region Of Southern Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India

Dowlathabad Muralidhara Rao ,* U.V.U.Bhaskara Rao,^# and G.Sudharshanam^#

*Natural Products Research Division

Department of Biotechnology

SriKrishnadevaraya University(SKU)Herbarium Anantapur INDIA

^#Department of Botany

SriVenkateswara University

Tirupati,A.P.INDIA

Issued 11 August 2006

ABSTRACT

This paper deals with Ethno- Medico botanical Studies of Rayalaseema Region, Andhra Pradesh, India. An ethno-botanical survey was carried out in Seshachalam hills of Chittoor District, Palakondas and Lankamalais of Kadapa District, Errmalais and Nallamalai hills of Kurnool District and some other isolated hill ranges in Ananthapur District are Kalasamudram-Nigidi forest range, Amagondapalem hills and Kikati forest.

INTRODUCTION

Ralayaseema region lies between 12⁰ 41¹ and 16⁰ 21¹ N and 17⁰ 45¹ and 81⁰ 1¹ E. The area bounded on the south by Tamilnadu state on the East Guntur and Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh as also the Bay of Bengal sea cost and west by the Karnataka state, Mahaboobnagar districts as north side. The region accounts or 26% of total area of the Andhra Pradesh state. The district wide split up area is Kurnool, Ananthapur, Kadapa and Chittoor respectively.The area in the Rayalaseema especially covers southern most part of the EasternGhats. The principle hill ranges in Rayalaseema region are Nallamalais, Erramalais, Veligondas, Palakondas, Lankamalais, Horsely Hills and Seshachalam hills. Apart from this there are some isolated hill ranges in Ananthapur district are Kalasamudram – Nigidi forest range, Amagondapalem hills and Kikati forest area.

Tirumala hills which are popularly known as the seven hills Lord Sri Venkateswara are geographically located between 79⁰ 19¹ to 70⁰ 23¹ East longitude and 13⁰ 37¹ to 13⁰ 43¹ North latitude. Quite interesting in the report of occurrence of seven endemic taxa on Tirumala hills.

Climatically the region is characterized by a dry and agreeable climate. The climate is semi-arid and salubrious with many sunny days during the year.

There are no perennial rivers and most of the rivers in this region remain dry for a major art of the year. One of the rivers flowing in this region are the Papaghni, Pincha, Penna, Koundinya, Palar, Ponnei, Arani, Bahuda, Kalyani, Swarnamukhi and Thungabhadra. The main crops in this region are the food crops such as Paddy, Jowar, Bajra and Ragi and commercial crops like Sugarcane, Groundnut and Cotton. All thedry land crops such as Groundnt, Jowar, Redgram, Blackgram etc., depend on the monsoons.

The types of vegetation in Rayalaseema are determined by climatic, edaphic and biotic factors coupled with altitude whenever it is high. The total area under forest is about 22.8% of the total Rayalseema land area. In Kadapa District 30% of the land area is covered by forest. In Ananthapur District only 10.09% is the forest area. Kurnool District has 28.4% of forest in the total land area. Chittoor District has 30.3% of forests in total area. The vegetation of the area under study can be classified into Dry deciduous type, Moist deciduous, Hardwikia binata type, Thorny scrubs type and Dry evergreen forest.

The Rayalaseema region consists of about 9.6 million of population out of which 0.238 millions belong to tribal communities. There are 18 scheduled tribes in Rayalaseema comprising 2.48% of the total population. For the present study the predominant tribes of Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh viz., the Chenchus, the Yanadis, the Yerukulas and the Sugalis are selected. The tribes belong to the protoaustraloid racial stock and speak dialects of the Dravidian family.

METHODOLOGY

The Ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Rayalaseema region during 1998-2004. The date was collected after discussion with tribal physicians (Natu Vaidyas), aged tribals and further confirmed with experienced herbalists. The specimens are preserved in the herbarium of Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Ethnic communities mostly depend on forest products for their livelihood. The tribal inhabitants from Rayalaseema area collect different non- timber forest products based on their ethnobotanical knowledge pass from their ancient culture and ethnic practices. Many of the tribals depend for their economy mainly on forest products. These are inter-connected with their habits such as gathering of tubers, medicinal herbs, animal and mineral based products. However, due to urbanization and tremendous increase in population there is an urgent need to conserve these ethno-botanical and non- timber forest products for human welfare.

The Ethno-medicinal plants are classified in 32 groups based on their uses.The total 240 species of medicinal plants are enumerated with their uses. The dominant families are Fabaceae (15), Euphorbiaceae (11)Verbenaceae (11) Acanthaceae (10) Rubiaceae (9) Combretaceae (8) Asclepiadaceae (7) species. Non-Timber Forest products 199 species with in 86 families. The dominant families are Fabaceae (21) Species, Verbenaceae (7), Rubiaceae (7) Caesalpiniaceae (7), Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae (6) Speciese. They include important non-timber products and ethnomedicinal products. Under each group the plants are arranged alphabetically and given comprehensive picture for the use of practical plant users of the concerned area.

The diseases wise categorization, ailments for the treatment of which a large number of medicinal plants are used are antidotes (10), stomach-ache (11), jaundice (4), diarrohoea (7), skin diseases (21), ear-ache (9), dysentery (13), wounds (21), boils (11), ulcers (3), fevers (13), rheumatism (6), epilepsy (2), head-ache (11), blood motions (1), tooth-ache (10), asthma (5), psoriasis (1), cold (9), fractures (8), blisters (7), indigestion (2), cough (8), lice eradication (4), eczema (2), anthelmintic (3), constipation (6), stomach disorders (2), menstrual problems (4), leucoderma (5), intestinal worms (4), cuts (8), muscle pains (5), urinary disorders (3), chest pain (1), sores (3), hair tonic (7), bronchitis (4), body-ache (1), joint pains (1), diabetes (3), lactogogue (1), piles (3), helminthiasis (2), elephantiasis (1), vermifuge (1), kidneys (1), throat pain (1), fissures (1), swellings (1), hydrophobia (1), abdominal pains (1), gastric troubles (1), chicken pox (1), intoxication (1).

NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS (NTFPS)

Table 1. Medicinal Plants.

No.

Species

Family

Part used

Uses

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

127

128

129

130

131

132

133

134

135

136

137

138

139

140

141

142

143

144

145

146

147

148

149

150

151

152

153

154

155

156

157

158

159

160

161

162

163

164

165

166

167

168

169

170

171

172

173

174

175

176

177

178

179

180

181

182

183

184

185

186

187

188

189

190

191

192

193

194

195

196

197

198

199

200

201

202

203

204

205

206

207

208

209

210

211

212

213

214

215

216

217

218

219

220

221

222

223

224

225

226

227

228

229

230

231

232

233

234

235

236

237

238

239

240

Abrus precatorius L.

Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet

Acacia caesia (L) Willd.

Acalypha alnifolia Klein ex Willd

Achyranthes aspera L

Acorus calamus L

Actinopteris radiatus (Sw.)Link.

Adhatoda zeylanica Medic

Adiantum capillus – veneris L

Aegle marmelos (L) Correa

Aerva lanata (L) Juss

Aerva sanguinolenta (L) Blume

Aganosma dichotoma K.Schum.

Alangium salvifolium (Lf.) ang.in.Engler

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.

Alternanthera sessilis (L.)R.Br.

Ammannia baccifera L.

Andrographis echioides (L.)Nees in Wall

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) WalL

Andrographis serpyllifolia (Rottl.ex vahl) Wight

Anisochilus carnosus.(L.f.) WalL

Anisomeles indica (L.) O.Kuntze

Annona reticulata L.

Annona squamosa L.

Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb.ex Dc.) WalL ex GuilL

Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Boj.

Aristolochia bracteolata Lam.

Aristolochia indica L.

Asparagus racemosus Willd.

Azadirachta indica A.Juss.

Bacopa monnieri (L) Wettst.

Bauhinia racemosa Lam.

Bergia ammannioides Roxb.

Bixa orellana L.

Boerhavia diffusa L.

Boerhavia erecta L.

Bombax ceiba L.

Boswellia ovalifoliolata BaLet.Henry.

Boswellia serrata Roxb.ex Colebr.

Brassica nigra L.

Breynia vitis-idea (Burm.f.) Fischer

Buchanania axillaris (desr.) Raman.

Cadaba fruticosa (L.) Druce in Bot.

Cajanus cajan (L.) MilL

Cajanus scarabaeoides (L.) du Petit

Calophyllum inophyllum L.

Calotropis gigantea (L.) R.Br.in Ait

Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br.

Calycopteris floribunda Lam.

Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.)DC.

Canthium dicoccum (Gaertn) Teijsm & Binn.

Capparis zeylanica L.

Cardiospermum halicacabum L.

Carissa spinarum L.

Cassia alata L.

Cassia fistula L

Cassia occidentalis L

Cassia senna L

Cassytha filiformis. L

Catunaregam spinosa (Thumb.) Tirveng.

Celastrus paniculatus Willd.

Centella asiatica (L) Urban in Mart.

Ceropegia candelabrum L

Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker in J.

Chloroxylon swietenia DC.

Cipadessa baccifera (Roth) Miq

Cissampelos pareira L

Cissus pallida (Wight & Arn.) Planch.

Cissus quadrangularis L

Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.)Benth.

Clematis gouriana Roxb.ex DC.

Cleome gynandra L

Cleome viscosa L

Clerodendrum philippinum Schauer in DC.

Clerodendrum phlomidis Lf.

Clerodendrum serratum (L) Moon Cat

Clitoria ternatea L

Cocculus hirsutus (L) Diels in Pfreich.

Cohlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston

Commiphora caudata (Wight & Arn) Engler in DC

Costus speciosus (Koenig ) Sm.

Crotalaria calycina Schrank

Crotalaria laburnifolia L

Crotalaria verrucosa L

Cryptostegia grandiflora R.Br.

Curcuma longa Duchesne ex Lam.

Curuculigo orchioides Gaertn.

Cycas beddomei W.T.T.Dyer in Trans

Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers.

Datura metel L

Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn.

Decaschistia crotonifolia Wight & Arn

Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees in Linn

Dendrophthoe falcate (Lf.) Etting . in denkschr.

Dichrostachys cinerea (L) Wight & Arn

Dillenia indica L

Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb.

Diospyros ebenum Koen . ex Retz

Dodonaea viscosa (L) Jacq

Eclipta prostrata (L) L

Elytraria acaulis (Lf.) Lindan in EngL & Prant L

Emblica officinalis L

Eranthemum capense L

Erythrina variegata L

Erythroxylum monogynum Roxb.

Eupatorium glandulosum HBK

Euphorbia hirta L

Evolvulus alsinoides (L) L

Ficus benghalensis L

Ficus microcarpa L

Ficus racemosa L

Ficus religiosa L

Gardenia gummifera L

Globba bulbifera Roxb.

Gloriosa superba L

Gmelina asiatica L

Gomphrena decumbens Mart.Beitr.

Grewia abutilifolia Vent.ex Juss.

Grewia hirsuta VahL

Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R.Br.

Habenaria roxburghii (Pers.) R.Br.

Helicteres isora L

Hemidesmus indicus (L) R.Br.Ait.

Hemionitis arifolia (Burm.f.) Moore

Holarrhena antidysenterica (Buch-Ham.)WalL

Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch.

Holostemma ada-kodien Schult.

Hugonia mystax L

Imperata cylindrica (L) Raeus.

Indigofera mysorensis RottLex Dc.

Ixora pavetta Andr.

Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait.

Jatropha curcas L.

Jatropha gossypifolia L.

Justicia betonica L

Lannea coromandalica (Houtt.) Merr.

Lantana camara L

Lawsonia inermis L

Leonotis nepetiifolia (L) R.Br.

Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) wight & Arn .

Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link

Limonia acidissima L

Linociera ramifera L.

Linociera zeylanica L.

Litsea deccanensis Gamble

Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw.Schrad.

Madhuca indica GmeL

Mallotus philippensis (Lam.)Muell- Arg.

Mangifera indica L.

Manihot esculenta Crantz.

Manilkara zapota (L) P.Royen

Maytenus heyneana (Roth.) Raju & Babu

Melastoma malabathricum L

Melia azadarach L

Memecylon umbellatum Burm.

Merremia tridentata (L) G.LShah

Michelia champaka L

Mimusops elengi L

Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth.

Morinda pubescens J.E.Smith in Rees.

Mucuna pruriens (L) DC.

Mundulea sericea (Willd.) A.Chaval in Compt.

Naringi crenulata (Roxb.) Nicolson

Nerium oleander MilL

Nyctanthes arbortristis L

Ochna obtusata DC.

Ocimum basilicum L

Ocimum tenuiflorum L.

Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Syn.

Ottelia alismoides (L.) Pers.

Oxalis corniculata L.

Oxystelma esculentum (L.) R.Br.ex Schult.

Passiflora foetida (L) R.Br.ex Schult

Pavonia zeylanica (L) Car.

Pedalium murex L

Pergularia daemia (Forsk.) Chiov.

Perisrtophe bicalyculata (Retz.) Nees in WalL

Phyla nodiflora (L) Greene

Phyllanthus amarus Schum.

Physalis minima L

Pimpinella tirupatiensis BaL & Subr

Piper attenuatum. Buch – Ham . ex Miq

Piper betel L

Piper longum L

Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng.

Plumbago zeylanica L

Polygala elongata klein Klein ex Willd.

Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierre

Psidium guajava L

Pterocarpus santalinus L

Pulicaria wightiana (DC.) Clarke

Rauvolfia tetraphylla L

Rivea hypocrateriformis (Desr)Choisy

Sansevieria roxburghiana Schutt. & Schult.

Santalum album L

Sapindus emarginatus VahL

Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Voigt

Semecarpus anacardium. L

Senecio tenuifolius Burm.

Sesamum indicum L

Shorea tumbuggaia Roxb.

Smilax zeylanica L

Solanum anguivi Lam.

Soymida febrifuga (Roxb.). A. Juss.

Spermacoce articularis L

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L) VahL

Stemona tuberosa Lour.

Sterculia urens Roxb.

Striga asiatica (L) O.Kuntze

Strychnos nux – vomica L

Strychnos potatorum L

Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn

Tarenna asiatica (L) Kuntze

Tephrosia purpurea (L) Pers.

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.ex Dc) Wight

Terminalia bellirica (Goertn.) Roxb.

Terminalia chebula Retz.

Terminalia pallida Brand.

Thespesia populnea (L) SoLex Correa

Thunbergia erecta (Benth.) T.Andres.

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers

Toddalia asiatica (L) Lam.

Tragia involucrata L

Trianthema portulacastrum L

Tribulus terrestris L

Trichodesma zeylanicum (Burm.f.) R.Br.

Trichuriella monsoniae (Lf.) Towns.

Tridax procumbens L

Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq.

Tylophora indica (Burm.f)Merr.

Typha angustata Boy & Chaub.

Vallisneria natans (Lour.)H.Hara

Vernonia albicans. Dc.

Vernonia cinerea (L) Less.

Vetiveria zizanioides (L) Nash.

Vitex negundo L

Wattakaka volubilis (Lf.) Stapf.in Curtis

Waltheria indica L.

Xemenia americana L.

Ziziphus oenoplia (L) MilL

Fabaceae

Malvaceae

Mimosaceae

Eupherbiaceae

Amaranthaceae

Araceae

Actinopeteridaceae

Acanthaceae

Adiantaceae

Rutaceae

Amaranthaceae

Apocynaceae

Alangiaceae

Liliaceae

Amaranthaceae

Lythraceae

Acanthaceae

Lamiaceae

Annonaceae

Combretaceae

Convolvulaceae

Aristolochiaceae

Liliaceae

Meliaceae

Scrophulariaceae

Caesalpiniaceae

Elatinaceae

Bixaceae

Nyctaginaceae

Bombucaceae

Burseraceae

Brassiacaceae

Euphorbiaceae

Anacardiaceae

Capparaceae

Fabaceae

Clusiaceae

Asclepiadaceae

Combretaceae

Fabaceae

Rubiaceae

Capparaceae

Sapindaceae

Apocynaceae

Caesalpiniaceae

Lauraceae

Rubiaceae

Celastraceae

Apiaceae

Asclepiadaceae

Liliaceae

Flindersiaceae

Meliaceae

Menispermaceae

Vitaceae

Eupherbiaceae

Ranunculaceae

Cleomaceae

Verbenaceae

Fabaceae

Menispermaceae

Cochlospermaceae

Burseraceae

Costaceae

Fabaceae

Periplocaceae

Zingiberaceae

Hypoxidaceae

Cycadeaceae

Poaceae

Solanaceae

Periplocaceae

Malvaceae

Bambucaceae

Loranthaceae

Mimosaceae

Dilleniaceae

Ebenaceae

Sapindaceae

Asteraceae

Acanthaceae

Euphorbiaceae

Acanthaceae

Fabaceae

Erythroxylaceae

Asteraceae

Euphorbiaceae

Convolvulaceae

Moraceae

Rubiaceae

Zingiberaceae

Liliaceae

Verbenaceae

Amaranthaceae

Tiliaceae

Periplocaceae

Orchidaceae

Sterculiaceae

Periplocaceae

Adiantaceae

Apocynaceae

Ulmaceae

Asclepiadaceae

Linaceae

Poaceae

Fabaceae

Rubiaceae

Oleaceae

Euphorbiaceae

Acanthaceae

Anacardiaceae

Verbenaceae

Lythraceae

Lamiaceae

Asclepidaceae

Lamiaceae

Rutaceae

Oleaceae

Lauraceae

Lygodiaceae

Sapotaceae

Euphorbiaceae

Anacardiaceae

Euphorbiaceae

Sapotaceae

Celastraceae

Melastonaceae

Meliaceae

Melastomaceae

Convolvulaceae

Magnoliaceae

Sapotaceae

Rubiaceae

Fabaceae

Rutaceae

Apocynaceae

Oleaceae

Ochnaceae

Lamiaceae

Cactaceae

Hydrocharitaceae

Oxalidaceae

Periplocaceae

Passifloraceae

Malvaceae

Pedaliaceae

Periplocaceae

Acanthaceae

Verbenaceae

Euphorbiaceae

Solanaceae

Apiaceae

Piperaceae

Lamiaceae

Plumbaginaceae

Polygalaceae

Fabaceae

Myrtaceae

Fabaceae

Asteraceae

Apocynaceae

Convolvulaceae

Sansevieriaceae

Santalaceae

Sapindaceae

Asclepiadeceae

Anacardiaceae

Asteraceae

Pedaliaceae

Dipterocarpaceae

Smilacaceae

Solanaceae

Meliaceae

Rubiaceae

Verbenaceae

Stemonaceae

Sterculiaceae

Scrophulariaceae

Strychnaceae

Asteraceae

Rubaceae

Fabaceae

Combretaceae

Malvaceae

Acanthaceae

Menispermaceae

Rutaceae

Euphorbiaceae

Aizoaceae

Zygophyllaceae

Boraginaceae

Amaranthaceae

Asteraceae

Tiliaceae

Periplocaceae

Rubiaceae

Hydrocharitaceae

Asteraceae

Poaceae

Verbenaceae

Asclepidiaceae

Sterculiaceae

Olacaceae

Rhamnaceae

leaf

bark

leaf

rhizome

leaf (frond)

leaf

leaf (frond)

leaf

root

leaf

root

leaf

whole plant

leaf

leaf, root

seed

leaf

leaf, root

tuber

leaf

whole plant

tuber

leaf

root

seed

resin

bark

seed

leaf

bark

leaf

fruit

leaf

root & leaf

root

bark

root, bark

leaf

leaf, root

leaf

stem

bark

seed

leaf

tuber

leaf

gum

leaf

tuber

leaf

stem

bark & fruit

leaf

bark

root

seed

leaf

bark

resin

rhizome

root

seed

leaf

latex

rhizome

tuber

bark

whole plant

leaf

root

leaf

bark

leaf

fruit

bark

leaf

seed

root

leaf

latex

root bark

stem bark

leaf

bark

tuber

fruit

root

root bark

root

tuber

leaf

root

leaf (frond)

bark

leaf

root

root bark

root

leaf

root

leaf

latex

root

stem bark

leaf

latex

leaf

inflorescence

root

stem bark

rhizome

seed

fruit

gum/resin

rhizome

fruit

leaf & seed

leaf

seed

root bark

whole plant

root

flower

stem bark

root & leaf

root

leaf

root bark

leaf

stem bark

leaf

fruit

leaf

latex

leaf

seed

latex

leaf

whole plant

leaf

root

leaf

root

leaf

seed

leaf

wood

leaf

root

rhizome

stem bark

fruit & seed

latex

seed

leaf

seed

resin

tuber

fruits

flower

root

leaf

gum

leaf

root bark

seed

leaf

fruit

root

leaf

gum

fruit

leaf

tuber

fruit

root

leaf

whole plant

root

whole plant

leaf

rhizome

leaf

root

leaf

stem bark

leucoderma

jaundice, blood motions

skin diseases

dysentery

tooth infection

stomach-ache

rheumatism

asthma, psoriasis

scorpion sting

cold

head-ache

fever

fractures

boils, blisters, wounds

indigestion

skin diseases

snike bite & scorpion bite

fevers, cuts & wounds

cough & cold

wounds

fever, evil spirits

lice eradication

snake bite

boils & blisters

tooth-ache, eczema, wounds

leucoderma

stomach-ache & cold

anthelmintic

epilepsy

throat ulcers

constipation & stomach disorders

fever

stomach-ache

fever

to promote virility & pregnancy

fever

toothache

diarrhoea

rheumatism

boils

indigestion

stomach-ache

dysentery

tooth-ache

skin diseases

stomach-ache

ulcers, intestinal worms

enlargement of liver

fever

ear-ache

burns

fever, wounds of cattle

eczema & herpes

skin diseases

fractures

constipation, cuts, wounds & boils

muscle pains

dysentery & diarrhoea

rheumatism

skin diseases

digestive stimulant

scarpion sting

urinary disorders

cold

chest pain, stomach-ache

to kill bed bugs

fevers, headache

fish poison

lice eradication

ear-ache

wounds, tooth-ache

skin diseases

ear-ache

asthma

constipation

headache

fractures

supernatural forces

wounds, cold, cough

chicken pox

scorpion sting

skin diseases

cuts & boils

paronychia

cuts, diarrhoea

sores

wounds

burns

constipation

skin diseases

eye sores

wounds, menstrual troubles

skin diseases

hair wash

fracture

wounds, ulcers

muscle pains

hair tonic, head-ache

cough

asthma & bronchitis

body-ache

joint pains

intestinal worms

cold

dysentery

jaundice, cold

boils & blisters

wounds

diarrhoea

skin diseases

gastric troubles

eye sores, head for cooling effect

rheumatism

dandruff, wounds

cough

dysentery

stomach-ache

diabetes, lactogogue

stomach-ache

hairwash

stomach ulcers

wounds & ulcers of cattle

dysentery, bronchitis

boils & blisters

dysentery

snake bite, inflammatory swellings

piles

skin diseases

abdominal pains, leucorrhoea & bronchitis

ear-ache

burns

tooth-ache

muscle pains

bone fracture

cuts & skin diseases

hair tonic & headache

diarrhoea

cold , skin diseases

skin irritation

vomiting, constipation hair wash

asthma

menstrual disorders

bone fracture

intoxication

hairwash

anthelmintic

cuts

sores

worm infestation

hard boils, testes in pains

wounds

helminthiasis

leuchorrhea

bone fracture, piles

terminate early pregnancy

wounds

dysentery

diarrhoea & dysentery

skin diseases, elephantiasis

fish poison

intestinal worms, constipation

worm infections, skin diseases

fever

snake bite

ear-ache

lice eradication, ear-ache

whooping cough

fever

dysentery

cuts & wounds

head-ache, skin diseases

vermifuge

joint pains

boils and blisters

fractures, snake bite

kidneys

tooth-ache, jaundice

jaundice

ulcers

tooth-ache, cold & cough

bronchitis

asthma

cough

wounds

constipation

skin diseases

throat pain

diabetes, intestinal disorders in cattle

head-ache

fever

labour pains

head-ache

wounds, head-ache

hairwash, head-ache

boils & blisters

fissures

emollient & vulnerary

tooth-ache, piles

evil spirits

throat ulcers

intestinal worms

ear-ache

tooth infection

cuts & wounds

night blindness

dysentery

diabetes

scorpion sting

ear-ache, sore legs

intestinal worms, dysentery

stomach-ache

ear-ache

urinary disorders

cough

peptic ulcers

swellings

irritation

stomach ulcers

dysentery, influenza

blisters & skin diseases

partial head-ache

stomach-ache & urinary disorders

wounds

whooping cough, hydrophobia

eye sores, wounds

diarrhoea

epilepsy

cooling

leucorrhoea

skin diseases, anthelmintic

abdominal pains

rheumatism

boils

inflammations

skin diseases

cuts

The present study describes the identification and documentation of Ethno-medicinal plants of Rayalaseema region for the first time.

Medicinal values of forest plants were given a special attention because traditional medicines are often cheaper and easier to access for the local people, than western medicine. Although there is growing interest in the cultivation of some NTFP and medicinal plants, the majority will probably continue to be harvested in the wild to some extent in the foreseeable future. The latest and first hand information on the total number of 250 species of medicinal plants with their uses for different ailments and diseases have been enumerated and documented for the present study. The studies reviewed points to the need for much more long-term monitoring. The present study reveals the families of Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Acanthaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Lamiaceae and Verbenaceae played a dominant role.

The present studies aimed at documenting all Ethnobotanical Products data covering most important eco-sensitive zones of Rayalaseema Forests. The video graphic documentation is more useful in identification of plant species in the field and it may also useful for conservation strategies. Generally, it was noted that Non-Timber Forest Products were under threat, due to decline of forests in various ways and the disappearance of traditional knowledge and values. The endemic and endangered species of Tirumala hills especially Cycas beddomei W.T.T.Dyer, Pterocarpus santalinus. L., Terminalia pallida Brandis, Boswellia ovalifoliolata Bal. et. Henry, Syzygium alternifolium (Wt.) Walp., Pimpinella tirupatiensis Bal.& Subr., Rhynchosia beddomei Baker and vulnerable plant species Terminalia chebula Retz., have greater significance and need conservation strategies to rescue the plant populations. The further chemotyping studies and biological assays are necessary to develop and discovering new drugs by using this Ethno-medicinal plants data.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors gratefully acknowledged sincere thanks to all forest field staff of the Rayalaseema Region and also Girijan Cooperative Corporation Limited for rendering their kind cooperation during the field work. The help extended by the local people is also acknowledged. DowlathabadMuralidhar Rao is highly thankful to Andhra Pradesh Netherlands Biotechnology Programme (APNLBT), Prof.Pakki Reddy and Prof.T.Pullaiah, Department of Boatany for their help.

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