Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants of Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh for the Identification of Plants with Antitumour and Antimicrobial Potential

Abstract

Plants have profoundly influenced the culture and civilization of man in many countries. Plants have been an integral part of Indian life and culture. The real and indigenous culture of any nation is reflected in its folklore. In folk religion and folklore, trees are often said to be the homes of tree spirits or deities curing their physical and mental problems. “Man ever desirous of knowledge, has already explored many things, but more and greater still remains concealed, perhaps reserved for far distant generations, who shall prosecute the examination of their creator’s work in remote countries, and make many discoveries for the pleasure and convenience of life…”. This quotation of Linnaeus suggests for the anthropological approach of the traditional knowledge left unexplored. With the advancing civilization there is urgency in the exploration of the field resources, because the tribal pockets in the country are fast dwelling. So preservation and perpetuation of this knowledge should be emphasized for the benefit of mankind. This chapter deals with some of the important less-known uses of folklore medicinal plants used by the tribes of Eastern Ghats for treating wounds and tumours. Eastern Ghats are an abode of rich biodiversity with mixed deciduous forests inhabiting diverse tribal communities and ethnic groups like Chenchus, Sugalis, Yerukulas, Yanadis and Koyadoras living in small hamlets called Gudems or Tandas. The traditional practices and ideas of body physiology and health preservation known to some, transmitted informally as general knowledge, and practiced or applied by anyone in the ethnic group having prior experience. The main aim of the study was to collect data of the plants with antitumour, wound healing and antimicrobial properties. Analysis of the data revealed a number of less-known uses of plant taxa used by the tribes of Eastern Ghats for various ailments. The plant part, disease and ethnic tribe wise data of plant taxa are presented that aims at preservation and perpetuation of this knowledge of the local plants possessing antitumorous and antimicrobial properties and it may lead to the discovery of anticancerous novel drugs for the benefit of future generations of mankind.