Ethno Veterinary Therapeutic Practices of Medicinal Flora in Livestock Health Care by Attappadi Tribal farmers of Kerala

Abstract

Background- Attappadi is the largest tribal settlement area in Kerala with three tribes viz., Irulas, Mudugas and Kurumbas who are traditionally engaged in livestock activities. The present study was undertaken to document the different plants of ethnoveterinary uses and to identify the most prevailing livestock disease category among livestock farmers of Attappadi tribal area. Hence this study was designed and conducted to understand and effectively use the knowledge, and for the proper selection of important plant species for the most prevailing illness.Methods- This study was conducted in the period of December 2018 – April 19 using a structured interview with tribal farmers, EVM healers and key informants engaged in the livestock farming.Results- The present study documented 55 plant species under 39 families for treatment of 15 categories of ailments with their dosages and parts used in Attappadi tribal area. There was great agreement among the informants regarding ethno veterinary uses of plants with Factor of Informants Consensus (FIC) value ranging from 0.50 to 0.97, with an average value of 0.87.Conclusion- The study reports 55 medicinal plants with the­­­­­­ir uses and dosage along with the highlighted high FIC values indicates that the species traditionally used to treat these ailments are worth searching for bioactive compounds and this has illuminated the cultural importance of this ethno veterinary wisdom which is consonantly blended with the tribal culture of the area.