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Ghouse Basha et al Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. 3 (6): 109-125 (2015) ISSN: 2320 – 7051
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.2142 ISSN: 2320 – 7051
Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. 3 (6): 109-125 (2015)

Research Article

Folkloric medicinal plant studies in Kalrayan Hill Eastern Ghats of

Tamil Nadu, India
Saalai Senthil. M.S, Sisubalan. N and M. Ghouse Basha*
P.G and Research Department of Botany, Jamal Mohamed College (Autonomous)
Tiruchirapalli – 620020, Tamil Nadu, India
*Corresponding Author E-mail: drghobashjmc@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The aim of the study is to illuminate the traditional behaviors, activities, special functions and
record the medicinal system of native peoples of kalrayan hill. A standard questionnaire was used to
gather the relevant information on plants and their usage of tribal people’s life. Interviews and
detailed documentation were carried out during July 2011 to May 2013.The traditional beliefs and
customs of tribal people passed on by word of mouth were recorded. Totally 108 medicinally used
plant species of 90 genera belongs to 50 families were documented with the help of tribal
practitioners. The study also recorded the mode of preparations, mode of administration of
medicinal plants to their corresponding ailments. The study concluded that the native peoples of
kalrayan hill have good medicinal knowledge and also maintained plant based medicinal system
from their ancestors. This type of study may helpful to the Ayurvedic practitioners and also plant
based medicinal system.

Keywords: Folklore, Ethnomedicines, Kalrayan Hill, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu.

INTRODUCTION
Traditional folk medical practices are empirical in nature; several million people in India with limited
access to organized modern health care centers depend on traditional systems of medicine to cater their
primary health care needs. Traditional systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani) are well
established in India and are widely acknowledged to be effective and safe without any side effects1. India
is rich in ethnic diversity and traditional knowledge that has resulted in a considerable body of
ethnobotanical research. There are over 537 different indigenous groups in India with widespread
knowledge of plants2. Traditional system of medicines has been in use over thousands of years in India.
Significant contributions have been made by its practitioners, particularly the primary health care
providers at the community level3. Folk healers (Naattu Vaidhiyars) in remote places use local flora for
treating and preventing ailments and are generally considered as healthcare resource in rural places
inaccessible to modern health care services.
Since ancient times, the practitioners of the Indian system of medicine use medicinal plants for preventive
and curative applications. These plants gain further importance in the regions where modern facilities are
neither available nor easily accessible, particularly in tribal areas4.
Cite this article: Senthil, M.S., Sisubalan N. and Basha, M.G., Folkloric medicinal plant studies in Kalrayan
Hill Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India, Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. 3(6): 109-125 (2015).
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.2142

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The tribal’s have developed their own traditional knowledge related to plant medicine, which have
become treasure trove and cultural heritage of our nation5. Almost all the people are susceptible to
digestive problems, regardless of gender, ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds6. Furthermore,
ethnobiological surveys provide the rationale for the selection and scientific investigation of medicinal
plants and animals, since some of these indigenous remedies have successfully been used by significant
numbers of people over extended periods of time. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
about 65- 80% of the world’s ’s population in developing countries, due to the poverty and lack of access to
modern medicine, depending essentially on plants for their primary healthcare7-8.
In recent years, use of ethnobotanical information in medicinal plant research has gained cons considerable
attention in segments of the scientific community9. The vast majority of people on this planet still rely on
their traditional Materia medica for their everyday healthcare needs. The primary benefits of using plant
derived medicines are that they are relatively safer than synthetic alternatives, offering profound
therapeutic benefits and more affordable treatment10.The main objective of this study was to assess the
diversity of folkloric ethnomedicinal plants used by Malayali’s and document the traditional
tra medical
system followed for their ailments.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area (Figure: 1)
Studies were carried out in the Kalrayan Hill are a major range of hill situated in the Eastern Ghats of the
southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The hills range
range in height from 2000 feet to 3000 feet and extend
over an area of 1095 square kilometers. The hill straddles a number of Tamil Nadu districts, extending
northeast from the Salem District. The range serves as a boundary between the Salem and Villupuram
districts.
istricts. The Kalrayans are divided into two sections. The northern section, referred to as the Chinna
("little") Kalrayans, and the southern section, called the Periya ("big") Kalrayans. The Chinna Kalrayans
is 2700 feet in height, while the Periya Kalrayans
Kalra average 4000 feet. This is one of the places with a rich
biodiversity in India. Traditional healers, called “Vaidyars” from indigenous groups were targeted for
documentation of the uses of medicinal plants. The malayalis (literally meaning mountain people)
pe are the
principal inhabitants of the Kalrayan hill, and call themselves as malaikaran, malayala goundar and also
believe that they originally belonging to the vellalla caste of cultivators and migrated from kanchipuram
to the hill of south west Tamil Nadu a few generations ago. The term malayali has been derived from the
words malai (hill), aal (person) and is used to denote hill people11.

Fig. 1: Map of Kalrayan Hill Showing the Study Area

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Data collection:
The field survey was carried out in different villages of Kalrayan Hill (F), Salem district of Tamil Nadu,
India during July 2011 to May 2013. The structured questionnaire was used for collection and
documentation of the data. The questionnaire includes the age of traditional practitioners, experience and
mode of preparations of ailments. At the same time the vernacular names of the medicinal plants also
recorded during the interview. In this study, we interviewed elder practitioners at the age of 50 and above.
The botanical names were identified using “The flora of the Tamil Nadu Carnatic”12.
Statistical analysis:
The data was accessed on Microsoft Excel work sheets to summarize the various proportions like plant
families, habit, plant parts used, frequency of citation and disease category for medicinal plants used in
the study area.
Fidelity level (FL):
The fidelity level (FL), the percentage of informants claiming the use of a certain plant for the same major
purpose, was calculated for the most frequently reported diseases or ailments as follows:

FL(%)=Np/N´100
Where Np is the number of informants that claim a use of a plant species to treat a particular disease, and
N is the number of informants that use the plants as a medicine to treat any given disease13–15. Before
calculating FL, reported ailments were grouped into major disease categories following the approach of
Heinrich16. Generally plants which are used in a repetitive manner are more likely to be biologically
active 17.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Folklore of malayali herbal practitioners:
The traditional beliefs and customs of the malayali people were mostly passed on by word of mouth. The
medicinal system of the peoples of kalrayan hill followed from their ancestors by words and they do not
aware about the written document system. The younger generations of the people are not interested to
learn the medicinal system as well as the medicinal plants and their uses, mode of preparations of their
ailments; it leads to the end of folkloric medicinal practices. The people fully depend either directly or
indirectly in and around the area of natural forest for their daily life; it includes food, medicines,
architecture and economic utilities.
The life of Tribal man in kalrayan hills – Birth to Death:
Birth and Customs:
The newly born child and the mother whi gave birth to child are carefully handled by elderly woman of
the community. Most of the cases are natural birth only and they are not believing english medicinal
system for the birth of child (Past days). Now a day they also changing their life style to city culture
because of the development of communicative devices (Television, mobile phones etc.).
Kayam:
This is the important kind of supplement given to the mother who gave birth of new child. From that time
beginning the medicinal plants starts the role means this supplement is the mixture of following plant
products prepared by the elder woman that is; Palm jaggery, Garlic (required amount), Long pepper,
Omam, Sana kuppai, Ginger, Vasambu and White pepper. All these ingredients fried and prepared like
jam and given orally to mother for minimum 5 days from the date of delivery. Food also provided on
restricted basis for minimum 30 days. Followed by naming, kulatheiva valipadu, schooling (if boy/girl
interested), marriage etc were happened.
Temple festival and other ceremonies:
They have more belief on God and they prayed the following Gods, Mariamman, kaali, Perumal, Paderi,
Periyannan, Sivan, Muneeswaran, Masilamani and now a days they all started praying Murugan, Ayyappa
etc. For temple festival much more karma and neatness have been followed by this people like before a

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week of festival “Kappu kattuthal” have been done to all the man’s of the village after that they should
not allowed to go anywhere until the festival have been done. This was celebrated by all the relatives of
village natives. Festival was celebrated by grant manner cultural customs and rituals. This all are the
major uniqueness of these peoples. The Tamil month “Thai” is very familiar because of pongal festival.
Pongal festival was celebrated very grant manner with renovation of house, painting of house, new
dresses, cattle management and so on. The pongal festival is one of the special occasions of their life.
Folkloric medicinally important plants:
From the birth of a child the medicinal plant had been utilized throughout the entire life. So that the
peoples of hill area mostly dependent on medicinal plants for their ailments and other purposes. Totally,
108 folkloric ethnomedicinal plants were recorded which are under 50 families representing almost 90
genera. Among these species we observed 16 forms of habits. The study documented, medicinal plants
and their uses, mode of preparation of the ailment, part of the plant used and disease to be cured (Table:
1). Through this study, we noted that the leaf portion of plants, mostly accessed for ailment preparation
(46.0%) and minimum used plant part is flower (3.0%) (Figure: 2). In these 50 families, Asteraceae
members were utilized more (6.5%) compared to other families. The folkloric ethnomedicinal plant parts
were used in the form of extract, decoction, powder, paste, raw material and juice. These plants are used
to cure many diseases like cold, cough, fever, stomach ache, body ache, jaundice, ulcer, joint pains,
rheumatism, cancer, antifertility and etc (Table: 1). Plants are used either alone or combined with other
plants. The documented plants are used by more than two ethnic groups. The use of plants as medicines
was the preferred practice of Kalrayan hill people throughout their history; the knowledge was gathered
through experience and generation by generation.
Fidelity value (FL):
The FL of a plant species for a specific disease in the study area varied between 35.50% for skeleton
muscular treatment and 100% for fever as shown in Table 3. The maximum FL of 100% expressed by
Pergularia daemia, Gymnema sylvestre, Ocimum Sps., Phyllanthus Sps., Adhatoda vasica, Grewia
rhamnifolia and Rauvolfia serpentina were used to treat fever, cold, cough, Jaundice, Poisonous bites and
so on. The result indicated that Pergularia daemia, Gymnema sylvestre, Ocimum Sps., Phyllanthus Sps.,
Adhatoda vasica, Grewia rhamnifolia and Rauvolfia serpentina is the choice of most healers or plant
practitioners for treating such diseases. Similarly 100% FL was reported in P. amarus for jaundice among
the herbal healers in Shimoga district of Karnataka18 and Malasar tribals in Velliangiri hills of Tamil
Nadu, India19.
The present study focused to provide complete information’s of medicinal plants utilized by malayali
peoples of kalrayan hill. Although traditional medicinal healers have used medicinal plants for treatment
of ailments for hundreds of years, there has always been a lingering question in scientific circles as to the
efficacy of these plants in really being effective as cures. As a consequence, the pharmacological activity
of thousands of medicinal plants has been studied, even though the vast majority of medicinal plants
remain to be studied for their phytochemical components and pharmacological effects20.The use of plants
against medical problems practiced by people and Hakims since ancient times. For example, leaves and
roots of Achyranthus aspera are used for toothache and abdominal pain. Similarly, Stellaria medica is
used in plasters on broken bones. Several studies have enumerated the plants used for wound healing and
skin diseases in various parts of the world33. Vicia sativa plant is used as anti-poison. The leaves and roots
of Trichodesma indica are effective against snakebite. The dried and powdered plant of Polygonum
plebejum is prescribed for pneumonia and proved a good remedy for cholera,while green leaves of Datura
stramonium are used for softening the boils21. Similar ethnobotanical studies have been reported in many
parts of India to protect the traditional knowledge from the environment22-32. Documenting the indigenous
knowledge through ethnobotanical studies is important for the conservation of biological resources as
well as their sustainable utilization33.
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Table 1 - Medicinal Plants Utility of the Flora in the Kalrayan Hill

Plant Part
S. No. Botanical Name Family Local Name Habit Ethnomedicinal uses Mode of Administration
Used
Root and leaves-used in
Fevers, biliousness, intermittent fevers, biliousness,
jaundice; also in jaundice; also in rheumatic
Uvaria narum (Dunal) Straggling rheumatic affections, affects; bruised in salt water,
1. Annonaceae Pulikkan Leaves
Wall. ex. Wight and Arn. shrub skin diseases, women used in skin diseases. A
to control fits at the decoction of the root bark is
time of delivery given to women to control fits
at the time of delivery.
Tinospora cordifolia Climbing
2. Menispermaceae Seenthil Leaf Wound Leaf paste is applied topically
(Willd.) Miers shrub
Snake bites, appetizer, The pounded leaf is applied to
depurative, emollient, snake bites , The juice of the
3. Drymaria cordata L. Caryophyllaceae Puliyarai Herb Leaf
febrifuge, laxative and plant is used
stimulant
Fruit juice taken orally in case
Grewia rhamnifolia Stomach ache and
4. Tiliaceae Tegali Straggler Fruit of stomach ache and digestion
Heyne. ex. Roth. digestion problems
problems
The bark, leaves and flowers are
Hiptage benghalensis Vasantakaal Climbing acrid, astringent,
5. Malpighiaceae Leaves aromatic, bitter, acrid,
(L.) a malligai shrub asthma
astringent
Extract from the thorns along
Kidney stones with Cyanodon juice is taken
6. Tribulus terrestris L. Zygophyllaceae Nerunchi Herb Whole plant
disorders
internally for urinary infection
Aegle marmelos (L.) Leaves are dried and powdered
7. Rutaceae Vilvam Tree Leaves Diabetes
Correa. ex. Roxb. used for diabetes.
Citrus limon (L.) Burm. Paste of bark to treat skin
8. Rutaceae Elumichai Small tree Bark Skin disease
f. disease
Glycosmis pentaphylla, Root paste as antidote for snake
9. Rutaceae Kula pannai Small tree Root Antidote for snake bite
Corr. bite
Zanthoxylum limonella A tincture of the seeds is used
10. Rutaceae Ashvaghra Tree Seed Cholera
(Dennst.) Alston in cholera
The externally are used to latex
Commiphora caudata Rheumatism, Stomach to Paste, Leaves are crushed
11. Burseraceae Mullukiluvai Tree Leaves
Engl. ache and mix with lime juice 2 times
a day for 2 days

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Azadirachta indica A. Leaf paste is applied topically

12. Meliaceae Vembu Tree Leaf Small pox
Juss. on the body to treat smallpox.
The plant extract for the
Climbing treatment of
13. Cansjera rheedii J.Gmel. Opiliaceae Minnaikkali Whole plant Body ache, fever
shrub post-natal pain and intermittent
fever
Seeds are used to sharpen the
Celastrus paniculatus
14. Celastraceae Mal kangani Tree Seed Memory loss memory and the seed oil is used
Willd.
as a tonic for memory loss
The root extract shows various
Antioxidant, anti-
activities like, antioxidant,
caring, antiulcer, anti
anticaries, antiulcer,
15. Salacia chinensis L. Celastraceae Cherukuranti Herb Root etic, hypoglycemic,
antidiabetic, hypoglycemic,
antiobesity and skin
antiobesity and skin lightening
lightening agent
agent
Fresh root decoction is taken
Sageretia filiformis Gunger Asthma, jaundice and orally with water twice a day
16. Rhamnaceae Tree Root for 7-8 days for treating asthma,
(Schult.) Don. scanty urination
jaundice and scanty urination.
Scutia myrtina (Brum. f.) Straggling
17. Rhamnaceae Sudali Leaves Indigestion Leaves are cooked and eaten
Kurz shrub
Ventilago madraspatana Vambadam Relief stomach
18. Rhamnaceae Liana Root Root bark is used
Gaertn. kodi disorders and fever.
Leaves crushed with salt and
Cayratia pedata (Lam.) Scabies ginger and applied externally
19. Vitaceae Pannikodi Liana Leaves
A. Juss. ex. Gagnep. Ulcer Leaf paste mixed with milk
applied internally
Stem and leaf paste is used to
Stimulant, bone
20. Cissus quadrangularis L. Vitaceae Perandai Shrub Leaf cure bone fracture and root
fracture
paste used
Cardiospermum Leaf juice taken orally for a
21. Sapindaceae Mudakattan Vine Leaf Joint pain
halicacabum L. period of 2 days.
Derris scandens (Roxb.) Powder of stem to capsule taken
22. Fabaceae Tubili Climber Stem Muscle pain
Benth. internally
Root is boiled with water and
Athi
23. Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. Fabaceae Herb Root Cough and cold taken orally to treat cough and
mathuram
cold.
Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) Decoction of leaves to take
24. Fabaceae Poonai kali Vine Leaf Urinary diseases
DC. internally

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Pterocarpus marsupium Vengai Decoction of the stem and

25. Fabaceae Tree Stem Stomachache
Roxb. maram bark.
Paste of leaves is applied on
26. Cassia tora L. Caesalpiniaceae Thagarai Herb Leaf Skin disease
skin
Fresh leaves were carefully
Anti-inflammatory
27. Delonix elata L. Caesalpiniaceae Vadanarayan Tree Leaves cleaned, dried in shade,
Activity
powdered stored to use
Pterolobium
Leaf and fruit paste is used in
28. hexapetalum (Roth.) Sant Caesalpinaceae Peenjhan Herb Leaves Diarrhea
the treatment of diarrhea
and Wagh.
Paste of bark is applied to
Acacia leucophloea
29. Mimosaceae Vellavelan Tree Bark Skin diseases apically to treat Skin diseases
(Roxb.) Wild.
Rambling Leaves cooked with onion taken
30. Acacia tora Roxb. Mimosaceae Seeva keerai Leaves Stomachache
shrubs as food
Kalanchoe pinnata Lam. Kuttipodum Leaf paste for external
31. Crassulaceae Herb Leaves Scorpion bite
Pers. chedi application
The decoction of the fruit used
Combretum albidum G. Diarrhoea and
32. Combretaceae Karlan kodi Climber Fruit to diarrhoea and dysentery,
Don. dysentery, jaundice
stem barks used in jaundice
Menstrual problem
Terminalia arjuna (DC) The juice made of the leaves
33. Combretaceae Marutham Tree Leaves Dysentery, ear
W&A was also once used as a cure
ache
Terminalia bellirica
34. Combretaceae Thanrikkaai Tree Seed Dysentery Fresh powder used
Roxb.
Digestive,
35. Terminalia chebula Retz. Combretaceae Kadukkai Tree Fruit Fruits are used.
antiseptic and diuretic
Eugenia caryophyllus Both the doses of clove extract
Tuberculosis, anti showed good anti-stress effect
36. (Sprengel) Bullock & Myrtaceae Lavanga Tree Flower
fungal disease
Harrison in all the tested models
Leaves are ground and prepared
37. Lawsonia inermis L. Lythraceae Maruthani Shrub Leaf Foot cracks of Maruthani applied to foot
cracks to cure it.
Centella asiatica (L.) Decoction applied topically
38. Umbelliferae Vallarai Herb Leaf Wound
Urban. along with coconut oil
Boiled with water and bark
Alangium salvifolium Fever, Stomach
39. Alangiaceae Alangi Tree Root filtrate is taken orally once a
L.f. Problems
day for stomach pain

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This species can be helpful in

40. Gadenia gummifera L. Rubiaceae Kambil Small tree Whole plant Digestive problems
treating digestive problems
Oldenlandia umbellata The root paste is applied
41. Rubiaceae Muthakasu Herb Root Arrest bleeding
L. topically to arrest bleeding.
Fresh roots or fresh tender shoot
is made into paste;
42. Rubia cordifolia Linn. Rubiaceae Sevalaikodi Climber Stem Diabetes, wounds
paste is applied externally

The juice of the fresh plant, or

Allergic rhinitis and an extract of the dried plant, is
43. Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae Pulkuri Herb Whole plant
sinusitis used in the treatment of allergic
rhinitis and sinusitis

Artemisia nilagirica Juice of the leaves to taken to

44. Asteraceae Masipattari Herb Leaf Antileprotic
(C.B. Clarke) Pamp. internally
Mari Decoction flowers used to treat
45. Calendula officinalis L. Asteraceae Herb Flower Stomachache
kollundhu stomachache
Manchal
Whole plant juice is given
46. Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk Asteraceae karisalan Herb Whole plant Snake bite
orally to treat
kanni
Karisalan Leaf paste is applied externally
47. Eclipta prostrata L. Asteraceae Herb Leaf Hair dose
kanni to treat
Andhi Seed and Flower are used to
48. Pluchea indica (L.) Less. Asteraceae Herb Seed Body cooling
mandari taken internally
Antioxidant enzymes activity
were greatly
protected, besides reducing lipid
Wedelia calendulacea
49. Asteraceae Ponniraichi Herb Whole plant Antioxidant, peroxidation by the herbal
Less
extract, showing that this plant
is a better remedy for any
diseases of the liver
Root past is mixed with gingili
Chithira
50. Plumbago zeylanica L. Plumbaginaceae Herb Root Piles oil and applied topically to cure
moolam
piles.
Paste of the leaves to use
51. Madhuca longifoila (L.) Sapotaceae Ellupai Tree Leaf Skin disease
externally
Climbing Powder of leaf to used
52. Jasminum ritchiei Clarke Oleaceae Karumullai Leaves Tooth ache
shrub toothache

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Jasminum sessiliflorum Kuruvilan The leaf is boiled in water and

53. Oleaceae Climber Leaves Diahhroea
Vahl. kodi taken with food
54. Azima tetracantha Lam. Salvadoraceae Sangumullu Shrub Root Snakebites Applied directly to snakebites.
Whole plant is used as
anthelmintic, emetic and used in
Aganosma cymosa Bronchitis and
55. Apocynaceae Sellakkodi Climber Whole plant the treatment of bronchitis.
(Roxb.) G. Don. ophthalmia
Flowers are useful in
ophthalmia.
Ichnocarpus frutescens Climbing Diuretic, fever, Leaves are used to diuretic,
56. Apocynaceae Udarkodi Leaves
(L.) R. Br. shrub dyspepsia fever
Tuber is made into a paste and
57. Rauvolfia serpentina L. Apocynaceae Sarpagandha Shrub Root, tuber Snake bite applied topically to cure all
types of Snake bite.
Leaf powder is mixed with
Gymnema sylvestre
58. Asclepiadaceae Sirukurinja Twining shrub Leaf Diabetes cow’s milk and taken orally to
(Retz) R. Br.
treat diabetes.
Hemidesmus indicus (L.) Juice extracted from the root is
59. Asclepiadaceae Nannari Twining shrub Root Fever
R.Br. taken Internally
Leaf juice is mixed with egg
Pergularia daemia Fever, Stomach ache and taken orally to cure
60. Asclepiadaceae Veliparutthi Straggler Leaf
(Forssk.) Chiov. and ulcer
stomach ache and ulcer.
Rheumatism and
Secamone emetica Climbing
61. Asclepiadaceae Angaravalli Leaves traumatic injury, The root and leaves are used
(Retz.) R.Br. ex. Schultes shrub
emetic
The decrease in strychnine
amount was best when the seeds
were immersed for
Snake bite, Poison
62. Strychnos nux-vomica L. Loganiaceae Etti Tree Seed detoxification in excess of water
reliever
for 5 days, in milk for 2 days
followed by their boiling in
milk.
Bitter tonic, stomachic,
febrifuge and
anthelmintic,
Swertia chirata (L.) Chiretta decoction can be added
63. Gentianaceae Chirayata Herb Whole plant laxative, alterative,
Ham. to a bath to help skin rashes.
antidiarrhoeic and
antiperiodic, skin
rashes

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The root of this pounded and

boiled in coconut milk applied
Argyreia populifolia
64. Convolvulaceae kakkatan Herb Root Swelling after dog bite. with excellent results to
Choisy
inflammation or swelling after
dog bite.
Samuttra A paste of roots along with
palai Chronic cough, cold Asparagus racemosus, Grewia
Argyreia speciosa (L. f.) Woody
65. Convolvulaceae Root and in consequent hirsute and Hemidesmus indicus
Sweet climber
fever. is used for chronic cough, cold
and in consequent fever.
Hair oil prepared with extract of
Merremia hastata L.
66. Convolvulaceae Talanelli Twining herb Whole plant Promote hair growth whole plant to promote hair
(Desr.) Hallier.f.
growth
67. Solanum trilobatum L. Solanaceae Toothuvilai Under Shrub Leaf Cold Juice of leaves is taken orally
2-5ml seed oil with ginger juice
Solanum surattense Kandan is given once a day in rheumatic
68. Solanaceae Herb Seed Skeletal Diseases
Burm.f. kattiri arthritis and also applied
externally.
Dried leaves and root paste are
Withania somnifera (L.) Knee pains and joint
69. Solanaceae Amukkira Sub shrubs Leaves applied externally for knee and
Dunal pains
joint pains
Leaf extract is taken internally
Cough, cold and as drink to cure cough, cold and
70. Adhatoda vasica Nees. Acanthaceae Adathoda Shrub Leaves
asthma asthma.

Leaf is ground into a paste and

Andrographis echioides Malaithangi
71. Acanthaceae Herb Leaves Chest pain taken orally to get relief from
Nees
chest pain.
Powdered leaf is mixed with
Andrographis paniculata
72. Acanthaceae Nilavembu Herb Whole plant Diabetes cow or goat's milk and taken
(Burm.f.) Wall.
Orally to treat diabetes.
The whole plant are extensively
Rheumatism, used in traditional system of
Asteracantha longifolia inflammation, jaundice, medicine for various ailments
73. Acanthaceae Golmidi Herb Whole plant
L. hepatic obstruction, like rheumatism, inflammation,
pain, urinary infections jaundice, hepatic obstruction,
pain, urinary infections

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Clerodendrum inermes Leaf is ground in water and the

Piei nari
74. (L.) Verbenaceae Shrub Leaf Fever juice is taken orally to treat
sangu
Gaertn. fever.
Clerodendrum serratum Decoction of leaves and root
75. Verbenaceae Sirutekku Shrub Leaf Stimulant
(Linn.) Moon. used to treat stimulant
Dried stem soaked in the water
Mosquito repellant, are used as mosquito repellant.
76. Premna latifolia Roxb. Verbenaceae Nelli Herb Stem
rheumatism For rheumatism, tender leaves
are used as vegetable
Dose of 100 mg/kg body weight
Premna tomentosa Purangai Anti-inflammatory exhibited significant anti-
77. Verbenaceae Tree Leaves
Willd. nari activity inflammatory activity in albino
rats
Stem cuttings are placed below
78. Vitex negundo L. Verbenaceae Nochi Shrub Stem Intermittent fever the pillow to get rid of
intermittent fever
Crude leaf extract is also used
Hyptis suaveolens (L.)
79. Lamiaceae Koulouvai Herb Leaves Colic and stomachache as a relief to colic and
Poit.
stomachache
Tea made from leaves and
flowers can be an excellent
Milagu Indigestion, cramps,
80. Mentha piperita L. Lamiaceae Herb Leaves remedy for treatment of
puthina flatulence, nausea
indigestion, cramps, flatulence,
nausea
Tiruneetru Leaf juice is used as drops in
81. Ocimum basilicum L. Lamiaceae Herb Leaf Cold
pachilai ear pain.
82. Ocimum sanctum L. Lamiaceae Thulasi Herb Leaf Cold Leave juice given as tonic.
Navara Head to control Leaf is boiling with coconut oil
Plectranthus amboinicus Herb and applied on head to control
83. Lamiaceae pachilai Leaves running nose and
(L.) Spreng.
cough running nose and cough.
An infusion of the dried plant
(both leaves and flowers)
Cold, scurf and
84. Rosmarinus officinalis L. Lamiaceae Agavu Shrubby herb Leaves combined with borax and used
dandruff
when cold, makes one of the
best hair washes known
Root paste is applied topically
85. Boerhavia erecta L. Nyctaginaceae Mookaratai Herb Root Hydrocele
to treat Hydrocele.

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Burning sensation,
Alternanthera sessilis (L) The leaves are used as a
86. Amaranthaceae Ponnonkanni Herb Leaf diarrhoea, leprosy, skin
R.Br. ex. Dc. vegetable
diseases and fever
Leaf paste applied over the
Aristolochia bracteata Aaduthinna scalp to relieve
87. Aristolochiaceae Herb Leaf Fungal diseases
Lam. chedi Dandruff and
Fungal infection.
Aristolochia tagala Climbing Decoction of the plants to taken
88. Aristolochiaceae Keradalum Whole plant Stomachache
Cham. shrub to orally
The plant has an intense rube
Piper attenuatum Buch. facient effect and is used in
89. Piperaceae Irenukai Climber Whole plant Headache
Hamex Miq.
poultices of headache
Fruit Powder is taken in dosage
90. Piper longum L. Piperaceae Thippili Under shrub Fruit A tonic for tuberculosis
of 1/2-1gm
91. Piper nigrum L. Piperaceae Milaku Climber Flower Snake bite Flower paste with ghee, orally
Cinnamomum iners Kattu Root are boiled into a decoction
92. Lauraceae Tree Root Fever
Reinw. ex Blume karuveppillai taken to treat fever
Cinnamomum tamala Lavangapata Decoction of leaves and bark to
93. Lauraceae Tree Leaf Diaphoretic
Nees & Eberm. i taken internally
Cinnamomum Decoction of bark to taken
94. Lauraceae Pattai Tree Bark Stimulant
zeylanicum Breyn. internally
95. Santalum album L. Santalaceae Santhanam Tree Stem Body cooling Shoot paste applied externally
Cleistanthus collinus Leaves are used as insect
96. (Roxb.) Benth. and Euphorbiaceae Oduvan Tree Leaves Poisonous purpose repellant in agricultural fields
Hook.f. and fruit used
Whole plant parts are ground
Phyllanthus into a paste and taken orally 3
97. debilis L. Euphorbiaceae Keelanelli Herb Whole plant Jaundice
times a day for 3days to treat
(Klein exWilld)
jaundice
Powder from dried plant
Phyllanthus material mixed with milk is
98. Euphorbiaceae Nilanelli Herb Whole plant Jaundice
madraspatensis L.
drunk to treat jaundice
Aqueous leaf extracts of
Sebastiania chamaelea S.chamaelea at 100-200 mg/kg
99. (L.) Euphorbiaceae Eli-amanaku Herb Leaves Antidiarrhoel activity
b.w showed most effective
Muell Arg.
antidiarrhoel activity

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Decoction of whole plant is

Kancharai given twice a day for 7 days to
100. Tragia involucrata L. Euphorbiaceae Herb Leaves Jaundice, Diarrhea
kodi improve digestion and to cure
constipation alternated
Plecospermum spinosum Checks cholera, colds, Decoction of roots used for
101. Moraceae Ekkimullu Shrub Root
Tree. cough, syphilis colds, cough, syphilis
Alpinia officinarum Powder of rhizome taken to
102. Zingiberaceae Chitrattai Herb Rhizome Phlegm
Hance. internally
Sotthu
103. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. Liliaceae Herb Leaf Body cooling Eaten raw to cool the body.
katthalai
Root powder mixed with taken
Asparagus racemosus Thaneervitan
104. Liliaceae Shrub Root Uterine disorder internally for increasing
Willd. kizhangu
lactation and uterine disorder
Kalappai Powdered paste from leaves
105. Gloriosa superba L. Liliaceae Climber Leaf Skin disease
kilangu applied to externally
Rhizome To heat and take
106. Acorus calamus L. Araceae Vasambu Shrub Rhizome Stomachache
internally
Amorphophallus Karunaik The tubers are crushed and
107. Araceae Herb Tubers Snake bite
campanulatus, Bl. kizhangu applied in wounds of snake bite
Dried roots are mixed with
Vettiver Root Reduce the dandruff,
108. Vetiveria zizanioides L. Poaceae Herb coconut oil to reduce the
and hair falling
dandruff, and hair falling.

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Table – 2: Distribution of plants under different forms of habit

S.NO. HABIT NO. OF SPECIES
1. Herb 41
2. Tree 24
3. Shrub 11
4. Climber 8
5. Climbing shrub 7
6. Vine 2
7. Straggler 2
8. Sub shrub 1
9. Straggling shrub 2
10. Twining shrub 2
11. Under shrub 2
12. Shrubby herb 1
13. Liana 2
14. Rambling shrub 1
15. Twining herb 1
16. Woody climber 1
TOTAL 108

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Table-3:
3: Fidelity Level (FL) values for common medicinal plants used by kalrayan traditional
healers by ailment category
Ailment Category Most preferred species with FL %
specific ailment
Cooling Agent Aloe vera 100.00
Dental care Jasminum ritchiei 65.00
Dermatological infections/ diseases Gloriosa superba 78.50
(Skin diseases),
Ear, Nose, Throat problems Tinospora cordifolia (Wound) 45.50
Terminalia arjuna (Ear ache), 90.00
Aganosma cymosa 70.00
Endocrinal disorders (ophthalmia)
Gymnema sylvestre (Diabe.), 100.00
Fever/Cold Aegle marmelos (Diabe.) 55.65
Pergularia daemia (Fever), 100.00
Ocimum species (All) 100.00
Gastro intestinal ailments Vitex negundo (fever, cough) 75.00
Grewia rhamnifolia, 100.00
Hair care Commiphora caudata 45.50
Vetiveria zizanioides 95.75
Liver Problems (Jaundice) (Dandruff)
Uvaria narum, 70.00
Tragia involucrate, 75.00
Poisonous bites Phyllanthus sps. 100.00
Rauvolfia serpentina (Snake 100.00
bite),
Strychnos nux-vomica (Snake 75.00
Respiratory System diseases bite),
Adhatoda vasica (Asthma), 100.00
Plecospermum spinosum 75.00
muscular system disorders
Skeleto-muscular (Cough),
Premna latifolia (Rheumatism) 35.50

Fig. 2: Percentage of plant part utilization

Percentage of utilization

14% Leaves
Stem & Bark
Flower
46%
19% Fruit
Seed
Underground parts
6% Whole plant
8%
4%
3%

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Fig. 3: Name of the families with respective plant species
7

Number of Species
7 6
6 5
5 4
4 3
3 2
2 1
1
0

Family name

CONCLUSION
In conclusion the local peoples of kalrayan hill a part of Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India, has much
knowledge of using plants as a medicine throughout their lifespan as well as passed their knowledge to
generations. Up to date they still following thei
theirr customs and beliefs. This kind of research studies may
helpful to explore the knowledge and utilization of medicinal plants without affecting the plant. The
peoples belong to the kalrayan area still rely on the medicinal plants and using those medicinal plants in
their daily beliefs. And there is an urgent need to document all information’s about the uses of medicinal
plants by the tribal for future research.

Conflict of interest:
We have no conflict of interest
Acknowledgement
Authors are thankful to Malayali people and Traditional practitioners of Kalrayan hill for their valuable
information and kind co-operation
operation for successful completion of this work.

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