INVESTIGATIONS ON ANTI-DIABETIC MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY TRIBES OF WAYANAD DISTRICT, KERALA

The present study aims to explore the ethnomedicinal knowledge of the plants and their preparations used to cure diabetes by the tribes of Mananthavady, Bathery and Vythiri taluks of Wayanad district, Kerala. Preparation of ethnomedicine using various plant parts and other information related to tribes associated; habitat, habit and status of medicinal plants recorded are highlighted. Documentation of indigenous knowledge related to cure diabetes was made by interaction with traditional healers. A total of 23 species belonging to 17 families possessing antidiabetic property were recorded. The review of literature revealed that 16 species have already been proven to be antidiabetic through scientific analysis. However reports on antidiabetic properties of Andrographis wightiana T. Anderson & Thwaites, Psilotrichum elliotii Baker & Clarke, Solanum violaceum Ortega ssp. multiflorum (Clarke), Justicia trinervia L., Dracaena terniflora Roxb., Elaeagnus conferta Roxb. and Kydia calycina Roxb. are lacking. The present study is successful in identifying seven medicinal plants used by the tribes for possessing antidiabetic activity. Most of the herbal preparations for curing diabetes were prepared from the fruits followed by leaves and bark.