Ethno botanical survey of medicinal plants in Khammam District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

ABSTRACT

Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in four different indigenous groups in Khammam District of Andhra Pradesh. The herbal practitioners in the study area were interviewed and information on medicinal plants was collected from the traditional healers called Vaidyars. This survey covers 96 medicinal plants belonging to 44 families that are used for the treatment of various diseases in a traditional way. Traditional approach was evaluated scientifically with some selected plant extracts to cure many diseases. Several plant extracts like Gymnema sylvestre, Syzygium cumini, Tephrosia purpurea have proved their efficiency in treating many diseases like Diabetes mellitus and skin diseases. The present survey provides the information about various medicinal plants which were not recognized for their medicinal value. These plants are the natural remedies for treating many of the diseases This survey provided information about 96 plants with medicinal properties. This survey had been performed on the plants commonly used by the indigenous people for treating various diseases they had been encountering. All the information gathered from the indigenous people and the herbal practitioners helped to bring several medicinal plants to limelight which on further proceedings proves their therapeutic properties.