Folk medicine used by the tribes of Kinwat forest of Nanded district, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

An ethnomedicinal survey was carried out during 2007-2009 to collect information on the use of medicinal plants from herbal practitioners of <i>Gond, Andh Kolam and Pradhan</i> tribes of Kinwat Forest range of Nanded district of Maharashtra. The tribes are mainly depending upon forest flora for their livelihood and for curing the ailments and diseases. A total of 25 ethnomedicinal plants have been recorded here which are used in formulation of 25 different ethnomedicinal preparations for curing 25 types of diseases and ailments. Of these 19 are administrated as polyherbal preparations to cure diseases like leucorrhoea, jaundice, gangrene, piles, sneezing, vomiting, etc. and in remaining cases, monoherbal preparations are used for the treatment of typhoid, paralysis, colic pain, malarial fever, indigestion, etc. Of these 21 ethnomedicinal preparations are new as they have not been recorded earlier in standard literature. Information of medicinal plants with botanical name, local name, family, part(s) used, medicinal value and formulation along with dose and duration is given.