Wild habits of Kolli Hills being staple food of inhabitant tribes of eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

There is a proverb in Tamil that “Foods are medicines” “Medicines are foods”. Still it is being maintained by the folks, whose food habits depends on wild habits. Hence, the present study emphasis the documentation of traditional knowledge of <i>Malayalis</i> folks pertaining to their food habits which is necessary for the benefit of mankind. A survey has been made and identified 38 wild species belonging to 21 families. The roots, rhizomes and tubers of these plants are not only used as foods but are also consumed to maintain their health status. Thus these plants are used for general medicinal purposes also. Most of the tubers and roots are consumed after cooking, while some of them are eaten raw. Botanical name, family, vernacular name, life form/habit, parts used for food and medicine, mode of preparation and consumption are recorded for each species.