ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY CHENCHU TRIBAL COMMUNITIES OF THE NAGARJUNASAGAR – SRISAILAM REGION, INDIA: DOCUMENTATION OF TRADITIONAL HEALTHCARE PRACTICES

Abstract

The Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) area extends through Nallamalais and a part of Yerramalai hills of Eastern Ghats, spreading over 5 districts, viz.. Mahabubnagar, Prakasam, Kurnool, Guntur and Nalgonda covering an area of 3568 sq. km. Chenchus are predominant and stand as a unique tribe among others in Andhra Pradesh. They occupy larger part of Nallamalais, naturalising in its glorious environs and rich biodiversity. They hold the forests around them in great esteem and have learnt to live with plants and wild animals. In this close association over centuries, they have nurtured their skills in identifying the plants for food, medicine, house building, agricultural operations, domestic uses, trade and barter, magico-religious beliefs, taboos, etc. A majority of the Chenchus are well versed in natural folk medicinal practices. From time immemorial, they have accumulated in-depth, time-tested knowledge about the medicinal plants in their habitat, which has enabled them to survive deadly diseases (Hemalatha & Subba Reddy 1982). Information pertaining to ethnomedicinal practices among Chenchus is available, though limited (Hemadri & Rao 1984; Hemadri 1994 Hemalatha & Subba Reddy 1982, Morris 1989, Rama Rao & Henry 1996, Reddy et al. 1988, Reddy et of 1996). But information pertaining to remedies for cuts, wounds and boils in particular is lacking. Since the tribal people in the course of their dayto-day traverse into the forests for their needs often encounter injuries through cuts and wounds. besides infectious boils, the present study especially elicits knowledge about Chenchu ethnomedicinal practices. Here, 30 remedies have been described from different Chenchu tribal pockets of NSTR for the treatment of cuts, wounds and boils.