Quantitative ethnobotanical evaluation of medicinal flora utilized for Digestive system disorders in Parvathipuram Manyam District, Eastern Ghats, India

Authors

  • Janardhana Rao Valluru Andhra University
  • Sandhya Sri Bonela Andhra University
  • Ratna Kumar P.K. Department of Botany, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, 530003, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Phani Kumari Uddandapu

Abstract

Background: Digestive disorders are increasingly prevalent due to lifestyle and environmental changes. Tribal communities in India, particularly in remote forest regions, continue to depend on traditional medicinal plants to manage these ailments. However, much of this indigenous knowledge remains undocumented and is at risk of being lost. The current study aims to record and analyze the therapeutic plants traditionally employed by tribal groups in Parvathipuram Manyam District, Eastern Ghats, for the treatment of digestive system disorders.

Methods: Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted between 2020 and 2023 across 37 forested tribal regions. A total of 44 traditional healers from the Savara, Jatapu, Konda Dora, and Gadaba communities were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Data were collected on plant species, local names, parts used, preparation methods, and routes of administration. Plant specimens were botanically verified and analyzed using Use Value (UV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), and Fidelity Level (FL) indices.

Results: A total of 116 medicinal plants were recorded belonging to 55 families, with Fabaceae being the most dominant. Leaves (30.53%) and roots (19.85%) were the most frequently used parts, prepared primarily as pastes (34.35%) or juices (23.66%). Constipation (13.74%), dysentery (12.97%), and hemorrhoids (12.97%) were the most frequently treated ailments. Several species, including Aristolochia indica and Asparagus racemosus, showed 100% FL, while ICF values ranged from 0.956 to 1.0.

Conclusion: The study underscores the therapeutic significance of traditional medicinal plants in digestive health and highlights the urgent need for conservation, sustainable use, and scientific validation of indigenous knowledge.

Keywords: Ethnobotany; Medicinal plants; Digestive system disorders; Parvathipuram Manyam District; Tribal medicine; Eastern Ghats flora.

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Published

2025-12-28

How to Cite

Valluru, J. R., Bonela, S. S., P.K., R. K., & Uddandapu, P. K. (2025). Quantitative ethnobotanical evaluation of medicinal flora utilized for Digestive system disorders in Parvathipuram Manyam District, Eastern Ghats, India. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 32, 1–19. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/7582

Issue

Vol. 32 (2025)

Section

Research

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