Ethnomedicinal Documentation from Sacred Grov...

Ethnomedicinal Documentation from Sacred Grove of Palathayikunnu Temple, Palathayi, Kannur District, Kerala

Author Name : Anusree N, Dr. Sincy Joseph, Atheena K, Drishya N.S, Theertha P.C

ABSTRACT

Sacred groves are treasure house of rare and endangered species protected by local people on behalf of religious believes. The present paper deals with the documentation of medicinal plants, their family, plant part used, medicinal uses for various diseases from Palathayikunnu sacred grove. A total of 83 plants distributed over 35 families with a dominance of Fabaceae and Asteraceae with 8 species each were recorded. It was observed that 24 plants from the grove is used for the treatment of wound healing, 23 plants were used for curing skin diseases, 10 plants were used each for toxicity and female disorders.  Among these plant species traditional usage of endangered, threatened, vulnerableplants are outlined. Rural peoples in these areas are depending these medicinal plants to meet their primary needs. Major threat in my study area are overexploitation of resources like developmental activities, establishing temple inside the groves, over grazing of animals, invasion of exotic species, agricultural livelihood. They result in loss of biodiversity. It is the need of hour to conserve these groves. So better wakeup and save whatever is left of the sacred grove before it is too late.

Keywords: Sacred grove, Traditionaluses, Medicinal plants, Conservation, Biodiversity