1. EDWIN ARULDOSS DAVID BENHER
ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY THE KANIKKARS IN WESTERN GHATS, TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ANTI-DIABETICS
EDWIN ARULDOSS DAVID BENHER
Associate Professor and Head
RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
V.H.N.SENTHIKUMARA NADAR COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS)
(Re-Accredited with “A” grade by NAAC)
VIRUDHUNAGAR
TAMIL NADU, INDIA

2. INTRODUCTION
Man dependent on plants for survival from ancient civilizations (Wickens, 1990)
Primitive people are very close to nature and acquired knowledge about useful and harmful plants. This knowledge is time tested, integrated with their culture & passed on orally from generation to generation
The value & important of traditional knowledge are now being increasingly acknowledged all over the world
It is mainly because of the fact that Cheap, Readily available, Reliable & have lesser side effects
World Health Organization estimates over 80% of the people depends on traditional medicine for primary health care.
Hence, the ethno-directed investigations are today recognized as the most viable method of identifying new medicinal plants in its bioactive constituents

3. India is the one of the twelve mega biodiversity countries of the world it has rich vegetation and plant diversity due to extreme variations in geographical and climatic conditions.
India represents one of the greatest emporia of ethnobotanical wealth (Pal, 2000)
India also has rich tradition of practicing traditional herbal therapeutics in the form of Ayurveda, Unani & Siddha system of medicine
In spite the fact that, India has about 45,000 plant species but traditional healers use only 2500 plant species of which, 100 species of plants serve as regular sources of medicine.
So there is a scrutiny of folk claims found almost 95% of plants

4. Indigenous people of the study area is Kanikars
India has various ethnic groups along with a wide variety of traditional practices
Indigenous people of the study area is Kanikars
Lack of access to modern healthcare services, they are largely relying on their indigenous health care system
Nowadays, this ethnic knowledge is declining very rapidly due to
Life style changes by outsider’s contact
Oral transmission is partly attributed to the lose of knowledge
The folk medicine is often closely guarded with utmost secrecy
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the detailed information on the traditional knowledge on the usage of medicinal plants to cure diabetes.

5. DIABETES MELLITUS
Chronic systemic disease characterized by metabolic and vascular abnormalities
Disorder of carbohydrate metabolism
Results from inadequate production or underutilization of insulin
Characterized by glucosuria and hyperglycemia
Two forms - Type 1 and Type 2
Type 1-Patient secretes no insulin. Cause is felt to be autoimmune.
Type 2- Patient secretes insufficient amounts of insulin and insulin receptors are resistant to existent circulating insulin

6. Effects of Diabetes Affects approx. 5 – 8 % Mostly asymptomatic
Tendency increase with obesity
One of the leading cause of death by disease
One of the leading cause of blindness
One of the leading cause of renal failure

7. SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL DRUGS
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea
Hypoglycaemia
Dilutional hyponatraemia & water intoxication (Chlorpropamide)
Disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol (Chlorpropamide)
Weight gain

8. METHODOLOGY
The study area is Western Ghats of Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu (India).
Ethnomedicinal plants information was obtained by semi-structured oral interviews, group discussions, informal meetings and field observation
Good rapport was established
Totally 21 informants between the ages of 30 to 75 were interviewed

9. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND ETIOLOGY OF STUDY AREA

10. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND ETIOLOGY OF STUDY AREA

11. Abrus precatorius Linn.
Botanical name :
Abrus precatorius Linn.
Family
Fabaceae
Common Name
Gundumani
Application
Leaf juice (2 teaspoon) given orally twice a day till to cure diabetes.
Botanical name :
Acacia nilotica (Benth.) Brenan.
Family
Fabaceae
Common Name
Karuvelam
Application
Seeds used to treat diabetes and headache.
Botanical name :
Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Corr. Serr.
Family
Rutaceae
Common Name
Vilvam
Application
The mesocarp of fruits taken orally to cure diabetes. Dried fruit is mixed with sugar is taken orally during fever and cold.

12. Aerva lanata (Linn.) Juss. ex Schult
Botanical name :
Aerva lanata (Linn.) Juss. ex Schult
Family
Amaranthaceae
Common Name
Kappukattu
Application
The whole plant powder taken orally to control blood sugar. Whole plant extract is used for stomachache.
Botanical name :
Allium cepa L.
Family
Liliaceae
Common Name
Vengayam
Application
Bulb extract mixed with Mentha leaf extract is used to cure high blood pressure and to control blood sugar level.
Botanical name :
Allium sativum L.
Family
Liliaceae
Common Name
Vellai Poondu
Application
Decoction of the flowers given against diabetes. It is taken orally three times a day to get relief from stomach pain and urinary problems.

13. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.
Botanical name :
Aloe vera (Linn.) Burm. f.
Family
Liliaceae
Common Name
Chothukathalai
Application
Leaf paste with garlic is given to increase digestion and to control diabetes.
Botanical name :
Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.
Family
Apocynaceae
Common Name
Yelilaipattai
Application
Stem bark decoction (one teaspoon) is taken orally twice a day to cure diabetes.
Botanical name :
Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wallich ex. Nees.
Family
Acanthaceae
Common Name
Chiriyanangai
Application
Decoction of the leaves (50ml) is prescribed thrice a day after food (or) fresh leaves can be eaten every day for diabetes.

14. Azadirachta indica A. Juss..
Botanical name :
Annona squamosa L.
Family
Annonaceae
Common Name
Sitappalam
Application
Powdered leaves (25g) are taken with milk orally daily in the morning for the treatment of diabetes.
Botanical name :
Azadirachta indica A. Juss..
Family
Meliaceae
Common Name
Vemppamaram
Application
Stem, flowers and bark decoction actively control diabetes. Leaf decoction relieves stomach pain during mensuration.
Botanical name :
Bauhinia variegata Linn.
Family
Fabaceae
Common Name
Sivappu Mandarai
Application
Stem bark decoction is given in menorrhagia and diabetes.

15. Biophytum sensitium (L.)DC.
Botanical name :
Biophytum sensitium (L.)DC.
Family
Oxalidaceae
Common Name
Tintanali
Application
The dried leaf taken orally to cure diabetes.
Botanical name :
Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.
Family
Fabaceae
Common Name
Tuvarai
Application
30ml of the salted boiled water extract of the fresh leaves is taken in empty stomach for a period of two weeks to treat jaundice and also control diabetes.
Botanical name :
Carica papaya L.
Family
Caricaceae
Common Name
Pappali
Application
Unripened fruits juice given for diabetes.

16. Cassia auriculata Linn.
Botanical name :
Cassia auriculata Linn.
Family
Caesalpiniaceae
Common Name
Aavarai
Application
Flowers powder is used to treat diabetes.
Botanical name :
Catharanthus roseus (Linn.) G. Don.
Family
Apocynaceae
Common Name
Nithiya Kalyani
Application
Mild dose of root decoction given to cure diabetes. Root decoction is used for the treatment of cancer.
Botanical name :
Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.) Schrader ex Eckl. & Zeyh.
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Common Name
Kumatti
Application
Fruit paste taken orally to control diabetes. Roots paste made with cow milk is applied on hypogastrium for easy delivery.

17. Coccinia indica Wight &Arn.
Botanical name :
Coccinia indica Wight &Arn.
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Common Name
Kovai Kai
Application
Leaf juice and mucilage from immature fruits (2 teaspoon) are given twice (or) thrice a day after food for diabetes.
Botanical name :
Clitoria ternatea L.
Family
Fabaceae
Common Name
Sanku Kannikodi
Application
About two teaspoonful of dried flowers are taken orally to control diabetes.
Botanical name :
Thespesia populnea (Linn.) Soland. ex. Correa
Family
Malvaceae
Common Name
Poovarasu
Application
Bark decoction control diabetes. Decoction of the bark is used in dysentery and coetaneous disease.

18. Leaf decoction is taken internally to controls diabetes.
Botanical name :
Cuminum cyminum L.
Family
Apiaceae
Common Name
Seeragam
Application
Leaf decoction is taken internally to controls diabetes.
Botanical name :
Curcuma longa L.
Family
Zingiberaceae
Common Name
Manjal
Application
About 50ml of Leaf decoction is taken orally to treat diabetes
Botanical name :
Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers.
Family
Poaceae
Common Name
Arugampul
Application
Whole plant juice is taken daily on empty stomach in the morning to control blood sugar level.

19. Evolvulus alsinoides Linn.
Botanical name :
Evolvulus alsinoides Linn.
Family
Convolvulaceae
Common Name
Vishnukiranthai
Application
The whole plant powder mixed with hot water has given to drink which cures diabetes.
Botanical name :
Ficus benghalensis Linn.
Family
Moraceae
Common Name
Alamaram
Application
Stem and bark powder given orally to control blood sugar level.
Botanical name :
Ficus racemosa Linn.
Family
Moraceae
Common Name
Atthi
Application
Bark decoction control blood sugar level.

20. Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Sm.
Botanical name :
Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Sm.
Family
Asclepiadaceae
Common Name
Sarkkarai Kolli
Application
Leaf decoction (50ml) is taken continuously after food to cure diabetes.
Botanical name :
Lawsonia inermis Linn.
Family
Lythraceae
Common Name
Maruthani
Application
Dried root powder to cure diabetes. Leaves applied on foot to cure etching and healing of the crack.
Botanical name :
Mangifera indica L.
Family
Anacardiaceae
Common Name
Maamaram
Application
Decoctions of bark and young leaves are given daily till to cure diabetes.

21. Murraya koeingii (Linn.) Spreng.
Botanical name :
Murraya koeingii (Linn.) Spreng.
Family
Rutaceae
Common Name
Karuvepalai
Application
Bark decoction given orally to control diabetes.
Botanical name :
Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn.
Family
Lamiaceae
Common Name
Thulasi
Application
Stem decoction control blood sugar level.
Botanical name :
Punica granatum Linn.
Family
Punicaceae
Common Name
Madhulai
Application
Fruits cure gastrointestinal problems and diabetes.

22. Phyllanthus emblica Linn.
Botanical name :
Phyllanthus emblica Linn.
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Common Name
Nellikai
Application
The decoction of the fruits and seeds control diabetes.
Botanical name :
Phyllanthus amarus (Linn.) Schum and Thonn.
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Common Name
Kizhanelli
Application
The juice extracted from the whole plant is taken orally once a day upto 7 days to treat diabetes.
Botanical name :
Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth.
Family
Mimosaceae
Common Name
Kodukkaipuli
Application
Leaf juice is taken orally twice a day till to diabetes.

23. Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.
Botanical name :
Psidium guajava Linn.
Family
Myrtaceae
Common Name
Koyya
Application
Juice of leaves (2 teaspoon) and fruit are taken orally thrice a day to cure diabetes.
Botanical name :
Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.
Family
Loganiaceae
Common Name
Etti
Application
Powered seed used to control diabetes. A decoction of bark is given orally to treat stomach problems.
Botanical name :
Syzygium cumini (Linn.) Skeels.
Family
Myrtaceae
Common Name
Naaval
Application
Kernal decoction control diabetes. Decoction of stem bark (50ml) is taken orally twice a day till cure; mature fruits are eaten raw.

24. Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers.
Botanical name :
Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers.
Family
Fabaceae
Common Name
Kolingi
Application
Unripened pods control diabetes.
Botanical name :
Terminalia cuneata (Roxb. ex Dc.) Wight & Arn
Family
Combretaceae
Common Name
Vellamarudu
Application
The fresh fruit used for diabetes.
Botanical name :
Zingiber officinale Roscoe
Family
Zingiberaceae
Common Name
Inchi
Application
Stem decoction administrated orally to cure diabetes. Rhizome is taken for cold, indigestion and whooping cough.

25. FINDINGS
In the present study, a total of 44 species of plants belonging to 15 families were documented.
As far as plant part utility is concerned, leaves are commonly used, followed by bark, whole plant, seeds etc.
The formulations are prepared mostly in the form of juice followed by decoction, powder and paste prepared from raw plant parts.
To make better acceptability of herbal remedies that are taken orally and additives are not taken internally.
The data collected from this study will be useful to the researchers, pharmaceutical companies to discover a novel drug to cure diabetes.

26. Thank you