Full Length Research Paper

Abstract

The present study documents the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants that are in use in Seshachalam hill ranges in Cuddapah district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Ethnomedicinal uses of 48 plant species along with botanical name, vernacular name, family and mode of administration are presented. They belong to 44 genera and 30 families. These plants used to cure 32 types of ailments. Most remedies were taken orally, accounting for 78% of medicinal use. Most of the remedies were reported to have been from trees and climber species. The most widely sought after plant parts in the preparation of remedies in the study area are the leaves and root. High number of medicinal plant species available for the treatment of skin diseases and indigestion. The study emphasizes the potentials of the ethnobotanical research and the need for the documentation of traditional knowledge pertaining to the medicinal plant utilization for the greater benefit of mankind.

Key words: Ethnomedicine, medicinal plants, Yanadis, Seshachalam, eastern Ghats.