Assessment of ethnomedicinal plants in Attoor, Kanyakumari, Tamil-Nadu

Utilization of plants for medicinal purposes in India has been documented long back in ancient literature. South India holds more hidden treasure of plant resources for healthcare. Information on the uses of plants as traditional medicine has not been documented in Tamil Nadu till today. Ironically, information on the uses of plants for medicines and lack of interest among the younger generation as well as their tendency to migrate to cities for lucrative jobs, wealth of knowledge from this area is declining. In this backdrop, the present work attempts to record the use of medicinal plants by the local people and traditional healers who have sound knowledge of herbal remedies. Therefore, documenting indigenous knowledge through ethno-botanical studies is important for the conservation of biological resources and their sustainable utilization. Despite the increasing acceptance of traditional medicine in Attoor, Kanyakumari district, this rich indigenous knowledge on traditional remedies is not adequately documented. Documentation of plants used as traditional medicines in Attor is urgent so that the knowledge can be preserved; the utilized plants are conserved and used sustainably. The current investigation therefore, attempts to fill some of the gaps in indigenous knowledge related to the use of herbal medicines in Attoor, Kanyakumari District emphasizing their role in basic health care.