Ethnomedicinal plant knowledge of the Mullu kuruma tribe of Wayanad district, Kerala

Abstract

Mullu kuruma tribe is a very prominent tribal group of Wayanad district of Kerala state with unique culture and ethnobotanical practices. The study has revealed the use of 136 plant species for traditional medicinal purposes by the tribe. They use about 14 plants for the treatment of skin diseases, 10 for inflammation, 3 as abortifacient, 9 for dandruff, 11 for dysentery, 6 for piles, 7 for epilepsy, 19 for asthma and other bronchial diseases, 11 for anaemia, 4 for constipation, 1 for tuberculosis, 8 for jaundice and other liver diseases, 6 for burns, 7 for leucorrhoea, 2 for migraine, 5 for wounds, 3 for malaria and 13 for urinary complaints and kidney stone.