People's knowledge on medicinal plants in Sringeri taluk, Karnataka

Abstract

The present paper reports therapeutic uses of eleven medicinal plants used by the indigenous people for curing many of the skin diseases. For ringworms, eczema and scabies, the species of Lobelia, Vitex, Asparagus, Leucas and Ocimum are used, during prickly heat, itching and measles, species of Ocimum, Asparagus, Adhatoda, and Leucas are used, while during small pox, species of Hibiscus and Vitex are extensively used. Indigenous people depend upon these plants for curing the skin disorders rather going for modern medicine. Documentation of such knowledge is important to evaluate culture and protection of people’s exert on local biodiversity, since these aspects have implications in conservation and management of local resources.