Studies on Folklore medicine of Rampachodavaram Division, Alluri Sitaramaraju District

An ethnomedicinal survey was carried out from ethnic community of Rampachodavaram, Alluri Sitarama Raju District, Andhra Pradesh, India. The indigenous knowledge of local medical practices was collected through questionnaire and personal interviews during field work. 100 plant species belonging to 92 genera and 55 families were found to be used specifically in the treatment of various diseases by ethnic tribes of Rampachodavaram.


Introduction
Ethnobotanical study of traditional plant wealth has resulted in many valuable discoveries.New methods for cultivating crops on arid lands to new medicines for the treatment of various diseases.Ethnobotanical research has led to the development of many commercial plant derived drugs.The ethno medico-botanical studies of Paderu and Araku valley in Andhra Pradesh reported [1].Some ethnomedicinal plants used by the Chenchus, Yerukalas, Yanadis, and Sugalis for fevers and anthrax in cattle in hills of Cuddaph district [2].Some ethnomedicinal plants used for paralysis by Sugali tribes in Andhra Pradesh [3].Studied on medicinal plants of Warangal and Srikakulam district [4] and also other significant contribution on ethnomedicine of Northern Andhra Pradesh [5][6][7][8][9][10][11].The main objectives of the present investigation are collection, identification and documentation of the plants used by ethnic tribal community of Rampachodavaram.Taxonomic analysis and systematic evaluation of drug yielding plants used by ethnic tribes.

Study area
Rampachodavaram is a census town in Alluri Sitharamaraju district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.It is located in Rampachodavaram mandal of Rampachodavaram revenue division.Several field trips were undertaken in tribal area of Alluri Sitaramaraju district, Andhra Pradesh during 2021-2022.From centuries the forests of Rampachodavarammandal have been inhabited by a number of tribes who have been maintaining distinct ways of life, beliefs, traditions cultures, customs and myths.In this Mandal the major tribal groups are Koya, Valmiki, Kammara, Konda Dora, Kotia, Kulia, Malis, Manne Dora, Muka dora and Gouds, where as the primitive tribal group (PTG) comprise Khonds, Gadaba and Porja.These tribes depend on local health practioners or Vaidyas called the gurus for their health care).

Methodology
The ethnomedicinal uses of plants were collected by using structured questionnaires.Ethnomedicinal data were collected according to the methodology suggested by Jain [12].The detailed information regarding herbal names, parts used, purpose, and mode medicinal uses were recorded in Table 1.The methods of plant collection and preparations of herbarium have been followed by Jain and Rao [13] and were identified taxonomically (Gamble and Fischer [14].The voucher specimens were deposited in Andhra University herbarium, Visakhapatnam District.

Results and discussion
A total number of 100 plants belonging to 92 genera and 55 families were recorded (Table 1).Fabaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Asteraceae and Apocynaceae has the highest number of species (5 species) followed by Euphorbiaceae (4 species), Solanaceae, Rutaceae, Myrtaceae, Moraceae, Lythraceae, Liliaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Araceae and Anacardiaceae each one with (3 species) and ten families contain two species each and rest of the thirty families contain single species.Among the total plant species, trees are highest in number (39) followed by herbs (36), Shrubs (13), Climbers (10) and Parasite (2).With regard to the frequency of plant parts used in preparations, roots were mostly often used followed by stem bark, leaf, whole plant, seed, root bark, fruit, tuber, flowers, stem, rhizome, gum and whole plant.The primitive ethnic tribes of Rampachodavaram, Alluri Sitaramaraju district, 100 plants were used for 42 diseases viz.Asthma, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Abortion, Leucorrhoea, Jaundice, Fever, Anthelmintic, Conjuctivitis, Boils, Blood pressure, Stomachache, Hydrocele, Headache, Gonorrhoea, Dandruf, Cuts, Cold and blisters.

Table 1
Ethnomedicinal plants used by primitive people of Rampachodavaram Division