Volume 162, 13 March 2015, Pages 127–133
Research Paper
Ethnomedicinal knowledge among Karens of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
This
study documents the use of medicinal plants by Karens of Middle
Andaman, of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In spite of the
availability of modern medicines, Karens preferred herbal remedies
provided by the Traditional Knowledge Practitioners (TKPs), who served
as their healers. Hence, the aim of this study was to collect
information from TKPs and determine the significance of plants utilized
for medicinal purposes. The informant consensus factor (ICF) in relation
to medicinal plants used was also estimated and analysed.
Materials and methods
Field
research was conducted in three villages of Middle Andaman, inhabited
by Karens, during October 2010 – February 2013. TKPs were interviewed
with a questionnaire-guided ethno-medical survey protocol. The data
obtained were analysed using the informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value (UV). Voucher specimens of all the cited plants were deposited at Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR), Port Blair.
Results
Use
of 78 medicinal plant species belonging to 71 genera encompassing 48
families was recorded during the survey. These plants were used to treat
38 different ailments, and divided into ten categories of use. The
highest ICF value (0.79) was observed for infections and infestations.
The Zingiberaceae and Fabaceae families exhibited the highest number of
species, and the plants with the highest use values were Typha angustifolia L., Millingtonia hortensis L. f. and Piper betle
L. The most common growth form observed were herbs (42%). Among the
several plant parts used, leaves were mostly preferred for preparation
of medicines. Water was the main excipient used for mixing the herbs.
Conclusions
This
study documents the use of medicinal plants by Karens of the Andaman
and Nicobar Islands. Phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of these
plants need to be studied, to confirm their efficacy and safety, and
determine their potential use in modern medicine.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Karen;
- Middle Andaman;
- Ethnomedicine;
- Informant Consensus Factor;
- Use Value;
- Traditional Knowledge Practitioner
- Corresponding author. Tel.:
+91 3192 251164; fax: +91 3192 251163.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
