ETHNOBOTANICAL INFORMATION ON PLANTS USED FOR ARTHRITIS BY THE TRIBES OF PARVATHIPURAM MANYAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA.

An exploration of the Ethnobotanical knowledge of Parvathipuram Manyam district, a part of the Eastern Ghats which is home to rich flora and tribal habitats teeming with unique tribal cultures, identified 48 medicinal plants for arthritis and its similar ailments. They belong to 44 genera and 32 families. The details collected from the tribal medicinal gurus, tribal older persons and priests identified through standard flora and their vernacular names, parts used and method of usage are expressed in this paper. These plants were used either externally or internally. Although the results of this findings are inspiring, further experimentation is needed on the active phytochemicals involved before they can be put into practice.