Author(s): Chithra M, Prabhu Kumar KM and Geetha SP

Abstract: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to explore the indigenous knowledge of the Arnadan, Cholanaikkan, Kattunaikkan, Kuruman, Muthuvan and Paniya tribes of Malappuram District, Kerala, India and to highlight the uses of the diverse flora. This paper provides information about 103 medicinal plant species of 51 families used by the six tribes to manage 20 ailments / conditions. The indigenous knowledge of these tribal traditional healers has been disappearing due to lack of followers for this valuable knowledge, as well as their migration to places outside of the forest. Use of plants among the six tribes reflects their interest in ethno-medicine and further investigation on under-explored species may lead to the discovery of novel pharmaceutical products. Due to its efficacy, safety and low cost traditional medicines are more preferable among common people.