Ethnobotanical studies of draupathi amman sacred grove in melapalur village, ariyalur district

A study on plant diversity and ethnomedicinal plants of sacred grove in Melapalur village was carried out in the present work. Through personal interviews and conversations, a total number of 46 plant species used by the human beings to treat different ailments was enumerated during field trips. The locals use 46 medicinal plants for the treatment of several diseases either in single or in combination with some other ingredients. The information on correct botanical identities with family and traditional practice of 46 species fall under 43 genera and 26 families of angiosperms. The dicotyledons were represented by 44 species falls under 41 genera and 24 families while monocotyledons were represented by 2 species belong to 2 genera and 2 families were discussed here for the treatment of various illnesses viz., asthma, snake bite, anthelmintic, promote coolness antipyretic, jaundice, diarrhea, dysentery, leprosy, diuretic, diabetes, stomachache problems, paralysis and skin diseases. These uses are noteworthy information for further investigation and to report in a scientific manner. The present study concluded that the abundance of natural ethnomedicinal information of medicinal plants lead in the discovery of new medicines to fight ailments.