A Surevey of Traditional Health care practices of the Tribals of Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh
* Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar and **R. Kapale
*Department of Botany, Govt. College, Jaitpur, Shahdol (India) dr.rkahiwar@gmail.com ** Department of Botany, IGN Tribal University,Amarkantak (India) kapale_r@rediffmail.com
ABSTRACT
This study has been conducted among Baiga primitive tribals of Anuppur District, Madhya Pradesh. Ethnomedicine has long been recognized as an important field of medicinal research. Ethnomedicinal study of disease and illness from ecological and epidemiological points of view to understand the distribution of diseases and their relationship with socio-cultural and environmental factors, have helped in the emergence of several ideas and formulations of present day ethnobotany. In every society, particularly in tribal societies, the people are found to have certain cultural practices to keep their health in good condition. The primitive man must have used things which he was able to procure most easily as therapeutic agents and remedial measures. In ancient times, the health disorders were interpreted in a cosmological and botanical perspective. Medicine was dominated by magical and religious beliefs which were an integral part of the ancient cultures and civilizations. The concept of disease, in which the ancient man believed, is known as the supernatural theory of disease. The present paper deals with species of plants used by the said tribals in the treatment of malaria (Andrographis paniculata); Fractured bones (Vitis quadrangularis); Lactation deficiency (Asparagus racemosus); fever (Tinospora cordifolia); cough & cold (Terminalia chebula); Stomachache (Operculina trurpethum); bronchial problems (Zingiber officinale); diarrhoea and dysentery (Acacia nilotica); and toothache (Calotropis gigantea). Mode of administration has also been dealt with in brief.