Abstract

ETHNOMEDICINAL PRACTICES AMONG THE KONDA REDDI OF WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA.

K. Divya* and S.B. Padal

ABSTRACT

An ethnomedicinal survey was carried out in 10 different villages of West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh with an aim to document the information regarding folkloric uses of indigenous plant species. A total of 40 plant species belonging to 39 genera and 25 families were recorded and enumerated along with their botanical name, family, local name, part(s) used, ethnomedicinal uses including their method of preparation, mode of administration and dosage. The paper deals with the ethnography of community based indigenous knowledge and methods of caring for, healing and managing livestock by the Konda Reddi, one of the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG) in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The paper includes Konda Reddi classification of common livestock ailments, their diagnosis and treatment by the local medicine man. It also underlines that reasons for the continuation of herbal treatment and chanting (mantra) therapy among the Reddis, despite the availability of modern medical facilities for the livestock in the tribal areas.

Keywords: Konda reddi, method of preparation, ethanomedicinal use, diagnosis and treatment.