SURVEY OF ETHNOMEDICAL PRACTICES AMONG KATTU NAICKAN TRIBE IN SIRUMALAI HILLS, DINDIGUL DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Ethnomedicine plays a decisive role in major healthcare among native populations. The Kattu Naickan tribe residing in Sirumalai Hills of Dindigul district, Tamil nadu, India possesses rich traditional knowledge in the management of snake bites, scorpion stings and other toxicological conditions. A qualitative ethnographic study was conducted among four elderly tribal practitioners. A total of 145 medicinal plant species were documented. Most of the plants were collected from forest areas, while other raw drugs have been obtained from local surroundings and from markets. The study highlights the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge and emphasizes the need for scientific validation.