Indigenous ecological knowledge and the usage of medicinal plants in Polavaram Mandal of Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: This study was conducted in the Polavaram Mandal of Andhra Pradesh. Eighteen field visits were undertaken in the eight villages of Polavaram Mandal. Methods: Information was collected from 126 informants using open-ended interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. The data was examined employing indices viz., Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Family Importance Value (FIV), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). Results: The study reported 53 plant species used by people to treat several ailments. Herbs were the most commonly used plant species for treatment purposes (27 species). The most preferred plant parts used in herbal preparations were leaves (37%). Plant species with the highest RFC values were Achyranthes aspera L. (0.77), Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (0.74), Eclipta alba (L.) L. (0.61), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (0.59). Based on ICF values, the highest degree of agreement among the informants was found for parasitic problems (0.98). Conclusions: The research showed that the indigenous people of the Polavaram region of Andhra Pradesh had substantial knowledge and reliance on traditional healing methods. The present study reported new medicinal uses for some plant species such as Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, Alpinia galanga, Azanza lampas, Borassus flabellifer, Calotropis procera, Pongamia pinnata, Pterocarpus marsupium, Pterocarpus santalinus, Solanum lasiocarpum, Tectona grandis, and Tinospora cordifolia. We recommend further scientific studies on these plant species. Keywords: Traditional knowledge, Medicinal plants, Informant Consensus Factor, Polavaram, Andhra Pradesh