இனககழ மரததவ அறவயலல மனகள / Fishes in Ethnomedical Science

The rapid growth of the world’s population has led to an increase in human needs. It can be broadly divided into two categories such as necessities and healthcare. The basic necessities refer to self-sufficiency in food, clothing and shelter meanwhile healthcare involves environmental cleanliness and access to medical aid. Medical knowledge has progressed along human civilization from the early times. Even modern English medicine takes its sources its raw materials from nature. Therefore, traditional medical knowledge from indigenous communities is vital to identify natural resources used in the development of medicines. To avoid harmful effects, it is essential to integrate advanced scientific methods with ancient traditional knowledge. Tamil folk medicine has an impact on all types of medical practices all over the world. Anthropology plays a crucial role in this integration of ethno-medicine and studies the traditional medical practices of various particular ethnic groups. The Tamil ethnic group is one of the world’s oldest groups who live by the principle of considering “Food is medicine; medicine is food.” They had deep insights in the medicinal value of food and nature. There is much evidence that they have used fish for medical treatment. Even though they seem like folk medicine, they are effective in use in the form of food. So, reviving those traditional practices is important in the present times which speak of sustainable medicine. The ancient research used plants and animals for medical use. Hence, this article focuses to explore the role of fish in the ethno-medicinal practices of the Tamils.