Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Nature has provided a complete storehouse of remedies to cure ailment of mankind. Medicinal plants have been used for centuries as remedies for diseases because they contain component of therapeutic values. Ethno-veterinary medicine is the holistic interdisciplinary study of the local knowledge and the socio-cultural structures and environment associated with animal healthcare and husbandry. Herbal medicines are used as the major remedy in traditional medical system. Herbal medicines are being used by nearly about 80% of the world population, primarily in developing countries for primary health care. Western Ghats is veritable niche of growing healing herbs, which are being used in Indian system of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Traditional healing system play an important role in maintaining the physical and psychological well being of the vast majority of tribal people in India. The present study was initiated with an aim to identify knowledgeable resource persons and document their knowledge of on the utilization of medicinal plants. The present documentation of traditional knowledge from an area where novel information has been generated will not only provide recognition to this knowledge but will also help in its conservation vis-a-vis providing pharmacological leads for the betterment of animals in human society. The practice of using herbal medicines is widely spread in this region with higher percentage of tribal as well as non tribal population relying on it is because of lack of awareness; shyness and lack of modern medical facilities available in their region and the high cost of modern medical system for treatment are unaffordable by tribal.

Biography

Venugopal N is a Professor and Head of Department of Botany/Microbiology and he is working in Sri Jagadguru Renukacharya College of Science, Arts and Commerce, India. He has published 21 research papers in various national and international journals and completed 20 student research projects. He was conferred with an award ‘Talented Scientist Award’ for outstanding contribution to the medicinal plant research during the 4th international conference on medicinal plants and herbal products held at John Hopkins University, USA in 2012 and Award of Excellence in microbial biotechnology in 2015 at Pondicherry.

Email: drvenu57@gmail.com