Study of some ethnomedicinal plants for treatment of dysentery of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India

Paper deals with some medicinal plants of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh to treat dysentery disease (Infection of the intestines with bacteria or protozoans, resulting in severe diarrhoea with blood and mucus in the faeces) with help of medicinal plants. 40 plant species are recorded as medicinal plants which are used by the tribal people of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Out of these 40 plant species 17 trees, 11 herbs, 7 climbers and 5 are shrubs. The 40 plants are being used commonly for dysentery, Root is used in a quantum of 28%, leaf in 21%, stem bark (12%), tuberous / seeds / tubers / fruit (2%), each. Stem (2.41%), gum (5%), whole plant (14%) and flower (3%). These findings warn us from popularization of ethnomedicinal practices in dysentery before alternate steps are taken up to grow medicinal flora in a campaign approach. Phytochemical studies of above said plants need to be taken up to find out the exact ingredients that help in the curing of dysentery. The exploitation of medicinal plants for their economic value and use must be carried out, but proper care should be taken for their conservation by both in-situ as well as ex-situ conservation methods.