Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Toxicology | Volume 4 Issue 2 | Pages: 1-6 | Doi : 10.37446/jet/ra/4.2.2026.1-6

Review Article

OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 08-Jul-2026

Ethnomedicinal knowledge, traditional practices, medicinal plants, and conservation challenges in the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu, India: a comprehensive review

• Soundarraj M
• Post Doctoral Researcher, Department of Tamil, Kongunadu arts and science college, Coimbatore- 641029, Tamil Nadu, India.

Krishnakumar S
• Post Graduate Student, Department of Biochemistry, Kongunadu arts and science college, Coimbatore- 641029, Tamil Nadu, India.


• Manimegalai R
• Associate Professor and Head, Department of Tamil, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore- 641029, Tamil Nadu, India.

Abstract

Ethnomedicine is the traditional knowledge of medicine, practiced by indigenous people. In Tamil Nadu, India, the Kongu region had many types of ethnomedicine practices due to its tribal and rural nature. In this review, we have made an attempt to summarize the ethnomedicinal knowledge and important medicinal plants from major districts of the Kongu region, like Coimbatore, Salem, Tiruppur, Erode, and Namakkal. The present study focuses on the ethnomedicinal uses of plants for various ailments. Declining traditional practices and medicinal uses of plants due to urbanization and the influence of allopathic medicine are emphasized in this review. Conservation of ethnomedicinal knowledge is needed to maintain the value of biocultural heritage.

Keywords

ethnomedicine, ethnobotany, Tamil Nadu tribes, kongu region, indigenous knowledge, traditional medicine

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