Documentation and validation of local health traditions of Hassan district, Karnataka

BACKGROUND: The documentation of ethno-medicinal claims is of significant value in drug research. The present study was conducted to document and validate the information related to the traditional uses of medicinal plants used by the local health practitioners of Hassan district. METHODS: In the present study, different local health traditions prevalent in Hassan district of Karnataka, documented during the medico-ethno-botanical survey program during October 2017 and March 2018, were presented systematically. The data were collected from traditional healers of the survey area through personal interviews using a prescribed format, and the collected information is validated by referring 22 books related to the classical literature, recent compilations from the classical literature, published literature listing home remedies, Sangraha grantha (compendium), and Nighantu (lexicons) related to medicinal plants. RESULTS: During the survey, a total of 16 folklore claims frequently used in treating 12 different disease conditions were documented. Among the 16 folk claims, two are used as veterinary medicines, and two are food preparations. Sarpa visha (snakebite), Vrana (wound), Raktarsha (bleeding piles), Bhagna (fracture), Jvara (fever), etc. are the most frequently treated disease conditions. About eight formulations are indicated internally seven are used externally, and one formulation is being used for both internal and external purposes. Leaves are the frequently used in different dosage forms such as paste, powder, juice, and poultice. CONCLUSIONS: Since the documentation of indigenous knowledge about medicinal plants is the need of the time, this article could serve as baseline data regarding the traditional claims in treating different disease conditions. The documented data can also serve as a base for developing new medicines by scientific studies.