Ethno-Medicobotanical Survey in Dharwad-Plants Used for Jaundice

Dharwad district is situated at an elevation of 678 m. above MSL. This district is adjacent to Western Ghats. There are several herbal practitioners who depend mostly on the locally available plants. There is no published data on the ethno-medico botanical study of this district and hence an extensive survey was undertaken between 1999-2001. More than 200 traditional herbal practitioners were contacted, amongst whom 54 are effectively treating the jaundice. Twenty five species belonging to 18 families used for curing jaundice in Dharwad district of Karnataka have been recorded. Amongst these species, the most commonly used are Eclipta prostrata L., Plumbago zeylanica L., Ricinus communis L., Balanites aegyptlaca (L) Delile., Phyllanthus niruri L. and Tinospora cordifolia Miers. The method of preparation of medicines disclosed by few of the practitioners are discussed.