PLANTS USED IN ETHNO-VETERINARY MEDICINE BY MALAYALI TRIBALS OF MELUR, BODHA HILLS, SOUTHERN EASTERN GHATS, NAMAKKAL DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

A survey for documentation of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants used by the Malayali traditional healers in Melur, Bodha hills, Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, India has been conducted during April 2011April 2012. Ethanoveterinary information was gathered through individual interviews and observation among the Malayali tribals. A total of 70 species of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants belongs to 42 families and 65 genera were recorded in the study with the help of fifteen ethnoveterinary traditional healers. Among the plant parts used by the Malayali tribals for their domestic animals, leaves are most commonly used for the preparation of medicine. The present study was suggested that, the documenting of the medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge can be used for conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants in the area and for validation of these plants for veterinary treatment.