Tribal medicines of Kerala

Deep within the majestic Ghat mountain regions and dense forests of Kerala, reside the original inhabitants of this land. These indigenous people have lived in harmony with nature, considering it their mother and protector. Believed to be descendants of the Negrito race, they have acquired profound knowledge of traditional healing systems through their close connection and constant interaction with the pristine elements of their surroundings.

These humble individuals possess a treasure trove of ancient and time-tested wisdom in the art of healing various ailments using simple herbal remedies. Their approach avoids toxic chemicals or harmful technologies, relying instead on the abundance of herbs, plants, and trees found in the jungles for their medicines.

Among the 35 tribal communities in Kerala, prominent groups include Urali, Paniyan, Kapu, Kanikkar, Kadar, Irula, and Mala arayan. Each community has developed its own traditional systems of medicine, often accompanied by symbolic sacrifices, magical incantations, and mysticism. These tribes also adhere to specific diets as part of their disease treatment practices. In most cases, the tribes guard their secret medicinal knowledge closely. Herbs are collected from the vicinity of their settlements, prepared, and directly administered to the patients. Notably, a single plant may be used in various ways to treat different types of ailments.

While their diagnostic and therapeutic methods may be considered unscientific, their healing practices have been found to be rational and effective. Indigenous healers have discovered remedies for ailments such as cough, toothache, stomach ache, rheumatism, jaundice, urinary stones, itching, diarrhea, and ulcers. For example, inhaling smoke from the leaves and flowering twigs of Kattukarpuram (Asteraceae) is considered an ideal remedy for asthma. Similarly, a paste made from the leaves of veppu (Meliaceae) is used in the treatment of chickenpox.

The invaluable knowledge possessed by the tribes of Kerala, which has been passed down through generations, has recently garnered attention beyond the borders of their dense forests. People from urban areas have started seeking the assistance of these tribal healers to cure their ailments, recognizing the potential of their age-old wisdom.