Ethnomedical Survey of Herbs for the Management of Malaria in Karnataka, India

Abstract

Herbs used by traditional healers for malaria management were documented in the Tumkur district of Karnataka, India. In total, 31 species of plants in 20 families were used. 30% of the herbal remedies contained species in only three plant families; Fabaceae, Piperaceae, and Zingiberaceae. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part (29%). Eight plant species used in the study area, were documented for the first time for their use in the treatment of malaria. Ethnomedical and antiplasmodial activity of documented species was assessed by comparison with published literature.