Explorer Research Article [Vidyasagar & Siddalinga, 3(7): July, 2012] CODEN (USA): IJPLCP ISSN: 0976-7126 Int. J. of Pharm. & Life Sci. (IJPLS), Vol. 3, Issue 7: July: 2012, 1871-1876 1871 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY & LIFE SCIENCES Ethnomedicinal plants used to treat menstrual disorders by tribal people in Bellary district of Karnataka, India G. M. Vidyasagar 1 * and S. M. Murthy Siddalinga 2 1, Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Botany, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga, (Karnataka) - India 2, A D B First Grade College, Harapanahalli, (Karnataka) - India Abstract An ethnobotanical survey of Bellary district, comprising seven taluks was conducted during May 2009 to July 2011. The main purpose of this survey was to document the traditional use of medicinal plants for the treatment of menstrual disorders of women in Bellary district. Twenty six species of folk drug plants belonging to 24 genera and 21 families were found to be used as a remedy for this problem by the tribal and rural women. The scientific name, family and local names of these medicinal plants along with habit, part used and mode of their administrations are provided. Key-Words: Ethnomedicinal plants, menstrual disorders, tribal, Bellary, Karnataka Introduction Use of plants for the treatment of various human ailments is as old as human civilization. Even after the induction of 200 years of modern medicine, about 90% people in rural India take the help of local health practitioners for the treatment of various diseases 1 . At present about 65% of the Indian population is dependent on the traditional system of medicine 2 . Menstrual disorders are common in women of this region. This region is well developed by all means; still women of this district have a good deal of faith on local plants used for these problems. Many women do not approach doctors because of hesitation and lack of awareness. The traditional healers have a commendable knowledge of medicinal plants around them. Some of the common menstrual problems prevailing in the study area are Amenorrhoea (stoppage of menstrual flow), Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation), Leucorrhoea (white discharge), Menorrhagia (excessive menstrual flow), Menstrual cramps and Oligomenorrhoea (irregular periods). Hence an ethno-medicinal survey was undertaken to document the traditional use of folk drug plants for the treatment of menstrual disorders in women of Bellary district. Documenting the traditional knowledge is important for the conservation of medicinal plants as well as their sustainable utilization. * Corresponding Author E.mail: gmvidyasagar@rediffmail.com Mob.: +91-9449258812 Fax: 08472-263 205 Bellary, one of the districts in Karnataka state comprises seven taluks viz. Bellary, Hospet, Sandur, Siruguppa, Kudligi, Hadagali and Hagaribommnahalli. It is situated between 14° 30' and 15° 50' North latitude and 75° 40' and 77° 11' East longitude. The district is situated in the south zone. It is having partly sandy and black cotton with red loamy soil suitable for agricultural crops. The western part of the district is red loamy with hilly area having rich minerals like iron (65%) and manganese (40-48%). According to the 2011 census, Bellary district has a population of 25.32 lakhs. Tribal people living in the study area include Medara, Lambanee, Korava, Budabudike and Adavichencharu. The major occupation of this district is agriculture and 75% total labour force is dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. Bellary district has a geographical area of 8.13 lakhs hectares, out of which the forest area covers an extent of 1.057 lakhs hectares i.e. 13% of the total geographic area. The maximum temperature recorded was 45° C. and the minimum was 11° C. The average elevation is 478 m above sea level and the annual rainfall is 639 mm. The climatic conditions prevailing in the region provides an ideal habitat for the natural growth of variety of plants which provide raw materials for herbal drugs. Methodology Information on the plants used for menstrual disorders of folklore origin was obtained during the ethnobotanical survey of Bellary district. The surveys were conducted during May 2009 to July 2011 using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods. For this