Exploring the Ethnomedicinal Plants for Skin Disease Treatment: A Comprehensive Study in the Tribal Communities of Kandhamal District, Odisha

In Odisha, there are 62 different kinds of tribes living in the state, 13 of which are primitive. In the state of Odisha, the Kandha caste is the largest. The Kandha tribe reside in many Odisha districts, including Koraput, Rayagada, Boudh, Nayagarh, Malkangiri, and Kandhamal. Among those who employ this natural remedy is the Kandha caste. The Kandha people have long maintained their customs, and they create and use medicines according to their own techniques. They rely on plants for basic health because of poverty and scarcity. To treat the illness, they employ particular components and dosages. Prior to administering treatment, they examine the patient's condition in detail before administering the prepared medication (Xavier et al., 2015). 

In rural healthcare, ethnomedicine the study of indigenous medical practices remains essential, particularly in developing nations. Indigenous phytotherapy is extensively used and relies on treatments that have been handed down through the generations, even in the face of contemporary medications. Given that many rural communities rely on these therapies as their primary source of healthcare, the World Health Organization acknowledges its importance. About 85% of primary care drugs worldwide are derived from plants, demonstrating the long-standing importance of ethnomedicine in the prevention, treatment, and development of new therapeutic agents (Abbasi, et al., 2010). Ethnobotany explores the relationship between people and plants, focusing on how indigenous communities utilize local flora. Herbs serve dual roles as food and medicine, highlighting their importance in traditional practices and contributing to the conservation of biological diversity (Mowobi, et al., 2016).  For generations, medicinal plants have played a crucial role in traditional herbal medicine, offering primary healthcare that is both accessible and reasonably priced. They are widely used around the world to treat skin conditions brought on by viruses, fungus, bacteria, and other pathogens. The use of medicinal plants has been practiced in India for almost 4,000 years, demonstrating a rich ethnomedical legacy that is still vital to the treatment and prevention of disease (Mandal, et al., 2020). Tribal groups' ethnobotanical understanding of plant usage is essential for both species conservation and healthcare. Traditional medicine is based on centuries-old knowledge and readily available plant resources. Numerous indigenous medical systems in India have amassed a wealth of knowledge about medicinal plants over the course of centuries, underscoring the continued importance of ethnomedicine (Wani and Pant, 2020). Medicinal herbs are essential for basic healthcare because they provide accessible and reasonably priced alternatives to traditional medical services, which can be costly or challenging to get (Nambejja, et al., 2019). These ailments range from more serious conditions like vitiligo and psoriasis to more common ones like eczema, acne, and fungal infections. Indigenous knowledge and the history of natural goods are as old as human civilization and have been transmitted orally over the ages. Modern pharmacology relies heavily on ethnomedical data to help create novel medications based on traditional cures. John Harshberger first used the term "ethnobotany" in 1895 to describe the study of the interactions between humans and plants. The Rig Veda (4500–1600 BC) contains the first ethnomedical documents in the Indian subcontinent (Alamgeer, et al., 2018). Modern medicine has conducted a great deal of study on the treatment of these skin conditions. However, traditional healing methods especially those used by tribal communities have long contained important information about how to use ethno-medicinal plants to treat skin conditions. Plant-based treatments are the foundation of traditional medical systems like Siddha, Ayurveda, and Unani. The importance of these herbs in treating skin conditions has also been highlighted by recent research (Renu et al., 2023). Tribal communities have a deep appreciation of nature and its therapeutic qualities since they frequently live in isolated and ecologically diverse areas. This ancient wisdom, which has been passed down through the generations, has been used to treat a variety of illnesses, including skin conditions. In places where it was traditionally passed down orally, the traditional use of herbal medicine decreases, endangering the preservation of important information about medicinal plants. Despite this drop, the market for herbal medicines is rising quickly because of their low cost and few negative effects. Growing healthcare expenses have also prompted consumers to look into less expensive options, which has led to a resurgence of interest in herbal medicine as a secure, easily available, and efficient solution for contemporary medical requirements (Saikia, et al., 2006). The utilization of plants and other natural resources that are widely available in their environment is a component of ethnomedical practices. It is concerning that younger generations are becoming less interested in conventional medicine. Preserving medicinal plants requires fostering natural practices and conserving traditional knowledge (Alam et al., 2022).

As the body's largest organ and first line of defense, the skin needs to be properly cared for and protected. This highlights the need of early detection and prevention in the management of skin illnesses (Shoaib et al., 2024). The human body's outermost layer, the skin, provides defense against environmental dangers like infections and ultraviolet light. The epidermis and dermis (subcutaneous tissue) are its two main layers. In addition to having fibroblasts, nerve and vascular networks, and epidermal appendages, the dermis is abundant in collagen (Valle et al., 2007). In rural areas, skin illnesses are common, mostly as a result of poor sanitation, poor hygiene, and tainted water. Various societies use traditional herbal treatments, which are essential for treating these ailments. In situations when modern medicines may be limited, these remedies offer accessible healthcare and are frequently safe, effective, and economical (Buragohain & Konwar, 2007). The structure and functions of the skin, highlighting its critical function as the body's barrier of defense (Patel et al., 2022). Specialized cells including keratinocytes, melanocytes, and Langerhans cells, which are in charge of strength, pigment, and immunological reactions, are found in the epidermis, the outermost layer. The epidermal layer is anchored to the dermis by the foundation membrane. The dermal matrix, which includes fibroblasts, immunological cells, glands, blood arteries, and nerves, gives the epidermis energy and nourishment (Carla et al., 2011). Collagen and elastin fibers, blood arteries, nerve endings, and hair follicles are all found in the dermis, which is located beneath the epidermis. The importance of synthetic human skin substitutes for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and scientific purposes. the application of natural remedies for a range of skin conditions, such as using wild herbs. The largest organ and the body's first line of defense, the skin has to be properly cared for and protected.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Study area

Kandhamal district in Odisha is a picturesque and culturally rich region with diverse attractions. The district's natural beauty, dense forests, towering mountains, and tribal villages make it an alluring destination for tourists (Fig:1). This District is located between 19'34 & 20'36 north latitude and 83'34 & 84'34 east longitude and covers an area of 7654 sq. km. The climate ranges from hot and dry in summers too cold in winters, creating a pleasant environment. The district's socio-economic conditions are influenced by its hilly terrain and narrow valleys. The study conducted in this region aimed to compile traditional knowledge and indigenous practices used for curing skin-related problems. The reliance on wild sources for plant materials is acknowledged, leading to the depletion and endangerment of many medicinal plant species. The utilization of medicinal plants by ethnic communities and folk healers is also mentioned.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://kandhamal.odisha.gov.in/about-district/aboutus%23:~:text%3DThe%2520Kandhamal%2520district%2520covering%2520a,Kalahandi%2520District%2520in%2520the%2520west.&ved=2ahUKEwjv0aKQ6uuPAxXrWXADHebFBowQ-tANegQICxAV&usg=AOvVaw3KBhISc3yDKh1SZqyEICoL

Fig: 1; Map of Odisha showing Kandhamal district

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:India_Odisha_Kandhamal_district.svg&ved=2ahUKEwiN7_yP6uuPAxVSTGwGHYeAC3wQh-wKegQIIRAD&usg=AOvVaw2LHyM_Qskj6IjftbhT0o0w

AIM OF THE STUDY: To document the medicinal plants of traditional knowledge used by the tribal communities of Kandhamal district for treating various skin diseases.

Survey method:

In order to gather information from indigenous medicine practitioners and community members on the usage of local plants and their names for herbal medicine, the study used ethnobotanical surveys, interviews with traditional healers, and field observations. Men and women of various ages participated in a cross-sectional survey on ethnomedicinal herbs used to cure skin conditions in several tribal settlements in Kandhamal. The Kui tribal people of Kandhamal were the subjects of this ethnobotanical survey. The use of traditional medicine to treat skin conditions without visiting a medical facility was examined. There are more women than males in the survey, and women are more likely than men to suffer from skin conditions. The data collected and documented the name, family, habitat, and sections of plants that are used to treat skin conditions.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Traditional remedies can become popular and accessible to urban people as well, thanks to the thousands of plant species found in many rural locations. This would significantly improve the well-being and prosperity of tribal and rural groups in India and other places. The conclusion drawn from the observation of numerous studies is that the significant role that herbal medicine plays in healthcare and in treating skin-related conditions has to be emphasized. Prioritizing herbal medication can benefit society and result in better medicine, as numerous studies have demonstrated that allopathic medicine has less adverse effects than herbal medicine (Saising et al., 2022). Both the development of herbal medicine and modern medical advancements would have provided some respite to the impoverished rural population (Fayiah et al., 2023). The loss of traditional healers, the preservation of knowledge about herbal medicine discoveries, and the requirement for group consultation to transition from traditional to modern healthcare practices are some of the difficulties.

The first thing that comes to mind when considering illnesses and medications is whether allopathic or herbal therapy is better for us. We have an idea of allopathy because we believe it to be the best, but it has drawbacks as well. By the use of allopathic medicine in order to heal one illness, we suffer another disease as a result of the side effects. By focusing more on allopathic care, humans have forgotten about herbal therapy. In the modern day, we have come a long way from traditional medicine, which is astounding because humankind is evolving along with science. However, according to the World Health Organization, 80% of people worldwide receive their primary medical care from herbal remedies (Hamilton, 2004). It encompasses many wealthy nations, like America, London, and Japan, in addition to India. People rely on the use of traditional medicinal plants as a form of treatment in many parts of the world, especially in rural areas. This dependence results from the easy access to these plants, their cultural acceptance, and the economic difficulties these communities frequently experience. The selected plants are highly used for skin treatment of tribal people, which are shown below in table format (Table 1). In tribal area of Kandhamal district of Odisha, rural people are mostly use the plants parts as their primary health care for skin diseases.

(Table- 1) List of plants used by Kandha tribe for skin disease treatment:

1. Eczema                      2. Psoriasis                        3. Acne                         4. Scabies

Images of Tribal people affected in different skin diseases (Fig. 1-4).