Abstract:

A comparative study of the traditional herbal knowledge of the islanders of the Indian Ocean and the folk of India shows that both use about seventy species of plants in Indian medicine. Whereas some uses are common among the folk of two regions, many traditional uses among the islanders are unique. Comparative data on such species is presented. Details of uses, dosages, mixture plants or other materials are given for some unique uses/species. The advantage of substituting underground parts of plants with aerial parts use discussed.