Indigenous phytotherapy for genito-urinary diseases used by the Kandha tribe of Orissa, India.

Studies on ethnomedicobotany of Kandha tribe of Orissa, India, are scanty. In view of this the original ethno-botanical information and plant specimens were collected from the Kandhamal district of Orissa by visiting the area several times. The paper reports 27 plant species belonging to 24 families used in the treatment of 17 diseases under the broad heading genito-urinary diseases by the Kandhas of Orissa. The use of these plants does not necessarily imply efficacy, but it does give a list of species that can be studied pharmacologically for its active principles and bioactive effect.