38.
Irulas
A Treasure House Of Traditional Knowledge
India is a repository of ancient traditions. It’s a land seeped in history with a glorious past.
Science and technology in ancient India covered all major branches of knowledge like mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, medical science, surgery, fine arts, mechanical and production technology, civil engineering, architecture, shipbuilding and navigation, sports and games etc.
Coming to medicine, India is rich in ethnic diversity and traditional knowledge has resulted in a considerable body of ethnobotanical research. There are over 537 different aboriginal groups in India with extensive knowledge of plants. Many qualitative surveys have recorded detailed utility of specific plants for many aboriginal groups such as the Malasars, Malamalasars, Malayalis, Irulas, Gonds, Koysd, Konda reddis, Valmikis, Koyas, Chenchus, Lambadis, Jatapus, Savaras, Bagatas, Kammaras, Khondas, Nukadoras, Porjas, Jatapus and host of others.
In India, it is reported that traditional healers use 2500 plant species as regular sources of medicine. Traditionally, this treasure of knowledge has been passed on orally from generation to generation without any written documentation. This is apart from the mainstream medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani.
In this chapter we take up the case of the Irulas, a tribe in South India. India is home to the world’s largest tribal population.
The Irulas reside in the Kodiakkarai Reserve Forest (KRF) in the Coromandal coast of Thanjavur district, India. They are one among the six oldest tribes in the region. Their population in thisregion is estimated to be between 1000 to 2000.
Early 20th century anthropological literature classified the Irulas under the Negrito ethnic group. The term Irula means being capable of finding one’s path in dark forests, according to an Irula lore. This is characteristic of the Irulas.
They are known to be exceptional healers and keepers of traditional knowledge of the flora in the coastal forest. Furthermore, the Irulas are an example of a culture that has preserved a highly diverse ecosystem that sustains their healthy life-styles.
Born in nature’s lap, Irulas share a symbiotic relationship with Mother Earth. Irula healers, mostly women, practice traditional healing systems, which use over 320 medicinal herbs.
They treat several newage diseases with a high success rate. People around the world realize that traditional healing practices must have a place in modern medicine.
The Irula Tribal Women’s Welfare Society (ITWWS), established in 1986, focuses on this traditional science.
It empowers Irula women by promoting their medicinal products. This revival of traditional healing systems addresses public health needs as well as conserves Irula culture and expertise.
The Irulas’ Natural Products Corporation is a partnership firm located in the ITWWS campus, which produces, promotes and markets Irula health-care products. It provides employment to several hundred Irula women. This project is supported by the
Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Rural Development. These products are made from medicinal plants grown naturally without any chemical additives or pesticides.
Science and technology in ancient India covered all major branches of knowledge like mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, medical science, surgery, fine arts, mechanical and production technology, civil engineering, architecture, shipbuilding and navigation, sports and games etc.
Coming to medicine, India is rich in ethnic diversity and traditional knowledge has resulted in a considerable body of ethnobotanical research. There are over 537 different aboriginal groups in India with extensive knowledge of plants. Many qualitative surveys have recorded detailed utility of specific plants for many aboriginal groups such as the Malasars, Malamalasars, Malayalis, Irulas, Gonds, Koysd, Konda reddis, Valmikis, Koyas, Chenchus, Lambadis, Jatapus, Savaras, Bagatas, Kammaras, Khondas, Nukadoras, Porjas, Jatapus and host of others.
In India, it is reported that traditional healers use 2500 plant species as regular sources of medicine. Traditionally, this treasure of knowledge has been passed on orally from generation to generation without any written documentation. This is apart from the mainstream medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani.
In this chapter we take up the case of the Irulas, a tribe in South India. India is home to the world’s largest tribal population.
The Irulas reside in the Kodiakkarai Reserve Forest (KRF) in the Coromandal coast of Thanjavur district, India. They are one among the six oldest tribes in the region. Their population in thisregion is estimated to be between 1000 to 2000.
Early 20th century anthropological literature classified the Irulas under the Negrito ethnic group. The term Irula means being capable of finding one’s path in dark forests, according to an Irula lore. This is characteristic of the Irulas.
They are known to be exceptional healers and keepers of traditional knowledge of the flora in the coastal forest. Furthermore, the Irulas are an example of a culture that has preserved a highly diverse ecosystem that sustains their healthy life-styles.
Born in nature’s lap, Irulas share a symbiotic relationship with Mother Earth. Irula healers, mostly women, practice traditional healing systems, which use over 320 medicinal herbs.
They treat several newage diseases with a high success rate. People around the world realize that traditional healing practices must have a place in modern medicine.
The Irula Tribal Women’s Welfare Society (ITWWS), established in 1986, focuses on this traditional science.
It empowers Irula women by promoting their medicinal products. This revival of traditional healing systems addresses public health needs as well as conserves Irula culture and expertise.
The Irulas’ Natural Products Corporation is a partnership firm located in the ITWWS campus, which produces, promotes and markets Irula health-care products. It provides employment to several hundred Irula women. This project is supported by the
Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Rural Development. These products are made from medicinal plants grown naturally without any chemical additives or pesticides.
Ethnomedicine - Emerging Trends
A mounting body of critical research is raising the credibility of traditional knowledge in scientific studies and natural resource management. The lack of recognition of the place and value of traditional knowledge in science has prevented real engagement of this knowledge in scientific endeavours including nutrition, medicine, environmental assessment and resource management practices. These studies have gained credibility because their claims are supported by methods that are repeatable and provide data for quantitative analyses that can be used to assess confidence in the results.
Throughout history aboriginal people have been the custodians of bio-diversity and have sustained healthy life-styles in an environmentally sustainable manner. However this knowledge has not been transferred to modern society.
It was recently this aboriginal group, Irulas chose to share this knowledge with society-at-large in order to promote a global lifestyle of health and environmental sustainability. They believe that a healthy lifestyle is founded on a healthy environment.
They found themselves virtually bonded labourers in 1976 when the Forest Protection Bill was passed. It became very difficult for them to lead their traditional lifestyle.
The culture of the Irulas has changed little over the last one thousand years. Their staple food consists of minor millets, grain legumes, and wild yams supplemented with rice. They do not practice agriculture and therefore wholly depend on forest produce and wild animals. The Irulas settlements are located within or on the edge of the forests and consist of tiny scattered huts. The community is divided into several exogamous clans.
More recently, some Irulas go to local villages to trade or sell honey, honey wax, firewood, wild fruits, yams, berries and other native herbal products. This supports a productive and localized non-timber forest product industry, which supports many families. The Irulas trade these products for local farm produce. Before this, their interaction with civilization was very limited.
A variety of plant morphological structures are utilized as medicine by the Irulas of which leaves are used most frequently, followed by roots, bark, seeds, whole plants, flowers, fruits and latex/sap. The preparation for utilization of these plant parts can be grouped into several categories based on the mode of preparation; decoction, extract, fresh or cooked plant, juice, latex, paste, and powder.
These herbs can be used as mosquito repellents, antibiotics, antidotes, appetizers or simply, as food compliments. Plant remedies are utilized for various illnesses such as asthma, blood flow, body pain, weak or feeble body, cold, cough, diabetes, diarrhoea, earache, eye pain, fever, general medicine, hydrocoele, hypothermia, intestinal worms, jaundice, leprosy, pregnancy pain, purgative, rheumatism, skin disease, skin-shine, spiritual, toothache and wounds.
With a rise in lifestyle diseases, many patients are flocking them in search of a cure. Native healing practitioners provide a source of income for many Irulas families.
The Irulas share the concept ‘Neenda aauil’, which translates to “living a long healthy life”. The Irulas believe that the treatment of ailments can be preempted by a healthy lifestyle. The Irulasroutinely consume these herbs for good health.
A great variety of plants are collected from the wild and distributed among the community or sent off to local markets for trading with other communities.
An ancient tradition of the Irulas is to eat certain plants on a regular basis according to the seasons in order to prevent certain diseases. It is a common practice for the Irulas to consume plants in the wild throughout their daily routine. While trekking or hunting, they routinely grab some leaves or chew on some twigs. They seem know exactly what and when to eat for good health.
Throughout history aboriginal people have been the custodians of bio-diversity and have sustained healthy life-styles in an environmentally sustainable manner. However this knowledge has not been transferred to modern society.
It was recently this aboriginal group, Irulas chose to share this knowledge with society-at-large in order to promote a global lifestyle of health and environmental sustainability. They believe that a healthy lifestyle is founded on a healthy environment.
They found themselves virtually bonded labourers in 1976 when the Forest Protection Bill was passed. It became very difficult for them to lead their traditional lifestyle.
The culture of the Irulas has changed little over the last one thousand years. Their staple food consists of minor millets, grain legumes, and wild yams supplemented with rice. They do not practice agriculture and therefore wholly depend on forest produce and wild animals. The Irulas settlements are located within or on the edge of the forests and consist of tiny scattered huts. The community is divided into several exogamous clans.
More recently, some Irulas go to local villages to trade or sell honey, honey wax, firewood, wild fruits, yams, berries and other native herbal products. This supports a productive and localized non-timber forest product industry, which supports many families. The Irulas trade these products for local farm produce. Before this, their interaction with civilization was very limited.
A variety of plant morphological structures are utilized as medicine by the Irulas of which leaves are used most frequently, followed by roots, bark, seeds, whole plants, flowers, fruits and latex/sap. The preparation for utilization of these plant parts can be grouped into several categories based on the mode of preparation; decoction, extract, fresh or cooked plant, juice, latex, paste, and powder.
These herbs can be used as mosquito repellents, antibiotics, antidotes, appetizers or simply, as food compliments. Plant remedies are utilized for various illnesses such as asthma, blood flow, body pain, weak or feeble body, cold, cough, diabetes, diarrhoea, earache, eye pain, fever, general medicine, hydrocoele, hypothermia, intestinal worms, jaundice, leprosy, pregnancy pain, purgative, rheumatism, skin disease, skin-shine, spiritual, toothache and wounds.
With a rise in lifestyle diseases, many patients are flocking them in search of a cure. Native healing practitioners provide a source of income for many Irulas families.
The Irulas share the concept ‘Neenda aauil’, which translates to “living a long healthy life”. The Irulas believe that the treatment of ailments can be preempted by a healthy lifestyle. The Irulasroutinely consume these herbs for good health.
A great variety of plants are collected from the wild and distributed among the community or sent off to local markets for trading with other communities.
An ancient tradition of the Irulas is to eat certain plants on a regular basis according to the seasons in order to prevent certain diseases. It is a common practice for the Irulas to consume plants in the wild throughout their daily routine. While trekking or hunting, they routinely grab some leaves or chew on some twigs. They seem know exactly what and when to eat for good health.
The Forest Is A Natural Pharmacopeia/Grocery Store For Them
Not unlike our modern society they encourage good hygiene from a young age. This may include cleaning or brushing your teeth with various types of twigs. The Irulas believe that brushing your teeth with the roots of thumbai (Leucas aspera Willd.) for 40 consecutive days makes you immune to any snake venom. However this is a very complicated procedure and only few elders know how to do it right. Irulas are expert in catching snakes and they are being engaged in venom extraction for medicinal purposes. Young children playing with snakes is a common sight in their communities.
They treat diabetes with a preparation called ‘Sirukurinjan’, which appears to be made from Gymnema sylvestre leaves. They grow many medicinal plants in their backyard. They may consume some herbs first thing in the morning or routinely add others in their cooking. Rheumatoid arthritis is treated with Diplocyclos palmatus and Boerhavia diffusa. Some of their medicines make use of plants which are otherwise extremely poisonous. Begonia malabarica Roxb. is used to treat blood cancer.
Every household has a bunch of twigs tied on the doorway to ward off evil influences. They even know how to communicate with spirits.
The Irulas are an excellent example of a culture that has preserved a highly diverse area while harvesting their food and medicine from it for thousands of years. These communities are a treasure house of traditional knowledge that can greatly benefit our civilization. However this priceless knowledge is disappearing very fast and it is an urgent necessity to document and preserve it as soon as possible.
(Source: Valorizing the ‘Irulas’ traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in the Kodiakkarai Reserve Forest, India, Subramanyam Ragupathy and Steven G Newmaster)
They treat diabetes with a preparation called ‘Sirukurinjan’, which appears to be made from Gymnema sylvestre leaves. They grow many medicinal plants in their backyard. They may consume some herbs first thing in the morning or routinely add others in their cooking. Rheumatoid arthritis is treated with Diplocyclos palmatus and Boerhavia diffusa. Some of their medicines make use of plants which are otherwise extremely poisonous. Begonia malabarica Roxb. is used to treat blood cancer.
Every household has a bunch of twigs tied on the doorway to ward off evil influences. They even know how to communicate with spirits.
The Irulas are an excellent example of a culture that has preserved a highly diverse area while harvesting their food and medicine from it for thousands of years. These communities are a treasure house of traditional knowledge that can greatly benefit our civilization. However this priceless knowledge is disappearing very fast and it is an urgent necessity to document and preserve it as soon as possible.
(Source: Valorizing the ‘Irulas’ traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in the Kodiakkarai Reserve Forest, India, Subramanyam Ragupathy and Steven G Newmaster)