Ethnomedicine of The Irula: Indigenous Healing In South India

Abstract

This article investigates the ethnomedical practices of the Irula, an indigenous community of South India, whose healing traditions reflect a deep engagement with forest ecologies and local biodiversity. Based on ethnographic documentation, oral histories, and comparative references to classical medical systems such as Ayurveda and Siddha, the research identifies the use of medicinal plants, animal-derived substances, and ritual techniques in the treatment of ailments ranging from fevers and digestive disorders to snakebites and chronic conditions. The findings highlight how Irula medicine is sustained through oral transmission, collective memory, and ritual contexts, positioning it as both a therapeutic system and a cultural heritage practice. The study further explores the challenges faced by the community in the preservation of their knowledge under pressures of ecological degradation, socio-economic marginalisation, and the expanding influence of biomedicine. By situating Irula healing traditions within the broader discourse on indigenous medicine and sustainable healthcare, the paper emphasizes the need for safeguarding this knowledge as part of both cultural preservation and public health resource development.