Volume 2, Issue 6

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways projected as a serious public health problem with over 300 million sufferers worldwide and creates a burden in health care costs, lost productivity and reduced participation in family life.. Herbal preparations have been cited as the third most popular complementary treatment modality by asthma sufferers. The study carried out during October 2011 to August 2012 covered both rural and forest areas of Polavaram. 37 plant species belonging to35 genera and 30 families were used as folk medicine for asthma. Of these 37 species, 33 are dicots, 4 (Cynodon dactylon, Curculigo orchioides, Zingiber capitatum and Zingiber officinale) are monocots respectively. 31 are monotypic, viz., representing only by one species. The remaining families Acanthaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Combretaceae,Cucurbitaceae and Zinziberaceae representing 2 species each and Asteraceae 3 species respectively. The utilization pattern of the species indicated that roots of 5, rhizome of 3, root tuber of 1, stem of 2, leaves of 12, wood & bark of 1, whole plant of 4, stem &leaves of 1, fruits of 3, bark of 2 and aerial parts of 1. Phytochemical studies of above said plants need to be taken up to find out the exact ingredients that help in the asthma.