Abstract

Sacred plants are considered as the ecological and medicinal resources since they are vital part of Hindu religion, traditional therapy and cultural heritage. This ethnomedicinal and conservation study explore sacred plants that are present in 29 temples in Chennai District, Tamil Nadu. Field surveys and structured interviews were conducted by conversing with temple authorities, residents, priests, and traditional medical practitioners. 14 individual species which belong to 10 botanical families were documented. Aegle marmelos, Mimusops elengi, and Prosopis cineraria with their dual religious and therapeutic values were some of the dominant species. Ethnobotanical information has confirmed that these trees used in traditional medicine due to their medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial actions. In addition, they are symbolically significant and highly revered by people. Conservation measures such as protective fencing and botanical information swere also documented. Temples remain custodians of sacred biodiversity in Tamil Nadu, thus highlighting the need for temple-integrated conservation that coexist spiritually and ecologically.

Keywords

Sacred Plant, Stahle -vrikshas, Conservation, Ethnobotanical,

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