Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. in the ethnomedicinal tradition of Coastal Karnataka

             Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.  (Apocynaceae) is an important plant in the cultural and ethnomedicinal traditions of Coastal Karnataka, India. It is associated with Lord ‘Mahabali’ and worshipped during the festival of ‘Deepavali’ (festival of light). The tribal and non-tribal indigenous communities of the study area  use this plant in the  treatment of various ailments such as fever, asthma, leucorrhea, eczema, indigestion and also to heal spider bites. An annual health-related ritual of  mass drinking  of  a bitter  juice or decoction  of the stem bark of this tree   on the new moon (amavasya) day of  ‘aati’ month of the traditional ‘tulu’ calendar is   popularly followed in  the study area, especially by the rural families. The underlying belief is that  this drink keeps away all ailments and ensures wellbeing. The recorded ethnomedicinal uses and the traditional practice of mass drinking of the bitter juice appears to be   scientifically meaningful when interpreted on the background of the ayurvedic uses and the wide range of  curative properties of this plant many of  which have been confirmed by pharmaco-chemical studies.