Few Sacred Trees as The Source of Bioactive Phytochemicals from Southern and South Western Districts of Tamil Nadu: An Ethanobotanical and Medicinal Compendium

Abstract

Sacred trees occupy a unique position at the cross roads of cultural reverence, ecological sustainability and medicinal importance. For centuries, communities across India and beyond have worshipped these trees as divine symbols, protectors and life-sustaining entities. Beyond their spiritual and ethnobotanical value, sacred trees are rich reservoirs of bioactive phytochemicals with profound pharmacological potential. They yield secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides, many of which exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective and anticancer properties. Despite their cultural significance and established role in traditional medicine, many sacred trees remain underexplored in modern phytochemical and pharmacological research. This compendium aims to integrate ethnobotanical wisdom with scientific evidence by documenting the medicinal value, phytochemical constituents and therapeutic applications of selected sacred tree species. It also underscores the urgent need for conservation in the face of deforestation, urbanization and habitat loss. By bridging ancestral traditions with contemporary biomedical research, this work highlights sacred trees as invaluable contributors to natural drug discovery, biodiversity conservation and holistic healthcare.