An inventory of ethno-medicinal climbers from the southern parts of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Present investigation reported 86 ethno-medicinal climbers from southern parts of West Bengal, of which 8 species are of monocots under 4 families; 77 species of dicots under 25 families and 1 species of pteridophyte (e.g. Lygodium pinnatifidum). Out of 86 climbers, 51 species are twiners, 4 species are liana, 17 species are tendril climbers, 7 species are scramblers, 3 species are ramblers, 3 species are root-climbers and 1 species is hook-climber. As many as 37 diseases and problems can be treated by the utilisation of medicinal properties of 86 climbers. Out of 37 diseases most common diseases are rheumatism, wound healing, asthma, gout, diabetes, jaundice, ulcers, dysentery, leprosy, lecucoderma, menstruation, cough, eye problems, bone fracture, piles, veneral diseases, etc. Local names, types of climbers, parts used and mode of treatment have been discussed.