Ethnobotanical study on Medicinal Plants used by Traditional Health Practitioners and Villagers of Garhphulghar Gram, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey of various medicinal plants used in curing some diseases in villagers of Garhphulghar Gram, Chhattisgarh, was carried out between September - October 2014. Ethnobotanical data were collected by oral interview with local villagers, traditional medical practitioners (TMPs), and herb sellers. From the survey, a total of 30 plant species belonging to 20 families were found to be useful in the treatment of skin problems, cold, fever, cough, headache, diarrhoea, toothache, stomach ache, wounds, diabetes, rheumatism, asthma, dysentery, hair loss and poisoning (snake, scorpion and insect bites). Residents in the study area find the Ayurvedic traditional medicine cheaper as compared to orthodox medicines. It is therefore implicated that attempts should be made on how to explore on documentation, conservation and standardization of the medicinal plants. Also, attention of the researcher and health officials should be drawn towards the importance medicinal and different uses of the medicinal plants and they should intensify the research to reveal other concealed potential of the medicinal plants.