Abstract
To investigate the ethnomedicines used in treatment of jaundice by tribal communities in Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. An ethnomedicinal study was conducted in twelve villages of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal during 2013-2014 to collect information from traditional health healers/tribal communities on the use of medicinal plants for treatment of jaundice by the tribal community of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. This paper provides ethnomedicinal information on the plants used to treat jaundice by three important indigenous communities of Paschim Medinipur district - Santhals, Mundas and Lodhas,. The traditional knowledge of the studied indigenous communities on herbal preparations used for treating jaundice was collected through structured questionnaire and personal interviews. The present study enumerates 12 species of plants belonging to 12 families used by the tribal communities and medicinal healers of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal in treatment of jaundice. Each plant species has been listed alphabetically according to its botanical name, family, vernacular name, part(s) used, mode of preparation/administration. The importance of traditional medicinal system among the tribal communities of Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal has been highlighted in the present study.
Highlights
Liver diseases are some of the major causes of morbidity and mortality across the world
160 phytoconstituents from 101 plants have been claimed to possess liver protecting activity [4].The present study is an attempt to integrate the traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge of the tribal communities and traditional healers of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal pertaining to treatment of jaundice (Figures 1-4)
Paschim Medinipur district is located in 21°36 ́ to 22°57 ́North latitude to 86o33 ́ to 88o11 ́ East longitude and covers an area of 9345 square km
Summary
Liver diseases are some of the major causes of morbidity and mortality across the world. Traditional healthcare practices of indigenous people pertaining to human health are termed as ethnomedicine. Plants and plant-based medicaments are the basis of many of the modern pharmaceuticals we use today for our various ailments [3]. Much of this wealth of knowledge is totally becoming lost as traditional culture is gradually disappearing. 160 phytoconstituents from 101 plants have been claimed to possess liver protecting activity [4].The present study is an attempt to integrate the traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge of the tribal communities and traditional healers of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal pertaining to treatment of jaundice (Figures 1-4)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
