Indigenous Knowledge Of Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Indigenous Knowledge of Medicinal Plants and Attainment of SDG3: A Systematic Literature Review

Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a critical issue for the United Nations in the 21st Century. These 17 SDGs have specific targets to achieve these goals. To achieve a more sustainable future, 193 countries agreed to work on these 17 SDGs by 2030. Out of these 17 SDGs, this paper focuses on attaining SDG 3 through indigenous knowledge. The researchers explored previous studies by other researchers worldwide and global reports related to medical plants. They discussed the role of folk medicine in attaining the third goal of sustainable development (SDG3). Target 3.3 of SDG 3 focuses on eliminating combat hepatitis, waterborne diseases, Malaria, and other communicable diseases, and target 3.4 of SDG 3 focuses on reducing non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment. Therefore, the focus of the study is to find out the specific plants which can be used for the treatment of various types of diseases through meta-analysis protocol and systematic reviews. Ninety articles are screened by keeping in view the set criteria. The study selected 50 scientific papers after excluding some papers due to the unavailability of full papers and duplicate copies of the articles. The researchers selected those papers whose citation is good. Previous researchers discussed that some plants and their parts—folk medicines— are often used to cure various communicable and non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer, Malaria, COVID-19, infections, pain, liver problems, etc., by certain groups and communities due to its lesser price, effortlessness, easy accessibility and affordability.

Traditional Knowledge of Medicinal Plants in Relation to Local Customs and Practices of the North Black Sea Coast Population

Abstract This comprehensive ethnobotanical study was conducted along the North Black Sea coast area to find of the extent to which indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants and their relation to Bulgarian traditions and customs is preserved. We aim to identify the tendencies of passing this knowledge to future generations. The survey was conducted in 2015 in various urban and rural North Black Sea coast areas, using a face-to-face interviews technique. We used the Chi-square test to analyse the results. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for the assessment of the impact of demographics on respondents' answers. More than half of the respondents (61.08%) are not familiar with rituals and traditional practices related to medicinal plants. Moderate influence on respondents' answers is rendered by age only. For the local population of the North Black Sea coast, Enyovden turns out to be the most popular holiday related to medicinal plants. Enyovden is the herbalists' feast and is cited by 20% of respondents. The same percentage of interviewees mention Geranium spp. and Ocimum basilicum L. as the most favoured herbs related to local traditions and customs. Traditional knowledge of the relation between Bulgarian rituals and customs to medicinal plants and their magical powers is fading.

Indigenous Knowledge of Medicinal Plants in Tribal Community of Antri and Mewara Forest Range of Dungarpur District, Rajasthan

Indigenous knowledge is a valuable knowledge that has been facilitated local ethno- groups of people for survival in all over the world. This knowledge is unique tactic knowledge that originates from the interaction between members of the community and the environment in which they live. It passes through elder generations to younger generations orally or verbally. Knowledge about ethno-medicinal plants and practices make it a survival strategy of livelihood in tribal community of Dungarpur district. However, Dungarpur district is enriched with Deciduous forest covered thus abundant of medicinal plants are identified by these group of people for healthcare purposes. This study is an attempt to identify the ethno-medicinal plants and documentations it with special case studies of the persons who authentically treat and cure community. The field survey was carried out during January 2022 to March 2022 and in July 2022 for identification of plants and know about their story. Outcomes from the field survey revealed that abundant of ethno-medicinal species are found in this area due to its Geographical and Climatic conditions. Since, lack of awareness, lesser interest of Government and local politicians and integument of modernity over younger generation this knowledge has been extinct gradually from the society. There should me need to conserve and protect their traditional legacy of survival with nature. 

An Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used for Primary Health Care from Patan Sher Khan and Surrounding Areas of District Sudhnoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Life on mountains is difficult and people depend on medicinal plants for primary health care. Many of mountain areas of Azad Kashmir are unexplored from taxonomic and ethnobotanical point of view. This study was conducted to document the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants of village Patan Sher Khan and allied areas of District Sudhnuti Azad Kashmir Pakistan. Field surveys were conducted during March 2020 to March 2021 for collection of medicinal plants knowledge following standard ethnobotanical methods. A total of 120 key informants were interviewed by using semi-structured questioners. The data were analyzed through ethnobotanical indices i.e., Relative frequency of citation (RFC), Use value (UV), Informant consensus factor (ICF) and Fidelity level (FL). A total of 37 medicinal plant species belonging to 32 genera and 25 families were recorded during the study. Dominant ethnomedicinal families were Fabaceae with 4 species followed by Moraceae and Rosaceae with 3 species each. Leaves were the most frequently used parts (36 %) and decoction was preferred medicinal preparation (19 use reports). Highest relative frequency of citation was recorded for Ficus palmata (0.15) followed by Melia azedarchta (0.14) and highest use value was found for Dodonaea viscosa (0.58). The most valuable plant species of the study area are Ficus carica with 8 use reports and 48 use citations, Bauhinia variegata with 7 use reports and 45 use citations. The maximum value of FL was recorded for Berberis lyceum (100 %) and Plantago lanceolate, (100%). Based on documented data the reported ailments were grouped into 9 categories, The ICF values ranges between 0. 33 (sexual) to 0.90 (teeth and urinary). Medicinal plant knowledge is still alive and large papulation of area still depend on medicinal plants for primary healthcare. But medicinal plant knowledge is declining especially among younger people. Hence, there is an urgent need to document such precious knowledge by continuous ethnobotanical studies.

Medicinal Plants Used by the Traditional Healers of Thimmarajapuram Village, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to document the indigenous/traditional knowledge of medicinal flora utilized by the traditional healers of Thimmarajapuram village, Tirunelveli district to establish the relative importance, consensus and scope of all medicinal flora used. Materials and Methods: Indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants was executed through a questionnaire with traditional healers who are custodians of the knowledge about herbal medicine. Local floras of the state had been systematically followed to identify the plants. Results: A total of 45 medicinal plant species from 27 families were documented. The leaves were the most commonly used plant part, and herbal remedies were mostly prepared in the form of a juice or paste. Gastrointestinal problems (GIA) are the most common diseases reported by traditional healers in the study area. Conclusion: This documented report indicated that indigenous medicinal plants are a good source of plant-based safe drugs. Moreover, additional pharmacological tests are required to establish the efficacy and potency of the plants as medicine.

Do índio Passos ao doutor Chernoviz: experiências de cura da lepra no Pará do século XIX

Abstract This article analyzes an experiment to cure leprosy using the assacu plant (Hura crepitans L.) conducted in Santarém, Pará, in 1847, by an Indigenous man named Antonio Vieira dos Passos. The experiment was later repeated in other Brazilian provinces and abroad. This article establishes relationships between medical practices in other parts of the country while focusing on the dialog between official and Indigenous medicine. Newspaper articles and official documents of the time show that Indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants was widely recognized and utilized by physicians wishing to incorporate it into the official therapeutic repertoire.

From Passos the Indian to Doctor Chernoviz: experiments to cure leprosy in nineteenth-century Pará.

This article analyzes an experiment to cure leprosy using the assacu plant (Hura crepitans L.) conducted in Santarém, Pará, in 1847, by an Indigenous man named Antonio Vieira dos Passos. The experiment was later repeated in other Brazilian provinces and abroad. This article establishes relationships between medical practices in other parts of the country while focusing on the dialog between official and Indigenous medicine. Newspaper articles and official documents of the time show that Indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants was widely recognized and utilized by physicians wishing to incorporate it into the official therapeutic repertoire.

Conservation of indigenous knowledge on the consumption of medicinal Zingiberaceae by locals in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia

The locals in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia have been taking certain Zingiberaceae plants with medicinal value as daily dietary intake primarily for common health purposes and these traditional uses has not been explored and documented well. The objective is to recognize and list out both plants and plant parts that have been utilized by Kelantan people and the traditional uses. Ethnobotanical field surveys were conducted by doing a verbal interview with 20 old folks of the selected village and ethnomedicinal data were collected regarding the uses of Zingiberaceae medicinal plants. The identification process was done by collecting Zingiberaceae plants under guidance from the old folks. Further information from plants identification was assembled through literature reviewed on their recorded medicinal values. The study yielded 10 medicinal plants focused on family Zingiberaceae. Regarding the utilization of medicinal plant, rhizomes were used predominantly followed by leaves and fruits. Decoction of plant parts is used for oral and application on skin. The studied plants list aids to preserve the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used by locals in Kelantan.

Medicinal plants used to treat livestock ailments in Ensaro District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, the majority of animal owners throughout the country depend on traditional healthcare practices to manage their animals' health problems. This ethnoveterinary study was carried out in Ensaro District, North Showa Zone, and Amhara Region, Ethiopia, to identify medicinal plant species used by the local community to treat various livestock ailments.MethodsTo collect ethnobotanical information, a total of 389 informants (283 men and 106 women) were selected. Among these 95 traditional medicine practitioners were purposely chosen, while the remaining 294 were selected through a systematic random sampling method. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, guided filed walks and focus group discussions. The Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity Level (FL) values, preference, and direct matrix exercise ranking were determined using quantitative methods. Statistical tests were used to compare indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants among different informant groups.ResultsA total of 44 ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species were collected and identified that were distributed across 43 genera and 28 families. The family Solanaceae stood first by contributing 4 species followed by Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae and lamiaceae with 3 species each. Thirty- seven (88.09%) medicinal plants were collected from wild habitats, 6 medicinal plant species were collected from home garden. The most frequently used life form was shrubs (23 species, 54.76%) followed by herbs (13 species, 30.95%). The widely used parts of medicinal plants were leaves followed by roots. Prepared remedies were administered through drenching, dropping, smearing, eating, wrapping, fumigating and washing. There was significant difference in the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants between gender, urban and rural people, general and key informants and among age groups.ConclusionEnsaro District is a relatively rich in diversity of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants together with a rich indigenous knowledge in the local communities to collect and effectively utilize for the management different livestock diseases. On the other hand, these days, agricultural expansion, fuel wood collection, cutting plants for fence, furniture and charcoal production are the major threatening factors of these plant resources. Thus, people of the study area must implement in situ and ex-situ conservation strategies to ensure sustainable utilization of these species.

Indigenous Knowledge of Medicinal Plants to Treat Human Illness in Gimbo and Didessa Districts in the Southwest of Ethiopia

ABSTRACT This study aimed to gather and document information on medicinal plants used in Ethiopia using an ethnomedicinal survey. The survey identified 80 species of medicinal plants belonging to 39 botanical families by indigenous people in Gimbo and Didessa districts in the Southwest of Ethiopia for the treatment of 46 illnesses. The majority of medicinal plants used were herbs. Leaves were the principal part of the plant used for the preparation of herbal remedies and formulations. Most of the medicinal plants were obtained from the wild. The oral route was the most commonly used mode of administration of herbal medicine. Water and salt were the most frequently used excipients for the preparation of herbal remedies. Croton macrostachyus, Clerodendrum myricoides, Ocimun laminafollum, Phytolacca dodecandra, and Vernonia amygdalina were the most repeatedly claimed medicinal plants by the informants.

Conservation Strategies for Medicinal Plants in Ethiopia: A Comprehensive Review

This review provides an in-depth analysis of the policies, challenges, and conservation measures related to medicinal plants in Ethiopia. The country has implemented various policies to support sustainable development and utilization of plant resources, spanning environmental protection, natural resource development, and diversification of domestic commodities. However, indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants is at risk due to factors such as environmental degradation, deforestation, and the passing of traditional practitioners. Efforts to document this knowledge and establish herbaria are crucial for the conservation of declining medicinal plants. The study emphasizes the importance of raising awareness, especially among the youth, about the contribution of traditional medicine to primary healthcare needs. It highlights the challenge of passing down this knowledge, with younger generations showing less interest in traditional practices. Incorporating traditional medicine into school curricula is suggested to bridge this gap. Furthermore, the review addresses sustainability and continuity issues faced by traditional medicine in Ethiopia, including loss of medicinal plant taxa and habitats. Preserving diverse cultures with indigenous medicinal knowledge is essential for valuing biodiversity and ensuring resource availability for future generations. In-situ and ex-situ conservation methods are recommended to conserve valuable plant biodiversity and combat threats like habitat loss, environmental degradation, and overharvesting. In particular, in-situ conservation is crucial for plants difficult to domesticate, as well as those unable to produce desired active principles outside their natural habitats. This comprehensive review underscores the urgency of coordinated efforts to transition from unsustainable practices to ecologically sound, socially acceptable, and economically equitable production and utilization systems for medicinal plants. It advocates for the implementation of conservation strategies tailored to Ethiopia's unique biodiversity challenges, safeguarding the valuable medicinal plants that are integral to the nation's cultural heritage and healthcare traditions.

Indigenous Knowledge on Medicinal Flora Utilized by the Traditional Healers in Mappillaiyurani Village, Tuticorin District, Tamil Nadu, India

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to document the indigenous knowledge of medicinal flora utilized by the traditional healers of Mappillaiyurani, Tuticorin district to establish the relative importance, consensus and scope of all medicinal flora used. Methods: Indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants was executed through a questionnaire with traditional healers who are custodians of the knowledge about herbal medicine. Local floras of the state had been systematically followed to identify the plants. Results: A total of 42 medicinal plant species from 26 families were documented. The leaves were the most commonly used plant part, and herbal remedies were mostly prepared in the form of a decoction or paste and consumed internally. Respiratory diseases are the most common diseases reported by traditional healers in the study area. Conclusion: This documented report indicated that indigenous medicinal plants are a good source of plant-based safe drugs. Moreover, additional pharmacological tests are required to establish the efficacy and potency of the plants as medicine.

Ethnobotanical Profiling of Teshil Dhirkot District Bagh Azad Jammu and Kashmir

This Ethnobotanical study was aimed to document the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants of Dhirkot district Bagh AJK along with their therapeutic values and ethnopharmacological importance. The ethnobotanical data was collected by using the open-ended questionnaire from the local people about the use of medicinal plants. The current study reported three plant species, viz: Sarcoccoca saligna (Ganeera), Rumex hastatus (Chukhri), Cichurium intybus (Kasni) are mainly used for different ailments. The Plant species selected on the basis of used value were subjected to antibacterial activity by using the disc diffusion method. Different statistical techniques were employed to analyze the data of informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), use value (UV) and relative frequency citation (RFC). Current study reported 93 plant species belonging to 46 families and 81 genera for the treatment different ailments like stomach, liver, diabetes, skin, kidney, blood disorders. The most frequent plant part used was leaf (40%), followed by fruit (23%), whole plant (14%), stem and seeds (8% each), tuber (4%) and flower (1%). Modes of administration were grouped into 7 categories including raw use (30 use citation) followed by decoction (28), powder (14), paste and extract (7) and seeds (1 use citation). Fresh plant material was most preferable method and oral administration was the highly prevalent. The highest RFC value was calculated for the gastro-paresis (0.71) by Zanthoxylum alatum and the highest UV value was calculated by Malia azedarach (0.54) for fever, blood purification. Similarly Juglans regia, Sarcoccoca saligna and Datura stramonium were show highest fidelity level (FL=100%). Local communities were highly dependent on the medicinal plants and reported the best therapeutic values for specific disorders. Urgent attention must be needed to conserve the local flora, detailed documentation of indigenous knowledge and phytochemical/pharmacological authentication of different plants used for different diseases.

Diversity and ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Ban Hua Kua, Kae Dam District, Thailand

Abstract. Numpulsuksant W, Saensouk S, Sanesouk P. 2021. Diversity and ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Ban Hua Kua, Kae Dam District, Thailand. Biodiversitas 22: 4349-4357. Diversity and ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Ban Hua Kua village, Kae Dam District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand. Biodiversitas 22: xxxx-xxxx. This study can serve as basic information for further study and provide conservation criteria for medicinal plants in Ban Hua Kua village, Kae Dam District, Maha Sarakham Province to assure continued species richness and sustainable use. This study aimed to document ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants, including their diversity, in Ban Hua Kua village, Kae Dam District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand. The ethnobotanical data were obtained from 19 local experts using semi-structured forms to record the interviewee's personal information and topics related to the medicinal use of specific plants. Thirty-eight medicinal plants belonging to 35 genera in 23 families were collected. The most commonly represented family was Zingiberaceae comprised of six species (Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd., Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf., Curcuma angustifolia Roxb., Curcuma comosa Roxb., Curcuma longa L., and Zingiber officinale Roscoe), followed by Fabaceae with four species (Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth., Dialium cochinchinense Pierre, Senna siamea Lam., and Tamarindus indica L.), and Rutaceae with three species (Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa ex Roxb., Clausena wallichii Oliv., Hesperethusa crenulata (Roxb.) Roem.), while the other 20 families represent only one to two plant species. The root was the most frequently used part of the plant. The species with the highest use-value was Antiaris toxicaria Lesch. (0.68), a native plant of the Ban Hua Kuavillage. Diospyros mollis Griff. (CI = 0.21), Dialium cochinchinense Pierre (CI = 0.21), Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze (CI = 0.21), Vitex glabrata R. Br. (CI = 0.21), Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa ex Roxb. (CI = 0.21), Phyllanthus emblica L. (CI = 0.21), and Hesperethusa crenulata (Roxb.) Roem. (CI = 0.21) were found the highest cultural important index (CI), while Diospyros mollis Griff., Dialium cochinchinense Pierre, Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze, Vitex glabrata R. Br., Phyllanthus emblica L., Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa ex Roxb., and Hesperethusa crenulata (Roxb.) Roem. were found the highest %FL = 50. The climber was mostly used for medicinal plants (IAR = 0.97). Root (57.89%), leaf (52.63%), and fruit (39.47%) were reported the most plant parts used by the villagers. Therefore, the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants at Ban Hua Kua village is indicated to conservation for sustainable use in the future. Moreover, this study was the first reported in Maha Sarakham province.

Ethnobotanical and Phytochemical Study of Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dun. in Khash City, Iran

Indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants covers various aspects, including ethnobotany. Ethnobotany means human knowledge of botany and the ecology of plants. In this study, an ethnobotanical and phytochemical evaluation of Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dun. was performed in Khash city in Sistan and Baluchestan province. The data collection was performed through a structured questionnaire (150 questionnaires). The data was analyzed using RFC (Relative Frequency of Citation) and CI (Cultural Importance Index). The questions were related to the plant organ used, plant harvest time, type of livestock user and growth place. To investigate which chemical compounds in the plant cause people to use this drug in the treatment of certain diseases, the chemical compounds of the species were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Results showed that the best season of plant collecting was spring. The most used part of the plant was seeds. The plant grows mainly in plains. Camel (51.40%) and sheep (42.05%) have the maximum use of the plant. The maximum chemical compositions were related to the Ar-tumerone terpene and Pentadecanone with 95.5% and 93.8% probability, respectively. Also, the percentage of saturated fatty acids such as Palmitic acid, Tetradecanoic acid and unsaturated fatty acids such as Oleic acid has the highest percentage. In total, indigenous people use this plant in treating diabetes due to the presence of a compound such as Ar-tumerone, which is consistent with the chemical compounds identified in this study. The importance of plant seeds in cheese making by indigenous peoples is related to acidic compounds such as Palmitic acid, Linoleic acid and Oleic acid.

Plants with benefits: Ethnomedicinal plants used by the Talaandig tribe in Portulin, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, Philippines

With respect to the diversity of many plant taxa the Philippines is one of the world’s most species-rich countries. However, the use of plants by indigenous people in the archipelago has been underreported. Nowadays, indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants is increasingly declining and as more plants are lost and so is the awareness of their importance to humanity. Ethnobotanical studies are therefore important to explore these diverse biological tools for medicinal purposes. The purpose of this study was to record the traditional knowledge of the Talaandig tribe in Portulin, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, Philippines, with regard to the usage of medicinal plants to cure human illnesses and diseases. A total of 19 respondents including 8 men and 11 women were selected through semi-structured interviews and group discussions to gather ethnobotanical information by means of a stratified purposive sampling system and they were evaluated by descriptive statistics, use value (UV) and ranking methods. In total, 97 medicinal plants belonging to 46 families and 86 genera were recorded. The most numerous plant species were Poaceae (7 species), followed by Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae (6 species each). The dominant growth habit was herbs (40%), followed by trees (27%) with leaves (41%) as the most frequently used plant part which are commonly prepared as a decoction (45%), with internal (65%) as the main route of administration. Most of the documented ethnomedicinal plants were used to treat diseases of the respiratory system (16%), followed by diseases of the circulatory system (13%). Vitex negundo (0.7895) was considered as the most important medicinal plant in the community, followed by Psidium guajava (0.7368). This ethnobotanical study shows that many plant species play an important role in local healing practices and that in the Talaandig tribe of Portulin, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, knowledge of traditional medicine is still used and plays a significant role.

Assessment of indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used for livestock treatment in five selected Kebeles of Kersa District, Jimma Zone, South Western Ethiopia

Plants have been a source of medicine in Ethiopia from time immemorial to treat different human and livestock ailments. The purpose of this study was to identify the medicinal plant species and associated indigenous knowledge in livestock treatment. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess indigenous knowledge of local people on medicinal plants used for livestock treatment in five selected kebeles of kersa district from March to June 2014. A total of 40 traditional healers (33 male and 7 male) 7-9 from each study sites were selected purpouvely with the help of knowledgeable elders, local authorities and kebele leaders. Ethno botanical data regarding plant species, plant parts used, livestock disease treated, and method of preparation and route of administration were collected through structured interview and field observation. A total of 33 plant species distributed in 24 families were identified in the study area. The majority of the medicinal plants 63.63% were collected from the wild and 33.33% from home garden. The major growth habit of the medicinal plants identified in the study area were herbs 39.39%, followed by shrubs 33.33%.The most frequently harvested plant parts were leaves and roots with proportion of 57.7% and 21.21%, respectively followed by seeds (9.09%) and fruits (6.06%). Pounding and crushing were the most commonly used method of remedies preparation whereas the widely used method of administration is oral. The study reveals that the local people of the study area harvest medicinal plants used to treat livestock health problem from the wild habitat. Therefore, awaring the local people of the study area to conserve medicinal plants in their home garden is recommended.

A Seminar Paper on the Review of Five well-known Medicinal Plants Used in Ethiopia

The indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants appeared when humans started and learned how to use the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. The various literature available shows the significant role of medicinal plants in primary health care delivery in Ethiopia (about 70% of humans and 90% of livestock population) depend on traditional plant medicine. This is similar to many developing countries, particularly with those countries in Sub-saharan Africa. Medicinal plants provide a vital contribution to human and livestock health care. This seminar review was an attempt to present five medicinal plants (citrus lemon, caricapapaya, Moringa stenopetala, Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale).

USES OF INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS OF EAST KHASI HILLS, MEGHALAYA, NORTHEAST INDIA: A REVIEW STUDY

Meghalaya, the hilly state, is one of the seven states of North-Eastern region of India. This small state was carved out of Assam and made a full –fledged state on 21st January 1972. The Khasi, Jaintia, Bhoi and War, are collectively known as the Hynniewtrep people and they predominantly inhabit the districts of Eastern Meghalaya. Indigenous people are generally very knowledgeable about the wild medicinal plants around them, many of them have local names and are important to the people as folklore. The present topic is chosen to explore the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants by Khasi tribe in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. To explore the knowledge of medicinal plants, many Villagers and traditional healers (Ojhas) who were experienced in practicing indigenous or folk medicine are consulted to gather information. In this review study a total of 30 medicinal plants are documented and information on local names, scientific names, family, habit, plant parts used and medicinal uses of these plants are also given. The documented plant species are used for some common ailments like headache, stomach problems, cold, cough and fever, jaundice, skin diseases, blood pressure and diabetes etc. These plants are taken orally in the form of Swarasa (juices) or Kwatha (decoction). These kinds of traditional practices require scientific validation and documentation of their therapeutics in Ayurveda.

Language extinction triggers the loss of unique medicinal knowledge

Over 30% of the 7,400 languages in the world will no longer be spoken by the end of the century. So far, however, our understanding of whether language extinction may result in the loss of linguistically unique knowledge remains limited. Here, we ask to what degree indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants is associated with individual languages and quantify how much indigenous knowledge may vanish as languages and plants go extinct. Focusing on three regions that have a high biocultural diversity, we show that over 75% of all 12,495 medicinal plant services are linguistically unique-i.e., only known to one language. Whereas most plant species associated with linguistically unique knowledge are not threatened, most languages that report linguistically unique knowledge are. Our finding of high uniqueness in indigenous knowledge and strong coupling with threatened languages suggests that language loss will be even more critical to the extinction of medicinal knowledge than biodiversity loss.