Prevalence Of Traditional Medications Through Native Floral Elements Among Tribal Communities Of Kachchh Arid Ecosystem, Gujarat, India

Authors

  • Ekta B Joshi Lalan Science College, Mandvi Road, Bhuj (Kachchh) - 370001, Gujarat
  • BK Jain M.G. Science Institute, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad – 380009, Gujarat
  • Pankaj N Joshi Sahjeevan, Hospital Road, Bhuj (Kachchh) - 370001 (Gujarat),
  • Hiren B Soni P.G. Department of Environmental Science & Technology (EST), Institute of Science & Technology for Advanced Studies & Research (ISTAR), Vallabh Vidyanagar – 388120, Gujarat

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/ije.v2i1.9221

Keywords:

Medicinal Plants, Indigenous medications, Tribal communities, Tapkeshwari Hill Range, Gujarat, India

Abstract

This communication deals with the documentation of 38 medicinal plant species used for indigenous medications by local villagers such as pastoralists (Maldharis) and farmers of Tapkeshwari Hill Range (THR), Bhuj Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat, India. Traditional knowledge on medicinally important plant species has been recorded from tribal communities through semi-questionnaire survey using an open-ended questionnaire datasheets. The response from the people interviewed clearly indicated that most of the villagers were fully or partially dependent on the forest produce for their primary healthcare requirements as well as for curing chronic or acute disorders and ailments. Plant parts such as bark, flowers, fruits, gum, latex, leaves, roots, seeds, and spadix, were found to be used for the cure of bronchitis, cold, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, fistula, gastric troubles, hypothermia, indigestion, piles, skin diseases, snake-bites, toothache, and ulcer. The most predominantly used 10 plant species in the area are Asparagus racemosus, Balanites aegyptiaca, Capparis cartilaginea, Cassia auriculata, Commiphora wightii, Enicostema axillare, Fagonia schweienfurthii, Maytenus emerginata, Tinospora cordifolia, and Tribulus terrestris. An enumeration of these 38 medicinal plant species is presented; each species is cited with correct scientific names, vernacular names, ailments treated for, mode of preparation and dosages.

International Journal of Environment, Volume-2, Issue-1, Sep-Nov 2013, Pages 184-201

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v2i1.9221

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Published

2013-12-02

How to Cite

Joshi, E. B., Jain, B., Joshi, P. N., & Soni, H. B. (2013). Prevalence Of Traditional Medications Through Native Floral Elements Among Tribal Communities Of Kachchh Arid Ecosystem, Gujarat, India. International Journal of Environment, 2(1), 184–201. https://doi.org/10.3126/ije.v2i1.9221

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2013)

Section

Research Papers

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