Abstract

Dr. Shubham Rajput*, Dr. Suresh Chaubey, Dr. R. C. Tiwari, Dr. Aseesh Pandey

ABSTRACT

Background: A large population of the rural area of the Uttarakhand is still dependent upon traditional plant- based knowledge to combat various disease disease conditions. This study aimed to explore the ethnopharmacological information and document traditional uses of plants in the Kumaun Himalayan region. Here we show the study of Gananath hill of district Almora of the Uttarakhand state in India, located in the western Himalayan region. Objective: The present study focuses on the critical study of Nighantus with special reference to the herbs found in the selected study area. The research also includes the collection of recent ethnomedicinal information from local inhabitants and traditional healers. Botanical verification of important medicinal plants has been carried out to ensure accurate identification and scientific authenticity. The study further documents traditional knowledge associated with ethnomedicinal uses of various plant species. In addition, an analysis of the pharmacological properties and therapeutic applications of these ethnomedicinal plants has been conducted on the basis of Ayurvedic Nighantus. The research also presents an analytical study of selected medicinal plants based on field survey and ethnomedicinal observations. Methods: A total of 25 traditional healers and experienced inhabitants between age 25- 80 years of age were interviewed by a semi-structured questionnaire. Analytical study of selected medicinal plants based on field survey and ethnomedicinal observations. Results: A total of 50 plant species were reported from families. The highest number of plant species were collected from family and families followed by. Primary uses of plants were categorised into 42 disease categories. The highest number of species was reported to be used for for cuts and wounds disorders, followed by cough and cold, fever. Conclusion: Local traditional knowledge and practice of plant- based medicine is quite widespread in the rural areas of Uttarakhand and is an indispensable part of the healthcare system. It plays a vital role in the absence of basic medical facilities and tremendous paucity of trained medical personnel.