ABSTRACT:
Quite a number of plants, considered as weeds in agricultural science, have significant value in ethno-botany. Many of these naturally growing plants are not really "unwanted" in the light of traditional herbal medicines. The weeds can be useful to the society if their individual usefulness and identity is conformed. The present study was carried out to document the medicinal uses of the weeds infesting the crop land and non-cropped area of Durg district of Chhattisgarh, which will be helpful to rural masses as well as scientists for future research work. An ethnobatanical survey of different areas of both cultivated and uncultivated areas of three blocks (Dhamda, Patan and Durg) of Durg district of Chhattisgarh was conducted during 2014-15 to collect identified and preserved the weeds which have therapeutic values. The information regarding the local name of weeds, plant parts used, and name of the diseases cured and the process of administration were collected with the help of farmers, rural people, Vaidyas (Baigas) and aged elders of the village. The identification of each. plant was done with the help of various floras and the authentic literature on taxonomy. The present study revealed the occurrence of 66 weed species belonging to 51 genera and 33 families found associated with the major crops of kharif season and non-cropped area. Out of these weeds, 44 weed species under 32 genera belonging to 22 families have been identified which are traditionally used by the local people for the treatment of various ailment and disorders of human as well as domestic animals. Some of the potential and widely used weeds found in the studied area includes Latjira (Achyranthus aspera ) used as appetiser and body building: Bathua (Chenopodium album), used to improve appetite, abdominal pains; Bhuiaounla (Phyllanthus amarus ) to cure jaundice, constipation, ulcers and wounds; Doob (Cynodon dactylon), used as antihaemorrhagic, in dysentery and nasal bleeding: Motha (Cyperus rotundus), roots are useful in dysentery, vomiting. epilepsy: Dudhi (Euphorbia hirta) used for the treatment of asthma, skin disease, fever and cough: Sahadevi (Ageratum conycoides) for kidney stones, cuts, wound and ulcers; Satyanasi (Argemone mexicana) used to cure skin diseases, itching. constipation, colic, fever.
Cite this article:
Bajaj, Taunk and Tomar (2016). Weeds Diversity and their Ethnomedicinal Uses in Durg District of Chhattisgarh. Journal of Ravishankar University (Part-B: Science), 29(1), pp.117-118.