ABSTRACT:
The ethnobotanical use of medicinal plant species plays vital role in health care practices among the human population from long era. The plant based medicine is an integral part of life among the tribal as well as raral population of Chhattisgarh. India. The state covers 44% of geographical area under forests, accounts for 7.2% of the country's forests and ts 32 population consists of trihal, residing near the hiodivervity nch forests are traditionally dependent on the forests for their socio-cultural and economic needs. Due to this fact Chhattisgarh is known as Herhal State The present study gives information of ethnobotanical heritage and utilization of medicinal plants for traditional medicinal preparation An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in three agro climatic zones of the State and information recorded by using pre tested interview schedule and group discussion with traditional healers, elden and villagers. A total of 250 species belonging to 200 genera and 81 families use to treat various ailments. The traditional healers procured medicinal plants are either colleged from nearest forest area or local markets for preparation of single or poly herbal formulations. The documented medicinal plants were used to cure fever, anthritis, gynecological problems, diminish milk secretion, male impotency, weakness, injuries, cold, cough, diabetes, dysentery and skin diseases, ete. The forest dwelling people harvest medicinal plants for sale in local market and pharma industries such as Acacia sinuata (Lanur.) Merr.Argle marmelos (L) Correa, Bauhinia vahli Wight.& ArmotI, Buchanania lanzan Spreng. Carculigo orchioides Gaertn, Embelia tjerium cottam, Hemidesmus indicus (L)R. Br. Holarrhena antidysenterica Wallich. Madhuca indica L, Macuna pruriens (L) DC, Ocimm gratissimum L. Paeraria tubrosa (Roxh ex Willd.) DC. and WoNndfordia fructicoNa (L) Kurz. to satisfies the basic houschold needs. The present study gives information on very important but low colonized species like Acorus calamus L. Blepharispermum suhsessile D.C. Cordia macleodii (Griff.) HookE& Thoms, Piper nigrum L and Plumbago zerylanica L etc. So, the ethnobotanical knowledge among the ethnic people is essential to the betterment of our future generation, since mot of the lives saving medicines are derived based on ethnic wisdom of this traditional community thne who directly depend on plants for their survival. There is an urgent need to frame out legal policies for promising local treatment practices of traditional healers. There is a need to mainstreaming and aware the local people for the conservation and cultivation of medicinal plant diversity for welfare of community and future generation.