Ethnobotanical study of some important medicinal plants used by indigenous people of Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, India

2^nd International Conference and Exhibition on Traditional & Alternative Medicine

August 25-26, 2014 DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing, China

Gayatri Nahak

Accepted Abstracts: Altern Integ Med

Abstract :

Medicinal plants typically contain mixtures of different chemical compounds that may act individually, additively or in synergy to improve health. There is also growing evidence to show that old molecules are finding new applications through a better understanding of traditional knowledge and clinical observations. Uses of these species, for the treatment of various medicinal problems along with the other uses by the local inhabitants were passed down from generation to generation by rapid cultural transformation is causing old traditions to become extinct. In the present work an ethno botanical survey was undertaken in the Kalahandi District, Odisha, India and collected information at bio-chemical levels was focused on identifying medicinal plants, disease treated, part of the plant used, methods of preparation, route of administration, ingredients added etc. Data were collected through field assessments from traditional healers and locals by means of personal interviews and semi-structured questionnaires using purposive sampling method. Drawing on ethnobotanical and ecological information obtained through traditional techniques of ethno botanical surveys, we discussed on 86 medicinal plant species belonging to 41 families were collected, verified and authenticated. The most relevant plants are mentioned in this paper, along with their local names, the parts of them used, popular uses (or troubles treated), preparation and administration processes, and citation frequency. So there is an immediate need to adopt a proper conservation strategy for protection of these medicinal plant resources for future generation.