Ethnomedicines of Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

The present ethnomedicinal documentation of plant species was carried out among the traditional healers living inside the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Baloda-Bazar district of Chhattisgarh, India. Providing knowledge about the ethnomedicinal plants traditionally used by the healers at the study site is the key objective of the present work. The ethnomedicinal information was collected from interviews with the healers in the local language. Identification of plants was done through taxonomic literature and local flora. The medicinal plants were listed, followed by botanical names, local names, family, habit, part/parts used, and mode of drug preparation and administration. Traditional uses of 100 plant species belonging to 94 genera and 56 families are described in this study. These species were found to be used by traditional healers for the treatment of 43 disorders/diseases of both humans and veterinarians. Largely used plant part as ethnomedicine was noted as root. Herbs are the dominant growth forms among trees, shrubs, and climbers, emphasizing that herbs are the key source of ethnomedicinal plants. This dominance highlights their importance in traditional therapeutic approaches and their ability to contribute to contemporary medicine. Ethnomedicinal studies safeguard traditional knowledge, providing crucial insights for future medication development and sustainable healthcare and safeguarding the survival of plant species and cultural legacy in an ever-changing world.