Ethnobotanical Studies in Uttar Pradesh

Ethnobotanial Healthcare Management Practices in Uttar Pradesh Ethnophytotherapeutics and Crude Drug Formulations of Tharu Tribal Community The Ethnobotany is an important and valid discipline of science. First chapter of the book describes the concept, relevance, scope, objectives, role of Ethnobotany in the development of Ayurveda and provides up-to-date review of literature on ethnobotanical healthcare management practices in India and abroad. Second chapter provide information about vegetational composition, forest and flora of Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, the Tharu tribal community, and 16 photographs to help to understand the way of life, tradition and culture of the Tharus. Third chapter of the book provides complete information about 247 plant taxa and about 750 crude drug formulations used by the Tharu tribal community of Uttar Pradesh. The book also contains 48 photographs for the identification of important medicinal plants used as therapeutic agents by the Tharus and about 400 references throughout the globe. This book is an essential reference guide for students, researchers and scientists working in the field of Ethnobotany, Phytodiversity, Medicinal Plants, Traditional Healthcare management practices, Ayurveda, Herbal healthcare professionals and anyone interested in plants and plant based medicines.

Ethnomedicinal Uses of Tree Species by Tharu Tribes in the Himalayan Terai Region of India

ABSTRACT The present investigation aimed at documenting medicinally important species of trees used by Tharu tribe in the Himalayan Terai region of India. Out of 204 tree species belonging to 143 genera and 50 families reported in this study, uses of 148 species have been recorded from this region for the first time. Twenty nine leguminous species belonging to 16 genera are most commonly used by tribal people of the region. Eight species of Ficus are used in different diseases. About 75% of total tree species of medicinal uses have been found in wild habitat while the remaining species are cultivated. It has been noticed that bark is one of the frequently utilized plant parts by the tribe. In such diseases as diarrhoea, skin problems, dysentery, fever, ulcer, rheumatism, wounds, diabetes, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, more than one plant species are used. Over all, more than 86 health-related issues are bing cured utilizing ethnomedicinally important tree species. It has also been observed that the majority of youth in Tharu tribe are very less aware of their ethnic knowledge and are also not so much interested in such learning. Thus, a precise documentation of these information with traditional knowledge base from the ethnic people has great relevance for the human welfare. The study suggests the need for training local people for sustainable utilization of these plant resources and their proper conservation. The youth should be encouraged learning to sustain their ethnic wisdom which would also help creating employment among local inhabitants.

Biodiversity and Indigenous Uses of Medicinal Plant in the Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh

Conventional medicines are very important part of Indian culture. In this study the outcome of two-year study of ethnomedicinal uses of plants in Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary (CPWLS) and nearby area is reported. Information related to different plants which are used by local community in the treatment of many common diseases and well-being in the area was collected. Data on the use of medicinal plants were collected using structured interview of about 122 participants and thorough observations and conversations with local communities. Approximately 100 plants belonging to 43 families used by the local healers were reported in this study. The plant species with the highest fidelity level (Fl) were Holarrhena antidysenterica, Lawsonia inermis, Gymnema sylvestre, Dalbergia sissoo, Cassia fistula Linn., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze., Boerhaavia diffusa Linn., Albizia lebbeck Benth., Aegle marmelos Correa., Sphaeranthus indicus Linn., and Solanum surattense Burm. f. The most frequent ailments reported were hepatitis, jaundice, constipation, and skin and urinary problems. The parts of the plants most frequently used were fruit, roots, and whole plants (17%) followed by leaves (16%) and bark (15%). This study presents new research efforts and perspectives on the search for new drugs based on local uses of medicinal plants.

Uses of some threatened and potential ethnomedicinal plants among the tribals of Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand in India

The Convention on Biological Diversity (C.B.D) recognizes the sovereign right of each country over their biodiversity. It is therefore necessary for both the developing and developed countries to strengthen their scientific capabilities to ensure this sovereignty. The knowledge of flora and vegetation of any country is essentially required for proper documentation, evaluation of biodiversity's wealth, prioritization of threatened plant species and their conservation for future sustainable utilization in human welfare. Further, in order to monitor and manage the biodiversity, a systemic and thorough knowledge of the structural and functional aspects of various ecosystems is also highly required.

Indigenous Utilization and Potential of Medicinal Plants in the Phulpur Tehsil of Allahabad District, India

Abstract: Medicinal plants are viewed as a possible bridge between sustainable economic development, affordable health care and conservation of biodiversity. The present paper deals with the enumeration of 28 medicinally important plants frequently used by local communities of Phulpur tehsil of Allahabad district, Uttar Pradesh for the treatment of different ailments such as cold, cough, fever and gastro-intestinal disorders etc. The knowledge of local people about the indigenous plants used for medicinal purposes was collected through personal interview and group discussion during field trip. It was observed that 72% rural population of Phulpur tehsil were dependent on the indigenous medicinal plants (both wild and cultivated) for the treatment of various diseases and plant parts used most frequently were in the order: leaves>root>seeds>fruit>stem>whole plant> flower while approximately 28% local people expressed several reasons for not using the traditional medicines. It was also found that young people of new generation were not interested in the traditional medicines and according to their opinion the herbal treatment is not effective in comparison to modern system of medicine. This study provides immense scope for the bio-chemical analysis and screening of the active principles of the medicinal plants present in Phulpur tehsil for futuristic growth in the field of drug development.

Traditional uses of medicinal plants for dermatological healthcare management practices by the Tharu tribal community of Utter Pradesh

The aim of present study was to explore and document medicinal plants used for the traditional dermatological healthcare management practices by the the Tharu tribal community of Uttar radesh. The study was conducted during 2000–2004. Information was gathered from 230 informants residing in 46 villages in Terai region of Indo-Nepal boarder using questionnaires; oral interviews and group discussions. Total 92 medicinal plant species were cited for the preparation of 113 crude drug formulations. Voucher specimens of cited plant species were collected and identified as belonging to 82 genera and 49 families. Thirty-nine medicinal plant species were reported for the first time for dermatological healthcare problems from India. The dermatological healthcare problems managed were cut and wounds, ringworm, leprosy, eczema, scabies, leucoderma, boils, carbuncles, pimples, skin blemishes, spots, eruption, and burns etc. The most commonly and popularly used medicinal plant species for management of dermatological healthcare problems in the study area were Curcuma longa L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Melia azedarach L. It is concluded that dermatological healthcare management practice in the study area depends largely on wildly growing medicinal plant species. There is an urgent need to properly conserve the medicinal plant species growing in this area for human welfare. There is also need for further phytopharmacological studies to provide scientific explanation for the usages of 57 medicinal plant species for which to the best of our knowledge phytopharmacological literatures are not available.

Medicinal plants as a source of antipyretic agent in Terai region of Utter Pradesh, India.

The aim of the present investigation was identification and documentation of medicinal plants used as antipyretic agent for the management of different types of fever among the Tharu tribal community of Uttar Pradesh, India. The study was conducted during 2000–2004 using semistructured, open-ended questionnaires, informal interviews and group discussions with traditional healers (Guruwa) and persons having thorough knowledge about plants and plant based remedies. During present study, 30 phytotherapeutic practices for management of different types of fever using 32 plant species as antipyretic agent were identified and documented. These species may be used for the development of new, cheep, and effective antipyretic agent of herbal origin. Further investigation of these plant species for herbal antipyretic agents will require safety and efficacy testing. There is an urgent need to formulate suitable conservation strategies for wildly growing medicinal plants to overcome their depletion from natural resources. 

Phytotherapy against hair disorder among Tharu tribes in North eastern Terai belt of Uttar Pradesh

The aim of the present investigation was identification and documentation of medicinal plants used as antipyretic agent for the management of different types of fever among the Tharu tribal community of Uttar Pradesh, India. The study was conducted during 2000–2004 using semistructured, open-ended questionnaires, informal interviews and group discussions with traditional healers (Guruwa) and persons having thorough knowledge about plants and plant based remedies. During present study, 30 phytotherapeutic practices for management of different types of fever using 32 plant species as antipyretic agent were identified and documented. These species may be used for the development of new, cheep, and effective antipyretic agent of herbal origin. Further investigation of these plant species for herbal antipyretic agents will require safety and efficacy testing. There is an urgent need to formulate suitable conservation strategies for wildly growing medicinal plants to overcome their depletion from natural resources.

Ethnophytomagicotherapeutics among the Tharu tribes in North eastern Terai belt of Uttar Pradesh

The aim of the present investigation was identification and documentation of medicinal plants used as antipyretic agent for the management of different types of fever among the Tharu tribal community of Uttar Pradesh, India. The study was conducted during 2000–2004 using semistructured, open-ended questionnaires, informal interviews and group discussions with traditional healers (Guruwa) and persons having thorough knowledge about plants and plant based remedies. During present study, 30 phytotherapeutic practices for management of different types of fever using 32 plant species as antipyretic agent were identified and documented. These species may be used for the development of new, cheep, and effective antipyretic agent of herbal origin. Further investigation of these plant species for herbal antipyretic agents will require safety and efficacy testing. There is an urgent need to formulate suitable conservation strategies for wildly growing medicinal plants to overcome their depletion from natural resources.

Folk Botany of Achyranthes aspera in Terai belt of North eastern Uttar Pradesh

The aim of the present investigation was identification and documentation of medicinal plants used as antipyretic agent for the management of different types of fever among the Tharu tribal community of Uttar Pradesh, India. The study was conducted during 2000–2004 using semistructured, open-ended questionnaires, informal interviews and group discussions with traditional healers (Guruwa) and persons having thorough knowledge about plants and plant based remedies. During present study, 30 phytotherapeutic practices for management of different types of fever using 32 plant species as antipyretic agent were identified and documented. These species may be used for the development of new, cheep, and effective antipyretic agent of herbal origin. Further investigation of these plant species for herbal antipyretic agents will require safety and efficacy testing. There is an urgent need to formulate suitable conservation strategies for wildly growing medicinal plants to overcome their depletion from natural resources.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Chandauli District of Uttar Pradesh, India

Chandauli district is one of the less studied regions of India for its ethnobotanical values. The present paper synthesizes the first report related to the documentation and conservation of ethnomedicinal plants of Chandauli district and their socio-economic relationship with the forests and its resources.

Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, field observations, preference and direct matrix ranking with traditional medicine practitioners.

The use of 40 medicinal plants belonging to 27 families was documented in the tribal communities of Chandauli district in India. These species were used in combination of some exotic species such as Foeniculum vulgare, Prosopis spicigera, Crataeva nurvala,Curcuma longa, Punica granatum, Aloe vera, Cocos nucifera, Ocimum sanctum andAllium cepa and some medicinal stones, minerals, salts, etc. Most of the plants (94.6%) were reportedly used to treat human diseases.

Documenting the eroding plants and associated indigenous knowledge can be used as a basis for developing management plans for conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants in the area. The principal threatening factors reported were deforestation (90%), agricultural expansion (85%) and overgrazing (53%).

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Sonebhadra District of Uttar, Pradesh, India with reference to their infection by foliar fungi

Sonebhadra district is one of the less studied regions of India for its ethnobotanical values. The present paper synthesizes the first report related to the documentation of ethnomedicinal plants of Sonebhadra district and their infection by foliar fungi. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews and field observations. Correct identity of the plants was done with the help of relevant flora. Fungal organisms were identified on morphotaxonomic bases. The use of 143 medicinal plants belonging to 56 angiospermic families, by the tribal communities of Sonebhadra district has been documented. Out of 143 medicinal plants, 31 were found infected by different species of foliar fungi viz. Pseudocercopsora, Alternaria, Cercospora, Passalora, Corynespora, Mycovellosiella, Veronia and Dreschslera. Documentation of indigenous knowledge used for cure of different diseases by the tribes of the area can be used as basis for developing management plans for conservation and sustainable use of ethnomedicinal plants of the area. The report on foliar fungi infecting medicinal plants may draw attention of pharmaceutical firms and responsible sectors for proper care of the traditionally used medicinal wealth of the area.