Environment Conservation Journal (Jun 2016)

Diversity and ethnomedicinal uses of flowering plants of District Reasi, of J&K-North West Himalayas (India)

  • Jawaid Sarver,
  • Siddarth Dubey,
  • Romesh Kumar Atri

DOI
https://doi.org/10.36953/ECJ.2016.171201
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 1&2

Abstract

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Conventional medicines are very important part of Indian culture. In the study, the outcome of 2 years survey of ethnomedicinal uses of flowering plants in District Reasi and nearby area is reported. Information related to different plants which are used by the local tribes i.e. Gujjar, Bakerwal, Paharis and Gaddis etc. in the treatment of many common diseases and well being in the area was collected. Data on the uses of medicinal plants were collected by negotiations and conversations with the local communities. Approximately 80 species of flowering plants belonging to 47 families and 77 genera used by the local healers were reported. Further, 80 plant species collected from the study area belongs to different 4 different life forms viz. trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers. Herbs dominated the floral composition with 32 species (40%) followed by shrubs represented by 23 species (28.75%), trees 22 species ( 27.5%) and climbers are represented by only 3 species (3.75%). Out of 80 families, Asteraceae dominate the floral composition comprised of 6 genera and 6 species (7.5%) followed by Euphorbiaceae represented by 3 genera and 5 species (6.25%) and Rosaceae and Lamiaceae represented by 4 genera and 4 species each (5%) were the dominant families. Fabaceae, Rutaceae and Acanthaceae represented by 3 genera and 3 species and Moraceae contributed 2 genera and 3 species while rest all represented by single genera and two species each. The utilization pattern of the species indicated that different parts of the plants viz. leaves are used most widely (46 species) followed by roots (17 species), fruits (14 species), whole plant (13 species), bark (12 species), seeds (07 species), flower (06 species), resin and latex are known to use against various ailments. The medicines are prepared in the form of powder, decoction, infusion, paste, juice, extract and pill etc.

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