Ethnomedicinal study of common medicinal plants of Kapilvastu district, Nepal

Abstract

Background & Aim: Medicinal plants have served as the primary constituents of traditional healthcare methods. Such plants have served mankind since primordial times. But such traditional knowledge is lacking conservation and promotion in present times. Documentation of such traditional knowledge can serve as safeguards for the conservation of such knowledge. The study primarily aims at the documentation of locally abundant medicinal plants available in the Kapilvastu district of Southern Nepal. Experimental: Data on medicinal plants regarding their local name, parts used along with their usage were collected through a questionnaire survey with a total of n=54 individuals of the locality. Excel software was used to analyze the pooled data and results were demonstrated in tables, charts, and graphs. Google Scholar and Researchgate were assessed for secondary data collection. Results: A total of 50 plant species from 46 genera representing 30 families used for curing 55 types of diseases were identified in the study area. Family Fabaceae was reported with the maximum number of species used (n=6). Trees (n=26) was the major used life form and leaf was the most frequently used (n=28) in terms of parts used. Recommended applications/industries: This study serves as a future basis for research promotion, resource production, policy formulation, and protection of these highly valuable plants. The paper will also be useful for those looking for traditional remedial measures using locally available plants in Kapilvastu district, and also will serve as informational bank for homeopathy-based curative measures.

Keywords

• allopathy
• drug production
• primary healthcare