Ethnomedicinal wisdom among local tribes in Hamirpur valley, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The current investigation was focused on the documentation, analysis and interpretation of ethnomedicinal phytowisdom in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. The impoverished tribal and rural people of Hamirpur district (Himachal Pradesh, India) do not receive satisfactory primary healthcare. They have traditionally been exploiting the medicinal plants existing in their surrounding environment for diverse purposes including medicinal use. The objective of this study was to document ethnobotanical knowledge, primarily of notable herbs employed by the different backward people whether tribal or rural, in the area under study. Ethnomedicinal data was accessed through structural interviews, and discussions with the tribal/rural informants, healers, medicine-men/women, etc. aged 45-65. A minimum of five to eight informants was taken into consideration for each claim. This investigation brought on record that people of the study area (Hamirpur) generally utilize about 50 plant species belonging to several distinct families. Different plant parts such as leaves, flowers, fruit, stem-bark and root are most commonly employed. A fairly wide range of diseases is treated by people of Hamirpur district using local medicinal plants. These ethnomedicinal claims would aid in finding novel phytoconstituents for the welfare of mankind, and therefore begs further scientific exploration.

Keywords

• Ethnomedicinal
• plants
• Hamirpur