Documentation of indigenous uses and traditional practices of ethnomedicinal plants used by the Siraji community of Kullu District for gynaecological complaints in Himachal Pradesh, North-Western Himalaya, India

Abstract

The study was conducted from January 2019 to January 2020 in 6 villages inhabited by Siraji community of Siraj valley of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh. Among the biodiversity components, the economically important plants are commonly used by the Siraji community in their daily lives for various purposes. Among the various health related issues of women, gynaecological problems are mostly seen in the region which greatly affects the female health. The aim of this study was to collect information and document the folk medicinal plant knowledge used by the Siraji community. Women of the region still have faith in local herbs for the treatment of their health-related issues. Data were collected from 30 informants, including local elderly people and traditional practitioners of the area, through interviews and questionnaire. In total, 35 plant species (22 wild and 13 cultivated) used to treat gynaecological problems. The present paper gave an overview of the uses of ethnomedicinal plants and also suggests the measures for promoting awareness among the native community.