Traditional Usage of Ethno-medicinal Plants of Sikandra Hill Range in Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Indian Himalayan region is enriched with unique location, geography and culture. 1 It is one amongst the biodiversity hotspots. 2 It is harbors more than 9000 plant species, of which nearly 33 % are endemic. 3 A large number of studies on medicinal and aromatic plants have been carried out in the Indian H Region. 4-6 However, in particular Pradesh, such studies are incomplete and mainly focused on inventory. 7-15 Some workers have mentioned medicinal uses of plants in ethnobotanical notes, floristic and biodiversity studies. 16-23 However, in particular of Himachal Pradesh, such studies are incomplete and mainly focused on inventory mentioned medicinal uses of plants in ethnobotanical notes, floristic and biodiversity studies and alternative for primary health care system. 24-37 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sikander hills are situated in Shivalik hills zone of North Western Himalaya and is located in district Mandi of Himachal Pradesh (India). This area is characterized by temperature ranging between-10 0 C to 25 0 C. Precipitation occurs in the form of snow and rainfall. The altitude of this range is 7000 feet. The vegetation of this area chiefly comprises of deodar, silver fir, chir pine and oak. Greater part of it consists of rich grass slopes. It is rich in lichen flora. 38-40 Extensive field surveys were conducted in various locations of Sikandra hill of district Mandi of Himachal Pradesh during the study period. Prior to the visit to research sites, a questionnaire was designed and pre-tested to find out if it actually worked. Revisions needed as a result of this pre-test were noted and undertaken in the following day of the visit. Focus groups were held with key informants and others in each household. The traditional usage of plant resources were learned with both the questionnaire and through participatory techniques. Participation was focused on learning how people gather plant material. The ethno-medicinal importance of the collected plants containing the information about the vernacular name of the plants, part used and medicinal use were recorded through detailed discussion with local people, traditional healers, Kohlies and gujjars. The plants were enlisted depending upon the information collected along with their traditional use reported in the literature. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results of the study are presented in Table 1. The families of plant species from the study area are arranged in alphabetical order. For each species, scientific name, family, vernacular name, part used, traditional mode of its use as edible, fodder, religious and medicinal as well as diseases treated are provided. Each species is compared with previously reported literature for their ethno-medicinal usage. A total of 88 plant species in 41 families were documented for the treatment of various chronic ailments

Quantitative ethnoveterinary study on plant resource utilization by indigenous communities in high-altitude regions

“…Various ethno-veterinary studies produce similar findings ( 28 , 34 , 36 ). Many researchers have also identified the Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, and Lamiaceae families as the most representative of the Himalayan regions ( 16 , 26 – 29 , 32 , 33 , 37 ), demonstrating the family's great adaptability in many climates and geographies ( 38 ). This study found unequal family distribution patterns with 44 monotypic families, which is consistent with prior ethno-veterinary studies from various Himalayan locations ( 17 , 34 , 39 ).…”

Indigenous livestock care practices in Kamlah, Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh: A preserving heritage

“…Leaves of Grewia optiva was used as galactagogue in the study area. In contrast, crushed bark of the G. optiva was used to cure worm infection by the residents of Hamirpur district (Kumar & Chander, 2018). Leaves of Murraya koenigii were used for milk enhancement and to cure stomach disorders.…”

“…The people of Himachal, one of the largest states of Western Himalayan region in India, rely primarily on traditional ethnoveterinary expertise to treat livestock diseases. Various ethnoveterinary studies have been carried in Himachal Pradesh (Singh & kaushal, 2000;Singh & Misri, 2006;Sehgal & Sood, 2013;Shrivastava et al, 2017;Kumar & Chander, 2018;Prakash et al, 2021;Bishist et al, 2022). However, ethnoveterinary plant of Kamlah region of Sandhol Tehsil of mandi district of Himachal Pradesh has not explored.…”

Native Plants Usage in Indian Ornamental Landscaping Scenario: A Review

“…They identified 61 Plants belonging to 11 genera and systematically described them with digital images in electronic herbarium. Kumar et al (2015) documented some ornamental plants found in Himachal Pradesh, Northern India but their origin has not been discussed. Babu et al (2017) also identified wild ornamental plants of 153 species from 112 genera and 48 families which have attractive plant growth habit and beautiful flowers from Palakonda hills of Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh, India.…”