*Dr. Vinod Katoch, Associate Professor, Department of Dravyaguna,
Abhilashi Ayurvedic College and Research Institute, Chail Chowk, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
*Corresponding Author: [email protected]
Paper Received: 10-01-2021 Paper Accepted: 12-02-2021 Corrected: 15-03-21
Abstract: Background: The relation of human beings with plants is time immemorial as they depended for all basic needs on plants. With time, they also learnt to use the different parts of various plants for medicinal purposes. Many of them are studied in details while some of them are still unexplored. But, these plants are traditionally used for medicinal purposes by ethnic people from generation to generation. Study of such medicinal uses are ethno-medicine. Such uses can be frequently observed in different parts of Himachal Pradesh as the state is rich in biodiversity. Mandi is one of them with 38.96% of geographical area under forest cover. Gujjar, Koli, Channals etc. are tribes living in this area. They still rely on plants for their number of health related problems.
Materials and Methods: The work was conducted during February 2019 to November 2019. Data was collected from the ethnic people up to 1 km inside of road (Jahal to Devidarh). Semi-structured interview was conducted to collect the data showing the specimen to people and asking about the medicinal uses in various systems.
Result: The fruit and stem of Cotoneaster microphyllus Wall. is used for skin diseases while whole plant of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. is used as anthelmintic. Tubers are Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. and Dioscorea deltoidea Wall. ex Kunth. are used as anti-inflammatory agent.
Discussion and Conclusion: Grasses, grains and those cultivated for kitchen uses (like pyaj, lahsan etc.) are not included. Around 50% reported plants were herbs. Many of other species present in this are not reported as ethnic people did not suggest any of medicinal use.
Key words: Ethno-medicine, Himachal Pradesh, Mandi, Devidarh…………………………..