Ethnomedicinal Plants from Wild used by the Native Communities of Kullu Block in Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2025/v151i5/170122Keywords:
Ethnomedicinal, Wild plant, Traditional knowledge, Conservation.Abstract
The present study has been carried out in Kullu block of Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh. The study documents the ethnomedicinal uses of the plants growing in the wild by the native people of the region for treating various ailments and diseases. A total of 55 wild plant species belonging to 33 families has been recorded with highest number of Lamiaceae (6) followed by Rosaceae (4), Polygonaceae (4), Berberidaceae (3) Plantaginaceae (3), Rannunculaceae (2) Amaryllidaceae (2), Apiaceae (2), Ericaceae (2), Rutaceae (2) and remaining families one species each. The life forms used were maximum as herbs (34), trees (13), shrubs (7) and fungi (1). Part used were maximum with leaf (32) followed by fruits (13), roots/whole plant (12), stem/aerial part (8), wood (6), seed (5), flower (4), Bark (3) and latex (1). As ethnomedicinal uses, maximum species were used to cure gastrointestinal problems (26) followed by fever (13) and expectorant (12). Results show that local people have vast traditional knowledge on these wild plants species, but this knowledge is at risk of being lost in the near future due to various factors. Therefore, there is an urgent need to do the proper scientific documentation of these traditional knowledge systems and conservation efforts for the declining diversity for its sustenance.
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