Medicinal plants use in traditional healthcare systems prevalent in western Himalayas

Abstract

The present research work was carried out in six villages of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh to study application of plants at home scale level in treating various kinds of ailments. The information was documented using questionnaire and PRA techniques with the help of village elders, key informants and local healers. In the present study, thirty-one plant species used by the villagers for the treatment of various diseases at home scale level were identified. Twenty plant species were used for curing more than one disease. Three plants, <i style="">Aloe barbadensis </i>Mill., <i style="">Asparagus racemosus </i>Roxb. and <i style="">Tinospora cordifolia</i> Willd. were used against more than five diseases. It was found that elder people had more inclination towards herbal medicines followed by middle and young people. Since the knowledge of various medicinal plants being used in herbal treatment and their method of use is confined to mostly local healers, it is of utmost importance to record this knowledge for future generations, otherwise, it will be lost forever.