Ethnobotanical survey of Surguja district with special reference to plants used by uraon tribe in treatment of respiratory diseases.

Abstract

Surguja district lies in the northern part of Chhattisgarh state is biodiversity rich area, dominated by tribal communities. The major tribes of Surguja region are Nagesiya, Baiga, Kanwar, Panika, Korwa and Uraon. Uraon is one of the dominating populations amongst all the tribes found in Surguja. In Surguja, the tribal’s are 55.4% of the total population. The total forest area in the region is 18,188.44 sq.km constitute 44% of the total area of the district. The tropical deciduous type of forest is found in Surguja. The tribal communities have very rich knowledge of plants and it is used by them for their health and livelihood security. Many plants are used by them for the treatment of various diseases like Diarrhea, Jaundice, Fever, Headache, Malaria and Typhoid, Cough and Cold, Diabetes, etc. In present study an ethno-botanical survey was carried out amongst the Uraon tribe in Surguja district for the documentation of herbal medicines used for the treatment of respiratory diseases. A total of 14 plant species were found to be used for the treatment of respiratory diseases. The drug was found to be extracted from whole plant, root, rhizome, leaves, flowers and seeds of the plant. The common drug preparation method was documented as making of plant parts in to powder and later converted in to tablets or preparing of decoction by boiling in water. The drug administration was noted to be oral with water/milk or jiggery and cost per episode was also documented.