Traditional health care practices: A women centric study in lesser Himalayan region of Uttarakhand (India)

Abstract

The present paper records the plants of ethnomedicinal significance occurring in the lesser Himalayan region of Uttarakhand which may be used in future as plant resources for modern system of medicine. The aim of this study was to analyze the level of knowledge and use of medicinal plants by the women folk and contribute to build a database about useful plants of the region. The Exploratory Research Design was used for the study. A sample of 150 respondents from 08 villages was selected using Stratified Random Sampling through proportional allocation method. The interview was conducted personally by the investigator with the women farmers individually at house hold level about their prevailing traditional health care system. The repondents identified 34 medicinal plant species commonly used as medicine. Majority of the women (PKW=90-99 per cent) had knowledge about Ocimum sanctum L, Zingiber officinale Rosc, Curcuma longa L., Punica granatum L, Ficus palmate Forks., and Cannabis sativa L for medicinal value. Leaf, fronds, twigs, and flowers for remedies were used from maximum plants (15). Most commonly treated disease category was dermatological problems using 17 plants followed by gastrointestinal problems. For Jaundice and eye problems there was greater homogeneity among women (WCF=1.0). Out of 34 medicinal plants, 18 were observed as bench medicinal plants as they were identified by more than five women for treating same or any given disease. From these bench-medicinal plants 10 plants were in 100% fidelity level category.