Ethno-medicinal plants used by the Baiga tribe of Maikal hills of Central India

Abstract

The Baiga tribes considered as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), reside in the Maikal hills of central India and are rich in their culture and traditional knowledge. The Vaidya and Guniya are two types of health healers found among the Baiga tribal community. It is found that they have good skills in identifying the mediational plants. The present paper aims to explore the traditional healing system, and tribal indigenous knowledge system and identifies the ethno-medicine used by the Baiga tribes of the Maikal hills of central India. The three-pronged research methodology was adopted in the present study. (i) Desk review, (ii) FGDs, and (iii) personal interactions. Due to development intervention, many medicinal plants disappeared, and there is a need to document and encourage the new generation to continue medicinal practices. Their livelihood opportunities could be increased, and hidden treasury will be helpful to mainstream society for the protection of health care.