Ethnomedicinal significance of Tamarindus indica L. among tribal and rural communities of Bargarh district, Odisha

Abstract

Tamarindus indica L., a member of the family Fabaceae, is a widely distributed, multipurpose species intricately woven into the traditional healthcare systems of India. In the Bargarh district of Odisha, the tree holds particular ethnomedicinal significance and is utilized by both tribal and rural communities for various therapeutic and cultural purposes. The present study was undertaken to record and analyse the indigenous knowledge associated with T. indica among these communities. Fieldwork involved surveys and semi-structured interviews with traditional healers, elderly informants, and household practitioners, complemented by voucher specimen collection and secondary literature review.