Traditional phytotherapy of Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Madhya pradesh, the largest state of India, is the home of many tribals and harbour a number of plants species in their forest areas. Nearly one fourth of the total population of the state is inhabited by tribals such as <i style="">Baigas, Gonds, Korku</i>, etc. tribes. An ethno-medico-botanical survey among different tribal pockets of Balaghat district, viz. Gangulapara, Lamta, Laugur, Langi, Baihar, Bithali, Lalbarra, etc. was carried out during the year 2007-2008 and folklore information was collected on 50 medicinal plants species belonging to 50 genera and 31 families with the help of tribal medicine men. Out of 50 plants, 15 predominant plants used in refractory diseases such as cancer, malaria, rheumatism, liver disorders and respiratory diseases, etc. These uses are not reported in earlier published literatures.