Ethnomedicinal observations among the inhabitants of cold desert area of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The paper deals with the field observations of traditional phytotherapeutic applications used by inhabitants of Spiti valley, a cold desert in western Himalayas. The average land population ratio in the area is probably thinnest in the world. The Spitians (originally Mongolians) have been largely dependent on the plant resources for food, fuel, timber, household articles, and medicines to a great extent for ages. First hand information of about 26 plant species were recorded during extensive field survey carried out in cold desert area of Himachal Pradesh during 2003. The information covers scientific name, vernacular names, plant parts used and mode of usages.