Ethnomedicinal Survey of Plants in Wani Region of District Yavatmal of Maharashtra, India
Gadge Jivan Gangadhar *
Airport Health Organisation, Nagpur, India, Director General of Health Services, Nagpur, India and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: The Wani region is located approximately 110 km east of the Yavatmal district headquarters and coordinates at 20°03’20” N and 78°57’12” E. The region boasts a thriving forest, where medicinal plants are a prominent part of the landscape.
Aim: The aim of this study is to collect comprehensive data on the variety of medicinal plants found in the Wani region and their usage by tribal communities.
Methodology: Traditional healers and medicine men play a crucial role in primary healthcare in this area.
During the survey, both tribal people and traditional healers were considered.
Results: The study documented a total of 133 plant species from 90 genera, belonging to 68 families, with their medicinal uses, local names, and the parts used as medicine. The most commonly used plant parts were the root and leaf, followed by bark, whole plants, and other components.
Conclusion: The survey revealed a rich knowledge of using plants to treat various ailments, but this traditional knowledge is gradually fading. In this tribal region, primary healthcare still heavily relies on medicinal plants, making the documentation of traditional plant-based treatments essential.
Keywords: Ethnomedicine, medicinal plants, tribal people, healthcare