Ethnomedicinal plants used by the local communities of the Great Himalayan National Park, North-Western Himalaya, India

Abstract

The Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA) is home to several endangered species of plants. The present ethno-medicinal study was carried out in 13 villages of the eco-zone of the GHNPCA and information was gathered through a semi-structured questionnaire survey and interviews of medicinal plant knowledge holders/traditional Vaidyas. A total of 152 medicinal plant species belonging to 62 families and 125 genera were recorded to be used by local inhabitants. List of plants along with uses and other details is provided in the table. The maximum number of plant species (63 spp.) are used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, followed by dermatological problems (59 spp.) and cold and cough (23 spp.). Public awareness/sensitization, education, in-situ & ex-situ conservation efforts and bioprospecting of medicinal plants for new drug development are urgently required for the conservation and sustainable management of medicinal plants resources of GHNPCA.