Abstract Detail

Ethnobotany

Ethno-botanical study of medicinal plants in Syangja District, Nepal.

Nepal Himalayas have been known as a rich source for valuable medicinal plants from long ago. This research work is a documentation of the medicinal plants used by the indigenous people in Syangja district, Nepal. The importance of plants as medicine has not decreased in any way in recent times, and traditional medicines are still the most important health care source for the vast majority of the population in Syangja district. An attempt was made to explore, identify, and document medicinal plants used by the people of Syangja district of western Nepal. The study was conducted during 2019 using semi-structured, open-ended questionnaires, informal interviews, and group discussion with traditional healers and persons of different age and occupation having knowledge about plants and plant based remedies. Altogether 124 plants species comprising 72 genera belonging to 56 families were recorded. Among them, 41 species were used by local people for various domestic purposes. It has been found that 36 species of them were used for medicinal purposes, 11 species as vegetables, 8 species for ornamental purposes, 18 species for construction, furniture and making agricultural implements and 10 species for miscellaneous purposes. Azadirachta indica (Neem), Acacia catechu (Khair), Cynodon dactylon (Dubo), Curcuma angustifolia (Haledo), Mimosa pudica (Lajjawati), Woodfordia fruticosa (Dhairo), Dioscorea esculenta (Kande tarul), Asparagus racemosus (Kurilo) etc. were some commonly used plants species as medicines in different communities in Syangja District.
Syangja district has abundance of medicinal plants and various other plants are used for different purposes by local people. The use and indigenous traditional knowledge are still strong and has been transmitted orally. But, with the introduction of modern and alternative facilities of treatments in the district, these knowledge and use of ethno-medicinal plants may decrease. Hence, ethno-botanical uses of plants and more specifically ethno-medicinal plants need proper documentation and urgent action need to be taken to preserve the knowledge and plant species as well. The wide ethno-botanical uses, diverse ecology and districts great natural beauty deserve the attraction for researchers and the relation between plant utilization and conservation should also be considered side by side.

1 - Institute of Forestry, Forest Management, Forestry Road, Hetauda-10, Makwanpur Nepal, Hetauda, Bagmati, 44100, Nepal

Keywords:
ethno-botanical
healers
open-ended questionnaires.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: ETH1, Ethnobotany
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2020
Time: 3:15 PM
Number: ETH1002
Abstract ID:103
Candidate for Awards:Economic Botany Section best student paper