Unreported Ethnomedicinal Plants Used by Baigas in Baiga-Chak Area of District Dindori, Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

The paper contains information on 30 ethnomedicinal plants used by the Baiga tribe of Baiga-Chakarea in district Dindori, Madhya Pradesh was collected through interviews and discussion regarding the plant prescribed, such as part of the plant used, medicinal uses, and detailed information about mode of preparation, form of usage and method of application. A total of 30 species belonging to 29 genera and 23 families to treat various ailments. The documented medicinal plants were mostly used to cure cold, cough, diabetes, dysentery and skin diseases, etc. According to the informants the indigenous knowledge is drastically disappearing, the younger generations are not interested to practice traditional medicine due to the changes in life style and the intervention of modern medicine. Hence the documentation of traditional knowledge among the ethnic people is essential to the betterment of our future generation, since most of the lives saving medicines are derived based on ethnic wisdom of this traditional community those who directly depend on plants for their survival.