Traditional medicine insights: exploring ethnomedicinal leafy vegetables of the Bhunjia and Paharia tribes in Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India

Abstract

The aim of this study was to document the medicinal uses of the plants in Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India. The ethnobotanical results contain quantitative information on medicinal plants diversity documented for the first time in the area. The information was collected through semi-structured interview and personal observations. Results were analysed using quantitative indices of frequency citation, relative frequency citation (RFC), fidelity level, use value, and Jaccard index. In the total of 37 leafy vegetable species belonging to 30 genera and 19 families were reported for the medicinal purposes. Leguminosae (Fabaceae) was found to be dominant family in terms of species in the area with six species. The whole plant and leaves were noted most frequently use plants was the most commonly used preparation method. These species are utilised for treating 51 types of human ailments. Highest use value was reported for the Moringa oleifera Lam (0.80), while highest RFC value was calculated for Moringa oleifera Lam. (0.48), and Allium cepa L. (0.4). Highest fidelity level was calculated for Amaranthus viridis L., Moringa oleifera Lam., Allium cepa L., and these plants are still commonly used for medicinal purposes among the people in their daily lives. However, there is a gradual loss of traditional knowledge about these plants in new generation. This study provides basis for the conservation of the local flora, its use as food and medicine. It is also provides socio-economic dimensions associated with the common peoples.