Ethno-Medicinal Plants from the North-Central Western Ghats of India for Alternative Health Care

Abstract

Ethnomedicine, synonymous with traditional medicine, is a crucial healthcare system practiced by various ethnic groups worldwide, especially among those with limited access to modern Western medicine. This study explores the rich bio-cultural diversity of the North Central Western Ghats in Karnataka, India, which harbors diverse ethnomedicinal practices. The region's tropical forests are home to an extensive array of plant species, with over 600 endemic to southern India and 95 exclusively endemic to Karnataka. The research focuses on documenting and analyzing the traditional knowledge of local communities regarding the use of plants for treating various human diseases. However, this task presents significant challenges and requires collaborative efforts from the government, NGOs, and Herbal Drug Companies. Over the last decade, ethnomedicinal studies have seen a rise, but there is still limited understanding of ethnomedicine's role in the traditional healthcare system in India. The forests of North Central Western Ghats, including Agumbe, Arbail Ghat, Chorla Betta, and others, exhibit a combination of deciduous and evergreen vegetation. These forests hold a variety of medicinal plants, adding to the region's bio-cultural richness. Scientific validation of the locally used ethnomedicinal plants further supports the development of herbal drug formulations with the support of the Ministry of Ayush, enabling the conservation and sustainable utilization of threatened and endangered species. The study emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional healers' knowledge and promoting collaboration for the preservation of ethnomedicinal practices in the region.