Medicinal Plants in and around Khunti District of Jharkhand, India

Medicinal plants are traditionally used in different parts of India since long back. Khunti is one of the district of Jharkhand state where numerous plants are traditionally used in the treatment of wide range of routine diseases, such as gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory problems, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, toothache and so on. But published records of folk and traditional health approaches practiced in Khunti as well as other parts of India are still very scarce. Present study was undertaken to record crude drugs of plant origin, traditionally used in ten villages of Arki Block of Khunti district. For this purpose the data were collected through questionnaires, which were replied by local healers or Baidhyas, experienced elder individuals and patients. Botanical name, family, common name, parts used, preparations and administration route and indications of total 115 plants belonging to 82 families were reported, but only 15 plants have been described in present communication Herbarium specimens of all 15 species were prepared and after being authenticated those were deposited in herbarium of University Department of Botany, Kolhan University, Chaibasa, Jharkhand.