Ethno-medicinal plants used by local folk healers ‘Vaidyas’ in tribal dominated districts of Jharkhand

Ethno-medicinal studies were carried out during last five years in eleven tribal dominated districts of Chatra, Deoghar, Dumka, Giridih, Godda, Jamtara, Koderma, Saraikela Kharsawan, Pakur, Ranchi and West Singhbhum of Jharkhand, India. A total of 105 informants including 30 local folk healers (Vaidyas, Kaviraj and Bhagat) belonging to eleven tribal communities, who had knowledge of the traditional uses of medicinal plants, were interviewed for gathering the information. The study led to documentation of therapeutic application of 98 plant species which are used in preparation of 153 herbal formulations for curing about 60 different ailments. This study describes details of ailments, botanical identity, local name, parts of plants used, mode of preparation, administration of drug, and the disease for which the given plants are used.