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A Folk Knowledge on Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Skin Diseases in Bhadrak District of Odisha, India

Panda T, Mishra N and BK Pradhan

Only recently there has been an exponential growth in the field of herbal medicine and these drugs are gaining popularity both in developing and developed countries because of their natural origin and less side effects. Ethnic people and tribals of India are endowed with a deep knowledge concerning the utilization of medicinal plants to cure various diseases. However research on the local knowledge related to plant species utilization for skin ailments still lacks adequate attention. The current investigation aims to identify, collect and document the existing folk knowledge related to the utilization of medicinal flora for healing of skin ailments among the local inhabitants of Bhadrak district, Odisha, India. Data were collected through a combination of tools and techniques of questionnaire, group interview and discussion. A total of 57 medicinal plants representing 34 families are reported for their therapeutic use against skin ailments. The predominant families are Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae. Most preferred species for the management of skin ailments are Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.)Wall. ex. Nees., Annona squamosa L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Calophyllum inophyllum L., Cissampelos pareira L., Croton sparsiflorus Morong., Glinus oppositifolius (L.) A. DC., Lantana camara L., Ocimum sanctum L., Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. and Tridax procumbens L. In most of the skin treatments with medicinal plants, the herbal preparations are administered topically. Further scientific research is required to evaluate biochemical constituent as well as the pharmacologically useful alkaloids, tannins, resins and any other beneficial plant product available from the local flora for the enhanced posterity of mankind.