Abstract

Traditional Practice of Medicinal Plants of Euphorbiaceae Growing in Rural Pockets of Sub- District Uklana Mandi (Hisar), Haryana, India

Author(s): Preeti Rani

Background: Haryana is northern state of India with power of rural population (65.12 percent) that relies on agriculture and domestic animals for its economy and social welfare (Singh and Pal, 2018). It has hot semi-arid type climate with average temperature of 24.9° C and annual rainfall 653 mm (en.climate- data.org.). Main cultivated crops of study area are cotton, mustard, millet, vegetables, legumes etc.
Methods: A field study was completed in January 2020 in two villages i.e. Parbhuwala and Budhakhera of Tehsil- Uklana Mandi of district Hisar. Ethnomedicinal information such as vernacular name, therapeutic uses, plant part used, herbal formulation, mode of application has been collected using a well-structured proforma.
Findings: The study led to documentation of 9 plant species belonging to Euphorbiaceae family being used to treat 26 human ailments. Leaves were most dominantly used plant part for all reported species. From collected reports it has been concluded that euphorbiaceous plants are widely used to treat skin ailments and gastrointestinal disorders.
Conclusion: Conservation and protection of declining plant species are urgent need and which is well served by documentation of hidden and existing traditional botanical knowledge. The present study will provide important information regarding medicinal description of plants and helps in sustainable maintenance of biodiversity at local level.
Keywords: Ethnobotany, Herbal formulations, Rural Pockets, Traditional knowledge, Hisar, Haryana.