<b>Indigenous knowledge and medicinal plants used by Vaidyas in Uttaranchal, India</b>

Abstract

195-206The indigenous knowledge of Vaidyas (the traditional healers) on making the herbal drugs was studied in the Uttaranchal state of India. Interviews and semi-structured questionnaire surveys were conducted among 60 traditional Vaidyas on the preparation of various herbal drugs. The survey has resulted in compilation of 135 herbal drugs, which are used by them for curing 55 types of ailments. In Uttaranchal, generally the traditional Vaidyas follow some specific guidelines for collection of medicinal plants from wild. They frequently use Ocimum sanctum Linn., Piper nigrum Linn., Curcuma domestica Valet., Brassica campestris Hook.f. & Thoms. and Raphanus sativus Linn. for making various herbal drugs. There is a sharp decline in the number of recognized Vaidyas due to several reasons