Diversity and use pattern of ethno-medicinal plants of Kumaun Himalaya
Abstract
Kumaun Himalaya, in the Indian Himalayan region, has a rich diversity of medicinal plants, which are widely used in traditional medicinal systems. The present paper concludes the diversity, vernacular names, associated authorship, ethno-medicinal uses and use pattern, life form; plant part used and accession number of the medicinal flora together. The paper describes distribution and local/traditional uses of the 256 medicinal plants representing 96 families, in which pteridophytes were 1%, trees were 18%, shrubs were 25%, herbs were 52%). Various plant parts used in formulations, such as: underground part- 33%, leaves- 24%, whole plant- 11%, bark- 7%, seeds- 7%, resin /latex/oil- 4%, stem/ shoot/ wood- 4%, flowers and inflorescences- 5%, fruits and nuts- 5% were used in different ailments.
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