Ethno-Medico-Botanical Studies of Plant Resources of Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh, India: Retrospect and Prospects

The present communication reports the folk medicinal uses of plants by the tribes of Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh (India), which are therapeutically used against different ailments of human being as well as the livestock. In all, 179 plant species comprising 47 trees, 36 shrubs/undershrubs, 74 herbs, 21 climbers and 1 liana belonging to 76 families, used by the tribal people, have been enumerated and discussed, which signifies the ethnomedicinal values of plant species occur in the study area. The study, thus, highlights the potential of ethnobotanical research and the need for documentation of traditional knowledge pertaining to the utilization of plants as medicine. Pharmachemical analysis is obligatory in order to authenticate their accuracy and future prospects in the drug development with due benefit-sharing with the primary stakeholders for the greater advantage of mankind in the study area. The study could play a significant role in resolving the controversies pertaining to biopiracy and Intellectual Property Rights.