Ethnomedicinally Important Pteridophyte Resources of Joypur Forest, Bankura, West Bengal

The ferns (pteridophytes) have an important role in folklore medicine. These plants have been successfully used in Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathic and other systems of medicines. The tribal groups have been using rhizome, frond, spores, etc., of the plants in various ways for the treatment of various ailments since ancient times. Being a group of lower plants with restricted distribution these pteridophytes remain unattended and their useful aspects are largely ignored.

In the present study an intensive field survey was made in various places, namely, Tantipukur, Joypur, Pansiuli, Basudebpur, Notungram, Belsulia, Katul, Machantala, etc., of Joypur forest range in Bankura district, West Bengal, over a period of 7 months from September 2012 to March 2013. During the course of survey 18 species of ferns and ferns allies were collected and a herbarium was made. The present study deals with the ethno medicinal uses of available pteridophytes which are prevalent in study area, along with their botanical name, family, habitat, plant part used and mode of uses. Much of the information regarding the healing properties of pteridophytes was procured after interacting with tribal people and healers.