Common Traditional Practices of Herbal Medicine by Tribal Communities Belonging to Various Ethnic Groups in some States of India

Natural plant remedies have created an enormous need for information about the properties and uses of the medicinal plants. Tribal people and ethnic races throughout the world have developed their own culture, customs, medicinal practices, etc. A large number of wild and cultivated plants are being used by them for the treatment of various ailments, thus a considerable amount of information on medicinal plants is available with these communities. The state of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan comprises of a large population of tribal communities belonging to various ethnic groups. These forest dwellers live in forests and possess a vast knowledge on various aspects of plants. Ethno botanical studies on different aspects of many tribal communities have been carried out in various districts of the states. In Madhya Pradesh main tribes of the state are Gond, Bhil, Oraon, Sahariya, Bhilala, Sor, etc. Bhil and Sahariya are the major tribal communities of the district. They move around the forest for their day-to-day requirements, cultural activities and performing rituals. They possess a vast knowledge of the treatment of their cattle through herbs. The method of treatment is traditional and drugs are used in crude form only. Besides medicinal uses, they possess a vast knowledge on other ethno botanical uses of plants. The tribal people, who live in different remote areas of the region under study, treat their various ailments with plant remedies on the basis of their rich heritage knowledge.