Traditional Knowledge on Medicinal Plants for Remedy of Common Ailments in Northern Part of West Bengal

From time immemorial, the majority of people have been using various parts of plants for preparation of traditional medicinal formulations in order to cure several human ailments. The northern part of West Bengal is considered as one of the richest resources of medicinal plants, especially the forest areas of Eastern Sub-Himalayan Tract. The local people of this region have the traditional knowledge regarding the preparation of herbal medicines, which has not been well documented. Considering the importance and potentiality of medicinal plants a survey was carried out in two villages of Chilapata and Rajabhatkhawa Forest Range of West Bengal to document some traditional herbal medicines for their health care. A total of 47 medicinal plant species were documented during the survey periods which were used in curing 11 types of diseases.