Abstract:

Throughout the Indian sub-continent, all earlier medical branches have developed and refined different treatments based on preparations made from available natural resources. Traditional knowledge of local Vaidyas (practitioners of Ayurveda) about medicinal plants and their importance in local healthcare practices is well known since Vedic time. However, mode of applications of the different medicinal plants is lacking from many remote areas of the country. The research work was initiated in the vicinity of Ukhimath (block head) of Uttarakhand state, as it has unique habitat specificity and availability of Vaidyas. Of 60 different plant species collected, 45 herbs, 8 trees, 5 shrubs and 2 climbers were used for curing a total of 34 diseases such as headache, fever and intestinal problems.