Book Description

The present ethnobotanical work was carried out by doing periodical and extensive ethnobotanical survey, assessment of field and tribal knowledge bank of tribal inhabited localities of Ratlam district of Western Madhya Pradesh from 2004-2007. A total number of 210 plant species of ethnobotanical importance [Medicinal- 186; Vegetables- 27; Wild edible fruits-36; Fodder/Forage - 18; Beverage and Drinks-3; Gum and Resin-3; Magico-religious beliefs and offerings-25; Agriculture implements, Handle, Tools, Boats-5; Fibres-11; Detergent - 3; Dye-3; Tannin-12; Oil yielding Plants-3; House, Building construction, Thatching and Furniture-11; Taboos and Totems-6; Musical instruments-11; Fuel-6; Biofencing-10; Fish poison-10; Other economic uses-7] belonging to 178 genera and 71 families have been including in the present study used by the indigenous people inhabiting all the villages of the district. Further the dicots are represented by 180 species belonging to 150 genera and 59 families and the remaining 30 species; belong to 28 genera and 12 families of monocots. Statistically, out of 210 plant species of ethnobotanical interest are belonging to different habits viz, 96 herbs, 55 trees, 37 shrubs, 16 climbers, 5 grasses and one angiospermic parasite plants and were included in the present study. The book includes vernacular names, Taxonomic description, distribution, part use, Chemical constituents, Biological activities, Folk uses of studied plants. This book is helpful for Botanists, Ethnobotanists, NGO’s and research workers interested in carrying out the researchers in the field of Ayurveda and Medicinal uses of the plants, BAMS students, the student of Botany and the persons engaged in Pharmaceutical concerns as well as other reader’s interested in the field of Herbal-medicine and Ethno-medicine and a must for Scientific and University Libraries in Madhya Pradesh.