Conservation of ethnomedicinal plants through traditional health care system and religious practices by “Oraon” of Ranchi district, Jharkhand, India

Pushpa Salo Linda^a, Dara Singh Gupta^b & Agatha S. Khalkho^c
aDept. Of Botany. Jamshedpur worker’s College, Kolhan University, Jamshedpur
^bDept. Of Botany. Jamshedpur Co-operative College, Kolhan University, Jamshedpur.
^c*Dept. Of Botany, Marwari College, Ranchi University, Ranchi, Jharkhand. India

Received 15th November, 2015: Revised : 22nd February. 2016

 Abstract : Ranchi district is rich in forest wealth and Ethnic communities especially “Oraon” Tribe. Each ethnic community maintains a Traditional Wealth care System on local floras. Despite the modern civilization the tribal still dependent on the ancient method of treatment and herbs of ethnic value which they find easily available and think most effective and convenient. There is many ethno-botanical, as well as ethno-medicinal plants, which are used specific by “Oraon” Tribe for the ailment of different types of diseases. Few of the plants used widely are Boerhaavia diffusa-Punarnava, Adhatoda vasia-vasak, Aegle marmelos-Bael, Ricinus communis-Arandi Vitex negund-Sindwar, Madhuka langi folia-Mahua, Pangamia pinnata-Karanj, Scheichera oleose-Kusum, Terminalia arjuna, T.bellerica-Behera. T.chebula-Harra, Bombax ceiba-Shimal, Syzgium cumin-Jamun, Bambusa anrudinacea-Bamboo, Mangifera indica-Aam etc. Some plants are used in Social Forestry Programs as afro-forestry and road side plantation. For the conservation of traditional knowledge & their health benefits, they try to conserve, protect the ethno-medicinal plants, around them. Their religious practices also help in conservation of biodiversity.