Ethnomedicinal Practices and Conservation Status of Medicinal Plants in the Bandipora District of Kashmir Himalaya
Tawseef Ahmad Mir, Muatasim Jan, Rakesh Kumar Khare
Abstract
The indigenous knowledge and conservation status of medicinal plants were explored in the Bandipora district of the Kashmir Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, using semi-structured interviews and group discussions. A total of 71 plant species belonging to 43 families, with the predominance of Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were used in traditional medicine by the tribal communities in the area. Local communities used these plants for treating constipation, digestive disorders, fever, diarrhea, joint pain and as tonic. Medicinal use of plant species in various families was similar to previous reports from Kashmir Himalaya. Artemisia absinthium, Cichorium intybus, Foeniculum vulgare, Taraxacum campylodes and Mentha arvensis were frequently used due to their abundance in the study area.