Medicinal plants used by tribals of panchmahals district, gujarat

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Medicinal plants used by tribals of panchmahals district, gujarat”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Blood:
Blood is a vital fluid in the human body, essential for transporting oxygen and nutrients. In ethnobotanical practices, certain plants are used for blood purification and treatment of blood-related ailments. The relevance of blood in traditional medicine signifies the importance of healing and maintaining bodily functions through natural remedies.

2) Purification:
Purification refers to the process of removing impurities or toxins. In the context of traditional medicine, purification is crucial for maintaining health and well-being. Many plants listed in the survey are utilized to detoxify the body, cleanse the blood, and treat ailments, highlighting their vital role in holistic health practices.

3) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses a wide range of practices aimed at promoting health, preventing illness, and treating diseases. The ethnobotanical survey demonstrates how various medicinal plants are integrated into traditional healing systems by tribal communities to address health issues, showcasing the interplay between culture, nature, and medicine.

4) Jaggery:
Jaggery is a traditional sweetener made from sugarcane or palm sap. In tribal medicine, jaggery is used in medicinal preparations to enhance taste and provide energy. It serves as a binding agent in herbal remedies, often mixed with powdered roots to treat ailments such as piles, highlighting its significance in healing diets.

5) Butea monosperma:
Butea monosperma, commonly known as 'flame of the forest,' is a tree valued for its medicinal properties. Tribal communities utilize its stem bark to treat bone fractures. This highlights the plant's cultural significance and its integral role in folk medicine practices, adhering to traditional healing methods.

6) Ricinus communis:
Ricinus communis, or castor oil plant, is known for its versatile medicinal applications. In the surveyed tribal areas, its leaf and stem juice are utilized to alleviate toothache and other ailments. Its importance in traditional medicine underscores its role in supporting dental and overall health through natural remedies.

7) Tuberculosis:
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease affecting the lungs. Traditional medicine practices found in tribal regions often employ specific herbs, such as Borassus flabellifer, to treat this condition. The use of these plants reflects the community knowledge about herbal approaches to combating prevalent diseases like TB.

8) Scorpion:
Scorpion stings can be life-threatening, and traditional healing methods involve the application of local remedies. The fruit pulp of Balanites aegyptiaca is applied to treat such stings. This demonstrates the community's ability to address venomous encounters through their indigenous knowledge of plants, essential for survival.

9) Science (Scientific):
Science represents a systematic study of the natural world, including botany and medicine. Ethnobotanical research is scientifically significant as it documents traditional knowledge regarding plant use for healing. This integration of folk remedies with scientific validation highlights the richness of cultural practices and potential advancements in medicinal science.

10) Shakala (Sakalā, Sakala, Śākala):
Sakala refers to a geographical location, specifically the Sakala forest, which is home to diverse plant species. It serves as an important area for foraging medicinal plants. The tribal communities' utilization of local flora underscores the relationship between their environment and traditional self-care practices.

11) Famine:
Famine, characterized by a severe lack of food resources, leads to reliance on local flora for sustenance. The tribal groups use various plant species, both as food and medicine, during emergencies. This reflects resilience and adaptability of these communities in utilizing available natural resources for survival.

12) Insect:
Insects may pose health risks, including poisonous bites or stings. Methods of treating these injuries often involve specific herbal remedies, indicating the knowledge of local plants like Adina cordifolia, used as antidotes. This underscores the significance of traditional herbal medicine in managing insect-related ailments.

13) Liquor:
Liquor in this context refers to fermented beverages like 'mehuwa' liquor, often used in traditional practices. It may serve both as a social beverage and a medicinal resource. Its combination with certain plants for treating colic pain reflects cultural integration of food and medicine.

14) Jambu (Jambū):
Jambu often refers to a genus of plants or specific species like Syzygium. The term is used within the local context as a source of traditional remedies. The mention of Jambu signifies the plant's importance in folklore and medicinal practices, particularly in treating ailments like colic and blood purification.

15) Ulcer:
Ulcers are sores that can occur on the skin or mucous membranes. Traditional plant extracts, such as the latex of Euphorbia neriifolia, are utilized to treat ulcers, showcasing local knowledge of healing properties of plants. This relevance underscores the role of ethnomedicine in managing health conditions.

16) Hara (Hāra):
Hara is associated with a genus of plant, Ludwigia, whose whole plant is used for treating fever. The relevance of Hara in the ethnobotanical context illustrates the local utilization of diverse plant species for health benefits, displaying the importance of biodiversity in traditional medicine practices.

17) Curd:
Curd, a dairy product, is utilized in various traditional remedies. For instance, Achyranthes aspera is mixed with curd to treat acute dysentery. Curd's role in this context highlights the significance of food items in folk medicine, merging nutritional benefits with medicinal properties for holistic health.

18) Salt (Salty):
Salt is not just a culinary ingredient but also plays a role in traditional medicines. In ethnobotanical practices, it's used as a component in external treatments, such as for ulcers. This illustrates the recognition of salt’s properties in healing and its integral place in local health practices.

19) Soil:
Soil refers to the earth where plants grow, and its quality impacts the availability of medicinal plants. In the context of Panchmahals, the rocky soil nurtures a diversity of flora. Understanding soil's role in the growth of medicinal plants is essential for sustaining traditional health practices and biodiversity.