Ethnobotanical Uses of Some Medicinal Plants Employed by Local Peoples of Samastipur District, Bihar, India

Abstract

Samastipur district of Bihar has biodiversity less in medicinal plant species. It consists of various medicinal plants with high medicinal values. This research through an ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plant species in the district of Samastipur bihar and traditional knowledge continuity, assesses traditional medicinal plant familiarity and identifies vital regional treatments and their therapeutic uses. In the field, we collected ethnobotanical data using different methods, like free listings, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interviews of locals. From different blocks of the Samastipur district, many local informants were involved in interviews and questionnaire distribution. To gauge the importance of medicinal plant species. A total of 38 medicinal plants were documented and reported in the study. Local names, therapeutic uses, parts used, and the relationship between ailments of medicinal plant species are presented. The most encountered medicinal plant families were fabaceae, Cyperaceae, Apiaceae, Poaceae, Convolvulaceae, Trapaceae, Asteraceae, etc. In Samastipur district, the healing traditions of medicinal plant species are vital for healthcare, emphasizing the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge for sustainable resource use. More research is essential to gain a deeper understanding of local perspectives.