Ethnomedicinal Plants of Barmer District, Rajasthan Used in Herbal and Folk Remedies

Abstract

The Barmer district a part of Thar Desert is very rich in herbal plant wealth. The herbal plants of this region have great potential to be used in drug and pharmaceutical industries. These herbal plants have been used by local people, tribal communities, vendors, native doctors such as Ojhas, Bhagats Bhopas and experts of Ayurvedic fields since long time in herbal and folk remedies. Kalbelia, Nats, Bhils, Raika, Bhopas, Banjara, Gadolia-Lohar Langa and Manganiars communities of this district have a rich knowledge of plants based traditional medicines. Ethnomedicinal plants like Aristolochia bracteolata Lamk., Calligonum polygonoides Linn., Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn., Clerodendrum phlomoidis Linn., Evolvulus alsinoides Linn., Grewia tenax (Forsk.) Fiori., Maytenus emarginata (Willd.) Ding Hau., Mollugo Cerviana (Linn.) Seringe. Neurada procumbens Linn., Ocimum americanum Linn., Peganum harmala Linn., Pergularia daemia (Forsk) Chiov., Portulaca oleracea Linn., Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Voigt. and Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. have been selected for this research work.The present investigation is aimed to create awareness about the ethnomedicinal value of the plants and their uses to draw the attention of pharmacologists, phytochemists and pharmaceuticals.