Abstract

ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF DIABETES AMONG THE VILLAGERS OF NARENDRA NAGAR BLOCK, DISTRICT TEHRI GARHWAL, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

L. R. Dangwal*

ABSTRACT

Uttarakhand state has 13 districts; out of these one of the botanically interesting districts in the state of Uttarakhand is Tehri Garhwal which sustains unique and rich vegetation in wide range of habitats from Tarai- Bhabar tracts (275-4258m a.s.l) to the high range of lesser Himalaya. It lies in between 30010’ - 300 17’N latitude and 780 18’- 780 30’E longitude in Northern part of Western Himalaya. It is surrounded by the district Rudraprayag in the East, Dehradun in the West, Uttarkashi in the North and Pauri in the South. Due to the close associationship of forest vegetation the habitant have great faith in traditional knowledge of plants and their uses? Ethno medicinal information on 30 plants species belonging to 20 families has been included in the present communication, which are being used for the treatment of diabetes. Information on traditional formulation, mode of administration and the ailments for which they are effective, a part from botanical and local names has been provided. The medicines consist of a single drug in the form of decoction, extract, powder etc. These are prepared from leaves, stem, bark, fruits, seeds as well as entire plants. The plants were used either separately or in combination with others. These ethno medicinal data may provide a base to start the search the new compounds related to phytochemistry, pharmacology and pharmacognosy.

Keywords: Ethno medicinal Plants, Diabetes, IDDM, NIDDM, Tehri Garhwal.