Abstract

ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES OF HELICTERES ISORA – AN IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANT

Dr. Mahesh Chand Meena* and Dr. Ramraj Meena

ABSTRACT

Medicinal plants provide an efficient local aid for disease free life. Due to after-effects of synthetic drugs, people are increasingly becoming inclined towards the traditional medicines. Ethnobotanical explorations play a vital role in bringing to light information about such plant species of our rich flora that can be sources of safer and cheaper potent drugs for the benefit of mankind. In a country like India, according to recent estimates, 70 percent of inhabitants still rely on herbs. Rajasthan, the largest state of the country is rich in floristic as well as ethnic diversity, which makes it the ideal place to work on „Ethnobotany‟. Helicteres isora is a very important medicinal plant belonging to family Sterculiaceae commonly known as „Marorphali‟. It is used by various tribes for treatment of many diseases. All parts of the plant are extensively used in indigenous system of medicine. Five recipes based on seeds, six on fruits, one on stem bark, one recipe on root and leaf juice, one recipe on root bark and stem bark are used.

Keywords: Medicinal Plant, Ethnobotany, Helicteres isora, Diseases.