To document traditional ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants used by indigenous and saint communities of Chitrakoot, India

Abstract

Traditional medicinal systems are integral to the healthcare practices of indigenous and local communities, especially in remote regions where modern healthcare may be inaccessible. Ethnobotany and ethnomedicine play vital roles in these systems, providing effective treatments derived from local flora. This study investigates the wealth of ethnomedicinal plant knowledge among the indigenous and saint communities of Chitrakoot, India. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and rapid rural appraisal tools were used to assess ethnobotanical information. Ethnic data were collected from saints and indigenous communities through interviews, discussions, and semi-structured questionnaires. Quantitative analysis was conducted via relative frequency citation (RFC), the informant consensus factor (IFC), and use value (UV). In the present study, a total of 205 individuals (168 males and 37 females) participated in interviews and discussions on ethnomedicine The research was conducted from June 2021 to December 2024. This study identified 119 ethnomedicinal plants, representing 107 genera and 50 families, used to treat various ailments categorized into 15 groups. Piper nigrum had the highest RFC value (1.00) and UV (1.20), followed by Allium sativum (0.84). The highest ICF value was found for the snake, scorpion, and insect bite categories (0.88), followed by the digestive system disorders category (0.84). The most common method of drug administration is the use of plant powder, with leaves being the most commonly used part of the plant. Chitrakoot saint and tribal communities hold rich ethnomedicinal knowledge rooted in their forests, underscoring the need to preserve this vital indigenous heritage.