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Research Paper | Biological Sciences | India | Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023

Practice of Medicinal Plants for Domestic Animals in Mahendragiri, Gajapati District of Odisha

Pabitra Mohan Sahu | Dr. Rasmita Padhy

Abstract: The medicinal plants have occupied a distinct place in human life. They have been the backbone of traditional herbal medicines and have been extensively studied because of their pharmacological importance. In our survey we have studied about the ethnomedicinal use of local plants for their domestic animals used by the people of Mahendragiri, Gajapati district, Odisha. We have collected 15 plants for our report. From this ethnobotanical survey we tabulated these identified collected plants with their botanical name, family name, local name, habit, monocot/ dicot and the plant parts which used to treat diseases of domestic animals. A total of 15 species belonging to 13 families like Malvaceae, Amaranthaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Papaveraceae, Moraceae, Meliaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Boraginaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Loganiaceae, are reported. Family Fabaceae are the most commonly used plant. Out of 15 plants , highest number of plants belongs to herb (5 species), and shrubs (5 species) followed by trees (4 species), climbers (1 species). About 13 species were dicots, remaining 2 were monocots. Hence dicots are more prominent. It was confirmed by the locals that various plant parts are used to treat animals like cow, buffalo, sheep, goats, cattle. Comparison of the plant parts used as a medicinal source indicates that the leaves are the most used part, followed by seeds, bark, root and bulb. The tribal people have a great belief in Ayurveda. Hence, they go for the medicines prepared from the locally available plants for any type of medical issues. Obviously due to their poor financial condition also they prefer to go for homemade herbal remedies. This system of medicine is found to be refined and included in Ayurveda but it has its own indigenous concepts based on practical experience during disease treatment. The World Health Organization (2002) currently encourages, recommends and promotes traditional herbal medicines in national health care programs.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, medicinal herbs, Ayurveda, live stock, Ethnovetenary

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023,

Pages: 1113 - 1120