Traditional Utilization and Harvesting of Medicinal Plants in Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh

Abstract Utilization and harvesting practices of medicinal plants used by local people of Ghughri block in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh was studied through questionnaire survey. The study resulted in the documentation of 43 medicinal plants of these 95% was used by traditional healers for curing various diseases. Tree species were used in maximum cases, followed by herbs and shrubs. Tree bark was the most used plant part for medicinal purpose, followed by root. In all studied villages, the quantities of medicinal plants collection for own consumption was higher than the quantity collected for sale. Species like Embilica officinalis, Terminalia bellirica, Aegle marmelos, Semecarpus anacardium, Buchanania lanzan, Terminalia chebula, and Syzygium cumini were mainly used by local people for own consumption and not for sale. There was almost consistency in collection of medicinal plants across the studied villages however the collection was determined by the season of species availability. Some species being rare and found in limited area was either not collected or collected by a few villagers. The findings of the study are further discussed in the sustainability perspective of medicinal plants and traditional healing systems.