Northeast India is renowned for its rich biodiversity and diverse ethnic heritage, particularly in its use of medicinal plants, which are deeply entrenched in local traditions. This study examines the ethnomedicinal knowledge of ethnic communities in Tripura, highlighting their insightful connections to native flora. Through interviews with 30 knowledgeable informants, 55 medicinal plant species were documented, addressing ailments including common skin disorders to complex immune-related problems. The South and Dhalai districts, particularly among the Chakma and Reang communities, exhibited the highest concentrations of medicinal plant knowledge, reflecting their extensive herbal traditions. Key species such as Azadirachta indica, Chromolaena odorata, Justicia adhatoda, Ocimum tenuiflorum, and Zingiber officinale ranked high in ethnobotanical indices, demonstrating significant cultural and therapeutic value. The study reveals the interconnected use of medicinal plants across the 9 communities, with the Chakma community emerging as a central hub for treating conditions such as wounds, jaundice, and kidney stones, displaying their specialized knowledge. As modernization and environmental degradation threaten traditional practices, documenting and preserving ethnobotanical knowledge is vital for biodiversity conservation and sustainable wisdom. Furthermore, integrating ethnomedicinal knowledge with modern healthcare through pharmacological validation and clinical trials is essential to ensure efficacy and safety. By bridging traditional wisdom with scientific research, this study supports conservation efforts while promoting the inclusion of plant-based therapies into contemporary healthcare systems.
Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants, Indigenous knowledge, traditional healthcare, Biodiversity conservation, Pharmacological validation
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