Abstract

The present paper deals with the traditional knowledge of traditional herbal healers of Chhindwara and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh, India regarding the use of plants for the treatment of various diseases prevalent in the tribal pockets. The herbal healers of these region use plant/plant parts of their suitable preparation for treating various ailment. Information collected from traditional tribal healers, medicine men etc has revealed that plant/plant parts of 77 species from Chhindwara district and 50 species from Betul district of forest origin are utilized as paste, powder, juice, decoction and extract for the treatment of various diseases of local people of the area. The knowledge of plants used by traditional herbal healers for ailments would be immense help to replace synthetic drugs.

Key words: Traditional knowledge, herbal healers, medicinal plants, disease.