Understanding the traditional medicinal knowledge and use of medicinal herbs by tribal community of Lakhanpuri, Kanker: A Case study

Present study was conducted to document the lifestyle schedule, food habits, and traditional knowledge of medicine in rural dwellers of Lakhanpuri, Kanker. This research was carried out during a three-day excursion tour for medicinal plants, organized by Chhattisgarh Vigyan Sabha, an NGO dedicated to fostering scientific temper among the people. 70 subjects were participated in the study. Most of them belong to Gond tribe. The subjects were provide with some self-made inventories to detect their biographical information, health, food habits and tradition medicinal practices. The data obtained were analysed by using excel and SPSS (10.0). We documented 43 medicinal plants around the village. Most of the local medicinal herbs were used by villagers to treat diseases like malaria, fever, typhoid, snake bite, bone fracture, common cold cough, pain, wound etc. They also use herbs for exorcise. They generally avoid modern medicinal practice. The effectiveness of these traditional medicines is to be tested. The subjects were mostly living healthy lifestyle, taking local, home cooked food, night life and fast food is not in trend. We documented no food zone in the village. They use locally available cereals, pulses, roots, edible leafy vegetable in large quantity. Honey, mahua liquor and millets are also common edibles for them. The eating schedule is also consistent. Most of the subjects were early risers and early sleepers. The BSA and BMI were in normal range. Obesity in the village is rare. However some of them were underweight. No significant serious illness in reported in population. It is concluded that the villagers have traditional medicinal knowledge needs to be decoded by further research. Common problems like obesity, diabetes and hypertension is not documented in the population. We suggest large data sample and rest-activity rhythm analysis for further confirmation of the findings.