Uses of Local Plant Biodiversity among the Tribal Communities of Jhargram for Treating Fever and other Microbial Infections

Background Forest and its products have played a very significant role in the culture, religion as well as economy of the tribal population throughout the world since time immemorial. Natural flora of a region largely impacts the life of the indigenous people as they depend on forest products in many ways. The traditional knowledge of medical practices of the tribal people is related with the forest ecology as they prepare medicines for different ailments by using medicinal herbs. The present study has been carried out in the Jhargram region to enlist the medicinal plants used by the tribal population for the prevention and treatment of microbial infections and fever. Methods The study surveyed knowledgeable informants from different parts of Jhargram district through a semi-structured questionnaire and found 49 plants belonging to 32 families that are used for the treatment of microbial infections and fever. Conclusion Decoction of different parts of plants like leaves, stem bark, roots, flowers and fruits are used for the prevention and treatment of fever and microbial infections. Traditional healers like Ojha, Vaidya prescribe them for the treatment of seasonal infections and nutrient deficiencies. This survey illuminates that the tribal people still actively use and believe in medicinal plants for their treatment.