Documentation of ethno-medicinal properties of 100 medicinal plants from West Bengal, India

A comprehensive scientific survey was conducted between 1970 and 2000 by the Survey of Medicinal Plant Unit, CARI, Kolkata, to document traditional knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants used by indigenous communities and traditional healers across various districts of West Bengal. The study includes taxonomic information, vernacular /Ayurvedic/names, plant parts used, and medicinal applications for each species. Standard plant collection and herbarium protocols were followed, with each specimen identified using relevant literature and labeled with a collection number and unique barcode ID. A total of 100 plant species belonging to 77 genera and 35 families were recorded, with Apocynaceae being the most represented family (18%). Herbs constituted the dominant growth form (34%), and leaves were the most commonly used plant part (38%). The highest number of species (14) were used in the treatment of hemorrhoids/piles and rheumatism. The findings highlight the significant reliance of indigenous communities on plant resources for primary healthcare. This traditional knowledge not only holds cultural importance but also provides a valuable foundation for future research aimed at discovering novel phytochemicals and developing new drugs for various ailments.