An ethnomedicinal survey was conducted in the Parasnath area of Jharkhand, India to document local medicinal plant knowledge and biodiversity. 25 plant species belonging to 17 families were collected and identified. Semi-structured interviews with local people revealed medicinal uses of plants for ailments like digestive issues, kidney problems, and diabetes. The survey found that most plants were in vegetative growth stages, and knowledge of medicinal plants was lacking among local residents. Further studies on phytochemistry and pharmacology were recommended to validate traditional uses of these plants. Conservation of threatened plant species in the area was also suggested.

1. Binod Bihari Mahto Koyalanchal University, Dhanbad
Presentation On
Ethnomedicinal Survey of Parasnath Area of
Jharkhand
BY
Sachin, Bharti, Sushmita, Smriti & Anjali
M.Sc. Botany (2021-2023)
Under the Guidance of
Dr. Kalpana Prasad
Head of University Department of Botany

2. Introduction
Ethnomedicine is the study of traditional medicinal practices followed by
ethnic communties to cure or manage ailments.
Ethnomedicinal practices have always been a significant part of the
healthcare system of Indian population and in last few years, there has been
a renewed interest in natural drugs derived from plants mainly because
green medicines are considered healthier and safer than the synthetic ones
with no or less side effects .
Significance of Ethnomedicinal Surveys
• Due to the high regional climatic diversity of India, a single plant species
growing in one part of the country may possess slightly different
phytochemicals and produce different secondary metabolites than the same
plant species growing in a different part of the country. This results into
differences in the ethnomedicinal properties of a plant species growing in a
particular region.

3. Parasnath (Area of Study)
• Parasnath has always been an important site for the people of Jharkhand due to its
biodiversity and religious significance.
• It is the highest mountain peak in the state of Jharkhand named after Parshvanath, the
23rd Jain Tirthankara who got salvation here.
• Most of the plants found here are of medicinal importance. However, it is unfortunate that
due to uncontrolled fire ignited by mahua pickers, grazing and cutting of valuable trees by
mafias has largely damaged the flora and fauna of this region.
• Considering the significance of this topic, an ethnomedicinal survey was conducted in
this area.
Objectives of the Present Study.
1) Enlist the different ethnomedicinal plant species found in Parasnath.
2) Collect the ethnomedicinal knowledge prevailing among the present local
population of Parasnath.
3) Observe the current biodiversity of Parasnath area and contribute towards
its conservation.

4. Geographical Area (Area Surveyed)
• Parasnath is located at 23°57′48″N latitude and 86°07′44″E longitude and with an
average elevation of 1,365 m (4,478 ft) it is the highest peak of Jharkhand.
• Location of the studied Area
Gram Panchayat Madhuban
Block/Subdivision Pirtanr CD block
District Giridih
State Jharkhand
Pin Code 825108
Area 6489
Population 1291
Nearest Town Giridih

5. Images showing location of Parasnath in Giridih,
Jharkhand, India .

6. 1) Climate
The normal climate of Parasnath is dry. Temperature in summer ranges up to 42
degrees. Humidity increases during Rainy season. Winters are pleasant . temperature
remains on moderate line.
2) Rivers
Ushri river is one of the main tributary of the Barakar River.
It starts from Parasnath Hills and flows down to meet Barakar.
3) Mountain Type
Parasnath is type of Residual Mountain.
4) Soil Type -Red soil.

7. 5) Vegetation
• The vegetation is of mixed deciduous
type with very high incidence of
climbers. The localized dampness
here favors growth of plenty of
lichens, mosses and ferns and is
dense at high elevation whereas it is
scattered in areas where human
movement is more.
6) Fauna
• The wild fauna comprises Leopard,
Sloth Bear, Sambhar, Nilgai, Barking
Deer, Wild Boar, Langur, Monkey,
Mongoose, Jungle cat, Porcupine,
Hyaena etc. in addition to varieties of
birds and reptiles.

8. Area of survey
• Area of survey started from
Khetrapal Baba, up to Kalikund
Dhaam which is 2 km in length from
the starting point.
• The survey was conducted along the
pilgrimage trekking route on both
sides of the main track path up to the
range of 1 km.
Date of Survey- 6th and 12th June 2023
Season – summer

9. A. FIELD KIT The following articles were used during field surveys:
Equipment's for collecting plants
specimens:
Documentation Equipment's:
1)Old news paper 1)Field Notebooks
2)Biodegradable polythene bags of different
sizes
2) Smartphones
3)Rubber bands 3) Cello tape
4) Clipper 4) pens
5)Scissors 5) GPS Map Camera
6) Hand Gloves
Materials & Methodology

10. A. Collection of Plant Samples
Steps of plant collection. Activities During Field Work.

11. B. Interviews as Integral part of Survey
Name Age Occupation
1) Choraman
Mahto
60 yrs . provides drinking water
to the visitors
2) Dr. Keshav
Kumar Tiwari
55 yrs. Local Vaidya
3) Ashok Kumar 40 yrs. Rides visitors
to the temple
4) Mr.Bhaskar
Jyoti Sarkar
56 yrs. Horticulturist
5) Neeta Devi 43 yrs. Owner of Saddhu
hotel, Parasnath
6) Dinesh Kumar 48 yrs. Shopkeeper
7) Sonari Devi 57 yrs. Beggar, picks Sal fruits.
8) Satish Kumar
Mahato
35 yrs. Rides visitors
to the temple

12. Semi Structured Interviews
• Semi-structured interviews were utilized to collect information from the
respondents.
• The semi-structured interviews were composed of few closed -ended
questions along with open ended follow up questions.
• 1) Can you identify these plant specimens?
• 2) Is there any medicinal use of this plant , in your knowledge?
• 3) What kind of diseases can be cured using this plant specimen?
• 4) How to use this plant for medicinal purpose?
• 5) Is there any other use of this plant ?
Questionnaire

13. Medicinal uses of plants as per interviews:
1. Jamun Anti- diabetic , blood purifier, helpul in kidney related diseases.
2. Palash - relieves toothache
3. Kutaja - treats urinary diseases especially for males
4. Sal - seed oil is used to produce medicated soap.
5. Putus - removes dandruff, maintains oral hygiene, in combination with imli treats ringworm .
6. Bel - useful for stomach related issues
7. Sharifa - useful for heart patients, diabetes patients, lice removal, loose motion.
8. Arjuna - maintains healthy heart & blood thinner.
9. Gathiabaad- used as supporting medicine. treats Gathiya.
10. Vidaree Kand - increases strength.
11. Raktarohan - reduces all kinds of pain.
12. Prasarni -reduces pain & gathiya.
13. Lodh - useful in menstruation related issues

14. 14. Anantmool - used for reducing fever, pain, stomach ache.
15. Harre - cures constipation.
16. Amla - cures irritable bowel syndrome.
17. Kanchanara - useful in thyroid, throat related issues.
18. Kalmegh - useful in diabetes.
19. Shatavari - increases strength.
20. Safed musli- increases strength.
21. Vijayasaar - water stored in jug made of vijaysaar wood is used in diabetes.
22. Nirgundi- leaves boiled in water are used externally to treat swollen body parts.
23. Brahmi– used for mental diseases
24. Bahera - Juice prepared from the seeds of Baheda in stomach ache.
25. Bhilava - Oil prepared from seeds of Bhilava is used in headache .
26. Mahua - Used as liquor and in food preparations.

15. C. Identification of Collected Plant Samples
• Identification of collected plant samples was done with the help of
the following secondary sources:
a) Information collected from informant and local residents .
b) Google Lens .
c) Medicinal Plants by S K Jain .
d) Official website of Forest, Environment and Climate change
department of Government of Jharkhand .
e) Flora of India by Botanical Survey India .

16. D. Herbarium File Preparation
a) Placing sample Properly.
b)Pressing
c) Drying of Specimen.
d)Applying Glue with
cotton plug.
e) Mounting.
f) Labelling

17. Enumeration of Plants
Botanical name of Plant Indian Names Family
1. Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa Bel, Bilwapatra,Vilvam Rutaceae
2. Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. Siris,Mridupushpa,Shukapushpa Fabaceae
3. Annona squamosa L. Sitaphal, Sharifa Annonaceae
4. Azadirachta indica A.Juss. Neem Meliaceae
5. Bauhinia variegata (L.) Benth. Kanchanara Fabaceae
6. Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. Palash Fabaceae
7. Cestrum diurnum L. Din mallika,
Din ka Raja
Solanaceae
8. Cissampelos pariera L. Laghu patta Menispermaceae
9. Gardenia latifolia Ait. Papra Rubiaceae
10. Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br. Anantmool, Dudhlar Apocynaceae
11. Hollarhena antidysenterica
(L.) Wall. ex A. DC
Kutaja, Indrajao Apocynaceae

18. Botanical name of Plant Indian Names Family
12. Lantana camara L. Putus Verbenaceae
13. Madhuca longifolia (J.Konig ex
L.) J.F.Macbr
Mahua Sapotaceae
14. Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi Karanja Fabaceae
15. Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprengel Curry patta,
Meetha Neem
Rutaceae
16. Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. Vijaysar,Bijasal,
Piyasal,Mahakutaj
Fabaceae
17. Schleichera oleosa (Lour.)
Oken
Kusum Sapindaceae
18.Semecarpus anacardium Linn. Bhilava, Bhallataka Anacardiaceae
19. Shorea robusta Roth Sakua,Sarai, Sal Dipterocarpaceae
20. Smilax ovalifolia var. nervulosa
A.DC
Kumarika, Jangli ausbah,
Bhitura, Vanamadhusnahi
Smilacaceae
21. Syzygium cimini (L) Skeels. Jamun Myrtaceae
22. Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.)
Wight & Ara.
Arjun Combretaceae

19. Botanical name of Plant Indian Names Family
23.Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.)
Roxb.
Bahera Combretaceae
24. Thevetia peruviana (Pers.)
K.Schum
Peela kaner Apocynaceae
25. Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Ber Rhamnaceae

22. Result and Discussions
1. Ethnomedicinal knowledge of Respondents
• The local residents of Parasnath could easily recognize trees like Mahua, Sal ,Bahera and Bhilawa
they were not much aware of the other medicinal plants found in the region.
• The local Vaidya is an Ayurveda Ratna and has knowledge of the various medicinal plants found in
Parasnath and their ayurvedic uses.
2. Distribution of collected plant species within the study area
Categories Plant species
Rare Papra, Din Mallika,Peela Kaner, Kumarika
Occasional Meetha Neem, Sharifa
Frequent Ber, Laghupatta, Bel, Palash, Kusum, Baheda
Common Jamun, Sal, Shirish, Neem, Vijaysaar, Arjuna, Bhilava, Karanja,
Putus.
Abundant Anantmool, Kutaja, Kanchanara, Mahua.

23. 3.Description of plants found in study area
a) Growth Stage of the plants
present in study area
• Most of the plant species present in
the study area were in vegetative
stage
• Putus, Kutaja and Din Mallika
were in flowering stages.
• Species like Karanja, kanchanara,
Anantmool, Bel, Palash were
young plants in their vegetative
stages.
• Species like Sal, Arjuna,
Baheda,Jamun, Peela Kaner,
Papra, Bhilava. , Neem. etc were
grown into large, tall trees.
Trees, 36.00%
Young Plant in
flowering Stage,
12.00%
Young Plant in
Vegetative
Stage, 52.00%
Growth Stage of Collected Plants

24. b) Cultivated Plants of the
area.
• Curry patta , Kaner, Din
mallika, Aam, Kathal etc.
were among the cultivated
plants around temples, shops
etc. of the area.
c) Different Families .
• The 25 collected plant species
belong to 17 different
families. Fabaceae being
the dominant one .
d) Medicinal Uses of Plants
• The collected plant species
are employed for a variety of
diseases such as Digestive
disorders, Kidney Ailments,
Reproductive issues,
Diabetes, Fever etc. by
traditional healers and
Ayurvedic doctors
throughout India.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
BEL
MRIDUPUSHPA
SITAPHAL,
NEEM
KANCHANARA
PALASH
DIN
KA
RAJA
LAGHU
PATTA
PAPRA
ANANTMOOL,
KUTAJA,
PUTUS
MAHUA
KARANJA
CURRY
PATTA,
VIJAYSAR
KUSUM
BHILAVA
SAKUA,
KUMARIKA,
JAMUN
ARJUN
BAHERA
PEELA
KANER
BER
14
11 11
8
9
13
2
11
4
8
7
8
9 9
5 5
6
8
10
7
14
12
6
7
14
Value
Medicinal Uses of Plants

25. Conclusion
• Majority of the plant species found in the area are of medicinal importance. The
studied 25 plant species are helpful in treatment of around 50 different kinds of
ailments and can be utilized as successful home remedies or ayurvedic medicines
can also be prepared out of them.
• The ethnomedicinal knowledge is lacking in the present local population of
Parasnath and they are unaware of the usefulness of the plants growing in the
region.

26. Scope for future work
• The twenty-five plant species studied can be evaluated phytochemically and pharmacologically to
study the constituents responsible for their medicinal activity to further authenticate their
ethnomedicinal or ayurvedic uses which may lead to natural drug discovery.
• The ethnomedicinal knowledge is apparent to become extinct in near future reasons are it being an
oral tradition, absence of written form and limitation of knowledge to only few persons of the
community. Thus, documentation of the ethnomedicinal knowledge is required especially by the
BMCs i.e., Biodiversity Management committee of Parasnath area.
• State wise list of endangered, vulnerable, threatened species etc. should be prepared by Forest
Department of Jharkhand and made online available to help in conservation of the medicinally
important species which are under threat.

27. Thank You