SOME ETHANO MEDICINAL PLANTS OF BARMER DISTRICT,

PART OF WESTERN THAR DESERT, RAJASTHAN

VIMALA1, DHARMENDRA CHOUDHARY2
Department of Botany
Manikya Lal Verma Govt. College,
Bhilwara, Rajasthan
EMAIL – vimla.vc@gmail.com 1
dharmendra.sonu2002@gmail.com 2
ABSTRACT

The practice of traditional folk medicine is a vibrant and most important aspect of
ethno-botany. The traditional art of herbal healing is characteristic of Rajasthan culture. The
state of Rajasthan is situated in the western part of India, which is the largest state of India. It
covers more than 60% of the desert called ‘Thar Desert’ lies in the north-western part of the
state and is classified as arid/semi- arid region. Due to the diversified habitat and ecosystem,
the vegetation, human culture and animal life in this arid region is very rich in contrast to the
other desert of the world.

An extensive survey of the Thar Desert of Barmer District, western part of the
Rajasthan was made to document the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used by
indigenous communities. The community people possess profound information about the
properties of the medicinal use and conservation of ethno-medicinal plants used by them.
During the survey it was also found that the age drawers have more ethno medicinal
information of the plants than the younger generation. The younger generation is more
inclined towards allopathic methods than traditional medicinal methods, mainly due to the
effect of modernization. The present study not only establishes validity of indigenous
knowledge but also indicate the urgency to use and conserve properly, otherwise these plant
species will be seriously threatened due to under pressure of modernization and especially on
account of Gas and oil production industries established on wide area of Thar Desert of
Barmer district. An attempt has been made to document the ethno-medicinal plants being
used traditionally by the indigenous communities with their local name, medicinal use,
method of administration and precautions. Ethno-medicinal information of 10 species
belonging to 8 different genera viz. Boerhavia erecta, Citrullus colocynthis, Cistanche
tubulosa etc. is being presented here.

Keyword: Ethno-medicinal, Thar Desert, Indigenous communities, Modernization, Gas and

oil industries.