Ethno-medicinal Plants Used by Ethnic People for the Treatment of Different Ailments from Gangtok and Namchi Districts of Sikkim

Background: Traditional healing practices rooted in centuries-old practices in different communities throughout the globe have potential health benefits for millions of people. Aim: In the present study, we aimed to document the medicinal plants used by the traditional healers and tribal people to treat various ailments of the indigenous communities residing within the study area. Methods: The present ethnobotanical study has been conducted in two districts-Gangtok and Namchi districts of Sikkim, and interacted with 5 traditional healers and 93 local informants (total-98). The methodology followed during the survey was a cross-sectional study, a field survey, face-to-face interviews, and pre-prepared semi-structured questionnaires. The data were examined using quantitative ethnobotanical indices such as Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Fidelity level(FL%), in order to assess the dependability and richness of herbal knowledge. Results: A total of 72 medicinal plant species belonging to 61 families, 69 genera. The category of most frequent medical ailments was Cough (26%), likewise wound healing (24%), Diarrhoea (24%), Skin allergy (22%), Diabetes (18%), Fever (18%), Respiratory problems, Jaundice and Bone fracture (12%). The study revealed that roots/rhizomes are highly used, followed by fruit and aerial parts, and the commonly used preparation was powder and extract forms. Combretaceae was the most used family among other families. The RFC was 0.4 for Emblica officinalis, and FL was (26%) for Cough disease, followed by wound healing and diarrhoea (24%). Conclusion: It was concluded that the traditional groups in the two districts have long-standing knowledge of the therapeutic uses of medicinal plants. Additional investigation, separation and detailing of the active phytoconstituents of these plants having more RFC and FL%, may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic candidates in the future. Major Findings: A total of 72 medicinal plant species belonging to 61 families, 69 genera and the highest Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) was 0.4 for Emblica officinalis, and the highest Fidelity level (FL%) was 26% for Cough disease, followed by wound healing and diarrhoea (24%) were reported in this article.