Plants Used in Tradition Primary Health Care System at Dhaula-Dhar Hilly Regions of Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is one of the most species-rich regions of the Indian Himalaya and represents an important center of plant diversity. Despite its rich floristic wealth, several locally important plant species remain overlooked and insufficiently documented, particularly with regard to their traditional and ethnomedicinal significance. The present study explores the nature, status, and traditional utility of plants in tradition primary health care system at Dhaula Dhar hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh. Ethnobotanical investigations were carried out through systematic field surveys, open-ended interviews, and focused group discussions with tribal communities, local herbal experts and traditional healers. A total of twenty-five medicinal plant species were documented for their therapeutic applications in treating several ailments of human beings. Among the recorded species, Mentha longifolia exhibited the highest use value, indicating its significant role in local healthcare practices. The findings highlight the urgent need for proper documentation, conservation strategies, and sustainable utilization of these lesser-known yet valuable plant resources to prevent further erosion of traditional knowledge and biodiversity.