An exploratory study of traditional knowledge on ethnomedicinal plants among the Ho tribe of west Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, India

Traditional knowledge forms an important component of primary healthcare among Indigenous communities in India, yet much of this knowledge remains undocumented and is increasingly at risk of erosion. The present study aims to explore and document ethnomedicinal plant knowledge practiced by the Ho tribe of West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. An exploratory ethnobotanical approach was adopted, and field data were collected through informal and semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and participant observation among 10 Ho-dominated villages. A total of 52 informants, including elderly community members, traditional healers, farmers, and household practitioners, contributed to the documentation of medicinal plant use. The study recorded 27 ethnomedicinal plant species used to treat a wide range of ailments such as digestive disorders, fever, diabetes, skin infections, wounds, joint pain, urinary problems, toothache, and snake poisoning. Leaves were identified as the most frequently used plant part, followed by roots, bark, fruits, seeds, tubers, and oils. Preparations were typically simple and accessible, including decoctions, pastes, fresh juices, powders, and direct consumption. The findings emphasize that this ethnomedicinal knowledge is actively practiced and largely transmitted orally within Ho families and communities. This study highlights the importance of documentation-based exploratory research in preserving Indigenous medicinal knowledge and underscores its relevance for biodiversity conservation and future ethnobotanical studies.