FROM ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE TO EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION: THERAPEUTIC PROFILING OF INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS

Ethnopharmacological studies play a vital role in documenting traditional medicinal knowledge and identifying plant-based therapeutic resources. The present study aimed to document selected medicinal plants traditionally used by indigenous communities in India and to evaluate their therapeutic applications. Ethnopharmacological data were collected through field surveys and interactions with knowledgeable local informants. A total of five medicinal plant species belonging to five different botanical families were documented. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part, followed by roots, rhizomes, and stems. The recorded plants were traditionally employed for the treatment of skin disorders, respiratory ailments, stress-related conditions, wound healing, and immune enhancement. A comparison of traditional claims with existing scientific literature revealed a strong correlation between ethnomedicinal uses and reported pharmacological activities. The findings highlight the importance of ethnopharmacological documentation in preserving indigenous knowledge, promoting sustainable utilization of medicinal plants, and providing a scientific basis for future phytochemical and pharmacological investigations.