Ethno-medicinal survey of some plants from villages of Khatav Tahashil (M.S.) India.

KEYWORDS India is rich in biodiversity and considered to be a storehouse of medicinal plants. Local herbal healers (Vaidu) does not share their experiences with others, hence this valuable knowledge is eroding gradually under trends of modernization and due to rapid socioeconomic changes. A periodic survey was carried out with villagers of Dharpudi, and adjoining villages to record medicinal utilities of plants. These places belong to Khatav tahsil (District Satara). The rural people from this region use various plants to treat different ailments and diseases. Total 52 plants were identified and enlisted for their medicinal values to cure diseases like gynecological problems, asthma, cold, cough, dysentery, jaundice, piles, and skin diseases.Plants mostly used by local knowledgeable persons for medicinal purposes are Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd., Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr., Argemone Mexicana Linn., Boerhavia diffusa Linn., Caralluma adscendens var. fimbriata (Wall.) Grav. & Mayur, Chrozophora rottleri (Geis.) Juss, Citrulus colocynthis (L.) Schrad., Datura metel Linn., Ficus religiosa Linn., Glossocardia bosvallea (L. f.) DC., Macrotyloma uniflora (Lam.) Verdc., Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn., Sesamum laciniatum Klein ex Willd., Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd., Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. This is participatory effort towards creating awareness about medicinal utilities of plants and need of conservation. Khatav tahshil, herbal healers, vaidu, medicinal plants