Ethnobotany

Rajasthan is one of the largest states located in the North-western part of India. The south east part of Rajasthan state comprises of a large population of tribal communities belonging to various ethnic groups. The tribal community believes that some Gods and deities can be welcomed by some special plants or their parts. So they conserve some plant species due to the traditional ritual ceremonies. These forest dwellers live in forests and possess a vast knowledge on various aspects of plants. An extensive survey of Sawai madhopur District was documented to the traditional knowledge of plants used by tribal communities. Tribal like Mina, Bhil, Seharia and Mongiya community are residing in the area. These people have strong traditions, cultural activities, beliefs, taboos, totems, performing religious rituals and valuable information about properties and medicinal uses of plants. Different parts of plant (roots, stem, leaves, bark, fruits, seeds, bulb, etc.) or the whole plant/herb is used for the said purpose of rituals and ceremonies. In this study deals with the documents of 35 plant species used by the rural people of Sawai madhopur Rajasthan in ritual ceremonies are reported. Out of 35 plants studied, 30 species belonging to dicotyledons and 5 to monocotyledons, being used traditionally by the tribal.

A botanical survey of medicinal plants found in the arid and semi-arid regions of Harshnath hills Sikar district was conducted. The local and tribal people of the area use these plant species in day to day life for various purposes. The information was collected based on the interviews with local people practicing indigenous medicines. During the survey, 105 ethnobotanical plant species belonging to 49 families were recorded from the study area. The plant species along with their plant parts used and the mode of administration are listed categorically.

Since ancient times women have turned to the beautifies of nature to help or increase their own beauty. Even today, people especially in rural areas depend upon plants for traditional cosmetics. The research work is confined to herbal cosmetics with special reference of local communities of district Jaipur (Rajasthan). Through questionnaires, study was conducted in 10 villages of district Jaipur to collect information from local people for preparation, use of herbal cosmetics and their conservation. Indigenous data on 28 herbal recipes for skin and hair care were collected from respondent informants. Local communities, especially woman heavily use these herbal cosmetics for their beauty and believe that these are easily available, less expensive, and have no side effects.