TRADITIONAL USES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS BY TRIBAL AND RURAL FOLK FROM MULA RIVER VALLEY OF RAHURI AND ITS ADJOINING AREA OF PARNER AND SANGAMNER TAHSILS OF AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT (M.S.).

Abstract

The Mula river valley of Rahuri, Parner and Sangamner tahsils is rich in medicinal and economically important plants. Various plants were used by the tribal and rural folk to cure diseases since long back. Keeping this view in mind, survey of medicinal plants from mula river valley of Rahuri, Parner and Sangamner tahsil was carried out in 2011 -2013. The Mula river valley is known for tribal region and different tribal communities such as Thakar, Mahadev koli, Bhill and Dhangar. The tribal of the study area depends on the herbal drug for their primary health care that is attributed partly to their socio-economic and cultural background. During the study, altogether 86 species of Angiosperms belonging to 39 families were collected, their local uses were overviewed.