Jawaid Sarver, Sanjeev Koul and V.K. Anand, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Jammu, J.&K.
Abstract: The paper deals with ethnomedicinal information on 50 plant species belonging to 37 families and 46 genera collected during the field survey from the Shivalik Hills of J&K State. Of the 37 families, Rosaceae represented by 4 species dominated the floral composition followed by Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae represented by 3 species each. The four major reported life forms were trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers. Herb makes up the highest proportion of the medicinal plant with 25 species followed by trees (12 species), shrubs (10 species) and climber with 3 species. All the parts of plants were used as a source of medicine against various ailments. Leaf was the most frequently used part of plant species followed by fruit, root, flower and bark etc. 25 ailments were reported among the inhabitants of Shivalik Hills of J&K State. The study reveals that most common diseases among the locals were skin problems.
Keywords: Ethnomedicinal information, Shivalik Hills, Ailments, Life forms