Sustainable Health Practices: Ethnobotanical Insights into Seasonal Plants of Kalahandi, Western Odisha, India for Food and Medicine

Abstract

Background: Indigenous communities rely on different plant resources available during specific seasons.  The development and utilization of resources inherited from one generation to another play a crucial role in shaping a community's identity and way of life. The study aimed to conduct ethnobotanical research across multiple regions in Kalahandi, Western Odisha, to identify the significant utility of various seasonal plants, trees, and other natural resources.

Methods: Ethnomedicinal data were gathered from 87 local informants through semi-structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews between August 2022 and June 2023. These data were analyzed using quantitative indices Frequency citation (FC) and Relative frequency citation (RFC) for food and medicine preparation.

Results: The above experiment shows that the Kalahandi indigenous people use 32 seasonal plant types for food and medicine. According to the survey, RFC ranked first with Bambusa vulgaris (1), Azadirachta indica (0.96), and Citrus acida (0.94), respectively. Bambusa vulgaris is widely accessible during the rainy season and is commonly used to treat various conditions, including menstrual disorders, constipation, epilepsy, and arthritis. The indigenous communities typically boil the bamboo shoots and prepare numerous dishes with them. Among many, "Kardi Pitha" has the highest RFC_food value of 1, gaining popularity.

Conclusions: The study examines the Kalahandi tribes' utilization of seasonal herbs for sustenance and medicinal purposes. It also delves into the culinary traditions of bamboo cuisine. It emphasizes preserving plant diversity and cultural history, discovering therapeutic capabilities, expanding food options, and sustaining climate resilience for future relevance.

Keywords: Bamboo shoots, Bambusa vulgaris, Ethnobotanical survey, Kalahandi, Medicinal plant