Traditional oil yielding plants of Mayurbhanj district (Odisha), a region of eastern India: a quantitative ethnobotanical investigation on diversity, medicinal utility, cultural significance and sustainable usage

Authors

  • Madhumita Behera Mayurbhanj College of Accountancy and Management
  • Keshari Prasad Mohanty P.G Department of Botany, Mayurbhanj College of Accountancy and Management, Maharajpur, Baripada, Odisha, India; Department of Botany, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India
  • Swastika Dash P.G Department of Botany, Mayurbhanj College of Accountancy and Management, Maharajpur, Baripada, Odisha, India
  • N. Bijaya Laxmi Swain P.G Department of Botany, Mayurbhanj College of Accountancy and Management, Maharajpur, Baripada, Odisha, India
  • Suman Patra Department of Botany, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Ranindra Kumar Nayak Department of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India; Centre of Excellence for Bio-resource Management and Energy Conservation Material Development, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India

Abstract

Background: Oil yielding plants plays a major in welfare of human society as possess dietetic, medicinal, cultural, ritualistic and other important values. In this context, this study underscores the need to conserve biocultural heritage and support community-led stewardship of oil producing species. Documenting oil yielding plants genetic resource associated with sustainable utilization and empowering livelihood, is necessary for improving socioeconomic circumstances and conservation of natural resources.

Methods: Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 47 informants to gather ethnobotanical information from Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Quantitative indices such as Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Direct Matrix Ranking (DMR), and Family Use Value (FUV) were employed to analyze the ethnobotanical usage of oil and ethnomedicinal utility of plant.

Results: The present study documents 27 oil yielding plant species from 19 families. The family Fabaceae recorded the dominant family with 4 species, and trees (48.14%) were the most prevalent plant habit. Seeds emerged as the primary source of oil extraction, while leaves were commonly used in traditional remedies. Dermal application (51.85%) was the most frequent mode of consumption. The oil of ×.Brassarda juncea had the highest UV (0.83) and Relative RFC (0.43) whereas Azadirachta indica had the highest UV (0.83) and RFC (0.49) for medicinal purposes. The Arecaceae family recorded the highest FUV and Ricinus communis ranked highest DMR value with a score of 22, reflecting its wide applications.

Conclusion: Traditional extraction methods ecologically sound harvesting practices and role of oil in empowering livelihoods reflect a strong sense of environmental stewardship. Hence further study regarding phytochemical validation and clinical manifestation is necessary for more interdisciplinary research.

Keywords: Conservation, India, livelihood, oil extraction, quantitative Ethnobotany, sustainable use

Downloads

Published

2025-12-27

How to Cite

Behera, M., Mohanty, K. P. ., Dash, S. ., Swain, N. B. L. ., Patra, S., & Nayak, R. K. . (2025). Traditional oil yielding plants of Mayurbhanj district (Odisha), a region of eastern India: a quantitative ethnobotanical investigation on diversity, medicinal utility, cultural significance and sustainable usage . Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 32, 1–21. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/7650

Issue

Vol. 32 (2025)

Section

Research

License

All articles are copyrighted by the first author and are published online by license from the first author. Articles are intended for free public distribution and discussion without charge. Accuracy of the content is the responsibility of the authors.