An overview of ethno-dietary plants in India: a review based on outcomes of ethnomedicinal studies by CCRAS and their validation through Ayurvedic and ethnomedicinal literature

Authors

  • Sridevi Venigalla Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences
  • Nagaraju Vallepu CCRAS-National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad
  • Vairamuthu Kanagaraj CCRAS-National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad
  • Hema Raju Palakuru CCRAS-National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad
  • Iswarya Lekshmi Jalajakumari Padmanabhan CCRAS-National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad
  • Penchala Prasad Goli CCRAS-National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad
  • Shiddamallayya Nagayya Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi
  • Nartunai Govindarajan Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi
  • Srikanth Narayanam Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi
  • Rabinarayan Acharya Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi

Abstract

Background: India’s ethnomedicinal heritage reflects a unique interplay of biodiversity, culture, and science, warranting conservation and research. Indigenous communities rely on local plants for nutrition and healthcare, yet ethnic foods remain understudied. This inventory study of ethno-dietary plant species among indigenous peoples in India and validates them using Ayurvedic and ethnomedicinal literature.

Methods: The data for this study is based on the ethno-dietary information enumerated in 17 books and 50 papers published by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), New Delhi, from 1972 to 2023.

Results: The study documented 681 ethno-dietary taxa across 445 genera and 137 families. Fabaceae (59 species) was dominant, and herbs (249 species) were most used. Leading genera were Solanum (17), Ficus (11), and Dioscorea (10). Of these, 133 plants are cited in Ayurveda, indicating long-standing influence on indigenous diets. Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss, Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., and Chenopodium album L. demonstrate the highest Relative Frequency of Citation (0.15); Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss, Ficus auriculata Lour., and Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane & Mabb. exhibit high Relative Use Value (0.45); and Amaranthus spinosus L., Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson, Chenopodium album L., and Solanum nigrum L. shows 100% Plant Part Value.

Conclusions: The present study on the review of ethno-dietary plant species will aid in preparation of a comprehensive database of wild edible plants among different parts of India, thereby understanding the culturally acceptable species which hold significant potential as resources for nutraceutical bioprospecting and need of conservation.

Keywords: India; Ethnodietary; relative frequency of citation; relative use value; plant part specificity; ethnic community, dietetic diversity

Author Biographies

Sridevi Venigalla, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences

Research Officer (Ayurveda)

Nagaraju Vallepu, CCRAS-National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad

Senior Research Fellow (Botany)

Penchala Prasad Goli, CCRAS-National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad

Assistant Director (Ayurveda) Incharge

Shiddamallayya Nagayya, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi

Research Officer (Botany), Nodal Officer, Medicinal Plant Research Section; Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, (Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India), New Delhi 110058

Nartunai Govindarajan, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi

Assistant Director (Pharmacognosy), Program Officer, Medicinal Plant Research Section; Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, (Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India), New Delhi 110058

Srikanth Narayanam, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi

Deputy Director General, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi 110058

Rabinarayan Acharya, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi

Director General, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi 110058

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Published

2026-03-30

How to Cite

Venigalla, S., Vallepu, N. ., Kanagaraj, V., Palakuru, H. R., Jalajakumari Padmanabhan, I. L., Goli, P. P., Nagayya, S. ., Govindarajan, N. ., Narayanam, S. ., & Acharya, R. (2026). An overview of ethno-dietary plants in India: a review based on outcomes of ethnomedicinal studies by CCRAS and their validation through Ayurvedic and ethnomedicinal literature. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 33, 1–129. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/7732

Issue

Vol. 33 (2026)

Section

Reviews

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