Botanical solutions for gastrointestinal disorders: a quantitative ethnobotanical approach in the Balasore district of Odisha, India

Authors

  • Sanjay Kumar Behera Department of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India
  • Abinash Sahoo Department of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University
  • Keshari Prasad Mohanty Department of Botany, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, Odisha, India
  • Adarsha Pradhan Department of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India
  • Debasish Patra Department of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India
  • Ranindra Kumar Nayak Department of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India

Abstract

Background: The world faces evolving challenges related to gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in the present scenario. In this context, the study highlighted a quantitative ethnomedicinal assessment of plants used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in the Balasore district of Odisha.

Methods: The information was collected through semi-structured interviews with 48 informants to gather the ethnomedicinal data for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Quantitative indices such as Use Value (UV), Family Use Value (FUV) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were calculated to determine the most useful plant species and plant family.

Results: The present study documented a total of 104 plant species across 52 families used by indigenous communities to treat various GI diseases. Among the reported plant families, the family Fabaceae is the dominant, with 13 species, followed by the families Rubiaceae and Apocynaceae. Trees are the most dominant growth habit, followed by shrubs and herbs, whereas leaves are frequently used in disease treatment. The UV ranges from 0.12 to 0.93, whereas the RFC values range from 0.77 to 0.04. The UV and RFC are both highest in Aegle marmelos, whereas the FUV indicates that the family Zingiberaceae (0.89) is the most useful.

Conclusions: The findings of this research offer detailed data regarding the diversity of medicinal plant species, their useful parts, mode of preparation, application and medicinal utility of the ethnic communities. Further studies regarding the scientific validation of obtained ethnomedicinal information by phytochemical analysis and detection of pharmacological activities are necessary for scientific authenticity.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal diseases, Ethnomedicine, Use Value, conservation, coastal Odisha, Indigenous Knowledge, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary

Author Biographies

Sanjay Kumar Behera, Department of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India

Lecturer in Botany, Remuna Degree College

Keshari Prasad Mohanty, Department of Botany, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, Odisha, India

Doctor Research Scholar of Botany, Fakir Mohan University

Adarsha Pradhan, Department of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India

Doctoral research scholar in Env. Sc.

Debasish Patra, Department of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India

Asst. Prof. of Botany, JKBK Govt. College, Odisha

Ranindra Kumar Nayak, Department of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India

Prof. of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University, India

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Published

2026-07-01

How to Cite

Behera, S. K. ., Sahoo, A., Mohanty, K. P., Pradhan, A., Patra, D. ., & Nayak, R. K. (2026). Botanical solutions for gastrointestinal disorders: a quantitative ethnobotanical approach in the Balasore district of Odisha, India. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 35, 1–19. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/8074

Issue

Vol. 35 (2026)

Section

Research

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