DefinePK

Abstract

Background and Objective Medicinal use of the plant is effective medicine for the local people like Majhi community, but there are very limited research so far in Nepal. Thus, this research was objectively carried out to explore plant species used for medicinal purposes by Majhi community and to explore the medicinal use of the plant species and their importance and assess the availability of medicinal plant in community forests. Materials and Methods Hence, Durga Mai and Bramha Thakur community forests in Nepal managed by Majhi community were selected for the study. Altogether, 64 samples having 1010 m for tree and pole, 55 m for sapling including shrub and 11 m for seedling nested plots were established in the community forest. The basal area, relative density and relative frequency and finally Importance Value Index IVI were calculated. Results Altogether, 25 plant species were used by Majhi community to cure 16 diseases. The estimated importance Value index was the highest 166.95 of Shorea robusta tree, it was of Woodfordia fruticosa shrubs with value 86.16 and Chromolaena odorata herbs with value 181.84. Total 5 species were used to cure diarrhoea followed by dysentery 4 species, sinus, fishing, cultural use 3 species, throat infection 2 species and 10 species were used for 1 disease. The correlation between the ranking based on social and ecological importance were very strong and positive. The R2 values were 0.867 and 0.961 between both variables. Conclusion The traditional knowledge regarding the medicinal value of the plant needs to be explored.