Sustainable Utilization of Medicinal Plants by Local Community of Uttarkashi District of Garhwal, Himalaya, India

A study was conducted in the Uttarkashi district of Garhwal, Himalaya, India to document the medicinal plants used by the local communities. 56 plant species distributed in 46 families were documented. Of the total plant species 52% were herbs, 25% trees, 20% shrubs and 3% climbers. 17 different plant parts were used by local communities for different ailments. Some of the plants viz. Aconitum hterophyllum, Angelica glauca, Commiphora mukul, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Picrorhiza kurroa and Saussurea costus are very rare in the wild. Zanthoxylum armatum, Rumex nepalensis, Cinnamomum tamala, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum and Angelica glauca were the preferred medicinalplant species. The main indications for plants use were against common colds, asthma, skin and liver diseases.