Ethnobotanical Survey of Traditional Medicinal Plants in Shekhawati Region, Rajasthan, India

: This ethnobotanical study explores the traditional medicinal practices in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, India. It highlights the utilization of various plant species by local communities for disease treatment, sacred rituals and magico-religious beliefs. The study underlines the importance of preserving this ethnomedicinal knowledge and integrating it with modern medicine. It also emphasizes the significance of sustainable practices and biodiversity conservation. The findings shed light on the profound connection between people, plants and the environment, offering insights into traditional and modern healthcare approaches.


Introduction:
India has a rich heritage of traditional medicine practices, deeply ingrained in its rural and tribal communities.This folklore medicine dates back to the pre-Vedic era and even the Mohenjo-Daro and Harrapan civilizations (Sharma, 2006).The use of plants for producing medicines, essential oils and insecticides has a long history, dating back to the early days of civilization and indigenous health practices related to human health are referred to as ethnomedicine (Ramawat et al., 2009).Vegetation diversity plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance in any natural ecosystem.Therefore, ecological studies and systematic floristic inventory must be carried out on regular interval to assess changes in diversity due to natural as well as anthropogenic factors (Joshi, 1991).
The main traditional systems of medicine in India include Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha, which use over 7,500 plant species.Traditional healers play a significant role in providing information about the use of plants or plant parts as medicine and the World Health Organization, (2002) has estimated that 80% of the population in developing countries relies on traditional herbal medicines for primary healthcare due to their affordability and safety compared to synthetic drugs.Ethnobotany, the study of people-plant relationships, has evolved into a multidisciplinary field including ecology, economic botany, pharmacology and public health (Chaudhary and Sharma, 2019).Herbal medicines are considered important in primary healthcare for individuals and communities in many developing countries (Sheldon et al., 1997) and plant-based traditional knowledge has become a valuable tool in the search for new sources of drugs and nutraceuticals (Ghosh, 2008;Sharma and Mujumdar, 2003).
Information and documentation of various trends and methods of ethnobotanical use was obtained from the local people (Negi et al., 2012;Trivedi, 2006Trivedi, , 2009)).The social customs and mythological rituals of the rural people living in the area will be studied.The socio-religious rituals and ceremonies of the indigenous people play an important role in the conservation of plant diversity that is also an important aspect of study (Dubey et al., 2012;Jain, 2016;Pareek et al., n.d.).The first categories of practitioners are usually professionals and are referred in our society as the 'vaidyas', 'hakims' and 'homeopaths'.The second category of practitioners in traditional medicine are called as 'folk healers' or 'folk practitioners (Siddiqui et al., 1989;Siddiqui & Swapnal, 2009).The village elders who have knowledge about medicinal herbs also perform the function of a folk healer (Khan & Singh, 2010, 2012).The necessary information is gathered from all of them and properly documented.
The present study aims to fill the gap in the knowledge of ethnobotany in the Shekhawati region.The objective of this investigation is to document the plant species utilized by the tribal and rural people in the area for various purposes, including treatment of diseases, sacred groves and places of worship and magico-religious beliefs.

Materials and Methods: Study area:
The Shekhawati region is located in the North-East part of the Indian state of Rajasthan and is situated within the Thar desert.It is located between 27 O   The study area experiences an average annual rainfall of 463.0 mm between 1971 and 2011, while the normal rainfall during the period from 1901 to 1970 was slightly lower at 459.8 mm.The majority of the annual rainfall, around 95%, occurs during the southwest monsoon season, which typically begins in the last week of June and ends in mid-September.Neem Ka Thana, situated in the southeastern part of the district, receives the highest mean annual rainfall of 536.6 mm.On the other hand, Fatehpur, located near the northwestern boundary of the district, records the lowest mean annual rainfall of 407.8 mm.The climate in the Sikar district is generally arid, with the exception of the monsoon period.August experiences the highest humidity levels in the district, with an average daily relative humidity of 80%.

Data collection:
In the course of data collection for this study, field trips were organized, involving visits to the remote areas of Fatehpur and Ramgarh, located in the Sikar district of Rajasthan.The local residents and traditional healers, known as Vaidya, played a crucial role in guiding and facilitating these field excursions.The rural regions were explored and in-depth discussions were held with the traditional healers to gain insights into the healing properties of specific plant species.It is worth noting that while existing literature primarily highlighted the usage of specific parts of certain plant species, the traditional healers provided valuable information regarding the medicinal applications of other plant parts, which had not been documented in prior publications.The practitioners of traditional medicine in this region fall into two distinct categories.
The first category comprises individuals who possess foundational knowledge of medicinal plants based on their social upbringing and traditional practices.The second category includes those who have pursued formal education, holding graduate and master's degrees in Ayurvedic medicine.Within this community, there exist both 'Vaidya' and 'Hakims' who have acquired substantial knowledge of medicinal plants and frequently prescribe remedies based on their traditional and ancestral wisdom rooted in Ayurvedic medicine.Furthermore, the study involved interactions with local villagers and rural inhabitants, primarily consisting of elder men and women who have accumulated substantial knowledge of the indigenous medicinal plants in their vicinity.It is noteworthy that, during the field surveys, discussions were also conducted with younger members of the community who demonstrated a commendable understanding of the usage of medicinal plants within their local context.

Results and Discussion:
The results presented in this study offer a comprehensive account of the plant species found in the Fatehpur and Ramgarh areas of Sikar district, Rajasthan, which are employed by the local population for ethnomedicinal purposes.These findings are instrumental in shedding light on the traditional healthcare practices of the region and the therapeutic potential of these plants.The discussion below provides an analysis of the ethnomedicinal plant species and their applications for addressing various health issues:

Preserving Traditional Knowledge:
The study underscores the invaluable repository of traditional knowledge present among the local inhabitants.These plants, such as Aloe vera for burns and wounds, Asparagus racemosus for colic and rheumatoid arthritis and Calotropis procera for its analgesic and antiinflammatory properties, reflect the profound understanding of the therapeutic properties of these plants.Momordica balsemina (Fruits)

Multifaceted Applications:
The table highlights the diverse applications of these ethnomedicinal plant species.They are harnessed to treat an array of health concerns, encompassing respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal maladies, dermatological conditions and reproductive health.Notable examples include Cleome viscosa seeds for bleeding piles, Ephedra foliata stems for respiratory ailments and Momordica dioica tuberous roots as astringents and antiseptics.

Cultural and Medicinal Fusion:
Several of the plants, including Ficus religiosa, serve not only medicinal but also cultural and religious roles in the local community.They are employed in religious rituals, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cultural beliefs and medicinal practices in the region.

Safety and Efficacy:
The ethnomedicinal practitioners and local populace have cultivated a deep understanding of the safety and efficacy of these plant-based remedies over generations.This knowledge continues to be a trusted source of healthcare for a substantial portion of the region's inhabitants.

Bioactive Compounds:
Recognizing the presence of bioactive compounds within these plants is of paramount importance for contemporary pharmacological research.The table references significant compounds such as Withaferin A in Withania somnifera and sesquiterpene lactones in Xanthium strumarium, which have demonstrated a spectrum of medicinal properties and present opportunities for pharmaceutical exploration.

Conservation and Sustainable Practices:
The ethnomedicinal utilization of these plant species emphasizes the need for biodiversity preservation.Many of these plants are indigenous to the region and play vital ecological roles.Employing sustainable harvesting and cultivation practices can ensure the availability of these plants for future generations.

Integration with Modern Medicine:
The region's ongoing development presents an opportunity for the harmonious integration of traditional knowledge with modern medical practices.This convergence has the potential to foster the development of innovative pharmaceuticals and healthcare approaches.
Collaborative initiatives involving traditional healers and modern healthcare practitioners can serve as a bridge between these two paradigms.

Conclusion:
The ethnomedicinal application of plant species in Fatehpur and Ramgarh, Sikar district, Rajasthan, unfolds a fascinating narrative of the region's traditional healthcare practices.This knowledge, deeply intertwined with local culture, continues to provide valuable insights for traditional and modern healthcare alike.The preservation of this wisdom, sustainable plant utilization and further exploration of bioactive compounds hold promise for enhancing the well-being of the local population and offering novel avenues for scientific inquiry.
24' to 29 O 02' N Latitude and 73 O 04' to 76 O 05' E Longitude, at an elevation of approximately 320 meters above sea level.The study area Fatehpur and Ramgarh are towns situated in the Sikar district of the Indian state of Rajasthan.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Maps indicating the geographical location of the study area in Rajasthan and its placement within the broader context of India.