Traditional Use of Medicinal Plants against ENT Diseases by the Tribals of Purulia District, West Bengal, India.

Background: Since ancient times natural plant parts were extensively used for the treatment and prevention of Ear, Nose and Throat related diseases. ENT related diseases are caused by various types of micro-organism. Eleven ethnic groups (Bhumij, Birhor, Gond, Sabar, Kharwar, Kurmi, Lodha, Malpaharya, Sardar, Oraon, Santal) present in Purulia district. Objectives: This study aims to record herbal plants used in the traditional treatment of ENT related ailments in Purulia district of West Bengal. Materials and Methods: Semi-structured questionnaire, interviews with traditional healers and focused group discussion were used to gather ethnobotanical data Results: This investigation listed 24 species in 20 plant families that are beneficial for treating ENT disorders in the Purulia district of West Bengal. Conclusion: The primary source of information on therapeutic plants is traditional healers. This information has been passed down orally from one generation to the next, but it appears that it is fading from modern society since young people are not interested to continue this tradition. So, the traditional wisdom on ethnobotanicals should be digitized for future references in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]