A Review of Folk Medicinal Practices and Plant- Based Remedies. An Ethnobotannical Prospective

Abstract

Indigenous and local groups have built and maintained traditional healthcare systems for generations, and folk medical practices are a significant part of these systems. The extensive ethnobotanical knowledge connected to plant diversity, cultural beliefs, and ecological interactions is reflected in the usage of medicinal plants to cure a variety of human illnesses. With an emphasis on traditional knowledge documentation, therapeutic uses, phytochemical relevance, and conservation elements of medicinal plant resources, this paper examines the value of folk medical practices and plantbased treatments from an ethnobotanical perspective. Ethnobotanical research helps uncover possible therapeutic species utilized in primary healthcare and offers important insights into the human-plant relationship. Many plantbased treatments have been documented for the treatment of common conditions such wounds, inflammation, fever, respiratory infections, skin conditions, and digestive issues. Decoctions, extracts, powders, pastes, and infusions are examples of traditional preparations that show how various civilizations use medicinal herbs. Through phytochemical screening and bioactivity tests, recent scientific research has provided more evidence for the medicinal potential of a number of traditionally utilized plants. However, ethnomedicinal legacy is seriously threatened by habitat destruction, fast environmental change, and the loss of traditional knowledge among younger generations. Therefore, maintaining medicinal plant diversity and related indigenous knowledge requires methodical documenting, verification of traditional claims, sustainable harvesting, and conservation tactics. This study highlights the role of plant-based medicines in creating sustainable healthcare solutions and future drug discovery, as well as the significance of ethnobotanical research in linking traditional wisdom with contemporary scientific methodologies.