Abstract BACKGROUND: The Himalayas, a symbol of biophysical diversity and socio-cultural heritage, are home to unique floral biodiversity with immense medicinal potential. Himachal Pradesh, nestled in these mountains, harbors a wealth of traditional knowledge rooted in its distinctive flora. METHODS: This study conducted a comprehensive medico-ethno-botanical survey in the Banjar Valley of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, during 2017–18. Employing participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools and structured questionnaires, interactions with local communities, traditional healers, and knowledge holders were carried out to document their valuable ethnomedicinal wisdom. RESULTS: A total of 119 plant specimens were identified, including 39 medicinal plants of significant therapeutic relevance. Detailed data were compiled on 10 key folklore claims, including botanical names, families, local names, habitats, utilized parts, preparation methods, and associated ailments. CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the pressing need for systematic documentation and preservation of traditional knowledge, as these practices are rapidly declining due to generational shifts and lack of formal records. This study not only enriches the existing repository of ethnomedicinal information but also emphasizes its critical role in sustainable health practices and biodiversity conservation.
Arya et al. (Sat,) studied this question.