Unlocking the Secrets of the Baiga Communities Healing Practices: An Ethnobotanical Study in Gaurella-Pendramarwahi, Chhattisgarh, India

The present study is one of the initial efforts to explore the ethnobotanical knowledge and plant usage practices of the Baiga tribe in the Gaurella-Pendra-Marwahi (GPM) district, Chhattisgarh, India.Ethnobotanical data were collected through intensive field surveys in ten forest fringe villages, involving 43 traditional healers using semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations.A total of 73 plant species from 45 families were documented, with Fabaceae being the most represented family (15 species).Herbs were the dominant growth form (44%), and leaves (20 species) were the most frequently used plant parts.Paste (29 species) emerged as the most preferred mode of preparation.The use value (UV) of the documented plant species ranged from 0.14 to 0.93, with Dryopteris cochleata and Gymnema sylvestre showing the highest UV (0.93).The fidelity level (FL) for 15 plant species varied between 53.65% and 100%, with Dryopteris cochleata exhibiting the highest FL (100%), signifying unanimous agreement on its therapeutic use.The highest Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) value (0.90) was recorded for genitourinary and reproductive disorders, reflecting strong healer consensus.Traditional healers utilized these plants to treat 50 different ailments, highlighting the significance of indigenous knowledge in primary healthcare.The findings emphasize the need for conservation and pharmacological validation of medicinal plants to support sustainable healthcare practices among the Baiga community.