Medicinal plants constitute an essential component of traditional healthcare systems and continue to play a significant role in primary healthcare, pharmaceutical research, and biodiversity conservation. Odisha, located in eastern India, possesses rich floristic diversity owing to its varied ecological regions, including coastal ecosystems, central plateaus, forested landscapes, and the Eastern Ghats. The state is inhabited by numerous tribal communities that have preserved extensive ethnomedicinal knowledge through generations. This review synthesizes available information on medicinal plant diversity, traditional therapeutic applications, phytochemical constituents, ethnopharmacological significance, and conservation perspectives in Odisha. Information was compiled from published scientific literature, ethnobotanical studies, books, and government reports. Several medicinal plant species, including Tinospora cordifolia, Andrographis paniculata, Rauvolfia serpentina, Ocimum sanctum, Curcuma longa, and Azadirachta indica, are widely utilized for the treatment of infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, respiratory ailments, inflammatory conditions, and general health maintenance. The review further highlights the importance of bioactive phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and glycosides that contribute to the pharmacological properties of medicinal plants. Traditional medicinal knowledge preserved by indigenous communities remains an important resource for future drug discovery and sustainable healthcare development. However, habitat degradation, overexploitation, deforestation, and loss of traditional knowledge threaten medicinal plant resources in the region. Strengthening conservation strategies, scientific validation, sustainable utilization practices, and community participation is essential for safeguarding Odisha's medicinal plant heritage and promoting its contribution to healthcare and biodiversity conservation.
Himansu Bhusana Nayak (Fri,) studied this question.