TRADITIONAL HERBAL REMEDIES USED FOR TREATING CUTS AND WOUNDS BY LOCAL INHABITANTS OF TEHSIL RAJGARH, DISTRICT SIRMAUR, HIMACHAL PRADESH (INDIA)

Traditional herbal remedies form a significant part of the primary healthcare system, especially in rural and remote areas. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Tehsil Rajgarh of District Sirmaur. Field visits were undertaken to document indigenous knowledge regarding the utilization of plants for treating cuts and wounds. The investigation revealed the use of 42 plant species representing 21 families and 38 genera. The data was acquired through interviews and group discussions with local farmers and elderly individuals, using pre-structured questionnaires. The most frequently employed plant part were the leaves, which were followed by roots, flowers, seeds, rhizomes, and stems. Majority of the formulations used were in the form of fresh juice (15 species), paste (13 species), poultice (7 species), extract (2 species), decoction (1 species), and powder (1 species). This indigenous knowledge of plants is vanishing within communities due to the advancement of human civilizations over time. Therefore, it is essential to document this knowledge through ethnobotanical studies in order to preserve and utilize biological resources.