Ethnomedicinal Plants

Ethnobotany, broadly defined, is the study of the multiple roles of plants in a society -- the dynamic interrelationships between humans and plants. In the classroom, you can use these relationships as a lens for growing explorations. It can provide a "hook" for exploring history and cultures, engage students in appreciating cultural diversity and ethnic traditions, and instill a curiosity and appreciation for the need to preserve a diversity of plant life. Ethnobotanists who study the relationship past cultures had with plants collaborate with anthropologists, archaeologists, and other scientists to look for a variety of clues -- How do present cultures use certain plants? How are plants depicted in ancient art? What evidence can we find by examining soil samples of seeds, pollen, and other plant parts? Your students can become ethnobotanists and explore people/plant relationships through many different types of activities. The present paper incorporates the results of ethnomedicinal surveys conducted in North Gujarat.