Ethnomedicinal Use of Wild Plants in Bundelkhand Region, Uttar Pradesh, India

India is a great repository of medicinal wealth. The present investigation is an attempt to identify and document important medicinal and aromatic plants of the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. Although this region is classified as a hot and dry locality, the great number of medicinal plant species defines it as a centre of diversity. An intensive survey of this region was conducted over the period of one year, revealing about 66 herbs and shrubs and 38 tree species with medicinal value. Most of them are used traditionally by local residents. Survey results indicate that the Lamiaceae family was dominant. Some species like Centella asiatica and Aloe barbadensis were very few while most species were threatened. Presently, plant diversity is declining sharply due to increasing biotic and abiotic stresses such as illicit felling of trees, over grazing, construction of roads, rapid urbanization and industrialization. Therefore, sustainable domestication is the only alternative to maintain the healthy natural status of such germplasm, especially those plants with limited distribution.