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VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Ethnobotanical uses of Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand. Among rural communities of Bargarh district, Odisha, India
Authors
S K Sen, L M Behera
Abstract
Calotropis gigantea
(L.) R.Br. commonly known as giant milkweed or crown flower, is a perennial
shrub widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and
South Africa. The plant holds significant ethnobotanical importance and has
been traditionally used in various indigenous systems of medicine, including
Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha and folklore practices. The present study was
documents the ethnobotanical uses of C. gigantea in the Bargarh district
of Odisha, India with an emphasis on traditional knowledge systems practiced by
local and indigenous communities. Through structured interviews, particularly
observations, field surveys conducted across selected villages, data were
gathered from local healers, herbal practitioners, and elders to document the
plant’s utilitarian roles in healthcare, agriculture, ritualistic practices,
and material cultures. Findings reveals that various parts of the plant such as
root, bark, leaf, flower and latex are traditionally used to manage ailments
such as diarrhea, filaria, asthma, joint pain, joint swelling, piles, syphilis,
epilepsy, obesity, otorrhea and earache as well as in the preparation of
paste, extract, and decoctions. Additionally. C. gigantea plays a vital
role in socio-religious ceremonies; its flowers, leaves and fibres are employed
in worshiping rituals and symbolic practices during festivals such as Maha
Shiva Ratri, Dusshera and many more. Despite its widespread use, the
medicinal efficacy and safety of C. gigantea remain under-explored scientifically,
and local knowledge is increasingly at risk of erosion due to socio economic
changes. This study under-score the need for conservation of traditional
knowledge and sustainable utilization strategies, while advocating for future
phytochemical and pharmacological research to validate therapeutic claims. The
ethnobotanical documentation from Bargarh district contributes valuable
baseline information for future interdisciplinary studies and supports the
integration of indigenous wisdom into community health and biodiversity
conservation frameworks.
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Pages:216-219
How to cite this article:
S K Sen, L M Behera "Ethnobotanical uses of <i>Calotropis gigantea</i> (L.) Dryand. Among rural communities of Bargarh district, Odisha, India". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 216-219
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