Ethno-Medico-Biology of Bān-Aālu (Dioscorea species): A neglected tuber crops of Odisha, India

Explorer Research Article [Kumar et al., 4(12): Dec., 2013]
CODEN (USA): IJPLCP ISSN: 0976-7126

Int. J. of Pharm. & Life Sci. (IJPLS), Vol. 4, Issue 12: Dec: 2013, 3143-3150

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY & LIFE SCIENCES

Ethno-Medico-Biology of Bān-Aālu (Dioscorea species): A neglected tuber crops of Odisha, India

Sanjeet Kumar1*, Anup Kumar Parida2 and Padan Kumar Jena

1, Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, (Odisha) - India
2, Post Graduate Department of Life Sciences, Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar, (Odisha) - India


Abstract

Dioscorea – a genus of wild tuber crops is one of the major underground medicinal food sources among rural and tribal populace of Odisha. Twelve species of Dioscorea are reported in Odisha of which all except Dioscorea alata are wild while the latter is a cultivated one. The species are unique for their medicinal, food and economic values. The details in the terms of ethnobotanical values, bioactive compounds, pharmacological potentials, diversity in selected districts of Odisha and their therapeutic uses in maintaining health care have been documented through field survey using passport data and from literature. The richness of these valuable tuber crops is declining due to various anthropogenic activities. Therefore, an attempt was made to document the therapeutic values, diversity and food potentials of these species. The implications of this study in terms of sustainable use of these tuber crops by the rural and tribal communities and their conservation have been discussed along highlights the medicinal potential of the Dioscorea species found in Odisha.

Key-Words: Biochemical constituents, Dioscorea species, Medicinal values

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