Dominant Plant Families and Traditional Medicinal Knowledge under Varying Environmental Conditions in Kadipur, Haryana

Medicinal plants have traditionally played a vital role in conventional medical practices by providing therapeutic effects and contributing to the development of recent drugs. However, increased urbanisation and ecological loss are threatening the integrity of ethnobotanical knowledge. To address this concern, the present study aims to describe native utilisation of medicinal plants along with traditional knowledge systems in Tehsil Kadipur, Haryana, India. A systematic ethnobotanical investigation was conducted from December 2023 to March 2024. Standardised questionnaires and structured interviews with local informants were used to gather data. Quantitative ethnobotanical indicators, including Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), were used to examine the obtained information. The evaluation identified 32 botanical groups and 62 species of therapeutic plants. The Asteraceae family was the most represented with seven species, followed by Fabaceae (5 species), and Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae (4 species each). Trees, shrubs, herbs, and climbers were among the various living forms that were reported. Decoction became the most popular preparation technique, while leaves became the most used plant element. Ocimum tenuiflorum L. had the strongest cultural and therapeutic relevance, with the highest RFC value (0.79). Plant species utilised for treating immunological illnesses showed the highest ICF score (0.56), showing substantial agreement among informants regarding their usefulness. The study underlines the critical need for conservation techniques and community-based initiatives to maintain both plant biodiversity and traditional medical practices. Such activities are crucial for supporting future pharmacological research, encouraging sustainable healthcare, and protecting cultural heritage.