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The Aravalli Hills of Gurugram district, Haryana, harbor a rich tradition of utilizing herbal drugs in local healthcare practices. This study aimed to document and analyze the ethnomedicinal knowledge of the local communities residing in the vicinity of these hills. Through extensive field surveys and interviews with traditional healers, 58 plant species belonging to 32 families were recorded, with their diverse therapeutic applications in 120 disease conditions. The study revealed a strong correlation between local health traditions (LHTs) and classical Ayurvedic texts, highlighting the enduring relevance of traditional knowledge in contemporary healthcare. Furthermore, the documentation of several extra-pharmacopoeial plants and novel medicinal indications underscores the potential of LHTs in contributing to the discovery of new therapeutic agents. The findings emphasize the urgent need for conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plant resources and the preservation of traditional knowledge for future generations.

KEYWORDS

Ethnomedicine, Flora, Healthcare, Local health traditions, Survey