Environment & Ecosystem Science (EES)

Indigenous knowledge within a community develops over time and is rooted in experience, often tested over centuries, and adapted to local culture and environment. This knowledge of resource utilization for medicinal purposes may have been established through trial and error, accumulated over thousands of years, and often becomes integrated into everyday cultural practices. Jaundice, a common symptom, particularly in developing countries, manifests as elevated bilirubin levels due to liver disorders, leading to yellowing of the skin and eyes. The present study conducts an ethno-medicinal investigation in Bhadrak district, Odisha, India, to explore, document, and preserve traditional knowledge for treating jaundice among local inhabitants. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 157 informants using semi-structured questionnaires, complemented by open-ended interviews, informal discussions, and direct observations. A total of 44 medicinal plant species from 32 families were documented for the treatment of jaundice. Analysis of growth forms revealed that herbs comprised 47.7%, followed by trees at 29.6%, shrubs at 13.6%, and climbers at 9.1%. The most commonly used plant parts were leaves, fruits, roots, and bark. Decoction was the primary method of preparation, followed by paste and powder. The most popular plant species for managing jaundice included Boerhavia diffusa, Lawsonia inermis, Phyllanthus emblica, and Tinospora cordifolia. This study highlights the local people’s reliance on herbal remedies for jaundice treatment and provides a baseline for future phytochemical and pharmacological research to discover new plant-based therapies.