Ethnobotany: Present Scenario and Future Prospects

Ethnobotany explores the relationship between people and plants, particularly their use in medicine, cultural healing practices, and sustainable resource use. In India, nearly 70% of the rural population depends on traditional plant-based remedies for primary healthcare. Although the country boasts vast ethnic and botanical diversity, research on anthropological and ethnographic aspects remains limited. There is a pressing need to document traditional knowledge, including herbal formulations, and to study plants used as seasonings, condiments, and beverages. This book brings together ethnobotanical research from around the world, aiming to preserve and promote this valuable knowledge for future academic and practical reference.