*Corresponding author: Dr. Pooja Juyal , Department of Botany, Uttrakhand Open University Haldwani, Nainital, India. Email: poojajuyal15@yahoo.com Mobile:+91-9675063263 39 Indian J. Pharm. Biol. Res. 2014; 2(1):39-44 Original Research Article Indigenous uses of plants in different women ailments in Garhwal region J.C.Ghildiyal 1 , Pooja Juyal* 2 , Geeta Sadana 3 1 Principal, Government Degree College, Chakrota, Dehradun, India. 2 Department of Botany, Uttrakhand Open University Haldwani- 263139, (Nainital) India. 3 Department of Botany, Garg Degree College Lakshar, Haridwar, India. ARTICLE INFO: Article history: Received: 24 January 2014 Received in revised form: 10 February 2014 Accepted: 21 February 2014 Available online: 20 March 2014 Keywords: ABSTRACT A survey of villages of Garhwal region was done to identify medicinally important plants used by local peoples of that region against different women ailments. Paper deals with 67 plant species of 42 families as a herbal medicines described by local peoples used for different women ailments i.e., Leucorrhoea, menstrual disorders, Menorrhagia, Poor lactation, uterus infection, abortion, Deliverythe samples. Herbs Women ailments Indigenous uses Garhwal region 1. Introduction: Disorders that affect the female reproductive system are called gynecologic disorders. Gynecology is the field of medicine that deals with specific women's health issues, primarily those related to reproductive organs. People of Bhabar region used herbal medicines in various diseases including women’s ailments. The disease, local names, parts used and method of herbal preparation were documented. Herbal drug development with these plant materials will be a gain to the traditional knowledge of this nation. Garhwal Himalaya is the central part of Western Himalaya (29 0 26’- 31 0 28’ N and 77 0 49’- 80 0 6’ E). Due to its unique topography, ethnic uses of plants are in traditions of people of this area. Garhwal include seven districts- Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri, Chamoli, Tehri, Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag representing mountains lower hills, tarai Bhabar belt and plain area. These hills have been a potent source of a variety of healing herbs. The therapeutic values of some of these plants are mentioned in our Vedic literature. In the past, due to the lack of communication, people were almost fully dependent upon local herbs remedies. The women, elderly people, ethnic groups, local Vaidyas had considerable knowledge about plants which they collect from the surrounding forests [1-8] and reported herbal drugs used by the primitive societies of India. 2. Materials and Methods The present study has been conducted in two steps: Step I- A survey was made in different parts of Garhwal Himalaya. Local inhabitants particularly old persons were consulted for the ethnobotanical uses of the plants used in different women ailments. Step II- The plants pointed out by local inhabitants were collected, identified botanically with the help of flora- Forest flora of the Chakrata, Dehradun and Saharanpur forest Divisions Uttar Pradesh, Herbaceous flora of Dehradun [9- 11]. 3.Observation The observation made during the field survey has been given in the following enumerations. The medicinal plant species have been described alongwith their families, local name and their various uses in women’s related diseases. 3.1 Results and Discussion: 67 Plant species of 42 families and their uses against different women ailments are enumerated as under; CODEN (USA): IJPB07 ISSN: 2320-9267 Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Research (IJPBR) Journal homepage: www.ijpbr.in