Review Article Indian J. Pharm. Biol. Res Vol. 1 (3), Sep., 2013 ISSN: 2320-9267 *Corresponding Author: B.B.S. Kapoor, Herbal Research laboratory, P.G. Department of Botany, Dungar College, Bikaner, India. E-Mail Id: bbskapoor@rediffmail.com 61 * 1 Herbal Research laboratory, P.G. Department of Botany, Dungar College, Bikaner 334001, India. 2 Department of Botany, Govt. College, Nohar, Rajasthan , India. Received 16-07-2013; Revised 23-07-2013; Accepted 05-08-2013 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Abstract The Barmer district a part of Thar Desert is very rich in herbal plant wealth. The herbal plants of this region have great potential to be used in drug and pharmaceutical industries. These herbal plants have been used by local people, tribal communities, vendors, native doctors such as Ojhas, Bhagats Bhopas and experts of Ayurvedic fields since long time in herbal and folk remedies. Kalbelia, Nats, Bhils, Raika, Bhopas, Banjara, Gadolia-Lohar Langa and Manganiars communities of this district have a rich knowledge of plants based traditional medicines. Ethnomedicinal plants like Aristolochia bracteolata Lamk., Calligonum polygonoides Linn., Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn., Clerodendrum phlomoidis Linn., Evolvulus alsinoides Linn., Grewia tenax (Forsk.) Fiori., Maytenus emarginata (Willd.) Ding Hau., Mollugo Cerviana (Linn.) Seringe. Neurada procumbens Linn., Ocimum americanum Linn., Peganum harmala Linn., Pergularia daemia (Forsk) Chiov., Portulaca oleracea Linn., Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Voigt. and Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. have been selected for this research work.The present investigation is aimed to create awareness about the ethnomedicinal value of the plants and their uses to draw the attention of pharmacologists, phytochemists and pharmaceuticals. Key words: Ethnomedicinal plants, Barmer district, Herbal and Folk Remedies. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1.Introduction India is one of the richest floristic regions of the world and is well known for its ancient heritage regarding medicinal plants and plant drugs. The discovery of medicine is an effort of main kind over millions of years of search for eternal health, longevity and remedy to relieve pain and discomfort. The plant as medicine is used in different systems of medicines such as in Ayurveda, Allopathy, Unani, and Homoeopathy and even in other systems. India has 16 agro-climatic zones, 45,000 different plant species, out of which 15,000 are medicinal. The Indian system of medicine has identified 1,500 medicinal plants, of which 500 species are mostly used in preparation of drugs. According to an all India ethnobiological survey carried out by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, there are over 8,000 species of plants being used by the people of India (Report of the Task Force on Conservation &sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants). Arid zone of Rajasthan is fortunately gifted with 628 species belonging to 352 genera and 87 families [1]. About one- fourth of the total plants of the Indian Thar desert are useful for the welfare of human beings and domestic animals for food, fuel, fodder, medicine and other requirements. The erratic rainfall and poor soil fertility have marked effect on the vegetation of the Indian desert. Despite the prevailing harsh climatic Ethnomedicinal Plants of Barmer District, Rajasthan Used in Herbal and Folk Remedies B.B.S. Kapoor 1* and Sunil Kumar 2