Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources Vol. 1 (1), March 2010, pp. 109-115 Traditional medicinal practices among the tribal people of Raigarh (Chhatisgarh), India S P Jain* and J Singh Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow-226015, Uttar Pradesh, India Received 29 September 2008; Accepted 27 April 2009 The ethno-medico-botanical studies have been carried out in different tribal pockets of Raigarh district of Chhatisgharh State. This has led to the documenting of uses of 35 plant species in various diseases ranging from liver disorders to simple application for body pain. The findings reported may form the basis for bioprospection and consequently development of scientifically validated new and novel drugs for diseases like hepatitis, cancer, malaria, rheumatism and other various infectious diseases, where no satisfactory cure is available. Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Folk medicine, Medicinal plants, Chhatisgarh, Raigarh district, Tribals. IPC code; Int. cl. 8  A61K 36/00 Introduction The interest in bio-dynamic phytotherapy has been increased many fold all over the world because of reasonably safe and affordable remedies for many diseased conditions. In developing countries like India, the indigenous systems of medicine together with folklore medicine continue to play a significant role in the health care system of the population. During the past few decades, there has been renewed attention and interest in the use of traditional medicine globally 1 . The apex body like World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised traditional medicine as an important contributor to achieve its health goals set so for. As per WHO estimates as many as 80% of the world’s population is still dependant on traditional medicine. In developing countries like India, 65% of the population in the rural areas uses traditional form of medicine to meet their primary health care needs 2 . Moreover, traditional medicine practices, conserved over decades from old civilizations, can serve as an effective basis for the discovery and development of modern therapeutic drugs. Raigarh district of Bilaspur division of the newly carved Chhatishgarh state is situated on the eastern most part and lies between 21° 20' to 23° 15' North latitude and 82° 55’ to 82° 24' East longitude. It is bounded by Ambikapur district of Chhatisgarh on the north, Ranchi District of Jharkhand, Sundergarh and Sambalpur districts of Orissa on the east, Raipur district on the south, and Bilaspur District on the west (Fig.1, Map). It has an area of 12,924 sq km. The forest area in the district is about 6111.0 sq km accounting for 47.34 % of the total geographical area of the district. The valley and steep slopes harbour natural vegetation comprising Sal, Mixed, Bamboo and Tectona forests. The soil is generally lateritic and clayey. The district is one of the most dominant tribal areas inhabited by a large number of tribals such as Oraon, Bhrior, Agaria, Korwa, Nagesia, Baiga, Gondiya, etc. 3-4 . They are either cultivators or labourers. They live in three hamlets namely Dharamjarh, Ghatghora, _____________________ *Correspondent author, E-mail: sp.jain@cimap.res.in Fig. 1Map of Chhatisgarh (Survey area of Raigarh district, Chhatisgarh, India)