EVALUATION OF THE USAGE OF ETHNOBOTANICAL MEDICINAL PLANTS IN THE TREATMENT OF SKIN DISEASES IN INDIA

Jhilli Pradhan*, Dr. Sagarika Nayak, Dr. Birendra Kumar Bindhani

Traditional knowledge is an ancient technique or skill set that was passed down through generations within a tribe, local people, or family lineage. More research is needed to determine if chemical, microbiological, and clinical data supports ethnodermatological usage of medicinal plants in India for skin problems. This review paper clarifies and highlights the crucial aspect of ethnodermatology, specifically the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and its utilisation for various skin ailments in India. Also, evaluation and elucidation of dermatology within Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. Various key phrases, including “Indian traditional ethnodermatology,” “ethnodermatology,” “ethnobotany,” “skin diseases,” “Ayurveda dermatology,” and “pharmacological activity,” were queried in online search platforms such as Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/), ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/), PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/), and the NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository (NOPR) (http://nopr.niscair.res.in/). In result the understanding and application of herbal therapy in the Indian subcontinent possess significant potential for addressing various human skin problems. The administration of extracts from the majority of plant species is topical with only a few being administered orally. We also examined the pharmacological efficacy of the extracts from the most often referenced plants against murine models, bacterial and fungal infections, and human cells. Millions of Indians choose complementary dermatological care. This evaluation of ethnobotanical dermatology in India supports the idea that it will speed up the identification of novel effective skin disease treatments. This article should drive the development of a new generation of natural human skin therapies to address consumer demand for safe, sustainable, and natural treatments. Thus, ethnodermatology plant study in India and abroad should be increased.