An ethnobotanical exploration was carried out during 2010-2012 in four selected C.D. Blocks of Kendrapara district of Odisha namely Rajnagar, Rajkanika, Mahakalpada and Derabish to document the use of weeds found in crop fields during Rabi season. The Rabi crops include green gram, black gram, ground nut, mustard, sun flower, potato and other vegetables such as radish, coriander, cauliflower etc. Farmers, local people, agricultural labourers as well as herbal healers of the said area were approached to collect the information on the uses of the crop weeds in primary health care and as raw materials for the preparation of various herbal formulations. The present investigation revealed the occurrence of 60 weed species belonging to 50 genera and 32 families found associated with the principal crops in these crop fields. Out of these, 38 species are used by the local populace for the treatment of various diseases and disorders of human as well as domestic animals. Some of the widely used weeds include Amannia baccifera for skin infections, Canscora decussata for mental debility, Caesulia axilaris and Centipida minima against worm infestations, Coldenia procumbens to treat wound and injuries of domestic animals, Chrozophora rottleri for jaundice, Seseli diffusum used as diuretic and antispasmodic, Sonchus asper for wound and boils, Sphaeranthus indicus against cough, Spilanthes paniculata against toothache, Trichodesma indica useful in stomach disorder, abdominal pains and skin diseases, Urena lobata in the treatment of rheumatism and Xanthium indicum against skin diseases of cattle. Further studies on the phytochemical screening of these native ethnomedicinal crop weeds may lead to the discovery of new bioactive molecules towards the development of drugs for safer use. On the other hand, the above findings may be of immense help to the labourers or marginal farmers to get additional livelihood for organized collection, processing and marketing of these medicinal crop weeds depending on the demand of the pharmaceutical houses.
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