Ethnobotany and indigenous knowledge in Indian context

摘要

The emergence, purpose and history of Indian ethnobotany and Indigenous Knowledge are discussed with exemplary works. Importance of ethnographical aspects, viz., vernacular names, linguistics, phonetics, etymology and philology is elaborated along with cultural and social aspects of plants used in festivals, religious ceremonies, proverbs, riddles, curses and songs. Under Indigenous Knowledge, definitions, pioneers, scope, useful and beneficial innovations, and the best practices are provided with some examples.