Flora of Nandan Kanan Sanctuary: Medicinal plants with their role in Health care

Abstract

The present study reflects the major medicinal flora of Nandan Kanan Sanctuary, a small protected area along the Kanjia Lake, in the district of Cuttack, Odisha, India. The survey reveals that there were 61 plant species belonging to 40 different families highlighted the floral wealth of the sanctuary.The dominant floristic components were Aerva lanata, Biophytum sensitivum, Christella dentate, Heliotropium indicum, Hyptis suaveolens, Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellirica, Pongamia pinnata, Cassia fistula, Polygonum barbatum, Lygodium flexuosum, Mimosa pudica, Leonotis nepetifolia etc. The details of these plants in terms of local name, family, plant part(s) used, chemicals present and their use in health care such as malnutrition, communicable diseases, metabolic disorder and other miscellaneous effects has been listed. The implications of this study in terms of sustainable use by the local community, conservation, and education have been discussed.