Jharkhand Tribal Herbal Medicine Oraon Munda Folk Healers

The Oraon, Munda, and Ho tribal communities of Jharkhand maintain extensive knowledge of herbal medicine (dawa) transmitted through vaidyas (traditional healers) who combine plant knowledge with spiritual healing practices. Key medicinal plants include Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina) for hypertension, Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) for fever, Neem bark preparations, Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) for vitality, and dozens of forest herbs specific to Chhota Nagpur plateau ecology. Jharkhand State Biodiversity Board cooperates with tribal healer cooperatives to document traditional formulations and provide legal protection under the Biological Diversity Act. JSLPS cooperative programmes help tribal vaidyas earn from licensed herbal medicine production.