Ethnobotany: Aims, objective and scope

Ethnobotany:- The term ethno botany was coined by J.W. Harshberger in 1895 to include the study of plants used by the primitive and aboriginal people.

Definition:- According to Schultes (1962), ethno botany is defined as the study of the relationships between the people of a primitive society and plants.

Aim and Objective:-

> Proper documentation of indigenous knowlegde about medicinal plants. 

> Preservation of unwritten traditional knwoledge about herbal plants. 

> Conservation of our national heritage before its extinction. 

> To create awareness about its role in cultural social and health of people. 

> To train people or students for utilization and conservation of medicinal plants.

> To increase in manufacture of herbal drugs. 

> Research and job oppurtunities.

Scope of Ethnobotany:-

> Its scope was much eloborated by Ford(1978) and Faulk(1958). 

> In recent years much work in this science has been done in the many countries e.g. India, Africa, America , France, Mexico, U.S.A. etc. 

> Ethnobotany has attracted attention during last three decades.

> The scope of Ethnobotany in recent time and failure has been established with the problem of :- 

i. Rural health 

ii. Drugs are abuses 

iii. Social customs

iv. Cottage industries

v. Conservation of ecosystems 

vi. Nutrition 

vii. Energy

> Recent researches on Ethnobotany have today established linkage between man y special areas like:-

i. Ethnomedicine 

ii. Ethnopharmacology

iii. Ethnoveterinary 

iv. Ethnonarcotics 

v. Ethnobryology 

vi. Ethnocosmetic