Characteristics of Major Forest Products and Medicinal Herbs of the Thar Region of Rajasthan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53573/rhimrj.2026.v13n04.013Keywords:
Thar Desert, Rajasthan, Forest Products, Medicinal Herbs, Khejri, Guggul, Desert Ecology, EthnomedicineAbstract
The Thar Desert of Rajasthan, though characterized by extreme climatic conditions such as low rainfall, high temperatures, and sandy soils, supports a rich diversity of forest resources and medicinal plant species. The vegetation of the region has developed unique ecological adaptations that enable survival under arid and semi-arid environmental conditions. These forest products and medicinal herbs play a significant role in sustaining rural livelihoods, preserving biodiversity, supporting traditional healthcare systems, and maintaining ecological balance in the desert ecosystem. Important species such as Prosopis cineraria (Khejri), Tecomella undulata (Rohida), Commiphora wightii (Guggul), and Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) possess considerable economic, medicinal, and ecological importance. The present study focuses on the major forest products and medicinal herbs of the Thar region, highlighting their characteristics, adaptive mechanisms, economic utility, and therapeutic significance.
References
Chaudhuri, K. K., Mishra, D. K., Singh, V., & Shukla, J. K. (2005). Harnessing Thar Biodiversity for Medicinal Uses. Indian Forester, 131(3), 288–307.
Yadav, G., & Meena, M. (2021). Bioprospecting of Endophytes in Medicinal Plants of Thar Desert: An Attractive Resource for Biopharmaceuticals. Biotechnology Reports, 30, e00629.
Katewa, S. S., Chaudhary, B. L., & Jain, A. (2007). Traditional Uses of Medicinal Plants among the Rural Communities of Churu District in the Thar Desert, India. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 113(3), 387–399.
Tewari, J. C., Bohra, M. D., & Harsh, L. N. (2020). Structure and Production Function of Traditional Extensive Agroforestry Systems and Scope of Intensive Agroforestry in Thar Desert. Indian Journal of Agroforestry.
Katewa, S. S., Chaudhary, B. L., & Jain, A. (2004). Folk Herbal Medicines from Tribal Area of Rajasthan, India. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 92(1), 41–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.01.011
Bhandari, M. M. (1990). Flora of the Indian Desert. Jodhpur: MPS Repros.
Chaudhuri, K. K., Mishra, D. K., Singh, V., & Shukla, J. K. (2005). Harnessing Thar Biodiversity for Medicinal Uses. Indian Forester, 131(3), 288–307. https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2005/v131i3/1706
Yadav, G., & Meena, M. (2021). Bioprospecting of Endophytes in Medicinal Plants of Thar Desert: An Attractive Resource for Biopharmaceuticals. Biotechnology Reports, 30, e00629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.btre.2021.e00629
Chaudhuri, K. K., Mishra, D. K., Singh, V., & Shukla, J. K. (2005). Harnessing Thar Biodiversity for Medicinal Uses. Indian Forester, 131(3), 288–307.
Tewari, J. C., Bohra, M. D., & Harsh, L. N. (2020). Structure and Production Function of Traditional Extensive Agroforestry Systems and Scope of Intensive Agroforestry in Thar Desert. Indian Journal of Agroforestry.
