Abstract

This research explores the indigenous healthcare practices and ethno-medicinal knowledge of the Lodha community of Bhalia Ghati village in Nayagram block, Jhargram, West Bengal. As a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), the Lodhas have historically relied on forest-based knowledge systems, particularly in the face of limited access to modern healthcare facilities. Through a mixedmethod approach including primary field interviews, door-to-door census survey, observation, case studies and secondary data from academic literature and government records, this study reveals the role of traditional healers (ojhas), herbal remedies and community rituals in treating ailments ranging from fevers and wounds to snake bites and childbirth complications. Findings suggest that more than 70% of the population first consults a traditional healer before seeking clinical aid. The reliance on local medicinal plants such as tulsi, harjora, neem, and kalmegh is high. However, due to deforestation, migration of youth and cultural shifts, traditional knowledge is declining. Case studies of elderly healers, women caregivers and community health outcomes are presented. The paper concludes by advocating for the documentation and preservation of tribal ethnomedicine alongside improved access to public health services under schemes like PM-JANMAN and Ayushman Bharat.

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