Phytotherapeutic and Anthropological Implication of Achyranthes Aspera (Chirchira/Chattisa): A Case Study Among the Tharu Tribe of Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

This study documents the ethnomedicinal significance of Chirchira (Achyranthes aspera) among the indigenous Tharu tribe of Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Through anthropological fieldwork, interviews with traditional healers, and literature review, the research reveals the tribe's comprehensive traditional knowledge system regarding this plant. Findings demonstrate that Chirchira serves as a cornerstone of Tharu phytotherapy, with applications for respiratory disorders, skin infections, digestive ailments, and fever. This traditional knowledge, transmitted intergenerationally, exemplifies the tribe's holistic healthcare approach. The study underscores the importance of preserving this indigenous medical knowledge as a valuable resource for modern pharmacological research and sustainable healthcare practices, suggesting further scientific investigation to validate and potentially integrate these traditional remedies into contemporary medicine.