Exploring traditional knowledge

Background: Memory is essential for learning and daily life, and its impairment is a growing public health concern. Traditional medicinal systems, especially among indigenous communities, have long used herbal remedies to enhance memory and cognitive performance. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in 2023–2024 across fifteen tribal villages in Rayagada district, Odisha. Data from 105 informants were gathered through semi-structured interviews and participatory observations. Ethnobotanical indices, including Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Cultural Importance Index (CI), and Use Value (UV), were calculated to assess the significance of the documented species. Results: A total of 33 medicinal plant species from 25 families were recorded, with Fabaceae as the dominant family. Herbs were the most common life form, while leaves and rhizomes were the most frequently used parts. Oral administration was the main route, and decoctions and powders were the most common preparation methods (17 reports each). Several species showed high cultural significance, including Curculigo orchioides (CI = 0.95, UV = 1.71), Withania somnifera (CI = 1.00, UV = 1.00), Bacopa monnieri (CI = 0.76, UV = 1.22), Allium sativum (CI = 0.90, UV = 1.24), and Centella asiatica (CI = 0.95, UV = 0.95). Pharmacological analysis revealed mainly anti-inflammatory (21.5%), neuroprotective/cognitive (19.2%), and antioxidant (16.9%) activities. Conclusion: The study highlights the continued use of traditional medicinal plants for memory enhancement among tribal communities of southern Odisha. Species with high cultural importance and use values may be promising candidates for future phytochemical, pharmacological, and clinical studies to develop evidence-based cognitive therapeutics. Keywords: Ethnobotany; Memory enhancement; Nootropic plants; Cultural Importance Index; Traditional knowledge; Odisha

Centella · Ethnobotany · Medicinal plants · Nootropic · Rhizome · Traditional knowledge · Withania somnifera · Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies · Medicinal Plants and Neuroprotection · Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants