Rathore, S. and Shashni, S.*

 DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.31142/ijahm/v10i6.08

 B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment Himachal Regional Center, Mohal-Kullu 175 126 Himachal Pradesh

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ABSTRACT

People living in the rural areas of Himalaya have a unique knowledge system to live in harmony with nature since time immemorial. They had a very specific knowledge system to manage or maintain different things in their day to day life in which oral hygiene is the one. Traditionally, various plant species were used as daatun (tooth brushing stick) to maintain oral hygiene and some are still being used by the native communities in different parts of the country. The current study was carried out in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh to document the plant species used as daatun. A total of 13 plant species belonging to 13 genera and 9 families with a dominance of 9 tree species and 4 shrub species have been documented. Rosaceae is the dominant family with 3 species such as Malus pumila, Prunus domestica, and Prunus cerasoides. Documentation of these plant species used by the natives to maintain oral hygiene will also be helpful for pharmaceutical agencies to develop dental care products in the future. It will also be helpful for the economic development of hill communities of the region.

Keywords: Traditional Knowledge, Hygiene, Plant, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.

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