Editorial Book

Book Title: Ethano-Botanical Study of Medicinal Plants

OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 18-Jul-2026 | Pages: 95-103 | Doi : 10.37446/edibook182024/95-103

The Contribution of Wild Edible Plants in Human Nutrition (Wild Vegetables of India- Diversity, Nutritional Significance, Medicinal Value and Economic Potential)

• Ravindra Y. Thakur
• Department of Botany, S. R. M. Mahavidyalaya, Kudal, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, India.

Abstract

Wild vegetables have formed an integral component of human diets since prehistoric times. In India, a vast diversity of wild edible plants has traditionally been utilized by tribal, rural, and forest-dependent communities for food, medicine, and livelihood. These plants represent an important source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds. Besides contributing to household food security, wild vegetables play a significant role in traditional healthcare systems and local economies. India’s diverse agro-climatic regions, ranging from the Himalayas to the Western Ghats and from arid deserts to coastal ecosystems, harbour a rich diversity of wild edible species. However, modernization, habitat degradation, and changing food preferences are leading to a gradual decline in their utilization. This chapter reviews the importance of vegetables in human nutrition, the diversity and distribution of wild vegetables in India, their classification based on edible plant parts, medicinal properties, economic significance, and conservation needs.

Keywords

Wild vegetables, edible plants, traditional knowledge, nutrition, medicinal plants, biodiversity, food security, India

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