TRADITIONAL HEALTH CARE PRACTICES AND TREATMENT OF SKIN DISORDERS: SENNA OCCIDENTALIS L., SENNA OBTUSIFOLIA L. AND CHROMOLAENA ODORATA L.

Jhilli Pradhan*, Sagarika Nayak, Tapaswini Nayak

Ethnopharmacology, an interdisciplinary field merging ethnobotany and pharmacology, investigates traditional healthcare systems that rely on natural products and indigenous knowledge. It plays a crucial role in preserving and understanding cultural methods for addressing various health concerns, including skin-related disorders. Conditions such as infections, inflammation, wounds, pigmentation issues, and age-related skin changes are prevalent healthcare challenges globally, particularly in underserved areas where traditional remedies are extensively utilized. Scientific investigations into traditional practices present opportunities for discovering innovative dermatological treatments. Nevertheless, incorporating these remedies into modern healthcare frameworks involves challenges such as ensuring product standardization, protecting indigenous intellectual property rights, and maintaining the sustainability of medicinal plant sources. Advances in phytochemistry and clinical trials are paving the way for integrating traditional remedies into contemporary dermatology and skincare solutions. By harmonizing traditional knowledge with modern scientific methodologies, ethnopharmacology expands our understanding of natural treatments for skin health while promoting cultural preservation and sustainable healthcare practices. This integrative approach has the potential to address unmet needs in dermatology, support biodiversity conservation, and encourage equitable benefit-sharing with indigenous communities. Future efforts should prioritize collaborative, interdisciplinary research to authenticate traditional treatments, protect cultural legacies, and create effective, accessible, and environmentally conscious skin health solutions.