The present study documents the ethnomedicinal importance of plant species occurring in and around Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary, Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, India. Field surveys were conducted over a period of two years and ethnobotanical information was collected through semi-structured interviews with local inhabitants and traditional healers possessing indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants. A total of 60 medicinal plant species belonging to 36 families were recorded and their therapeutic uses, plant parts utilized, and modes of application were documented. Fabaceae emerged as the dominant family represented by the highest number of species. The recorded plants were commonly used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, skin diseases, respiratory ailments, diabetes and inflammatory conditions. Leaves were the most commonly utilised plant parts (42.9%), followed by seeds (10.6%), and fruits (9%). The study highlights the significance of traditional knowledge systems in primary healthcare and emphasizes the need for documentation and conservation of medicinal plant resources in wetland ecosystems. The findings provide baseline information for future pharmacological investigations and biodiversity conservation programmes. The plant species viz. Ziziphus mauritiana, Cassia fistula, Tinospora cordifolia, Terminalia chebula, and Albizia lebbeck had the maximum utility. Hepatitis, jaundice, diabetes, respiratory disorders, and skin problems were the most often reported ailments. This study provides insights into advanced research initiatives in the field of pharmacognosy as well as to search for novel medicinal plants.
