BIONATURE

Despite India’s vast floristic diversity, most ethnobotanical and pharmacological studies have traditionally focused on herbs, shrubs, and non-timber forest species, leaving the medicinal potential of timber species largely underexplored. Timber-yielding trees are typically valued for their economic and structural uses, causing their medicinal properties, traditional applications, and bioactive profiles to remain poorly documented and scientifically under-validated. As a result, there exists a significant knowledge gap in understanding how these species contribute to traditional healing systems and regional healthcare practices. The present investigation documented the medicinal uses of commonly available timber species distributed across three ecologically diverse regions of India (Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan). A total of twenty-two species belonging to major families such as Fabaceae, Combretaceae, Meliaceae, Pinaceae and Lamiaceae were recorded. Field observations and ethnobotanical information revealed that these commonly exploited timber trees also possessed significant therapeutic properties, including treatments for skin diseases, diabetes, diarrhoea, menstrual disorders, respiratory ailments and inflammatory conditions. Species from Himachal Pradesh (Cedrus deodara and Pinus wallichiana) traditionally were used for respiratory and reproductive health issues, while those from Odisha exhibited rich medicinal diversity, particularly in dermatological, gastrointestinal and metabolic remedies. Timber species from Rajasthan (Tecomella undulata and Vachellia nilotica) traditionally served in managing diabetes and gastrointestinal complications. Overall, the study highlighted the dual significance of timber species as economically valuable resources and essential components of indigenous healthcare systems, thereby emphasizing the need for their conservation and sustainable utilization.