Research Article
PLANTS HAVING MOSQUITO REPELLENT ACTIVITY: AN ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY
Abstract
Plant-based repellents have been used for generations in traditional practice as a personal protection measure against host-seeking mosquitoes. Knowledge on traditional repellent plants obtained through ethnobotanical surveys, is a valuable resource for the development of new natural products. An attempt
has been made to prepare herbal formulations from natural products such as flowers, leaves and whole plants of under-listed 29 plants. The present study is attempted to highlight the plants claimed to be used or associated with mosquito repellent activities by different tribals located in different forest pockets of
Odisha, India. The summary of recent information on claiming and efficacy of plant-based repellents are suggested for further drug development programme. These plant oils and dry leaves as well as whole part may represent an alternative in formulating potent and affordable products in the control of mosquitoes.
