Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants continues to play a vital role in primary healthcare among tribal and forest-dependent communities in India. The present study documents the ethnomedicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of cough, cold, bronchitis, and asthma by the tribal communities of Baragada (formerly Bargarh) district, Odisha. The investigation was conducted through extensive field surveys in different localities of the district. Ethnobotanical information was collected from knowledgeable informants, including traditional healers, elderly villagers, and other community members, using semi-structured questionnaires, personal interviews, and formal discussions. The information obtained was cross-checked through repeated interactions with different informants to ensure its reliability and consistency. The study records a range of plant species belonging to diverse families that are used either singly or in combination for the management of respiratory ailments. Various plant parts, such as leaves, roots, bark, flowers, rhizomes, seeds, fruits, and whole plants, were reported to be employed in different forms of preparation, including decoctions, extracts, pastes, powders, and infusions. These findings highlight the rich ethnomedicinal heritage preserved among the tribal communities of Baragada district and emphasize the importance of documenting this valuable indigenous knowledge before it declines due to rapid socio-economic and cultural changes. The documented information provides a baseline for future phytochemical, pharmacological, and conservation studies and contributes to the preservation of traditional healthcare.