Documentation of Medicinal Plants of Tribes of Assam

Abstract

India is gifted with an immense wealth of rich bio-diversity that account for about 8% of the world total bio-diversity. About 7500 species of plants are in use for Indigenous health practise. According to WHO these medicinal plants serves the need of about 80% of the world population. Northeast India, the richest botanical region of India is the homeland of vast natural resources including herbs and other plants. Around 500 species of plants of northeast India are used in the traditional healthcare system. The tribal people use different types of medicinal plants in their day today life. These medicinal plants are taken in different ways-in curry forms, paste, juice etc. The basic objective of the study is to document the plants used by various tribes for therapeutic purposes, both human and animal. The study also documented the various methods of making medicines using plant products by the tribes of Assam. The medicinal plants used by nine tribes of Assam were documented- Deori, Hajong, Hmar, Karbi ,Mech Kachari ,Mising ,Sonowal Kachari ,Tai Khamayang ,Tai Turung .Data for the documentation were collected through Interview Method. The traditional medicine men and experienced old persons were interviewed. Some of the collected leaves were preserved in Herbarium sheet. 22 villages from six districts of Assam where the mentioned tribe are mostly concentrated were covered under study. The villages were selected on random basis.Around 100 plant species were documented in this study. Medicinal plants used in cure for around 50 diseases- fever, Gastro intestine, high pressure, arthritis, mouth ulcer, dysentery, diabetes, gall bladder, insect bite, worms, pains, piles, etc were documented. It has been seen that same plants are used for different diseases. Same plant is known by different names in different tribes. Different parts of same plant are used by different tribes for different diseases.