Traditional and Indigenous uses of Medicinal Plants by Tribes of Assam, India

Author: Dharitri Borgohain and Propalika Borpatra Gohain

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Abstract

The present paper deals with the enumeration of 45 ethnobotanically important plant species used by the Khamti and Deori tribes of Lakhimpur, Assam. Both the tribes possess immense wealth of knowledge in the field of ethnomedicinal practices and healing methods. The plants are locally found in wild condition or are grown by professional healers in their household premises. Medicinal preparations were given by the local practitioners in the form of powder, paste and extracts. It was found that leaves of the plants were mostly used for making various formulations. There remained yet a number of lesser known plants to be studied at taxonomical and pharmacological level for database and clinical validity. These practices demand proper documentation and sharing or it may soon become a thing of the past. This study was conducted recognizing the urgent need to conserve these assets that might provide a new platform for pharmacological screening programmes that will lead to natural drug discovery in the future. Thus, this study is the collected data of rare knowledge confined to the North Eastern region only and it will further contribute to the awakening of conscious realization of the rich resources that we possess and their need for conservation, documentation and publication.

Keywords

Ethnobotany, Herbal, Indigenous, Medicinal plants, Traditional knowledge

Conclusion

Tribal communities possess a rich heritage of ethnomedicinal practices and this study enabled to catch only a glimpse of their vast wealth of knowledge and information. Ethnomedicinal studies can redefine modern pharmaceutical products with comparatively lesser side effects. People should be made aware about these traditional healing methods and various studies and researches should be encouraged to preserve these resources, or else they may one day become extinct with time. The present work has highlighted on the potential medicinal plants used by both the Khamti and Deori tribes of Lakhimpur district. This documented knowledge can significantly contribute to the discovery of newer drugs in future therefore, it is crucial to create awareness on conservation strategies of these bioresources for a sustainable development.

References

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How to cite this article

Dharitri Borgohain and Propalika Borpatra Gohain (2023). Traditional and Indigenous uses of Medicinal Plants by Tribes of Assam, India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5): 870-874.