International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

Traditional Therapeutic Uses of Plants among Scheduled Caste Community of Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Author Affiliations

  • 1Deptt. of Zoology, D.H.S.K. College, Dibrugarh, Assam, INDIA
  • 2 Deptt. of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Assam, INDIA

Res. J. Recent Sci., Volume 4, Issue (8), Pages 49-51, August,2 (2015)

Abstract

Various tribes all over the world use plants for treating several diseases. Although the herbal medicines are largely preferred by the rural folk for curing diseases but the newer generations are much more attracted towards the modern health care facilities. As such, there is a risk of losing the traditional knowledge on medicinal use of plants in the near future and hence it is utmost important to explore and record the uses of the medicinal plants which are traditionally being practiced by many tribes. The aim of this study is to explore and record various plants used for medicinal purposes by the Scheduled Caste people of Dibrugarh. Several etnobotanical surveys were conducted during the period between 2010 to 2012 in different regions of Dibrugarh, Assam. Information regarding traditional health care system, uses of medicinal plants and the vernacular names of the different plants were gathered through normal conversation, interview and discussion with the local herbal practitioners as well the elderly people of the community.In our study a total of 35 plants belonging to 24 families were found to be utilized by the SC community of Dibrugarh. These plants are being utilized for curing several diseases like Gastric, Blood Urination, Jaundice, Epilepsy, Cuts and Wounds, Ear ache, Cough, Pyorrhea, , Tonsillitis Sore, Stomach pain during menstruation cycle, Dysentery, Piles, etc.The SC Community of Dibrugarh use locally available plants in their own traditional ways for treating various diseases and these phyto remedies provide a broad scope for scientists to search for new potential bio active compounds.

References

  1. Bora PJ and Kumar Y., Floristic Diversity of Assam, Daya Publishing House, New Delhi (2003)
  2. Misra P. and Kapoor A.K., Ethno-medical practices in a primitive tribe, (Volume , Pp. 185-205) S. Sahay and P. K. Singh (eds.), Dimensions of Researches in Indian Anthropology, New Delhi: Serial Publications, (2003)
  3. Shah A., Abass G. and Sharma M.P., Ethnobotanical study of some medicinal plants from tehsil Budha L, District Rajouri, (Jammu and Kashmir), International Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 2(6), 05-06 (2012)
  4. Asati B.S. and Yadav D.S., Diversity of horticultural crops in north eastern region, ENVIS Bulletin: Himalayan Ecology., 12, 1-11 (2004)
  5. Ambujam S.K.S. and Shah R.K., Study of ethnomedicinal system of local people of Dibrugarh district, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovations, 2(2), 17-28 (2012)
  6. Mitalaya K.D., Bhatt D.C., Patel N.K. and Didia S.K., Herbal remedies used for hair disorders by tribals and rural folk in Gujarat, IndianJournal of Traditional Knowledge, 2(4), 389-392 (2003)
  7. Borthakur S.K., Plants in the folklore and folk life of the Karbis (Mikirs) of Assam; In: Contribution to Indian Ethnobotany, Volume 1, 2nd edition (ed.) S.K. Jain (Jodhpur: Scientific Publishers) 169-178 (1997)
  8. Hajra P.K. and Baishya A.K., Ethnobotanical notes on the Miris (Mishings) of Assam plains; In: Contribution to Indian Ethnobotany, Volume 1, 2nd edition (ed.) S.K. Jain (Jodhpur: Scientific Publishers) 161-168 (1997)
  9. Pandey A.K., Bora H.R. and Deka S.C., An ethnomedicobotanical study of Golaghat district, Assam: Native plant remedies for jaundice. Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany, Additional Series, 12, 344-349 (1996)
  10. Saikia A.P., Ryakala V.K., Sharma P., Goswami P. and Bora U., Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used by Assamese people for various skin ailments and cosmetics, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 106, 149-157 (2006)
  11. Singh J, Bhuyan TC and Ahmed A., Ethnobotanical studies on the Mishing tribes of Assam with special reference to food and medicinal plant; Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany , Additional Series, 12, 350-356 (1996)
  12. Bennett E., Tactics of plants exploration, In: Genetic resources in plants-their exploration and conservation, by Frankel O. H. and Bennet E, (IBP, Oxford, Blackwell), 157-159 (1970)
  13. Jain S.K. and Rao R.R., A handbook of field and herbarium methods, (Today and Tomorrow, Printers and Publishers, New Delhi), 33-58 (1967)
  14. Kanjilal U.L., Kanjilal P.C. and Das A., Flora of Assam. Vol. I-V Publication Division, Govt. of Assam, Shillong, India (1934-1940), (1940)
  15. Hooker JD, Flora of British India, Vol-I-VII, London, (1872-1897), (1897)