Assam University Journal ofScience & Technology:Biological and Environmental SciencesVo!. 7 Number IIS-26,2011

ISSN 0975-2773

Medicinal Plants Used in Major Diseases by Dimasa Tribe of Barak ValleyMadhumita Naui=, B.K. Dutta & & P. K. Hajra'Microbial & Agricultural Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation LaboratoryDepartment of Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University, Si Ichar-7880 II (Assam)129/!6 Indar Road, Dehradun-248001

*Corresponding author e-mail: madhu.rhss@gmaii.com

Abstract

India is known for its rich flora and fauna, diverse climatic zones and wealth of living ethno-medicinaltraditions. It has about 3500 medicinal plant species, which possesses a great diversity of usages in variousailments and it is claimed that ethnic groups of people are the source of all the indigenous drugs. Keepingthis in FieH', an ethno-botanical survey was carried out on the ut ilization of medicinal plants in majordiseases by Dimasa tribe settled in Barak Valley (South Assam). Data was generated by interviewing thetraditional the herbalists and several other elderlv men and women. The traditional uses of 34 medicinalplants in major diseases belonging to 29[amilies are presented here with their botanical name, family, partsused. method of preparation and ethnomedicinal uses. These 34 plant species used in major diseases aredivided into R categories of ailments, which are presented in tabularform. For better understanding, graphicalrepresentation of plant parts used, number of plant species used to cure different ailments and utilizationpattern of different plant parts are also presented here.

Keywords: Barak Valley, Dimasa tribe, Biodiversity, Ethno-medicine, Indigenous drugs.

Introduction

Ethnomedicine is an area of research that dealswith medicines derived from plants, animals,minerals etc. and their use in the treatment ofvarious diseases and ailments, based on indigenouspharmacopoeia, folk lore and herbal charms(Weiner, 1971). The knowledge of the use of plantsas a source of medicine is as old as humanity. Vastethnobotanical knowledge exists in India fromancient time. More than 1500 herbal plants arementioned in ancient Indian texts. India is one ofthe 12 megadiversity countries (Nayar, 1996)andit is gifted with enormous wealth ofbiodiversity. Ithas diverse cl irnatic zones and wealth of vibrantethnomedicinal trad itions. There are about 45,000plant species and 81,000 animal species recordedin India so far (MoEF, 1994). Even today 80% ofthe world's population relies on traditional plantmedicines including various rural and tribalcommunities in India through Indian System ofMedicine and other undocumented traditional

practices (Khan ZS et.al, 2004, Mashelkar, 2002).Of the 252 essential chemicals which have beenselected by the World Health Organisation (WHO),11.1 % come from plants and 8.7% from animals(Costa Neto. 1999). Therefore, it is very muchessential to give attention on the livingethnomedicinal traditions. The knowledge of theuse of ethnomedicine for the cure of variousailments is being used since time immemorial. Themaximum numbers of medicinal plants are usedby folk (tribal) traditions (Prakash et al., 2008).I Iistorically the tribal commun ities survived on theirtraditional knowledge base (Pandi et al., 2007)and are the source of all the indigenous drugs.Maintenance of their health even now is based onthe traditional medicines derived from plants.animals or other natural products. Tribal peopleacquired the knowledge of plant species largelyon trial and error basis (Pandi et al.. 2007).

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Medicinal Plan Is Used in Major Diseases by...

Northeast Indian states are the store house ofmedicinal plants which are naturally grown andavailable in the forests (Das, 2006). It is knownfor high ethnic and biological diversity and is oftenreferred to as biological hotspot (Ramakrishnan,1984. Myers et al., 2000). Assam is one of theoldest members of Northeast Indian states and islocated between 24u44N to 27°45/N latitude and89u4 I" E to 96u02 E longitude covering an area of78,438 sq. km. The state comprises of two valliesviz., Brahmaputra Valley and Barak Valley beingseparated by N.C. Hi lis. The latter is the southernmost pari of the state which lies approximatelybetween latitude 24°81 to 25°8' N and longitude92° IS" to 93° IS E. Formerly the whole valley wasincluded under a single district that is Cachar , butat present the valley has been divided into threedistricts namely Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj.Geograph ically, Barak Valley is surrounded byNorth Cachar Hills and Jaintia Hills in the North,in the East by the state ofManipur, in the South byM izorarn and in the West by Tripura and Sylhetditrict of Bangladesh (fig. I ). Barak Valley fallswithin the range of heaviest rainfall with anaverage of 3000mm per year and averagetemperature ranges from 30oC-35DC duringsummer and 10nC to 20DC during winter (fig.2).The temperature and rainfall of Barak Valleyseems to be very high and favourable for theluxuriant growth of plant biodiversity includingmedicinal plants.

About the tribe

In India, there are about 53 million tribal peoplebelonging to 550 communities of227 ethnic groupsand they inhabit about 5000 forest villages or leada nomadic life in the forest (Prakash et al., 2008),wthin them, 3,308,570 are Scheduled Tribes whoare residing in Assam as per 200 I census. Thereare a total 23 notified STs , in which Dimasa isone which is a fairly small group of ethnicpopulation of Assam. According to 200 I census,the total Dimasa population of Assam was 1, I0,976.which is about 3.4% of the total ST population ofthe state. They are the inhabitants of NortheastIndia since a very early times and are the dominanttribe in North Cachar Hills but they are also foundin the present Nogaon, Karbi Anglong, Sonitpur,

Hailakandi and Cachar district of Assam. TheDimasa Kacharis who live in the plains of theBarak Valley are known as the Barrnans. It ispertinent to mention here that Dimasas areKacharis but all Kacharis are notDimasas (Laskar,1992). The Dimasas had their kingdom in thisregion for a long time and their history is ofconsiderable glory. At different periods of historythey establ ished their capital at Dimapur, Maibongand Khaspur, respectively. In link with their culturalheritage, the Ayurvedic system of medicine ispracticed by the Dirnasas and side by side theyalso have their own folk medicines. But now, mostof the biodiversity associated with the tribes haveeither disappeared or are on the verge of extinction.

Keeping the above in view the present work wastaken up to document some traditional medicinalplants used by the Dimasa tribe of Assam settledin Barak Valley (Southern Assam) for curing majordiseases.

Some common major diseases

Some common major diseases described by theDirnasa tribe are jaundice, diabetes, high bloodpressure, urinary track infection, carbuncles,cardiac problem, skin cancer, hearnaturia etc.

Fig: 1. Map of the study area showing Dirnasavillages

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Medicinal Plants Used in Major Diseases h)

Name of the villages shown in the map are given below:

l.Salarnatpur part 1&1I 37.Lakhinagar FY&Alubazar 74.Howaithang2.Langlacherra part II 38. Kurkuri partII 75 .Lai Iapur3.Langlacherra part I 39.Taicherra 76.Gibangralll partI4.Joypur partlY 40.Ballripara 77.Gibangralll partll5.J oyp ur partJII 4I.Natllrbond 78.Mathurapur6.Joypur partl&lI 42.Gorarvitor part I&II 79.GajaIghat

7. Kalarnnagapun j ee 43 .Gorarvitor part II 80. Hadabrna

8.Kanakpur partfl 44.Chotonllllcheri SlDhanipur FV

9. Kanakpur partlIl 45.AndllrgooI 82.DhalakhaI FV

10.Doloicherra 46.BaI irbond 83.J oynagar

II.UttarDoloicherra 47.Bijoypur 84.Mahanpurl z.Chotokumpi 48.Chandrapur 85.Pancherra FY13.Borokulllpi 49.Maruwacherra 86.Kulicherra

14.Sonapur 50.Ujannagar 87Debipur15.Lailacherra 5I.Borkhola partII 88.Barlllanagar FY16.UlS UttarDoloicherra 52.Dalu 89.Rukhni pari! V17.ThipurNagar 53Dalugrant 90.Ganganagar partl18.DharalllNagar 54.Borbond part! 9I.Kanla19.Pohelpur 55. Borbond partII 92.Chekarchalll20.PaschilllMutracherra 56.ChillltibilI 93.MethnataI21.Baig~ini 57.Alllaranagar 94.Slllithnagar22. PurbaDakh in M utracherra 58.Chailtacherra 95.NagakhaI23. Kumacherra 59.Binodpur 96.JurkhaI

& Purbak urnachera 60.Madhupur 97.Bilaipllr FY24.Kalinagar part! 61.Ratanpur 98.Barthal25.Kalinagar partll 62.Laburbond 99.Da1cherra26.Dipll& U/S Anandapur 63 .ThaI igram 1OO.Narayanpurgrant pari!27.PaschilllDipu 64.Nayarbond 10 I.Narayanpurgrant partII28.Molong part 1& U/S Harinagar 65.Shiberbond I02.DhalakhaI FV partI29.Molong part II 66. Bagerkona I03.DhalakhaI FV partll30.UlS Molong 67.Nayagram 104.Bhubankhal FV31 DigliGrant 68.Tikalpargrant

32.DigI ichhurpunjee 69.Gowabari

33.DurgaNagar 70.Sodagralll

34.Lakhicherra FY I & U/S 7 I .Lanth ugram FY: Forest Village35.Lakhicherra partlI 72.SheoratoI FV UlS: Unserveyed36.LakhiNagar Ex FV 73.Bagewola

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Medicinal Plants Used in Major Diseases by.

,,,,-_ 50

9 10 11 12

Month

Fig:2. Climatogram of study area

Methodology

•

Extensive field survey has been carried out duringall the four seasons (i.e. winter, spring,monsoon &autumn) by interviewing traditional herbalists andseveral other elderly men and women who areaware about the medicinal value of plants. theiridentification, parts used, methods of preparationand their ethnomedicinal uses. Before eachinterview, Prior Informed Consent (PlC) wasobtained from the tribes to record the conversations,to take photographs and to collect plantspecimens. While collecting information onethnomedicobotanical aspects, standardapproaches and methodologies were followed(Jain, 1987, 1989, Schultes, 1962) .

Result and discussion

The Medicobotanical investigation of Assam isfound to be very insignificant till today incomparison to the number of tribes inhabiting thestate. Sporadic but valuable information onethnobotanical aspects of few tribes of Assamhave been known through the work of Jain andBorthakur (1980) on Mikirs; Bhattacharjee et al.(1980) on folklore medicines; Baruah and Shanna( 1984) on Bodos. Some stud ies on ethnobotanyhave been reported from Barak Valley in the past.Dutta and Dutta (200 I) reported on themedicoethnobotanical knowledge of the seventribes settled in Barak Valley (i.e. Dimasa, Halam,Deb Barrna, H'rnar, Jaintia, Kuki and Rongmai).While Dutta Choudhury and Choudhury (2002)have reported about the ethnobotanical knowledgeof the Reang tribe of Assam. Das et al.. (2002)have reported 72 plant species from 42 families,

used against some common ailments by the teatribes settled in the Barak Valley. Dutta & Dutta(2005) have also reported about the potential ofethnobotanical studies in North East India withspecial reference to Barak Valley. Das et al havereported Drynaria quarcifolia (L.). J. Smith.(PANKIRAJ)from South Assam. Das et a/(20 I0) have also published a book on the medicinalplants of Southern Assam covering the tribessettled in the area. Ethnobotany of Dimasa tribesettled in Barak Valley is an additional knowledgeand therefore should be useful to the concernedpeople at large.

Plants play a major role in the cure of differenttypes of major diseases among the Dimasa tribeof Barak Valley. A number of Dimasa vi lIages ofBarak Valley. viz., Balirbond, Khaspur, Jaipur,Dharamnagar, Chailtacherra, Lalthugr arn,Sadagram, Bilaipur, Sheoratol, Dolu etc. have beenvisited to collect data regarding the plant speciesused to cure different types of major diseases.The study has revealed that there are many plantspecies which are traditionally used by the Dimasavillagers for medicinal purpose. In the presentstudy 34 plant species belonging to 33 genera from29 fam iIies are reported to be used by the tribe tocure 8 types of major diseases .The plant namesare given in tabular form. For each species, plantname, family, vernacular name, parts used,methods of preparation, mode of administrationand uses are enumerated in table. I. Among the29 families, family Mimosaceae, Papillionaceae,Moraceae, Menispermaceae and Lamiaceaerepresents the highest number of plants with 2species each and rest 24 families represent onlyI species each (fig:3).Each disease has specificor mixture of plant species for treatment. It is alsoseen that a number of plants are used to cure asingle ailment like Mich e l ia ch a mp aca,Tinospora cordifolia, Saraca asoca, Oroxylumindicum, Cuscuia reflexa etc. are used to curejaundice (fig:4). From the study it has alsoobserved that leaves are the most important plantparts used for medicinal purposes. But all the partsof plants have significant importance inethnobotanical studies and different parts of asingle species are also used for the cure of differentai lrnents (fig: 5).

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Mim<)saceae Papitionaceae ~ '" MellisllermaCeae...J

<I):I) :I) <I) as:I) as :I) as :I)

as 4l:I) :I) ~ :il 4l :I) :I) 4l :il 4l " :il:il Si " Si as as :il " :I) •• :I)as :[" .!2 " :I) ..,

" Si.., :I) as 4l "4l " " '" € '"

:I) c " as " " :to: .~ ! as " as ,~s :I)'" .g~ ~ 51

~ :il.., :I) e € '0 " " .!2·0 as ii t " :il " '" ~ " 0" ;g 0 ~ .c:. " ~ 1: :c 1: ::l e ~ ~ '" e (ij '"~ " '" ~ " " ~

'" :Q c:e Q, 0 '" ::l !: ::l Cl e s:J '" c '" ::l Q, 0 :; ::l '" 1: '"::l

~ t'i 0 '0 '" ::l .~"<: <: <: .... <: c.. ~ :=> u ...J 0 <: (I) u <: u (I) c.. U ~ CC

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Medicinal Plan Is Used in Major Diseases by.

2~~~

5~'1--:..... 1.:>.:>Z

0.5

7 15F<1111 ily

Fig:3. Familywise no. of plant species recorded in the present study.

9 11 1').» 1~~J 21 23 25 27 29

HBP, High Blood PressureUTI: r rmary Track Infection

F.g:4_ No_ of plant species used to ~ (§ffe.-e'"caegolies of ailmenrs

IiLeaf~B_[JTIIlu

OF •.••

El Root.WklIe pHII

o Seed

,/

Fig:5. Uti 1ization pattern of plant parts

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Medicinal Plants Used in Major Diseases bv

Table:l. List of medicinal plants used for curing major ailments by the Dimasa tribe

Plant Name Family Vernacular Parts Used Diseases Method of PreparationAcacia famesiana (l.) Willd. Mimosoceoe Bokul Bark Joundice 1 cup of bork-bciled woler is given

orolly in emply slomachAllium sativum l. liliaceae Shyamfhrangufu Bulb High blood pressure Bulb is edible 10 normalise blood pressure.Andrographis paniwlata Acanthaceae Chirola leaf High blood pressure 1 cup of boiled waler of leaf is(Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees given 10 drink in high blood pressure.Annona squamosa l. Annonaceae Ala Bark Diabetes Bark decoclion is given orally once 0

day in empty stomach.Averrhoea carambola l. Averrhoaceae Kamranga Fruit Jaundice Fruit is prescribed in jaundice.Saccaurea ramiflora lour. Euphorbioceae Khusmai Fruit Jaundice Young fruit is prescribed 10 eat in jaundice.Cojanus cajan (L) Huth Papillionaceae Orol leaf Jaundice Vl cup of leaf juice is given orally in Ihe

morning in empty stornoch.Cotharanthusroseus(l.) G. Don Apocynaceae Khimdari leaf Diabeles leaf juice is given orally in the morning

in emply stomach in diabetes.Chrysopogon aciwlatus (RetL) Trin. Poaceoe Simlai Root Haematuria Rool infusion is given orally.

Citrusaurantifolia Swing. Rulaceae Thaisamicri Fruit High blood pressure Fruit juice is applied on the skull.Clerodendram glandulosum Verbenaceae Misimao Tender leaves High blood pressure Boiled leaf is given orally.Clitorea tematea l. Papillionoceoe Aporojito leaf High blood pressure leaf juice is applied in the skull in high

blood pressure.Cuswta reflexa Roxb. Cuscutoceoe Swarnolota Whole plant Jaundice Boiled water of the plant is given

orally in Jaundice.Entada pursaetha DC. vor, Mimosaceae Suloi Innerportion of Skin cancer Poste of both ihe planl ports is appliedsinohimalensis Gierson & Litsaea Sp. seed. eXlernally in skin cancer.

lauroceae DeslimBark

Fiiws hispida Vahl Moroceae Khandoajala Bark Carbuncles Pasle of the mixlure of 011these ports isapplied externally.

Geodorum densiflorum Orchidaceae laidisa TuberRhaphidophoro glauca Araceae Melhapla leafStephania japonica Menispermaceae Uthar TuberFiws religiosa l. Moraceae profand Root Jaundice Mixture of some quantily of both the

plant ports given orally.Anisameles sp. lamiaceae leaf RoalHoulfuynia cardata Thunb. Sauraraceae Mosokmao leaf Heart problem. Chatni of leave is edible in hearl problem.Hyptis suaveolens (l.) Poit. lamiaceae Tukhma Seed Urinary track Seed is soaked overnight in waler and

infection next morning water is given to drink.Lagenaria sicerararia Cucurbitaceae Melau Fruit, Stem Heart problem, 0) Fruit juice with little amount of salt is(Molina) standley weakness, edible in heart problem, weakness and

preventive of stroke. os preventive of stroke.JAjcheliachampoca 1. Magnoliaceoe Champa Seeds Jaundice 2tbl spn full of seed powder dissolved in

o cup of cold water & is token orally inempty stomsch.

Oroxylum indiwm (l.) Venl. . Bignonioceoe Kholong Bark Jaundice 2 Cup of bark decoction is given orally inempty stomach for few days.

Richardia Scabra l. Rubiaceae Khongkhrairegu shoot Urinary track Shoot poste is applied externolly on theinfection lower abdomen to get relief from

obdomen poin in urine infeclian.Saraca asoca (Roxb) de willed (aesalpiniaceae Ashok Tender leaves jaundice Tender leave juice is given orally in

empty stomach.Sesamum orientale l. Pedaliaceae Shibling Seed High blood pressure Oil is used to apply in the skull in high

blood pressure.Solanum viarum Dunal Solanaceae Khimkatai fruit Heart problem Row or boiled fruit is edible in heart problem.Sysygium Cumini (l) Skeel Myrtaceae Jambu Seed, bark Diabetes Seed powder with water is given orolly in

diabeles. Bark boiled woter is also givento drink in diabetes.

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Medicinal Plants Used in Major Diseases bv.

indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants.Therefore, it is necessary to document theindigenous knowledge of useful plants from thetribe before being lost forever.

Acknowledgement

Authors are thankful to all the Dimasa of BarakValley (South Assam) for co-operating with thesurvey and disclosing their valuable knowledge.

Plant Name Family Vernacular Parts Used Diseases Method of PreparationTermina/ia ariuna (Roxb.) Combretoceae Arjun Bark Heart Problem Bark infusion is given orally in emptyWeight & Am. stomach in heart problem.Tinospora wrdifo/ia Menispermaceae Daothulu shoot Jaundice & Diabetes Pieces of shoot soaked overnight in a glass of

water & in the next morning water is given todrink in empty stomach in jaundice & Diabetes.

Wede/ia (hinensis (Osb.) Merr. Asteraceoe Vringaraj leaf High blood pressure leaf juice is applied in the skull in highblood pressure.

During the field investigation, it has been observedthat the Dimasa as a tribe plays a significant rolein health care through herbal treatment andindigenous knowledge system of herbal practice.Knowledge of medicinal plants is still very richamong the Dimasa tribe, but establishment ofmodem medical health care centers are in progressin many Dimasa inhabited tribal areas and this mayreduce the importance of the existing pattern of

Solanum viarum Dunal

Ocimum basilicum L.

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Medicinal Plants Used in Major Diseases by ..

Houttuynia cordata Thunb.

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Sarcandra glabra (Thumb)

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