traditional knowledge of adi tribe of arunachal pradesh on...

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Vol. 8(2), April 2009, pp. 146-153

Traditional knowledge of Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh on plants

R C Srivastava & Adi community

Botanical Survey of India, Arunachal Pradesh Circle, Post Box No 127, Itanagar 791111, Arunachal Pradesh

E-mail: [email protected]

Received 20 January 2008; revised 9 May 2008

Arunachal Pradesh, falling under Easter Himalayan region one of the global mega-diversity centers, is a botanical

paradise and the home of 110 ethnic communities (tribes) most of which are still forest dwellers and so diverse that they can

not understand each others language. Hindi is gradually becoming popular among the persons, who are near townships. The

paper throws light on different uses of 108 species of plants in day-to-day life of the people belonging to Adi ethnic

community of Arunachal Pradesh.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Adi, Nyishi, Arunachal Pradesh

IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K36/00, A61P1/02, A61P1/04, A61P1/08, A61P5/00, A61P5/50, A61P9/00, A61P11/00, A61P21/00,

A61P29/00, A61P39/02

Ethnobotany is the study of the different uses of

plants in day to day life of the ethnic communities.

The word Ethnobotany was first used by Dr John

Harsberger of the University of Pennsylvania in an

address to the University Archeological Association

on December 04, 1895 to describe the study of plants

used by primitive and aboriginal people and was

widely accepted and first time adopted by J Walter

Fewnes in 1896. The subject ethnobotany is divided

into many sub-disciplines according to sub-groups of

plant kingdom, like, ethnoalgology, ethnomycology,

ethnobryology, ethnopteridology, ethnolichenology,

etc. and special aspects of botany, like classification

systems, medicinal uses, palaeobotany, ecology, etc.

are termed as ethnotaxonomy, ethnomedicobotany,

palaeoethnobotany and ethnoecology respectively.

Now a days the subject is emerging under specialized

titles like ethnopharmacology, ethnomedicine,

ethnogynaecology, ethnopaediatrics, ethnoagriculture,

ethnobiology, ethnomusicology, etc. and separate

journals have been published on some of these

subjects.

Arunachal Pradesh spread over an area of 83,743 sq

km has a rich biodiversity due to variations in altitude

from 150-6,500 m and the unique climatic conditions.

The original inhabitants of Arunachal Pradesh belong

to 26 major tribes and 110 sub-tribes. The tribes have

their own culture, tradition and medicinal system of

treatment and knowledge acquired through close

observation of nature. They are store house of

indigenous knowledge which is yet to be

documented. Only sporadic publications have been

brought out on ethnobotanical knowledge of some

tribes of Arunachal Pradesh1-7

. But comprehensive

and thorough study is yet to be made. People of

Arunachal Pradesh still solely depend up on forest

plants. They use many plants in their day to day life.

During the study, an attempt has been made to

document the traditional knowledge of Adi tribe about

various uses of plants in their day to day life

(Figs 1-17). A scrutiny of the literature and the field

surveys has revealed the information about 108

species. These are enumerated below. The text

includes Latin names (accepted names in bold letters

and synonyms or basionyms in italcs) followed by

family name (in parenthesis) and the vernacular

names in italics.

Abroma augusta (L.) L.f., (Sterculiaceae), Yadukh

Decoction of stem bark is given twice a day for

dysentery and vomiting.

Acacia rugata (Lamk.) Viogt, Acacia concinna,

(Willd.) DC. (Fabaceae), Riji

Paste of pounded stem is thrown into stream to

stupefy the fish.

SRIVASTAVA & ADI COMMUNITY: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF ADI TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH

147

Ageratum conyzoides L., (Asteraceae), Yabum

Leaf paste is applied on swollen parts to relieve

pain. Plant juice is applied twice daily in red eye

(conjunctivitis). All the three tribes apply leaf paste,

leaf juice on cuts and wound to check bleeding and

early healing. Plants are pounded and made into pills

of the size of pea. One pill thrice a day is

administered to cure blood dysentery (colitis).

Alpinia malaccensis Presl, (Zingiberaceae),

Puprere

Fruits are edible and aromatic. Rhizomes are eaten

as boiled vegetable.

Artemisia indica Willd., (Asteraceae), Laglin

Boiled leaves are eaten to get relief from asthma;

aromatic smell of plant clears the nose blockade,

when inhaled. Bath with diluted leaf juice gives relief

in itching and skin allergy. Fresh leaf juice is dropped

in eyes to cure redness of eyes but is painful. Leaf

paste is applied on back, or leaf spread over bed give

relief in back pain. Fomentation by leaves gives relief

in headache.

Arundinaria callosa Munro, (Poaceae), Bud-Buji

Rope made from bark is very hard and durable.

Asplenium phyllitidis D.Don subsp. malesicum

Holttum, (Aspleniaceae), Patatak

Plants used in festival for decoration.

Baliospermum calycinum, Muell. Arg.,

(Euphorbiaceae), Gilgal

Leaves (cooked) are eaten as vegetable.

Bambusa tulda Benth., (Poaceae), Tabbe

Stem is used for making flute locally called eloo. It

is used by priest during Dree festival. The sound is

believed to keep evil spirits away.

Bauhinea variegata L. (Fabaceae), Pacham

Tender leaves and flowers (cooked) are eaten as

vegetable.

Begonia griffithiana(DC.) Warb,.B.episcopalis

Clark, (Begoniaceae),Sudum Meku

Leaves (cooked) are eaten as vegetable, but the

taste is sour.

Blumea fistulosa Kurz. (Asteraceae), Rumdum

Leaves (cooked) are eaten as vegetable; boiled leaf

is given in diarrhoea.

Callicarpa arborea Miq. ex C.B.Clarke

(Verbenaceae), Tato,Yalu, Yahorin

Tender branches are used as tooth brush for relief

in toothache. Paste of leaf or bark is applied on

scorpion sting. Bark is used for skin diseases; also

used as substitute for Areca catechu by old people.

Campylandra aurantiaca Baker, (Liliaceae), Dipa

Talo

Pieces of rhizomes are taken as tonic and in

stomach disorders, considered to be aphrodisiac.

Carica papaya L., (Caricaceae), Omita

Three or four flowers are boiled and taken twice a

day to improve hearing capacity. Boiled raw fruits

with salt or ripe fruits are eaten to increase lactation.

Chenopodium album Bosc. ex Moq.

(Chenopodiaceae), Taye

Seeds are eaten; also used in preparing local drink,

Apong. Seed paste is added to boil rice and water;

mixture is kept for two days to increase the rate of

fermentation.

Chromolaena odoratum (L.), R M King &

H.Robinson, (Asteraceae), Telimbabo

Leaf juice and paste is applied in fresh cuts and

wounds to stop bleeding and to relieve pain.

Fomentation with young leaves gives relief in

headache and fever by Nyishi tribe.

Citrus medica L., (Rutaceae), Jipin

Ripe fruits (sweet tasted) are eaten.

Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp.,

(Verbenaceae), Tapen

Tender leaves are taken as vegetable; leaf-

decoction (3-4 teaspoonful) twice daily is considered

effective in reducing blood pressure.

Clerodendrum kaempferi (Jacq.) Siebold., C.

squamatum Vahl, (Verbenaceae), Tapen

Tender leaves are eaten as vegetable.

Coptis teeta Wall. (Ranunculaceae), Rinko;

Idu-Aro

Rhizomes with water are eaten as tonic; also taken

in fever, headache and gastric trouble.

Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore,

(Asteraceae), Hogegain

INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 8, NO. 2, APRIL 2009

148

Whole plant is eaten either fresh or boiled; leaf

juice is applied on cuts to prevent bleeding; pain is

relieved and the wound is healed up quickly.

Crepis japonica Benth (Asteraceae), Rum Dum

Entire plant is cooked as vegetable; fresh leaves are

eaten.

Cyathea andersonii (Schott. ex Bedd.) Copel,

(Cyatheaceae), Taste

Core is dried removing the stem bark and ground;

powder thus obtained is used as substitute of wheat

flour.

Cyathea spinulosa Wall. ex Hook.,

(Cyatheaceae),Tange

Stems (after removing bark) are fed to cattle.

Cyclosorus parasiticus (L.) Farewel

(Thelypteridaceae), Rukdik

Tender shoots (fronds) are used for giving

fomentation to the gout and rheumatism.

Debregeasia longifolia Wedd. (Urticaceae),

Jirepole

Tender leaves are boiled and taken; fruits are eaten

by birds.

Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex Munro,

(Poaceae),Ea

Tender shoot is used to prepare hiyup, a sour-tasted

pickle. Stem is used in religious and marriage

ceremony; scape, locally called hipuk is particularly

used in marriage ceremony. Beotop, a kind of

umbrella is made from scape.

Dendrocalamus strictus Nees (Poaceae), Taok

This is planted in house and in places of worship. It

is believed to keep devil spirits away; plant is used in

Meoko festival for decoration. Stem is used for

making arrow. Bark is used as rope which is very

hard.

Dicranopteris linearis (N.Burm.) Underw,

(Gleicheniaceae), Ollo

Inner core of stem after removing bark are fastened

on chest and belly for protection against arrow.

Drymaria diandra Bl. (Caryophyllaceae), Kado

kairo

Leaf-juice is applied to skin diseases. Whole plant

paste mixed with bile of goat, boar or fish is applied

on ringworm. Vapour of stem and leaf juice gives

relief in sinus. Adi people mix 3-4 plants with fruits of

guava and eat in gastric problem.

Elatostema platyphyllum Wedd., (Urticaceae),

Sakobadha

Fresh root juice is used for vomiting.

Eleusine coracana Gaertn., (Poaceae), Tami

Country liquor Apung is made from the grains; ash

of grain (Tachoo) is taken twice in cough, cold,

congestion and for neutralizing wine.

Elsholtzia blanda Benth. (Lamiaceae), Bok Pomro

Tender leaf paste with common salt is applied to

old wounds of cattle to clear of pus and maggot.

Equisetum ramossissium var. debile (Roxb. ex

DC.)Hauke, E. debile Roxb. ex DC., (Equisetaceae),

Isstape

Plant is used by the local priest in religious

ceremony.

Erianthus rufipilus Griseb., (Poaceae), Pilu

Tender stem (culm) is eaten when one is thirsty

while working in the jungle; entire plant is used in

festivals for decoration.

Erigeron bonariensis Hort. ex Link (Asteraceae),

Daglentado

Vapour of leaves is inhaled in sinus problems.

Eryngium foetidum Forsk. (Apiaceae), Hariyo

Paste of stem and leaves is applied on forehead in

headache. Seed-powder is used in madness. Leaves

are used to make chutney with leaves of Centella

asiatica.

Fagopyrum esculantum Moench. (Polygonaceae),

Amintatek

Leaves are cooked and served as vegetable; ripe

fruits are eaten.

Ficus auriculata Lour. (Moraceae), Hote

Ripe fruits are eaten.

Ficus hirta Vahl, F.roxburghii Miq. (Moraceae),

Takchi

Fruits are given to pigs as food.


149

Forrestia mollissima Kood, (Commelinaceae),

Tachar Parin

Entire plant is crushed and the juice is applied to

the arrowhead to make the arrow poison.

Gerbera piloselloides Cass (Asteraceae), Pangnesir

Leaves are used for giving hot fomentation to

relieve rheumatic pain.

Gnaphalium affine D. Don (Asteraceae), Buli

Dried plants are used as fuel.

Grewia serrulata DC. (Tiliaceae), Hakobangi

Stem bark is used as rope.

Hedychium gracile Roxb. (Zingiberaceae), Bibu

Plant is offered to drive away evil spirit by local

priest called Dundai, when a person is suffering from

diseases.

Hydrangia robusta Hook.f. & Thoms.

(Hydrangeaceae), Takmi

Leaves are cooked and served as vegetable.

Limacia oblonga Miers, (Menispermaceae),

Titmilie

Ripe sweet fruits are edible.

Litsea citrata Bl., (Lauraceae), Taier

Both ripe and unripe fruits are edible; used as

substitute of spices during preparation of vegetables,

curry and meat. Pickle is prepared from the fragrant

fruit.

Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (Lauraceae), Tayer

Pounded fruits and leaves mixed with water are

orally taken twice daily in blood dysentery, stomach

trouble and fever. Leaf paste is also applied on

forehead in case of headache. Fresh ripe or unripe

fruits are eaten as a remedy for cold and cough and

also for good sleep. Fresh fruits are edible and also

used as spice; fruits and seeds are used as condiment.

Seeds are chewed in case of thread worm infection.

Aqueous paste of bark is applied on bone fracture.

Lycopodium clavatum L. (Lycopodiaceae),

Dogomiri

Entire plant is used in marriage ceremony for

decoration.

Macaranga denticulata (Bl.) Muell.-Arg.,

(Euphorbiaceae), Yaduk

Leaves are used during religious and marriage

ceremony; leaf juice is applied on wounds.

Melastoma malabathricum L. (Melastomataceae),

Pudiraju

Fruits are edible; stem is used as toothbrush; fruits

cause shining of teeth; fruits are offered to God for

better yield of paddy.

Melothria heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn.,

(Cucrubitaceae), Kubumiku

Unripe and ripe fruits are eaten.

Metathelpteris gracilescens (Bl.) Ching,

(Thelypteridaceae), Rudtak

Frond juice is applied on itching. Fronds are also

useful in cuts for immediate healing. The pinnae are

warmed above fire and tied with the help of a cloth to

relieve body ache. Fronds are used in small quantity

in preparation of local drink (Apung) by ethnic

groups; fronds are kept over flame to make hot for

fermentation twice or thrice a day for two days to

relieve body pain.

Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (Fabaceae), Dimpa

Stem-juice is applied on eyes to relieve pain and to

cure diseases.

Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack. (Rutaceae),

Nyibumtarum

Ripe fruits are eaten.

Musa acuminata Colla (Musaceae), Kulu

Fruits are edible when ripe; unripe fruits are used as

vegetable.

Musa sapientum L. (Musaceae), Kulu

Fruits and stem are taken as food. Fruits are eaten

by pig. Entire plants are used in all festivals. Juice of

stem and leaves are applied over swollen feet and skin

disorders.

Mussaenda roxburghii Hook. f. (Rubiaceae),

Tangmeng

Leaves are cooked and served as vegetable.

Mycetia longifolia (Wall.) O. Ktze, (Rubiaceae),

Tangmge

Leaves are cooked and eaten as vegetable.


150

Odontosoria chinensis (L.) J.Smith,,Trichomanes

chinense L., Sphenomeris chinensis (L.) Maxon,

(Lindsaeaceae), Getepatey

Paste of fronds is rubbed against swollen portion of

body and sprain of feet.

Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. f. (Melastomataceae),

Pudirasa

Ripe fruits are edible.

Osbeckia nutans Wall. ex C.B. Clarke

(Melastomataceae), Jikenemi

Ripe fruits are edible; important plant used in all

kind of festivals by Adi tribe.

Oxyspora paniculata (D. Don) DC.,

(Melastomataceae ), Porkejale

Stem is used as tooth brush (datoon), fruits are

eaten for shining of teeth, flowers are offered to

deities to get better yield of paddy; stem after

removing bark is eaten.

Perilla ocymoides L., Perilla frutescens Britton,

(Lamiaceae), Namdung

Seed paste is used to enhance the taste of curry-

soup; also used as a substitute of mustard oil or

spices. A sweet dish (Laddu) is prepared in Pasighat

area of East Siang district from its flour, which smells

like that of Alsi or Teesi (Linum usitassimum.).

Leaves are eaten as vegetable.

Physalis minima L., (Solanaceae), Bodopati

Juice extracted from crushed leaves and fruits are

administered with water twice daily for at least one

week as remedy for gastric troble by Adi and Apatani

people. Berries are edible.

Pilea bracteosa Wedd. (Urticaceae), Guge

Fresh or cooked leaves are used as vegetable.

Piper attenuatum Buch.- Ham. ex Wall.,

(Piperaceae), Dolopann

Fresh leaves are mixed with tobacco leaves and

used for smoking.

Piper sylvaticum Roxb., (Piperaceae), Rari

Leaves are used as vegetable.

Plantago erosa Wall. (Plantginaceae), Doni-

hankang

Leaves either raw or boiled are used as vegetable

and considered as remedy for constipation; also

improves digestion.

Polygonum chinensis var. ovalifolia Meissn.,

(Polygonaceae), Amintaktabe

Ripe sweet fruits are eaten.

Polygonum pubescens Bl. (Polygonaceae), Tamu

Whole plant paste is thrown into stream. This

stupefies the fish and makes them float up, helping an

easy catch.

Polygonum nepalense Meissn., (Polygonaceae),

Ruri

Entire plant is crushed and eaten as chutney.

Pouzolzia hirta Hassk. (Urticaceae), Oike

Stem and leaves are used as vegetable. It is

considered by Adi tribes to increase lactation in

women.

Pronephrium lakhimpurense (Rosenst.) Holttum,

Dryopteris lakhimpurense Rosenst,

Abacopterislakhimpurense (Rosenst.) Ching,

(Thelypteridaceae), Ruhra

Whole plant is used in worship of God during

illness.

Pseudocyclosorus tylodes (Kunze) Ching,

Thelypteris tylodes (Kunze) Ching,

Aspidium tylodes Kunze, (Thelypteridaceae), Rukdik

Dried fronds powder mixed with pounded rice and

water is kept for at least for two days for fermentation

to prepare local liquor Apong.

Pteridium aquilinum (L.)Kuhn, Pteris aquilina L.,

(Pteridaceae) Rukji

Whole plant is used by the local priest in religious

ceremony.

Quercus dealbata Hook.f. & Thoms, ex Miq.,

(Fagaceae), Rajap

Leaves and flowers are used in Apatani festivals;

woods are used for preparing poles and wooden

materials for house construction.

Rhaphidophora decursiva Schott. (Araceae),

Tachitali

Plant is used in festivals to keep the evil spirits

away.

Rhaphidophora lancifolia Schott., (Araceae),

Tachitale

Entire plant is used in religious ceremony to cure

disease.


151

Rhynchotechum calycinum C.B. Clarke

(Gesneriaceae), Jaro

Leaves are used in funeral ceremony. Leaves are

cooked as vegetable.

Rubia manjith Roxb. ex Flem. (Rubiaceae), Tamin

Plant is used as red dye; stem decoction is used to

dye yarn red; roots are also used as red dye for

colouring of clothes, articles, etc. Powdered root

mixed with water is taken orally against cold and

cough; often roots are chewed for the same purpose;

root powder is also applied on forehead in case of

headache.

Rubus insignis Hook. f., (Rosaceae), Taptere

Leaves are eaten with bark of Callicarpa arborea

var. ovalifolia as substitute of betel (Piper betel)

leaves; lip turns red. Ripe sweet fruits are eaten.

Rubus paniculata Smith, (Rosaceae), Taptara

Leaves are eaten by Adi children as substitute for

betel leaves. Ripe sweet fruits are eaten.

Rubus rosaefolius Smith, (Rosaceae), Kibo-lepum

Sour fruits are edible.

Sapium baccatum Roxb. (Euphorbiaceae), Shigum

Sweet fruits are edible.

Saurauia armata Kurz, (Saurauiaceae), Himpum

Ripe fruits are edible. Sweet crushed young twigs

and leaves are applied on cuts and wounds to stop

bleeding and for healing.

Saurauia roxburghii Wall., (Saurauiaceae), Hinche

Leaves are used for preparing country liquor.

Bamboo basket is wrapped with leaves, boiled with

water and kept within the pot for few days. Leaves

promote quick fermentation. Ripe fruits are eaten.

Scoparia dulcis L. (Scrophulariaceae)

Paste of three to four plants with rhizome of

Curcuma longa paste is taken twice daily for the

treatment of jaundice and diabetes.

Selaginella wallichii (Hook. et Greve) Spring,

(Selaginellaceae), Hojum

Tender leaves are cooked and served as vegetable.

Sida acuta Burm. f. (Malvaceae), Holap

Tender leaves are cooked and taken as vegetable.

Silene heterophylla Freyn., (Caryophyllaceae),

Kubumeku


Solanum indicum L., (Solanaceae), Sotabayom

Fried fruits are eaten; bitter in taste.

Solanum kurzii Brace ex Prain, (Solanaceae), Tita

Baigun

Fruits are cooked as vegetable.

Solanum nigrum L., (Solanaceae)

Stem and leaves are used as vegetable and

considered digestive and as liver tonic. Berries are

eaten raw; raw/cooked leaves are eaten.

Solanum torvum Swartz, (Solanaceae), Byako

Fruits are cooked as vegetable.

Spilanthes paniculata Wall., (Asteraceae), Marsang

Flowers are chewed to cure toothache.

Spiradiclis bifida Wall. ex Kurz (Rubiaceae),Sokho

Leaves are boiled and taken as vegetable.

Styxis suaveolens Pierre Roydsia suaveolens Roxb,

(Capparaceae), Titegille


Symplocos racemosa Grah, (Styraceae), Tumle

Plants are used in religious ceremonies.

Tacca integrifolia Ker-Gawl. (Taccaceae), Tagoon

Rhizome paste is applied in wounds and in cracks

of heels for healing. Berries pounded and mixed with

water are taken in dysentery. It is also effective in

stomach disorder and stomach pain; decoction of

leaves along with normal salt is prescribed orally to

the patients suffering from blood dysentery and acute

diarrhoea. Overdose acts as poison; taste is bitter;

stem is cut into pieces, made into bundles, wrapped

with leaves and roasted on fire; juice thus extracted is

used to poison arrow heads.

Terminalia myriocarpa Van Heurck. & Muell.-

Arg., (Combretaceae), Gilak

Plants yield timber.

Thelypteris glanduligera (Kunze) Ching,

Thelypteris gracilescens var. glanduligera Kunze,

(Thelypteridaceae), Rukdik

Entire plant is used for preparing country liquor.

Leaves are used for giving hot fomentation to get

relief from pain.


152


153

Thunbergia coccinea Wall. ex D.Don,

(Acanthaceae), Pakrega

Flowers are used in festivals for decoration.

Trevesia palmata (Roxb.)Vis., (Araliaceae), Tago

Fruits are used as fish poison. Fruit paste mixed in

the water stream or pond stupefies the fish, facilitating

an easy catch.

Villebrunea frutescens Bl. (Urticaceae), Tappen

Dried leaf paste is applied as on skin diseases and

the wounds due to burn. Fresh leaves are used as a

poultice over cuts to relieve pain and to cure wounds.

Villebrunea integrifolia Gaudich., (Urticaceae),

Tane

Bark is used as rope; sometimes used as a substitute

of cotton thread for preparing fishing net.

Acknowledgement Author is grateful to the Director, Botanical Survey

of India, for facilities.

References

1 Pal G D, Observations on Ethnobotany of tribals of

Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh, Bull Bot Surv India, 26 (122)

1984, 26-37.

2 Pal G D, Observations on Less known interesting tribal uses

of plants in lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh, J

Econ Tax Bot Addl Ser, 10 (1992) 199-203.

3 Bhuyan L R, Ethnobotany: its scope in Arunachal Pradesh,

Arunachal For News, 17 (1999) 8-12.

4 Bisht N S & G Murtem, Ethnomycology of some local tribes

of Arunachal Pradesh, Arunachal For News, 17 (1999)

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5 Kohli Y P, Nontraditional Foods and Ethnobotanical Plants

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6 Thomas S, Haridasan K & Borthakur S K, (1998)

Ethnobotanical observations on ratten palms among the Adi

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(1988) 22-26.

7 Thothatri K & G D Pal, Further contributions to the

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