Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 8(2), April 2009, pp. 146-153

Traditional knowledge of Adi 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 () 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 : , 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 their own culture, tradition and medicinal system of plants in day to day life of the ethnic communities. treatment and knowledge acquired through close The word Ethnobotany was first used by Dr John observation of nature. They are store house of Harsberger of the University of Pennsylvania in an indigenous knowledge which is yet to be address to the University Archeological Association documented. Only sporadic publications have been on December 04, 1895 to describe the study of plants brought out on ethnobotanical knowledge of some used by primitive and aboriginal people and was tribes of Arunachal Pradesh 1-7. But comprehensive widely accepted and first time adopted by J Walter and thorough study is yet to be made. People of Fewnes in 1896. The subject ethnobotany is divided Arunachal Pradesh still solely depend up on forest into many sub-disciplines according to sub-groups of plants. They use many plants in their day to day life. plant kingdom, like, ethnoalgology, , During the study, an attempt has been made to ethnobryology, ethnopteridology, ethnolichenology, document the traditional knowledge of Adi tribe about etc. and special aspects of botany, like classification various uses of plants in their day to day life systems, medicinal uses, palaeobotany, ecology, etc. (Figs 1-17). A scrutiny of the literature and the field are termed as ethnotaxonomy, ethnomedicobotany, surveys has revealed the information about 108 palaeoethnobotany and respectively. species. These are enumerated below. The text Now a days the subject is emerging under specialized includes Latin names (accepted names in bold letters titles like ethnopharmacology, , and synonyms or basionyms in italcs) followed by ethnogynaecology, ethnopaediatrics, ethnoagriculture, family name (in parenthesis) and the vernacular , , etc. and separate names in italics. journals have been published on some of these subjects. Abroma augusta (L.) L.f., (Sterculiaceae), Yadukh Decoction of stem bark is given twice a day for dysentery and vomiting. Arunachal Pradesh spread over an area of 83,743 sq km has a rich biodiversity due to variations in altitude Acacia rugata (Lamk.) Viogt, Acacia concinna , from 150-6,500 m and the unique climatic conditions. (Willd.) DC. (Fabaceae ), Riji The original inhabitants of Arunachal Pradesh belong Paste of pounded stem is thrown into stream to to 26 major tribes and 110 sub-tribes. The tribes have stupefy the fish. SRIVASTAVA & ADI COMMUNITY: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF ADI TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 147

Ageratum conyzoides L., (Asteraceae), Yabum Callicarpa arborea Miq. ex C.B.Clarke Leaf paste is applied on swollen parts to relieve (Verbenaceae), Tato,Yalu, Yahorin pain. Plant juice is applied twice daily in red eye Tender branches are used as tooth brush for relief (conjunctivitis). All the three tribes apply leaf paste, in toothache. Paste of leaf or bark is applied on leaf juice on cuts and wound to check bleeding and scorpion sting. Bark is used for skin diseases; also early healing. Plants are pounded and made into pills used as substitute for Areca catechu by old people. of the size of pea. One pill thrice a day is administered to cure blood dysentery (colitis). Campylandra aurantiaca Baker, (Liliaceae), Dipa Talo Alpinia malaccensis Presl, (Zingiberaceae), Pieces of rhizomes are taken as tonic and in Puprere stomach disorders, considered to be aphrodisiac. Fruits are edible and aromatic. Rhizomes are eaten as boiled vegetable. Carica papaya L., (Caricaceae), Omita Three or four flowers are boiled and taken twice a Artemisia indica Willd., (Asteraceae), Laglin day to improve hearing capacity. Boiled raw fruits Boiled leaves are eaten to get relief from asthma; with salt or ripe fruits are eaten to increase lactation. aromatic smell of plant clears the nose blockade, when inhaled. Bath with diluted leaf juice gives relief Chenopodium album Bosc. ex Moq. in itching and skin allergy. Fresh leaf juice is dropped (Chenopodiaceae), Taye in eyes to cure redness of eyes but is painful. Leaf Seeds are eaten; also used in preparing local drink, paste is applied on back, or leaf spread over bed give Apong . Seed paste is added to boil rice and water; relief in back pain. Fomentation by leaves gives relief mixture is kept for two days to increase the rate of in headache. fermentation.

Arundinaria callosa Munro, (Poaceae), Bud-Buji Chromolaena odoratum (L.), R M King & Rope made from bark is very hard and durable. H.Robinson, (Asteraceae), Telimbabo Leaf juice and paste is applied in fresh cuts and Asplenium phyllitidis D.Don subsp. malesicum wounds to stop bleeding and to relieve pain. Holttum, (Aspleniaceae), Patatak Fomentation with young leaves gives relief in Plants used in festival for decoration. headache and fever by Nyishi tribe.

Baliospermum calycinum , Muell. Arg., Citrus medica L., (Rutaceae), Jipin (Euphorbiaceae), Gilgal Ripe fruits (sweet tasted) are eaten. Leaves (cooked) are eaten as vegetable.

Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp., Bambusa tulda Benth., (Poaceae), Tabbe (Verbenaceae), Tapen Stem is used for making flute locally called eloo . It Tender leaves are taken as vegetable; leaf- is used by priest during Dree festival. The sound is decoction (3-4 teaspoonful) twice daily is considered believed to keep evil spirits away. effective in reducing blood pressure. Bauhinea variegata L. (Fabaceae), Pacham Tender leaves and flowers (cooked) are eaten as Clerodendrum kaempferi (Jacq.) Siebold. , C. vegetable. squamatum Vahl, (Verbenaceae), Tapen Tender leaves are eaten as vegetable. Begonia griffithiana (DC.) Warb,. B.episcopalis Clark, (Begoniaceae), Sudum Meku Coptis teeta Wall. (Ranunculaceae), Rinko; Leaves (cooked) are eaten as vegetable, but the Idu-Aro taste is sour. Rhizomes with water are eaten as tonic; also taken in fever, headache and gastric trouble. Blumea fistulosa Kurz. (Asteraceae), Rumdum Leaves (cooked) are eaten as vegetable; boiled leaf Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore, is given in diarrhoea. (Asteraceae), Hogegain 148 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 8, NO. 2, APRIL 2009

Whole plant is eaten either fresh or boiled; leaf on ringworm. Vapour of stem and leaf juice gives juice is applied on cuts to prevent bleeding; pain is relief in sinus. Adi people mix 3-4 plants with fruits of relieved and the wound is healed up quickly. guava and eat in gastric problem.

Crepis japonica Benth (Asteraceae), Rum Dum Elatostema platyphyllum Wedd., (Urticaceae), Entire plant is cooked as vegetable; fresh leaves are Sakobadha eaten. Fresh root juice is used for vomiting.

Cyathea andersonii (Schott. ex Bedd.) Copel, Eleusine coracana Gaertn., (Poaceae), Tami (Cyatheaceae), Taste Country liquor Apung is made from the grains; ash Core is dried removing the stem bark and ground; of grain ( Tachoo ) is taken twice in cough, cold, powder thus obtained is used as substitute of wheat congestion and for neutralizing wine. flour.

Cyathea spinulosa Wall. ex Hook., Elsholtzia blanda Benth. (Lamiaceae) , Bok Pomro (Cyatheaceae), Tange Tender leaf paste with common salt is applied to Stems (after removing bark) are fed to cattle. old wounds of cattle to clear of pus and maggot.

Cyclosorus parasiticus (L.) Farewel Equisetum ramossissium var. debile (Roxb. ex (Thelypteridaceae), Rukdik DC.)Hauke, E. debile Roxb. ex DC., (Equisetaceae), Tender shoots (fronds) are used for giving Isstape fomentation to the gout and rheumatism. Plant is used by the local priest in religious ceremony. Debregeasia longifolia Wedd. (Urticaceae), Jirepole Tender leaves are boiled and taken; fruits are eaten Erianthus rufipilus Griseb., (Poaceae), Pilu by birds. Tender stem (culm) is eaten when one is thirsty while working in the jungle; entire plant is used in Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex Munro, festivals for decoration. (Poaceae) ,Ea Tender shoot is used to prepare hiyup , a sour-tasted Erigeron bonariensis Hort. ex Link (Asteraceae), pickle. Stem is used in religious and marriage Daglentado ceremony; scape, locally called hipuk is particularly Vapour of leaves is inhaled in sinus problems. used in marriage ceremony. Beotop , a kind of umbrella is made from scape. Eryngium foetidum Forsk. (Apiaceae) , Hariyo Paste of stem and leaves is applied on forehead in Dendrocalamus strictus Nees (Poaceae ), Taok headache. Seed-powder is used in madness. Leaves This is planted in house and in places of worship. It are used to make chutney with leaves of Centella is believed to keep devil spirits away; plant is used in asiatica . Meoko festival for decoration. Stem is used for making arrow. Bark is used as rope which is very Fagopyrum esculantum Moench. (Polygonaceae), hard. Amintatek Dicranopteris linearis (N.Burm.) Underw, Leaves are cooked and served as vegetable; ripe (Gleicheniaceae), Ollo fruits are eaten. Inner core of stem after removing bark are fastened on chest and belly for protection against arrow. Ficus auriculata Lour. (Moraceae), Hote Ripe fruits are eaten. Drymaria diandra Bl. (Caryophyllaceae), Kado kairo Ficus hirta Vahl, F .roxburghii Miq. (Moraceae), Leaf-juice is applied to skin diseases. Whole plant Takchi paste mixed with bile of goat, boar or fish is applied Fruits are given to pigs as food. SRIVASTAVA & ADI COMMUNITY: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF ADI TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 149

Forrestia mollissima Kood, (Commelinaceae), Macaranga denticulata (Bl.) Muell.-Arg., Tachar Parin (Euphorbiaceae), Yaduk Entire plant is crushed and the juice is applied to Leaves are used during religious and marriage the arrowhead to make the arrow poison. ceremony; leaf juice is applied on wounds.

Gerbera piloselloides Cass (Asteraceae) , Pangnesir Melastoma malabathricum L. (Melastomataceae), Leaves are used for giving hot fomentation to Pudiraju relieve rheumatic pain. Fruits are edible; stem is used as toothbrush; fruits cause shining of teeth; fruits are offered to God for Gnaphalium affine D. Don (Asteraceae), Buli better yield of paddy. Dried plants are used as fuel. Melothria heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn.,

(Cucrubitaceae), Kubumiku Grewia serrulata DC. (Tiliaceae), Hakobangi Unripe and ripe fruits are eaten. Stem bark is used as rope.

Metathelpteris gracilescens (Bl.) Ching, Hedychium gracile Roxb. (Zingiberaceae), Bibu (Thelypteridaceae), Rudtak Plant is offered to drive away evil spirit by local Frond juice is applied on itching. Fronds are also priest called Dundai , when a person is suffering from useful in cuts for immediate healing. The pinnae are diseases. warmed above fire and tied with the help of a cloth to relieve body ache. Fronds are used in small quantity Hydrangia robusta Hook.f. & Thoms. in preparation of local drink ( Apung ) by ethnic (Hydrangeaceae), Takmi groups; fronds are kept over flame to make hot for Leaves are cooked and served as vegetable. fermentation twice or thrice a day for two days to relieve body pain. Limacia oblonga Miers, (Menispermaceae), Titmilie Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (Fabaceae), Dimpa Ripe sweet fruits are edible. Stem-juice is applied on eyes to relieve pain and to cure diseases. Litsea citrata Bl., (Lauraceae), Taier Both ripe and unripe fruits are edible; used as Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack. (Rutacea e), substitute of spices during preparation of vegetables, Nyibumtarum curry and meat. Pickle is prepared from the fragrant Ripe fruits are eaten. fruit. Musa acuminata Colla (Musaceae), Kulu Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (Lauraceae), Tayer Fruits are edible when ripe; unripe fruits are used as Pounded fruits and leaves mixed with water are vegetable. orally taken twice daily in blood dysentery, stomach trouble and fever. Leaf paste is also applied on Musa sapientum L. (Musaceae ), Kulu forehead in case of headache. Fresh ripe or unripe Fruits and stem are taken as food. Fruits are eaten fruits are eaten as a remedy for cold and cough and by pig. Entire plants are used in all festivals. Juice of also for good sleep. Fresh fruits are edible and also stem and leaves are applied over swollen feet and skin used as spice; fruits and seeds are used as condiment. disorders.

Seeds are chewed in case of thread worm infection. Mussaenda roxburghii Hook. f. (Rubiaceae), Aqueous paste of bark is applied on bone fracture. Tangmeng

Leaves are cooked and served as vegetable. Lycopodium clavatum L. (Lycopodiaceae), Dogomiri Mycetia longifolia (Wall.) O. Ktze, (Rubiaceae), Entire plant is used in marriage ceremony for Tangmge decoration. Leaves are cooked and eaten as vegetable.

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Odontosoria chinensis (L.) J.Smith,, Trichomanes Polygonum chinensis var. ovalifolia Meissn., chinense L., Sphenomeris chinensis (L.) Maxon, (Polygonaceae), Amintaktabe (Lindsaeaceae), Getepatey Ripe sweet fruits are eaten. Paste of fronds is rubbed against swollen portion of body and sprain of feet . Polygonum pubescens Bl. (Polygonaceae), Tamu Whole plant paste is thrown into stream. This Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. f. (Melastomataceae), stupefies the fish and makes them float up, helping an Pudirasa easy catch. Ripe fruits are edible. Polygonum nepalense Meissn., (Polygonaceae), Osbeckia nutans Wall. ex C.B. Clarke Ruri (Melastomataceae), Jikenemi Entire plant is crushed and eaten as chutney . Ripe fruits are edible; important plant used in all kind of festivals by Adi tribe. Pouzolzia hirta Hassk. (Urticaceae), Oike Stem and leaves are used as vegetable. It is Oxyspora paniculata (D. Don) DC., considered by Adi tribes to increase lactation in (Melastomataceae ), Porkejale women. Stem is used as tooth brush ( datoon ), fruits are eaten for shining of teeth, flowers are offered to Pronephrium lakhimpurense (Rosenst.) Holttum, deities to get better yield of paddy; stem after Dryopteris lakhimpurense Rosenst, removing bark is eaten. Abacopterislakhimpurense (Rosenst.) Ching, (Thelypteridaceae), Ruhra Perilla ocymoides L., Perilla frutescens Britton, Whole plant is used in worship of God during (Lamiaceae), Namdung illness. Seed paste is used to enhance the taste of curry- soup; also used as a substitute of mustard oil or Pseudocyclosorus tylodes (Kunze) Ching, spices. A sweet dish ( Laddu ) is prepared in Pasighat Thelypteris tylodes (Kunze) Ching, area of East Siang district from its flour, which smells Aspidium tylodes Kunze, (Thelypteridaceae), Rukdik like that of Alsi or Teesi ( Linum usitassimum .). Dried fronds powder mixed with pounded rice and Leaves are eaten as vegetable. water is kept for at least for two days for fermentation to prepare local liquor Apong . Physalis minima L., (Solanaceae), Bodopati Juice extracted from crushed leaves and fruits are Pteridium aquilinum (L.)Kuhn, Pteris aquilina L., administered with water twice daily for at least one (Pteridaceae) Rukji week as remedy for gastric troble by Adi and Apatani Whole plant is used by the local priest in religious people. Berries are edible. ceremony.

Pilea bracteosa Wedd. (Urticaceae), Guge Quercus dealbata Hook.f. & Thoms, ex Miq., Fresh or cooked leaves are used as vegetable. (Fagaceae), Rajap

Piper attenuatum Buch.- Ham. ex Wall., Leaves and flowers are used in Apatani festivals; (Piperaceae), Dolopann woods are used for preparing poles and wooden Fresh leaves are mixed with tobacco leaves and materials for house construction. used for smoking. Rhaphidophora decursiva Schott. (Araceae), Piper sylvaticum Roxb., (Piperaceae), Rari Tachitali Leaves are used as vegetable. Plant is used in festivals to keep the evil spirits away. Plantago erosa Wall. (Plantginaceae), Doni- hankang Rhaphidophora lancifolia Schott., (Araceae), Leaves either raw or boiled are used as vegetable Tachitale and considered as remedy for constipation; also Entire plant is used in religious ceremony to cure improves digestion. disease. SRIVASTAVA & ADI COMMUNITY: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF ADI TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 151

Rhynchotechum calycinum C.B. Clarke Silene heterophylla Freyn., (Caryophyllaceae), (Gesneriaceae), Jaro Kubumeku Leaves are used in funeral ceremony. Leaves are Sweet fruits are edible. cooked as vegetable. Solanum indicum L., (Solanaceae), Sotabayom Rubia manjith Roxb. ex Flem. (Rubiaceae), Tamin Fried fruits are eaten; bitter in taste. Plant is used as red dye; stem decoction is used to dye yarn red; roots are also used as red dye for Solanum kurzii Brace ex Prain, (Solanaceae), Tita colouring of clothes, articles, etc. Powdered root Baigun mixed with water is taken orally against cold and Fruits are cooked as vegetable. cough; often roots are chewed for the same purpose; Solanum nigrum L., (Solanaceae) root powder is also applied on forehead in case of Stem and leaves are used as vegetable and headache. considered digestive and as liver tonic. Berries are

eaten raw; raw/cooked leaves are eaten. Rubus insignis Hook. f., (Rosaceae), Taptere

Leaves are eaten with bark of Callicarpa arborea Solanum torvum Swartz, (Solanaceae), Byako var. ovalifolia as substitute of betel ( Piper betel ) Fruits are cooked as vegetable. leaves; lip turns red. Ripe sweet fruits are eaten. Spilanthes paniculata Wall., (Asteraceae), Marsang Rubus paniculata Smith, (Rosaceae), Taptara Flowers are chewed to cure toothache. Leaves are eaten by Adi children as substitute for betel leaves. Ripe sweet fruits are eaten. Spiradiclis bifida Wall. ex Kurz (Rubiaceae), Sokho Leaves are boiled and taken as vegetable. Rubus rosaefolius Smith, (Rosaceae), Kibo-lepum Styxis suaveolens Pierre Roydsia suaveolens Roxb, Sour fruits are edible. (Capparaceae), Titegille

Sweet fruits are edible. Sapium baccatum Roxb. (Euphorbiaceae), Shigum Sweet fruits are edible. Symplocos racemosa Grah, (Styraceae), Tumle Plants are used in religious ceremonies. Saurauia armata Kurz, (Saurauiaceae), Himpum Ripe fruits are edible. Sweet crushed young twigs Tacca integrifolia Ker-Gawl. (Taccaceae), Tagoon and leaves are applied on cuts and wounds to stop Rhizome paste is applied in wounds and in cracks bleeding and for healing. of heels for healing. Berries pounded and mixed with water are taken in dysentery. It is also effective in Saurauia roxburghii Wall., (Saurauiaceae), Hinche stomach disorder and stomach pain; decoction of Leaves are used for preparing country liquor. leaves along with normal salt is prescribed orally to Bamboo basket is wrapped with leaves, boiled with the patients suffering from blood dysentery and acute water and kept within the pot for few days. Leaves diarrhoea. Overdose acts as poison; taste is bitter; promote quick fermentation. Ripe fruits are eaten. stem is cut into pieces, made into bundles, wrapped with leaves and roasted on fire; juice thus extracted is Scoparia dulcis L. (Scrophulariaceae) used to poison arrow heads.

Paste of three to four plants with rhizome of Terminalia myriocarpa Van Heurck. & Muell.- Curcuma longa paste is taken twice daily for the Arg., (Combretaceae), Gilak treatment of jaundice and diabetes. Plants yield timber.

Selaginella wallichii (Hook. et Greve) Spring, Thelypteris glanduligera (Kunze) Ching, (Selaginellaceae), Hojum Thelypteris gracilescens var. glanduligera Kunze, Tender leaves are cooked and served as vegetable. (Thelypteridaceae), Rukdik Entire plant is used for preparing country liquor. Sida acuta Burm. f. (Malvaceae) , Holap Leaves are used for giving hot fomentation to get Tender leaves are cooked and taken as vegetable. relief from pain. 152 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 8, NO. 2, APRIL 2009

SRIVASTAVA & ADI COMMUNITY: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF ADI TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 153

Thunbergia coccinea Wall. ex D.Don, References (Acanthaceae), Pakrega 1 Pal G D, Observations on Ethnobotany of tribals of Flowers are used in festivals for decoration. Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh, Bull Bot Surv India, 26 (122) 1984, 26-37. Trevesia palmata (Roxb.)Vis., (Araliaceae), Tago 2 Pal G D, Observations on Less known interesting tribal uses Fruits are used as fish poison. Fruit paste mixed in of plants in lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh, J the water stream or pond stupefies the fish, facilitating Econ Tax Bot Addl Ser, 10 (1992) 199-203. an easy catch. 3 Bhuyan L R, Ethnobotany: its scope in Arunachal Pradesh, Arunachal For News, 17 (1999) 8-12. Villebrunea frutescens Bl. (Urticaceae), Tappen 4 Bisht N S & G Murtem, Ethnomycology of some local tribes Dried leaf paste is applied as on skin diseases and of Arunachal Pradesh, Arunachal For News , 17 (1999) the wounds due to burn. Fresh leaves are used as a 13-16. poultice over cuts to relieve pain and to cure wounds. 5 Kohli Y P, Nontraditional Foods and Ethnobotanical Plants of Lower Subansiri District-Arunachal Pradesh, Arunachal Villebrunea integrifolia Gaudich., (Urticaceae), For News , 19 (2001) 169-171. Tane 6 Thomas S, Haridasan K & Borthakur S K, (1998) Bark is used as rope; sometimes used as a substitute Ethnobotanical observations on ratten palms among the Adi of cotton thread for preparing fishing net. and Nyishing tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, Ethnobotany , 10 (1988) 22-26. Acknowledgement 7 Thothatri K & G D Pal, Further contributions to the Author is grateful to the Director, Botanical Survey ethnobotany of tribals of Subansiri district of Arunachal of India, for facilities. Pradesh, J Econ Tax Bot, 10 (1987) 149-150.