Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 9(1), January 2010, pp. 26-37

Traditional knowledge of Nyishi ( Daffla ) tribe of

RC Srivastava & Nyishi Community Botanical Survey of , 791 111, Arunacha Pradesh E-mail : rcs_bsi @ yahoo.co.in

Received 6 February 2007; revised 12 November 2008

Arunachal Pradesh, falling under Eastern Himalayan region, which is one of the global mega-diversity centre, is a botanical paradise with ca 4,485 species of angiosperms; 44 taxa of gymnosperms; ca 350 species of bryophytes; over 550 species pteridophytes; over 300 species of algae (only 52 species published so far) and over 5,350 species of fungi (including ca 350 species of lichens) and is 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. is gradually becoming popular among the persons, who are near townships. The paper throws light on the plants used by Nyishi ( Daffla ) including Hill Miri tribes in their day to day life. Keywords : Ethnobotany, Daffla, Nyishi, Hill-Miri tribe, Arunachal Pradesh, Medicinal plants IPC Int. Cl. 8: A61K36/00, A61P1/02, A61P1/06, A61P1/10, A61P9/00, A61P9/12 A61P9/14, A61P11/00, A61P11/06, A61P17/00, A61P19/00, A61P27/00, A61P27/02, A61P29/00, A61P31/00, A61P31/12, A61P39/02

Arunachal Pradesh spread over an area of 83,743 sq demand of any dowry from boy’s side; rather the km has a very rich biodiversity due to variations in brides are purchased at quite early age by giving altitude from 150-6,500m and climatic conditions. Mithuns and traditional ornaments (which are highly The original inhabitants of Arunachal Pradesh are valued in tribal community only). Elderly tribal people (Scheduled tribes), belonging to 26 posses tremendous knowledge about the various major tribes and 110 sub-tribes. These people have uses of plants around their inhabitation (Figs 1-3). their own culture, tradition and system of treatment of During the study, an attempt has been made to ailments with a practical and applied aspect of document the traditional knowledge of these people knowledge acquired through close observation of about various uses of plants in their day to day life. A nature. They are the store house of indigenous scrutiny of the literature and the field surveys has knowledge, which is yet to be tapped. Only sporadic revealed the information about 214 species which are publications have been brought out on ethnobotanical enumerated. The text includes Latin names (accepted knowledge of some tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. But, names in bold letters and synonyms or basionyms in proper and thorough study is yet to be made. People italics) followed by the name of the family (in of Arunachal Pradesh still completely depend upon brackets) and the vernacular names in italics. forest plants. They use many plants in their day to day Enumeration life. Bamboos, canes, Toko–patta ( Livistona Abelmoschus moschatus Medic (Malvaceae ), jenkinsiana ) are heavily used by rural as well as urban Tachusenghme people. Wild vegetables are preferred over the Uses: Raw fibre obtained from the fruits is used for traditional vegetables. Most of the food is taken in weaving. boiled form. Nyishi (earlier known as Daffla ) tribe is a major tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Hill–Miri is a sub- Abroma augusta (L.) L.f. (Sterculiaceae), Yokhung tribe. They are proud of their culture and traditions. Uses: Root juice is taken orally to increase Many areas inhabited by these people are still virgin. appetite. Stem bark decoction is given twice a day for 7 days in dysentery and vomiting. They believe in ghosts as protectors of their forests. Polygamy and Lephia (wherein the unwilling brides Abrus precatorius L. (Fabaceae) , Raho legs are tied with a special type of wooden lock fixed Uses: Leaf and root decoction is taken as with long nails), are still prevalent. But there is no abortifacient. SRIVASTAVA: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF NYISHI TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 27

Adhatoda zeylanica Medik. (Acanthaceae) Artimisia indica Willd. (Asteraceae). Tapin Uses: Leaf and root decoction is used for speedy Uses: People eat boiled leaves to get relief from remedy of cough and cold and other bronchial asthma; aromatic smell of plant clears the nose troubles. blockade, when inhaled. Bath with diluted leaf

Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae), Pasho; Pasu- juice gives relief in itching and skin allergy. A payou fresh leaf juice is dropped in eyes to cure redness Uses: Leaves are used on swollen parts to relieve of eye but is painful. Leaf paste is applied on back, pain. Plant juice is applied twice daily in red eye or leaf spread over bed, gives relief in back pain. (conjunctivitis). Leaf juice is applied on cuts and Fomentation by leaves gives relief in headache.

wound to check bleeding and early healing. Plant is Artimisia nilagirica Pampan. (Asteraceae), pounded and made into pills of the size of pea; one Tapingrami pill thrice a day is administered to cure blood Uses: Plants are fed to cattle.

dysentery. Artemisia parviflora Buch. Ham. ex Roxb.

Agrimonia pilosa var. nepalensis (D.Don) G.Murata, (Asteraceae) : Taping roming (Rosaceae), Taniom Uses: Old people carry bunch of leaves on their Uses: Fruit juice is used as gum; leaves, bitter in back for 4-6 hrs per day to get relief in back-pain.

taste, are eaten after boiling. Arundina bambusifolia Lindl. (Orchidaceae),

Ajuga macrosperma Wall. ex Benth., (Lamiaceae), Longbom Namdunghor (Hill-Miri) Uses: Plant is used for decoration during festivals.

Uses: Whole plant is taken as vegetable. Aspidopterys indica (Roxb.) Hochr. (Malpighiaceae),

Allium hookeri Thw . (Liliaceae), Lahun Tasa Uses: A pounded bulb mixed with oil is applied on Uses: Entire plant decoction is boiled till the throat and chest to cure cough and cold; also on extract becomes thicker into a gum; the gum thus wounds for healing. Ash of bulb with oil is applied formed is used for catching birds.

to cure rash or eruption of skin and other skin Athyrium lanceum (Kunze) T.Moore (Athyriaceae), diseases. Akalama

Alocasia fornicata Schott. (Araceae), Kanjok Uses: Tender shoots (cooked) are eaten as Uses: Fruits are used as fish poison; powder of vegetable.

seeds with seeds of Alpinia allughas and Datura Balanophora dioica R.Br. (Balanophoracae) Nyishi : metel when taken causes madness. Poyou

Alsotonia scholaris R.Br . (Apocyanaceae), Taisan Uses: Juice from fleshy rootstock yields gum, Uses: One teaspoonful of white latex with equal locally called as potacapting- nene is used for catching birds. quantity of water is given after delivery for recovery of health. Two to three drops of this latex Baliospermum montanum Muell. -Arg. is applied on skin eruption and abscesses up to 3 (Euphorbiaceae), Piriya days for complete cure. Leaf juice is applied thrice Uses: Leaves are cooked and eaten as vegetable.

daily in headache. In stomach trouble and to Begonia roxburghii A.DC. (Begoniaceae), Baya, control blood pressure, dried bark and water (1:4) Babarai are given for 3-7 days. Uses: Roots, petioles and leaves are used in cold/

Amaranthus gracilis Desf. (Amaranthaceae), Tai. fever/ malaria; pounded leaves are applied in Uses: Leaves and fruits are eaten as vegetable. itching; leaves and fresh whole plant are eaten.

Andrographis paniculata Nees ( Acanthaceae ),Chirata Begonia obversa C.B.Clarke, (Begoniaceae), Baya, Uses: Stem-juice is given in dysentery and for Babarai deworming. Uses: Nyishi people use roots, petioles and leaves

Angiospteris evecta (G.Forst.)Hoffm (Marattiaceae), in cold/ fever/ malaria; apply pounded leaves in itching; leaves are eaten. Nabay, Bom Uses: Dilute aqueous extract of Caudex / rhizome Begonia palmata D.Don (Begoniaceae), Bayia is given in dysentery/ diarrhoea; rhizomes are eaten Uses: Chutney is prepared from stem paste; also as food. effective in cough/ cold. Stem is used as vegetable. 28 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 9, No. 1, JANUARY 2010

Berberis wallichiana DC. (Berberidaceae)-Madrak Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae), Omita Uses: Root bark paste is applied on swollen parts Uses: Flowers (3-4) are boiled and taken twice a of body to get relief from body pain. Spines are day to improve hearing capacity. Boiled raw fruits used for tattooing on chin and forehead. A mixture with salt are eaten to increase lactation.

of rice starch and soot is applied on the wound; rich Carlemania griffithii Benth., ( Rubiaceae), Hamka starch pierces the skin and soot gives the colour; Uses: Plant decoction is given thrice a day in tattoo locally called te , is traditional custom. cough.

Bidens tripartita Boj. ( Asteraceae), Nikampusi Casearia vareca Roxb. (Flacourtiaceae), Dafla - Uses: Leaves are eaten (raw or boiled). Nelochang

Blechnum orientale L. (Blechnaceae), Lichalana Uses: Fruit paste is taken in intestinal parasites. Uses: Pounded leaves and rhizome are applied on Fruit juice is dropped during earache.

cuts and wounds for clotting blood and quick Centella asiatica Urban (Apiaceae) healing. Uses: Plants are eaten with salt and chilly as Brassiopsis glomerulata Kuntze(Araliaceae), Tago vegetable; said to be blood purifier and remedy for Uses: Boiled fruits (5-6) are eaten in cough. Dry gastric; 10-15 leaves taken thrice daily cure fruits pounded and mixed with water is applied on abdominal pain and relief in constipation; fresh skin eruptions and abscesses. Fruits are eaten as leaves and stem are taken to increase digestive chatni . power and promote appetite by Nyishi people.

Brassaiopsis speciosa Decne & Planch . (Araliaceae), Cissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae) Saru (Dafla) Tago Uses: Powder of leaves and young shoots, mixed Uses: Tender leaves are made in to a paste/ with water is taken in menstrual disorders. Stem chutney . Leaves, though bitter in taste are taken juice is dropped during earache.

with rice to cure diarrhoea, stomachache and throat Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp. (Verbenaceae), pain. Leaves are also treated over the flame and Ongin, Oen, Tapin (Fig. 4) then used to foment the injured/ swollen parts 2 to Uses: Tender leaves are taken as vegetable; leaf 3 times a day to relieve pain. decoction (3-4 teaspoonful) twice daily is Boehmeria platyphylla D.Don, (Urticaceae), Tatam considered effective in reducing blood pressure. tatnam (Fig. 8) Clerodendrum japonicum (Jacq.) K.N.Gandhi Uses: Ripe fruits are eaten by birds. (Verbenaceae), Poto-O Calamus floribundas Griff. (Arecaceae ), Taneso Uses: Leaves (cooked) are eaten as vegetable. Uses: Fruits are eaten. Stem is used for making Cnicus griffithii Hook.f. (Asteraceae), Tailobeo basket, locally called Nara and hat called as beopa. Uses: Flowers are eaten. Callicarpa arborea Miq. ex C.B.Clarke (Verbenaceae), Tato,Yalu, Yahorin Coix lachryma-jobi L. (Poaceae), Tatang Uses: Tender branches are used as toothbrush for Uses: Grains are used for preparing necklaces, used by girls. relief in toothache. Paste of leaf or bark is applied on scorpion sting. Bark is used for skin diseases Coelogyne punctulata Lindl . (Orchidaceae), Tikhit and as a substitute for Areca catechu by old people. Uses: Dried pseudobulbs are crushed and made

Canarium strictum Roxb. (Burseraceae), Singlu into powder. The powder is then applied to burn Uses: Bark juice is used against insect bite. Bark injury; burning pain is relieved immediately and and resin of plants are burnt in and outside house wound is healed up.

for prevention of diseases like chickenpox. Colocasia affinis Schott. (Araceae), Maksar, Jangli

Carex cruciata Nees ex Wight, (Cyperaceae ), Basar, Kachu Sodomplapa Uses: One or two spathe(s) and inflorescence taken Uses: Pounded seeds are applied on wounds; tender twice to cure cough, fever and tuberculosis. Juice stem is eaten. of leaves and petioles are applied on itching.

Carex filicina Boeck. ex C.B.Clarke, (Cyperaceae), Coniogramma fraxinea (D.Don) Fee ex Diels, Bahik (Hemionitidaceae) Uses: Raw seeds are eaten. Uses: Warm leaves are tied upon burn injuries. SRIVASTAVA: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF NYISHI TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 29

Figs1&2Nyishi menintheirtraditionalcostumeFig3 ANyishi ladyFig4 Clerodendrumcolebrookianum

Fig5Urenalobata Fig6 OsbeckiastellataFig7 Litseacubeba

Fig8 Boehmariaplatyphylla Fig9 Melastomamalabathricum

Coptis teeta Wall. (Ranunculaceae), Rinko Uses: Entire plant is cooked as vegetable. Fresh Uses: Rhizomes with water are eaten as tonic; also leaves are eaten. taken in fever, headache and gastric. Cyanodon dactylon Pers . (Poaceae), Meedira Tasha Corylus avellkna L. (Vetulaceae) : Taying Uses: Paste or powder of plant is taken with water Uses: Nyishi people take decoction of plant in for regular menstruation and in headache.

dysentery. Cyathea spinulosa Wall. ex Hook . (Cyatheaceae),

Costus speciosus (Koenig.) Smith (Zingiberaceae), Tachi- tani Myonpobap ) Uses: Stems after removing bark are fed to cattle. Uses: Rhizome & part of stem is eaten raw in Plants are use in rituals of Nyishi community.

snakebite; paste of rhizome and stem is applied at Coniogramma falcata (D.Don) Salom the place of snake-bite/ insect bite. Warm stem (Hemionitidaceae), ( Akalama ) juice is applied on burning wounds twice daily. Uses: Boiled tender shoot is eaten as vegetable.

Crepis japonica Benth. (Asteraceae), Rupjup (Hill- Debregeasia longifolia Wedd. (Urticaceae), Miri ) Tatamtanam 30 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 9, No. 1, JANUARY 2010

Uses: Tender leaves are boiled and taken; fruits are Drymaria cordata Willd. ex R.& S., eaten by birds. (Caryophyllaceae), Kaja Hao (Hill Miri) Ropsik- Romnik, Kadokaro Sojang mariang (Nyishi ) Dendrobium hookerianum Lindl. (Orchidaceae), Uses: Leaf juice is applied to skin diseases. Paste Tachee ill-Miri ) of whole plant mixed with bile of goat; boar or fish Uses: Yellow dye is obtained from flowers. is applied on ringworm. Vapour of stem and leaf Flowers are made into paste and mixed with juice gives relief in sinus. sufficient water; yarn or cloth is dipped in this mixture and kept for sometimes. Dryopteris sparsa (Ham. ex D.Don) O.Ktze, (Dryopteridaceae), Kaja Habo (Hill Miri) Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex Munro Uses: Tender shoots are edible; entire plants are (Poaceae), Bijuli used in religious ceremony. Uses: A kind of umbrella is made from scape. Elastotema sessile Forst. (Urticaceae) Nyishi : (Blume) Chew (Urticaceae), Atomung Podret, Pudrangta Uses: Whole plant is considered as frog poison. Uses: Warm root paste is applied on swollen Elatostema platyphylla Wedd . (Urticaceae ), Huj muscles, injury and itching. Its leaves with those of Uses: Fresh root juice is used in vomiting. Stephania glabra (2:1) are boiled and 1-2 teaspoonful decoction is taken in fever and malaria. Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Euphorbiaceae), Amlaki ghoss Dicranopteris linearis (N.) Burm.(Gleicheniaceae), Uses: Fruits are edible and used as appetizer and Tapiu freshness of mouth by both the tribes. Uses: Inner core of stem after removing bark are Engelhardtia spicata Blume (Juglandaceae), Hill- fastened on chest and belly for protection against Miri: Ripekam arrow. Uses: Paste of pounded roots is used as fish-poison.

Dillenia indica Blanco (Dilleniaceae), Jampa, Tenga Entada purseatha DC . (Fabaceae) Uses: Fruit ash is given in stomachache by Nyishi Uses: Seed paste with mustard oil is used in bone community. Fresh fruits are eaten with salt by fracture. in stomachache. Fruits are eaten and made into pickles also. Eryngium foetidum Forsk . (Apiaceae), Dhaniya Pat Uses: Paste of stem and leaves is applied on Dioscorea bellophylla Haines (Dioscoreaceae), forehead in headache. Seed powder is used in Yazeng madness. Leaves are used to make chutney with Uses: Tubers with hot water are given in fever, leaves of Centella asiatica . malaria, headache and dysentery. Eurya acuminata DC. (incl.var euprista ) Dioscorea hamiltonii Hook.f. (Dioscoreaceae), (Ternstroemiaceae), Turku Serelake Uses: Leaves are mixed with Rubia manjith plant Uses: Bulbils and tubers are cooked and taken as and boiled; decoction thus obtained is used as food; also eaten by wild boar. permanent dye. Discorea bulbifera L. (Dioscoreaceae) Ficus elastica Roxb . (Moraceae ), Sangri (Hill- Miri ) Uses: Tubers with those of Stephania glabra are Uses: Fruits are eaten by birds; crushed fruits are used in dysentery. Pounded tubers are rubbed on thrown into brooks or streamlets to stupefy fish and spots with burning sensation. make them float up, helping an easy catch. Diplazium esculentum (Koenig ex Retz) Sw., Ficus fistulosa Reinw. Ex Blume (Moraceae), Longee (Athyriaceae), Hokapadma Uses: Plants are used as firewood. Uses: Young fronds are eaten as vegetable (cooked). Ficus saemocarpa Miq . (Moraceae), Talasi Uses: Latex is applied on warts and pimples. Dipteris wallichii (R.Br. ex Hook.et Grev.)T.Moore (Dripteidaceae), Tapano Galeola falconeri Hook. f. (Orchidaceae) Uses: Fronds are hanged on bamboo stick in paddy Uses: Seeds collected by the bees to prepare field to keep away birds. beehive. SRIVASTAVA: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF NYISHI TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 31

Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. (Clusiaceae), Mibia for providing good sleep and freshness of mind. Uses: Fruits are edible but sour in taste. One fruit Plants are also used as condiment and sold in boiled in ½ litre of water is given to drink twice bundles (10-15 plants in one bundle); leaves are daily in dysentery and cough. eaten raw as chutney.

Gnaphalium purpureum L. (Asteraceae) Tecep Impatiens latiflora Hook.f. & Thoms . Uses: Plants are eaten after boiling. (Balsaminaceae), Riong

Globba multiflora Baker, (Zingiberaceae) Belah Uses: Whole plant mixed with Torenia diffusa in Uses: Rhizomes are crushed and applied on injury equal proportion, pounded and taken with water for or rubbed daily at bed time in body pain and recovery of fever/ intermittent fever and against swollen muscles. headache.

Gynocardia odorata R.Br. (Flacourtiaceae), Tak Impatiens racemosa D.Don (Balsaminaceae), Uses: Pounded fruits mixed with water are used for Yemchee extraction of teeth. Fruits are prohibited to be Uses: Coked leaves are served as vegetable.

eaten. Fruits pounded and mixed with water are Impatiens scabrida DC. (Balasaminaceae), Hill-Miri: used as poison for killing insects, worms and Namcho fishes. Uses: Entire plant is boiled and taken as vegetable; Hydrocotyle javanica Thunb. (Apiaceae), Barung tender leaves are most preferable.

Uses: Whole plant is eaten raw against Impatiens tripetala Roxb. (Balsaminaceae ), Leangm stomachache; also given raw after delivery. H. Uses: Three to four plants are eaten either raw or rotundifolia is also used for the same. boiled thrice daily after meal to promote appetite. Hydrocotyle podantha Molk. (Apiaceae), Indofevillea khasiana Chatterjee (Cucurbitaceae), Uses: Whole plant is eaten raw against Yazang pipe stomachache; also given raw after delivery. Uses: Pounded or powdered roots and stems is Hedychium gardnerianum Ker-Gawl. (Zingiberaceae), taken with hot water twice daily against fever, Oyoulangoom headache, malaria and dysentery.

Uses: Flowers are used in festivals for decoration. Ixora acuminata Boerl. (Rubiaceae), Dokmain

Hedyotis scandens Roxb. (Rubiaceae), Hylibi, Uses: Fresh leaves (3-4 at a time) are eaten (raw/ Reekhing boiled) thrice daily as a remedy for headache and Uses: Pieces of stem (crushed or pounded) are cooling of forehead.

heated and applied against toothache. Stem juice is Leea compactiflora Kurz (Leeaceae), Nyishi : Neelan applied as eye drop against conjunctivitis and also Uses: Flowers and berries pounded are tightly tied used in cleaning of dust and gum from eyes. Twigs with the help of a cloth against snakebite and other or stem pieces (12-15 cm long) slowly heated over insects.

flame are used as toothbrush. Lindera neesiana Kurz (Lauraceae), Kuchu

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (Malvaceae), Dafla: Bat Uses: Fruits are eaten by birds.

Uses: Flowers mixed with leaves of Michelia Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (Lauraceae), Earking, champaca (1:2), pounded together and is applied Jayar (Fig. 7) with water for washing of hairs to remove hair dust Uses: Pounded fruits and leaves mixed with water and dandruff; also used as hair tonic; flower-paste is taken orally (2-4 tea spoonful twice daily) in is taken in fever. blood dysentery, stomach trouble and fever. Leaf

Houttuynia cordata Thunb.(Saururaceae) Honya, paste is also applied on forehead in headache. Hongyea Fresh fruits are edible and used as spice; fruits and Uses: Whole plant as condiment or improving seeds are used as condiment. Seeds are also chewed in case of thread worm infection. appetite; 3-4 fresh plants are eaten twice daily in case of jaundice; 5-10 plants are kept inside the Litsea salicifolia Hook.f. (Lauraceae), Tanyik Sangne, banana leaf and roasted; the roasted plants are Hara, Taor taken twice daily to stop dysentery. Stem and Uses: Bark pounded and mixed with water is leaves are used as vegetable; considered effective applied on bone fracture and tightly tied with a 32 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 9, No. 1, JANUARY 2010

piece of cloth to set right the bone; bark paste is Metathelpteris gracilescens (Bl.) Ching also administered twice daily against boils and (Thelypteridaceae), Radak, Nipiati abscesses; ripe fruits which are tasty and pungent Uses: Frond juice is applied during itching; fronds are eaten. are also useful in cuts for immediate healing. The

Lobelia affinis Mirb. (Campanulaceae) Hill- Miri : pinnae are warmed above fire and tied with the Nimante help of a cloth to relieve body ache. Fronds are also Uses: Leaves are cooked and taken as vegetable. used in small quantity in preparation of local drink (Apung ) by ethnic groups; fronds are kept over Luffa cylindrica M.Roem. (Cucurbitaceae), Hey flame to make hot for fomentation twice or thrice a Uses: Leaves are used as vegetable. day for two days to relieve body pain. Macaranga denticulata (Bl.) Muell.- Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), Hara Mikania micrantha H.B.K . (Asteraceae), Tare Uses: Leaves are used during religious and Uses: Leaf juice is used for healing of wounds, also marriage ceremonies; leaf juice is applied on applied on cuts to stop bleeding. Leaves are wounds. warmed above fire and kept on the eyes repeatedly (4-5) times to cure any type of eye trouble; plants Maesa chisia D.Don (Myrsinaceae), Ohansomchangum are used as a remedy for snake bite and scorpion Uses: Hard wood is used for making spades to dig out sting. Leaves are used in itches and as poultice on Dioscorea tubers. wounds.

Maesa macrophylla C.B.Clarke (Myrsinaceae), Tak Miliusa globosa (DC.) G.Panigr.& S.C.Mishra, Sangne (Annonaceae), Tasenaung (Dafla) Uses: 5-6 berries are eaten fresh thrice daily in case Uses: Fresh leaves crushed and inhaled in of any fever including malarial Fever. headache. Maesa montana A.DC. (Myrsinaceae) Nyishi: Surana Millettia pachycarpa Benth. (Fabaceae), Hapuling Uses: Leaf paste mixed with oil is rubbed against Uses: Roots are used as fish poison.

body pain. Mitracarpum verticillatum Vatake (Rubiaceae), Hill- Mastersia assamica Benth. (Fabaceae), Rading, Rem Miri : Talu Uses: Stem juice is applied on cuts, wounds and Uses: Young shoots and leaves are boiled and other injuries for immediate healing; bark is used taken as vegetable. for making ropes. Its fibre is also used to make Molineria recurvata Herb. (Amaryllidaceae), Doik thread for fishing net. Uses: Fresh root juice is applied on cuts and Melastoma malabathricum L. (Melastomataceae), wounds for early healing. Fruits are also eaten. Nyishi : Di-sengn, Dai-Hitae (Fig. 9) Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. (Cucubitaceae) Uses: Fruits are edible; stem is used as toothbrush; Keychasshi fruits cause shining of teeth; fruits are offered to Uses: Fruits are used as vegetable. God for better yield of paddy.

Melia azedarach L.(Meliacxeae), Nyishi: Tapa Tale Morinda angustifolia Roth, (Rubiaceae), Yacha Uses: Fresh bark pounded is applied twice daily Uses: One or two leaves warmed over fire are tied against burning sensation till complete relief by with a piece of cloth against body pain by Nyishi tribe. Root juice is taken for the remedy of cough. both the tribes. About 3-6 leaves boiled in one bucket of water is taken during bath in case of Morus indica L. (Moraceae), Latek (Hill-Miri ) itching (both the tribes). Uses: Fruits are edible.

Melothria heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn. Musa sapientum L. (Musaceae), Kol (Cucurbitaceae), Yazang-pipe Uses: Fruits and stem are taken as food. Fruits are Uses: Pounded tubers (5-10 gm) are taken with one eaten by pig; entire plants are used in all festivals; glass of hot water (very bitter in taste) against juice of stem and leaves crushed and applied over fever, malarial fever and headache; juice from swollen feet and skin disorders.

fleshy roots is rubbed on itching skin till complete Musave lutina H.Wendl.&Drude, (Musaceae), Kol relief; fruit are edible; children are fond of these Uses: Juice extracted from the stem is used in fruits. dysentery. SRIVASTAVA: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF NYISHI TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 33

Nephrolepis auriculata (L.) Trimen, N. cordifolia Perilla ocimoides L., Perilla frutescens Britton, sensu auct. non (L.) C. Presl. (1836). (Lamiaceae), Tanam (Nephrolepidaceae), Tapion Uses: Seeds are edible but harmful if taken more; Uses: Stipes are used to make trap for catching develops cough. Oil from the seeds is applied on birds in the paddy fields. forehead against headache and fever; paste of seeds is used to enhance the taste of curry-soup. It is used Oenanthe javanica DC. (Apiaceae), Barn as a substitute of mustard oil or spices. Uses: Whole plant is eaten raw or cooked as vegetable. Phlogacanthus curviflorus Nees, (Acanthaceae),

Oreocnide integrifolia (Gaud.)Miq., Villebruneainte- Pilamola grifolia Gaud. (Urticaceae), Boree Uses: Pounded flowers are used as condiment. Uses: Bark is used as rope; also used as a substitute About ½ tea spoonful is taken with meal twice of cotton thread for preparing fishing net. daily as a remedy of colic pain and also as purgative. Osbeckia nutans Wall. ex C.B.Clarke (Melastomataceae), Dai Phlogacanthus tubiflorus Nees (Acanthaceae) Uses: Ripe fruits are edible. Uses: Red flowers mixed with fish curry is considered good for relieving cough. Flowers are Osbeckia stellata Buch.Ham. ex D.Don edible. (Melastomataceae), Nyishi: Didasa (Fig. 6) Uses: Fruits are eaten. Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae), Phuligach

Otochilus porrecta Lindl. (Orchidaceae), Nyishi : Uses: Seeds and fruits are eaten raw in gastric trouble. Awaon Uses: Pseudo-bulbs and leaves pounded together is Pilea bracteosa Wedd. (Urticaceae), Gongi applied twice daily on burn injuries. Uses: Leaves are used as vegetable (fresh or

cooked). Oxalis corniculata L. (Oxalidaceae), Sajang hobo (Nyishi ); Phagiyup (Hill-Miri ) Pilea glaberrima Blume, (Urticaceae), Gugeo Uses: Nyishi people apply plant juice on cuts and Uses: Leaves are used as vegetable. injuries to stop bleeding; juice of leaves is used as eye drops for removal of dust from eyes or against Pinus wallichiana A.B.Kackson, (Pinaceae), Pusasan redness of eyes; fruits are edible, sour, entire plant Uses: Resin collected from live plants by piercing is eaten raw by Hill Miris . the stem is applied in cracks of heels usually during winter at bed time for one week. Oxyspora paniculata (D.Don) DC. Piper brachystachyum C.DC. (Piperaceae) (Melastomataceae ), Dasa Uses: Seeds are used with honey bee for curing Uses: Stem is used as tooth brush (datoon), fruits cough. are eaten for shining of teeth, flowers are offered to deites to get better yield of paddy; stem after Piper pedicellosum Wall. (Piperaceae) Radhk removing bark is eaten. Uses: Leaves are used for giving hot fomentation for sprains. After application, the affected portion Paederia foetida L., (Rubiaceae), Tapinrimin is wrapped by the same leaves. Leaves are Uses: Plants are cooked as vegetable; very aromatic. effective in gastric trouble. For storage, small tablets are made from powdered leaves, mixed with Piper trioicum Roxb. (Piperaceae) Ridik water and dried in sun and stored in bottle. The Uses: Leaves warmed above fire either covered tablet is often used in gastric trouble. Fruits ground locally or tied over with a piece of cloth against bodyache, which mainly occurs due to tiredness. and mixed with water is applied against skin emitting bad odour particularly bad odour of Plantago major L. (Plantaginaceae), Nido marto armpit, abscesses and allergy. Boiled leaves and Uses: Leaves along with the leaves of Pasu payou twigs are used as vegetable and said to be effective are crushed and made into pills of the size of pea; for cleaning of stomach and also against stomach one pill thrice a day is given to cure blood swelling and diarrhoea. dysentery; boiled leaves are eaten. 34 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 9, No. 1, JANUARY 2010

Plumbago zeylanica L. (Plumbaginaceae) Pseudocyclosorus tylodes (Kunze) Ching , Thelypteris Uses: Root is said to increase digestion; promote tylodes (Kunze) Ching, Aspidium tylodes Kunze appetite and useful in dyspepsia, piles and skin (Thelypteridaceae), Akalama diseases. Uses: Powder of dried fronds mixed with pounded

Polygonum nepalense Meissn. P. alatum rice and water is kept for at least for two days for fermentation to prepare local liquor, Apong . (Polygonaceae), Yarung Uses: Fresh leaves are eaten, but sour in taste. Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), Madhuri Uses: Leaves pounded, boiled in water and added Poygonum chinensis var. ovalifolia Meissn. with 3-4 drops of mustard oil and little quantity of (Polygonaceae), Tuthiku salt is filtered. About 2-4 teaspoonful of the extract Uses: Ripe fruits are eaten, sweet in taste. is taken twice daily to cure dysentery; fruits are Polygonum minus Huds. (Polygonaceae), Paretam edible. Uses: Plants are used as fish poison. Whole plant Psychotria denticulata Wall . (Rubiaceae), Nyishi: paste is mixed with the water in streams for Reeme stupefying fish. Uses: Crushed leaves are applied on cuts caused by Polygonum molle D.Don, (Polygonaceae), Bonkung iron and wound for immediate healing and relief. Uses: Tender stem is eaten raw. Ripe fruits are Pterospermum acerifolium Willd. (Sterculiaceae), sweet and edible; also eaten by birds. Dafla: Tanguru Changne Polygonum perfoliatum L. (Polygonaceae), Posikung Uses: Paste of floral calyx is applied as plaster Uses: Leaves are used in preparing chutney . during swelling in the body.

Polygonum runcinatum D.Don (Polygonaceae), Ruri Pueraria hirsute Kurz (Fabaceae) Uses: Tender shoots are eaten as chutney. Uses: Seeds are boiled and kept in closed vessel for Polygonum virginiana L. (Polygonaceae), about seven days and then allowed to decompose. Pekammajam A drink is prepared from it and taken with rice. Uses: Tender shoots are eaten (raw/cooked). Pueraria peduncularis R. Grah Nyishi: Fikpiring Portulaca oleracea L. (Portulaceae), Pali echi Uses: Fruits are edible and taken either fresh or Uses: Stem and leaves are used as vegetable to boiled.

promote appetite by both the tribes. Pounded stem, Rhaphidophora glauca Schott (Araceae), Nyishi : leaves and flowers is applied against skin allergy, Chulu rashes etc. by Nyishi tribe. Uses: According to folk belief, the fruits of this

Pothos cathcartii Schott (Araceae), Anoti plant are eaten by devil.

Uses: Leaves warmed above fire and bandaged Rhus javanica L. (Anacardiaceae), Nyishi: Tamo over in dislocation of bones. Uses: People avoid burning the plant as they are

Pothos scandens L. (Araceae), Ridik afraid of the sound produced by it.

Uses: Boiled stems and leaves are used as Rhynchotechum calycinum C.B.Clarke vegetables for clear motion and in constipation. (Gesneriaceae), Joako

Pouzolzia hirta Hassk. (Urticaceae), Hosskhoyik Uses: Leaves are cooked as vegetable and also used in funeral ceremony. Uses: Stem and leaves are used as vegetable. Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae), Rockrom Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. (Rosaceae), Makan, Uses: Oil obtained from seeds is massaged in joints Makum pain; local application of young twigs in vagina Uses: Young leaves is pounded and mixed with causes abortion; leaf fomentation is given in water; about ½ teaspoon is given twice daily after muscular pain. meal against dysentery; leaves warmed over fire is rubbed against insect bite and pain in eyes. Young Rubia manjith Roxb. ex Flehm. (Rubiaceae), Tamin leaves pounded is applied on wounds for killing of Uses: Plants are used as a dye; stem is cut into wound worms. This is more popularly used in case pieces and boiled in water; extract thus obtained is of animals wound such as cow, mithun etc.; fruits used to dye the yarn (red); roots are also used as are edible. red dyes for colouring of clothes and articles; 1-2 SRIVASTAVA: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF NYISHI TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 35

tea spoonful of powdered roots mixed with water is Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae), Nyishi: Tanam given to drink against cold & cough; often roots are Uses: Seeds ground and mixed with vegetable is chewed for the same purpose. Powder is also taken as food. applied on forehead in case of headache. Setaria italica Beau. (Poaceae), Nyishi : Tayak Rubus alceifolius Poir (Rosaceae), Uses: Seeds are used for preparing country liquour.

Uses: Young stem twigs are chewed to cure cough Setaria pallide-fusca Stapf. & C.E.Hubbard, by Nyishi people; fruits are also edible. (Poaceae) Nyishi: Taya Rubus assamensis Focke (Rosaceae), Fikteging Uses: Grains are used for preparing the local drink, Uses: Fruits are edible. Auong.

Rubus insignis Hook.f. (Rosaceae) , Chechenimri Silene heterophylla Freyn., (Caryophyllaceae), Jajrar Uses: Leaves are eaten with bark of Callicarpa (Hill–Miri ) arborea var. ovalifolia as a substitute of Piper Uses: Fruits are sweet and edible.

betel ; it turns lips red. Ripe fruits are eaten, sweet Solanum indicum L. (Solanaceae), Beako in taste. Uses: Fruits are taken as food after fry, bitter in Rubus niveus Thunb. (Rosaceae), Kiblupum (Hill- taste.

Miri ) Solanum kurzii Brace ex Prain (Solanaceae), Byakhe Uses: Fruits are edible but sour. Uses: Decoction of powdered dried fruits in water Rubus paniculata Smith (Rosaceae), Chechenimri reduced to ¼ of the initial volume is taken twice a Uses: Leaves are eaten by children as substitute for day up to one week for complete relief from worm pepper betel. Ripe fruits are eaten, sweet in taste. infestation. Fresh fruits (4-5) are used for the same purpose and also for the treatment of stomach pain. Sambucus javanica Blume, (Caprifoliaceae), Nyishi: Tago Solanum myriacanthum Dun, (Solanaceae), Byako, Uses: Fruits are eaten by birds. Thitbyako Saurauia armata Kurz (Saurauiaceae), Poprar Uses: One to three teaspoonful of root decoction is Uses: Ripe fruits are edible, sweet crushed young administered twice daily for the treatment of twigs and leaves are applied on cuts and wounds to malarial fever. Dried seeds pounded and mixed stop bleeding and for healing. with water and mustered oil is kept on heated stone; liberating smoke is inhaled through mouth Saurauia punduana Wall. (Saurauiaceae), Hinchi for removal of teeth worms. (Hill-Miri ) Uses: Fruits are edible when ripe, sweet. Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae), Hora Uses: Stem and leaves used as vegetable are Saurauia roxburghii Wall. (Saurauiaceae), Ekeeprin considered as digestive and liver tonic; also useful Uses: Leaves are used for preparing country for clear motion by Apatani, Nyishi, and Idu tribe liquour. Bamboo basket wrapped with leaves is men. Berries are eaten raw; leaves are eaten raw or boiled with water and kept within the pot for few cooked. days. Leaves promote quick fermentation. Ripe fruits are eaten. Solanum torvum Swartz. (Solanaceae), Byakta Uses: Fruit juice is applied in skin disorders. Seeds Schefflera venulosa Harms. (Araliaceae), Nyishi: are burnt and the smoke or fumes are inhaled Paleh through mouth for killing teeth worms and also Uses: Warm leaves are applied to get relief from against toothache by Nyishi tribes. Fruits are used pain by the Nyishi people. as chatani; also eaten raw. This is used as the Scoparia dulcis L. (Scrophulariaceae) substitute of S. anguivii and S. kurzii ; fruits are Uses: Nyishi people for the treatment of jaundice cooked as vegetable.

prepare a paste of the plant mixed with 2 gm of Solanum verbascifolium L. (Solanaceae), Totnom Curcuma longa rhizome with water and take it (Hill-Miri ) twice daily; it controls diabetes also. Uses: Leaves are used for ripening banana. Green Scurrula parasitica L. (Loranthaceae), Nyishi: Tacha banana is wrapped with the leaves and kept for four Uses: Fruits are eaten by birds. to five days. 36 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 9, No. 1, JANUARY 2010

Solanum viarum Roxb. (Solanaceae), Siatobeale pounded and mixed with water is taken 2 to 3 Uses: Plant is used as cattle fodder. teaspoonful twice daily in dysentery. It is also said

Sonerila maculate Roxb . (Melastomataceae), Jakmalo to be effective in stomach disorder and stomach Uses: Leaves are cooked and taken as vegetable. pain; decoction of leaves along with normal salt is prescribed orally two teaspoonfuls twice a day for Spilanthes paniculata Wall. (Asteraceae), Byadhi 2-3 days to the patient suffering from blood Uses: Nyishi people eat leaves and flowers as dysentery and acute diarrhoea. Overdose acts as remedy for cough. Stem twigs with leaves mixed poison; taste it bitter. Stem cut into pieces is made with golmirch (Piper nigrum ) is used as a condiment into bundles, wrapped with leaves and roasted in to kill intestinal worms. Flowers made into paste is fire; juice thus extracted, is used to poison arrow applied or chewed in case of toothache by both the heads. tribes. Flowers are chewed to cure toothache. Terminalia bellerica Roxb. (Combretaceae), Nyishi: Stauranthera grandifolia Benth. (Scrophulariaceae), Bahid Beeh Uses: Fruits are eaten raw in constipation and also Uses: Stem powder is used in rheumatic pain; bark act as an appetizer. of the plant is used in joints pain. Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) Stephania glandulifera Miers (Capparaceae), Teplar, Uses: Fruits (1-2) chewed 2-3 times daily for the Rabaka treatment of cough. Fruits are considered Uses: Small fresh piece corms 10-20 gm or its stomachic. powder is given thrice daily with water after child birth for relief from delivery pain. It is also given Terminalia citrina Roxb. ex Flem ., (Combretaceae), in case of abdominal pain and internal injuries. A Hilika few pieces of corm with 3-4 leaves of the plant Uses: Fruits (1-2) are chewed twice daily for the mixed with 3-4 leaves of Dendrocnide sinulata treatment of cough; bark is taken orally against colic. Pudrangta (N.) is boiled with water. The decoction is given 2-3 teaspoonfuls twice daily for the Thelypteris glandulifera (Kunze) Ching (Thelypteri- treatment of fever, malarial fever and also said to daceae), Nipiati be a good cooling agent. Boiled leaves are eaten for Uses: Bark of the stipe is used as thread for killing the treatment of dysentery. rats.

Sterculia hamiltonii (Kuntze) Adelb. (Sterculiaceae), Themeda villosa A. Camus (Poaceae), Pkabar Takampalam Uses: Plants are used for thatching houses. Uses: Ripe fruits are eaten as a substitute for Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook.f. & Thoms. groundnuts. (Menispermaceae), Nyam rak Stereopermum suaveolens DC. (Bignoniaceae), Uses: About 1 cm long stem is pounded and given Damium with water twice daily in empty stomach to get Uses: Leaves after warming are used in relief from gastric, dysentery and fever. Stem juice fomentation, 2-3 times a day to relieve sprain, etc. is considered aphrodisiac; also applied against swollen muscles. Streptolirion volubile Edgew. (Commelinaceae), Tadaro, (Hill–Miri ) Toddalia aculeata Pers (Rutaceae), Tiktaksen Uses: Whole plant is cooked and served as Uses: Fruits are fragrant and edible. vegetable; palatable. Torenia asiatica L. (Scrophulariaceae). Hankay Styrax polysperma C.B.Clarke, (Styraceae), Tugu Uses: Fresh leaves or its powder is eaten by Nyishi (Hill-Miri) tribe with meal as a remedy for stomach troubles, Uses: Fruit decoction is used as dye; ripe fruits are gastric and to enhance clear motion and appetite. blue; fruits are eaten by birds. Torenia diffusa D.Don, (Scrophulariaceae). Ocheng Tacca integrifolia Ker. Gawl. (Taccaceae), Kanjok Uses: Paste of equal proportion of whole plant and Uses: Rhizome paste is applied in wounds and also Impatiens latiflora ( Riong - Nyishi ) is used as applied in cracks of heels for healing. Berries condiment in curry. It is very effective if taken SRIVASTAVA: TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF NYISHI TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 37

orally thrice daily as a remedy for fever, Uses: Tender leaves are used as condiment and also intermittent fever and headache. Plant juice is also as a remedy for constipation and cold. applied over forehead to get relief from headache.

Trichosanthes tricuspidata Lour. (Cucurbitaceae), Conclusion Rikay In this context, it may be mentioned that a well Uses: Roots and stems are pounded, and taken with planned and time bound strategy has to be adopted for hot water twice daily for the treatment of dysentery proper documentation of the inherited ethnic by Nyishi tribe. Stem is kept for a long period after knowledge of not only the Daffla/ Nyishi tribe but all drying. The small pieces mixed with other 110 ethnic communities of Arunachal Pradesh, by vegetables are eaten as a remedy of stomach involving the State Government and local people. The trouble. It is also used as appetizer if 10 -15 gm of approach has to be very sincere and scientific in real almost dried stem is taken with hot water at bed sense of the term. This job has to be taken up on time. Root of Thunbergia coccinea is also in use as priority basis in view of the fact that the ghost of the substitute. western civilization is moving very fast even to the

Trigonospora ciliata (Wall. ex Benth.) Holttum remote corners of the state and it is not surprising that (Thelypteridaceae), Akalami after a decade, there may not be a single person to tell Uses: Tender shoots are cooked as vegetable. us about their ethnic knowledge. In view of the above facts, it is felt that it is the prime need of the time to Urena lobata L. (Malvaceae) Borival, Sitoyorik establish a full-fledged multidisciplinary Institute of (Fig. 7) Ethnobiology, which will monitor all such Uses: Roots (2-3 gm) are powdered and taken with ethnobiological researches and take care that such rice water or plain water thrice daily for the reports should be taken up seriously and ensure that treatment of hyperacidity and dysentery; stem and further work (isolation of active principles, clinical branches are used as tooth brush. tests, etc.) should be done and the ethnic communities Vernonia cinerea Less. (Asteraceae) get their legitimate dues for sharing their ethnic Uses: It is used in the preparation of Tapyo , which knowledge (which is their intellectual property) with is known as Apatani black salt . the scientists. Viburnum coriaceum Blume, (Caprifoliaceae) Nagam Uses: Fruits are eaten by birds. Acknowledgement

Viburnum foetidum Wall. (Caprifoliaceae) Author is grateful to the Director, Botanical Survey Uses: Fruit juice is used as dye by Nyishi people. of India, Kolkata, for facilities.

Viola betonicifolia Sm. (Violaceae), Tadro (Hill-Miri) References Uses: Cooked leaves are eaten as vegetable. 1 Bhuyan LR, Ethnobotany: its scope in Arunachal Pradesh, Arunachal Forest News , 17(1999) 8-12. Zanthoxylum armatum DC. (Rutaceae), Honyum 2 Bisht NS & Murtem G, Ethnomycology of some local tribes Uses: Decoction of dry fruits is used in stomach of Arunachal Pradesh, Arunachal Forest News , 17(1999) 13- disorders (1-2 teaspoonfuls twice daily). 16. 3 Thomas S, Haridasan K & Barthakur SK, Ethnobotanical Zanthoxylum hamiltonianum Wall. (Rutaceae), observations on ratten palms among the Adi and Nyishing Honyor tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, Ethnobotany , 10 (1998) 22-26.