Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 17(4), October 2018, pp. 754-762

On the use of stipulacea Roxb. () in oral healthcare with supplementary notes on species used in oral hygiene in Manipur, India

Rita Nongmaithem1*, Sanatombi D Yumkham2, Naorem P Devi 2, Sumitra Salam3, Ajit Kr Das1 & Potsangbam K Singh2

1Laboratory of Ethnobotany & Medicinal Conservation, Department of Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar–788 011, India; 2Ethnobotany & Plant Physiology Laboratory, Centre of Advanced Studies in Life Sciences, Manipur University, Canchipur–795 003, India; 3Department of Botany, Nambol L. Sanoi College, Nambol–795 134, Manipur, India E-mail: [email protected]

Received 27 October 2017, revised 3 June 2018

The present paper reports the survey conducted from June 2012–December 2016 to assess the wild species used in oral hygiene and related dental recipes by four indigenous communities (Meitei, Maring, Kabui, Tangkhul) of Manipur, India. The age long tradition of blackening of teeth called Ha–sang practiced by the Maring tribe is documented for the first time. It was revealed that Dalbergia stipulacea Roxb. is exclusively used for the purpose. Additional notes on nine more species used in oral care are also highlighted. A total of 200 informants were interviewed for the purpose. Preference ranking calculation was employed for data analysis to assess the best choice of species used in dental hygiene for the respective four communities. The preference score for each species is different and highest preference of species for the respective communities are A. paniculata (35) for Meitei, D. stipulacea (36) for Maring, O. aristatus (32) for Kabui and M. malabathricum (31) for Tangkhul. The study concludes that D. stipulacea is a new addition to used in dental hygiene. It further emphasizes on their scientific exploitation and sustainable utilization in dental medicines.

Keywords: Dalbergia stipulacea, Blackening of teeth, Oral hygiene, Supplementary notes, Meitei, Maring, Kabui, Tangkhul tribes, Manipur

IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K 36/00, A61C, A61K, A01D 5/00

Oral hygiene is the practice of maintaining a healthy involved in tooth decay arising from plaque formation mouth and teeth to prevent dental cavities, bad breath, have been identified so far3,4. To tackle the dental gingivitis and other dental problems. Often, an problems, major chunk of the population have been unattended oral hygiene creates ruckus, affecting the relying on plant products from generations and this social pattern of life with discomfort and pain. Dental tradition is prevalent even today in many ethnic related diseases are the most common threats of communities. Some of the well known used in public health due to their severe impact on individual oral hygiene include Azadirachta indica A. Juss., as well as society and their high cost of treatment Ocimum sanctum L., Salvadora persica L., Syzygium requiring great labor. On an average majority of the aromaticum (L.) Merill & Perry, etc. Many people have at least minor issue like gingivitis, communities still maintain unique methods of inflammation of the gums to severe periodontitis, maintaining their oral care. The Africans use chewing dental caries, missing tooth and other infectious sticks derived from Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) microbial diseases1,2. Several strains of microbial Swingle, Diospyros barteri Hiern, Mallotus biota (Streptococcus mutans Clarke 1924, oppositifolius (Geiseler) Mull. Arg., etc., to maintain Streptococcus aureus Rosenbach 1884, Actinomyces healthy and strong teeth5. The Japanese drink israelii (Kruse 1896) Lachner–Sandoval 1898, customary green tea after every meal prepared from Candida albicans (C. P. Robin) Berkhout 1923 herbs as it inhibits the growth of oral biota6. In developing countries including India, tribal ______populations prefer chewing stick derived from Acacia *Corresponding author NONGMAITHEM et al.: USE OF DALBERGIA STIPULACEA ROXB. IN ORAL HYGIENE IN MANIPUR, INDIA 755

nilotica (L.) Delile, Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Materials and methods Potentilla fulgens Wall. ex Hk. f., Terminalia bellirica Study site: The present study was conducted during 7,8 (Gaertn.) Roxb., Zanthoxylum armatum DC., etc. . June 2012 to December 2016 in Manipur. It is located Likewise, in Manipur, a small state in North East in North Eastern part of India (23°83'–25°68' N/ 93° India; unique and indigenous method of oral care/ 03'–94°78' E) and covers a total geographical area of hygiene exists. It is isolated from the rest of Indian 22, 327 km2. An oval–shaped valley (1, 843 sq km) sub–continent due to its geographical location, and lies in the centre and is surrounded by series of shows rich diversity culturally and linguistically. The mountains accounting to 90 % of the total area. The state houses as many as 40 ethnic communities, out of state is divided into nine administrative districts, viz. which 33 are recognized as Scheduled tribes by the Bishenpur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal in 9 Government of India . Each community exhibits wide valley region and Churachandpur, Chandel, Senapati, variation on how they utilize the plant for various Tamenglong, Ukhrul in hill region. The Meitei purposes. Reports on indigenous oral care in Manipur dominated the valley districts with pockets of Meitei– were very few and needed further research. Some of Pangal, Meitei–Bamon, Nepali, Biharis etc. The hilly the plants documented from Manipur for the purpose districts are inhabited by 33 tribal communities out of of oral care include Acmella paniculata (Wall. ex which Kabui, Koireng, Kuki, Maring, Mao, Monsang, DC.) R. K. Jansen, Bambusa tulda Roxb., Terminalia Tangkhul, Thadou, etc., constitute main ethnic 10-13 chebula Retz., Jatropha curcas L., etc. . communities. From amongst the above communities, During a survey programme to assess wild species four (4) major communities, viz. Meitei (4 valley used in oral hygiene and related dental recipes, we districts), Maring (Chandel), Kabui (Senapati, came across Dalbergia stipulacea Roxb. used by the Tamenglong) and Tangkhul (Ukhrul) were selected Maring tribes in blackening of teeth. It is a large for the purpose of the present study (Fig. 1). woody climber commonly found growing along rocky hillocks with spreading branches and compound Data collection: Data collection and analysis was leaves ranging between 15–18 cm. Flowering starts done through frequent survey programme based on from April and borne in panicles near leaf axils and semi–structured questionnaire. Prior informant continues upto September. Flowers are pale purplish consent (PIC) was obtained from local healers (Thim, in colour and petals are distinctly clawed. The Maibas), village chiefs, old folks, housewives, etc. standard petals are ovate–orbicular and emarginated, The age group of the informants falls between 30–80 while the wings and keels are arranged in a slightly yrs. Ten sites for each community were selected notched manner. Stamens are oriented in 2 bundles of through random sampling and each site was (5+5) pattern with stipitate ovary. Pods are broadly represented by five key informants who have ovoid or elliptic, (7×3) cm and 1–seeded. Locally, it is immense/ profound knowledge on plants. This means known as Kaiko in Maring and Balibagan in Meitei each community is represented by 50 informants dialect. It can be grown successfully by seeds or new amounting to 200 individual informants (110 males; plantlets arising from runners and through air 90 females). Required data were collected for the layering. It prefers red ferrogenous soil with pH value calculation of Preference Ranking (PR) for the four ranging from 5.4 to 6.8. Reports on the use of this plant in oral hygiene are new to the scientific world and needed thorough investigation. In the present study, an attempt was made henceforth to tap the indigenous knowledge on the use of this highly under–utilized species. This discovery and subsequent documentation could be a landmark inventory in the field of dental pharmacology. Further, the study highlights nine more species used as oral recipes and advocates on Fig. 1 — Map of India showing location of Manipur State, and their sustainable utilization for development of new various study sites conducted in Senapati, Ukhrul, Imphal valley, drug/new antibiotic. Chandel and Tamenglong Districts 756 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL 17, NO. 4, OCTOBER 2018

communities following Martin14 and Cotton15. triplicates to Herbarium, Laboratory of Ethnobotany Accordingly, the key informants were asked to rank & Medicinal Plant Conservation (AUS, Assam the selected plants in treating oral problems among University, Silchar) and Manipur University Museum their community as followed: 5= best, 4= very good, of Plants (MUMP). Illustrations of the plants used in 3= good, 2= less used, 1= least used and 0= not used. oral hygiene were given in Figs 2&3.

Biological parameters and species classification: Results Detailed morphological description of Dalbergia Ha–sang/ Blackening of teeth of Maring tribe stipulacea Roxb. (AUS R0202) was studied from and method employed in oral hygiene: The Maring mature vegetative and reproductive parts. All related constitutes one of the main tribe settled mainly in data on mode/ method of application, other uses and Chandel and also some scattered population in harvesting protocol were studied briefly. For the Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Senapati and Ukhrul remaining nine plants, only the scientific names along districts of Manipur. It has a total population of 25, with their respective families, parts used and mode of 988 and Christianity is the main religion practised9. usage were recorded and highlighted in Table 1. The Ha–sang or blackening of teeth with the root Classification, author citation and updated bark of D. stipulacea is an age–old tradition unique to nomenclature are provided based on the Plant List this tribe only. It is commonly performed after (www. plantlist. org), the International Plant Names attaining puberty (preferably after 18 yrs) mainly for Index (http://www.ipni. org), Bendiksby et al.16 and aesthetic purposes, while the underlying principle Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, APG III17. Specimens points to the protection of teeth from caries. The were collected, processed, identified and deposited in procedure of blackening of teeth is quite simple and

Table 1 — Additional reports of plants used in oral care by major communities (Kabui, Maring, Meiteis and Tangkhul) of Manipur Species, Family & Local name Parts used Mode of usage Additional uses recorded during Voucher number (in Meiteilon) the course of study A. paniculata (Asteraceae) Bingaraj Inflorescence, Shoots partially boiled with pinch Flowers and shoots taken as AUS RO203 young shoots of salt and chewed for 10–20 min, vegetable with fermented fish. soup used as mouth wash. B. alba (Basellaceae) Urok–shumbon Leaves, Decoction used as mouth wash. Young shoots taken as vegetable; AUS R0204 young Fresh leaves applied on boils as it shoots speeds up suppuration. C. caudatus Damdoi Leaves, stem, Stems used as chewing sticks. Fresh leaves decoction taken in (Euphorbiaceae) bark morning as wormicide; highly AUS R0205 commercialized in Churachandpur district. E. prostata (Asteraceae) Uchi–shumban Leaves, Shoots partially boiled with pinch Used as a key ingredient of local AUS R0206 young shoots of salt and chewed for 10–20 min, shampoo called Ching–hee. soup used as mouth wash. M. malabathricum Yachubi Fruits Fruits roasted and smeared on Fruit extract yield reddish–black (Melastomataceae) teeth. dye, used in dyeing Tangkhul AUS R0207 traditional customs, wooden utensils, baskets, etc. O. aristatus Koishangbi Leaves, Leaves extract used as substitute Fresh leaves taken as herbal tea (Lamiaceae) shoots of S. aromaticum to relieve to relieve body ache from fever. AUS R0208 toothache. S. mukorossi (Sapindaceae) Kekru Leaves, fruits, Ashes of nuts, leaves branches Nuts used by jewelers AUS R0209 branches used in brushing/ removing tartar /beauticians as surfactants and in from the teeth. removing skin impurities. S. torvum Singkhangga Fruit Applied on ache tooth after Fruits taken as vegetable (fried/ (Solanaceae) peeling off the outermost boiled/ steamed); sometimes sold AUS R02010 covering. in local markets of Ukhrul District. V. trifolia Urik–shibi Leaves Leaf decoction used as mouth Floral buds used in preparing a (Lamiaceae) wash and in reliving in gum local cuisine called Chagem– AUS R02011 bleeding. pomba. NONGMAITHEM et al.: USE OF DALBERGIA STIPULACEA ROXB. IN ORAL HYGIENE IN MANIPUR, INDIA 757

Fig. 2 — Morphological details of Dalbergia stipulacea Roxb. (a) Mature plant during leaf fall (b) Habit during spring season (c) Pods (d) Part of leaf showing puberulent surface (e) Flowering twig with bracteoles (f) Single flower showing standard petal (g) Bract .(h) Clawed keel (i) Stamens (5+5) (j) Single stamen (k) Ovary with hairs on the stipe portion (l) Maring women showing blacken teeth (m) Slices of Garcinia pedunculata used in Ha–sang (n, o) Air layering techniques for propagation takes only 30–40 min. First, small slices of Garcinia Other uses: D. stipulacea is used in treating pedunculata L. fruit is applied on the teeth, which act various diseases like gonorrhea, syphilis, mouth ulcer, as an acid mordant. Then, a small size burning etc.18. charcoal is brought near the teeth so as to transmit Harvesting protocol: In the light of growing some heat for 5–10 min. This process of applying importance of the D. stipulacea which involves the fruit slices followed by heating is continued for three harvesting of root for use as teeth blackener, it times. After spitting the fruit, freshly collected or rampantly gives destructive effect and threatened the dried root bark of Kaiko (D. stipulacea) is then survival of the plant. Perusal of literature has shown chewed for 3–5 min that resulted in abundant flow of that data on propagation and harvesting protocols still reddish saliva. Excess saliva is spitted out and remain to be documented. Therefore, a systematic charcoal heat is applied again for 5–10 min. Then, approach for formulation of a harvesting protocol for discoloration of teeth occurs slowly. Sometimes, local sustainable utilization of the plant resources is very people chewed the root bark to treat sensitive tooth much awaited. Some of the key features to instill in and gum swelling from incidence of wisdom tooth. It harvesting are as follows: was observed that individuals who had undergone 1. Numerous runners started to develop in D. Ha–sang procedure have good and healthy teeth stipulacea after its first flowering. Instead of throughout their life span (Figs 2 l&m). uprooting the mother plant, the root bark from the 758 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL 17, NO. 4, OCTOBER 2018

Fig. 3 — Additional species employed in oral hygiene (a) Acmella paniculata (b) Basella alba (c) Croton caudatus (d) Dried leaves of C. caudatus for herbal tea (e) Locally prepared decoction of C. caudatus sold in market (f) Eclipta prostrata (g) Melastoma malabathricum with flowers (h) Mature fruit of M. malabathricum (i) Orthosiphon aristatus (j) Fruits of Sapindus mukorossi (k) Solanum torvum (l) Vitex trifolia (m–o) Traditional clothes of Tangkhul & Maring dyed from M. malabathricum (p) A Tangkhul woman selling S. torvum fruits new plantlets which is equally efficient can be They are Acmella paniculata (Wall. ex DC.) R.K. harvested for the purpose of Ha–sang. Jansen, Basella alba L., Croton caudatus Geiseler, 2. In the Ha–sang procedure, only few centimeters Eclipta 758prostrata L., Melastoma malabathricum (approx. 5 cm) of root bark is required. However, L., Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq., Sapindus the locals uprooted the whole plant just to extract mukorosii Gaertn., Solanum torvum Sw. and Vitex few centimeters of the root. Usually, a mature trifolia L. Most of the communities in Manipur rely plant has a root circumference extending upto 15 on plant resources for healing common and simple feet. One can track the secondary roots and health problems including dental issues like tooth harvest it without injuring the whole plant. decay, bad breath, soreness/ulcer of mouth, gingivitis, 3. As the dried root bark can also be used in Ha– bleeding of gum, discoloration of tooth, etc. During sang, one can preserve the remaining material for the survey, we found A. paniculata and E. prostrata future use if it is properly stored. using in dental remedies mainly in the valley districts. This may be because these plants usually Supplementary notes on wild plants used in oral hygiene grow in lower altitude (700 to 900 m MSL) and Besides D. stipulacea, the study also recorded 9 locals resort to easily available resources to solve (nine) additional plants used as curative agents in their problems. Leaves/ young shoots are partially dental pain and other related oral problems (Table 1). boiled and chopped into fine pieces after draining out NONGMAITHEM et al.: USE OF DALBERGIA STIPULACEA ROXB. IN ORAL HYGIENE IN MANIPUR, INDIA 759

the excess solution. It is mixed with salt, chilies and and Kabui tribes. Apart from this, the nuts are used by fermented dry fish to form a traditional cuisine called jewelers and beauticians as surfactants and in Kangshu and taken as a side dish to relieve toothache removing skin impurities. In some markets like Ima during lunch and dinner. The drain out solution is Keithel, Kwairamband, Lamlong and Singjamei also used as mouthwash 3–4 times daily to soothe bazaar of valley districts, soap nuts are highly mouth ulcer, gingivitis and bad breadth. Besides commercialized wild plants. About 20–30 dried soap using in oral care, A. paniculata and E. prostrata are nuts cost around ₹40–50. In many localities of also commonly used in healing many health problems Chandel, Ukhrul and Senapati, S. torvum is cultivated like stomach ulcers, dandruff, hair fall, gastric, as home garden vegetables and even sold in local constipation, etc.19. Leaf extract of the common vine markets (Fig. 3p). According to Salam et al.24, raw spinach, B. alba mixed with locally available fruits are taken as a remedy to cough, tonsillitis, sore indigenous salt called Meiteithum also served as an throat and fever. Extracts of raw fruits are mixed with effective mouthwash. Besides, young shoots with honey in equal proportion and applied on gums for inflorescence are edible and is a rich source of 10–20 min to treat bleeding and swelling of gum Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium from infection. In the hill districts, the common and Potassium20. Another effective plant commonly Indian Rhododendron (M. malabathricum) is used in oral care is V. trifolia. Leaves extract mixed regarded as one of the most essential culturally with equal proportion of honey is also used in significant plant. It is used as traditional dyes by relieving toothache due to cavities and ulcer in many ethnic communities even today. The fruit tongue. In Chakpikarong of Chandel district, the ash yields reddish–black dye and is used in dyeing a of Vitex derived from stem and leaves mixed with variety of traditional attire, bamboo baskets, wooden common salt are used as tooth paste even today. The utensils, etc., mainly by the Tangkhul and Maring Cat’s Whiskers, O. aristatus is known for its tribes (Figs 3 m,n,o). Sometimes, it is mixed with the medicinal properties and even commercial products black dye obtained from the bark of Pasania in the form of powdered herb, tea sachets, dried pachyphylla (Kurz) Schottky and used in creating a leaves, drinks, extracts, tablets and capsules are range of colour variation25. However in Manipur, this available in many countries21. In Manipur, this plant plant symbolizes the Tangkhul tribe, and is used in is harvested from wild both for ornamental as well as protecting their teeth in a unique way like the Maring medicinal purposes. The Kabui tribes of Tamenglong tribe. Fruits of M. malabathricum are slightly roasted and Senapati area used the leaves extract of O. and smeared along the teeth giving the black aristatus in substitute of clove oil [Syzygium coloration and everlasting cavity free tooth. aromaticum (L.) Merill & Perry] and applied on carious tooth to relieve toothache. It possesses Data analysis based on Preference Ranking (PR) analgesic properties, and therefore fresh leaves are The Preference Ranking (PR) of the above ten (10) taken as an ingredient of herbal tea to relieve body species used in oral hygiene/ dental diseases by the ache from fever. In Churachandpur district, C. four communities (Meitei, Maring, Kabui and caudatus is used in maintaining oral hygiene and Tangkhul) was calculated (Table 2). This calculation regarded as a wonder herb. It is used in folk medicine helps to identify the choice of preferences or the best for treating diabetes, peptic ulcer, liver cirrhosis, suited species used in treating oral care/diseases constipation, urinary problems, etc.22. Leaf extract is among the users. The preference exercise indicated used as mouthwash in many households and even sold that A. paniculata was the first choice of the Meitei in local markets under the trade name Ranlung– with 35 score points, D. stipulacea for Maring with damdoi (Fig. 3d,e). Sometimes, young stems are used 36, O. aristatus for Kabui with 32 and M. as chewing sticks as it stimulates the flow of saliva malabathricum for Tangkhul with 31. It was observed and helps in cleansing the teeth. during the study that the use of D. stipulacea in oral The form of fruits in many of the soap nut species hygiene as a part of their Ha–sang (teeth coloration) are widely used as cleansing agent all over India23. In culture is confined within the Maring tribe only. Manipur, ashes derived from the nuts, leaves and Though, the preference score of A. paniculata is branches of S. mukorosii are used in brushing and highest in Meitei community, it also shows significant removing tartar from the teeth mainly by the Meitei usage by the remaining three communities also 760 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL 17, NO. 4, OCTOBER 2018

Table 2 — Preference ranking (PR) for ten species against oral care among Meitei, Maring, Kabui and Tangkhul communities Species Tribes A B C D E F G H I J Total Score Rank A. paniculata 2 4 3 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 35 1st B. alba 3 3 3 3 2 1 2 3 4 4 28 2nd O. aristatus 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 4 9th th C. caudatus 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 6 8 D. stipulacea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10th E. prostata 2 2 3 2 3 1 2 3 2 2 22 5th

M. malabathricum MEITEI 1 3 3 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 25 3rd S. mukorosii 3 2 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 24 4th S. torvum 3 0 3 1 3 2 2 1 3 2 20 6th V. trifolia 2 3 0 2 1 1 0 2 2 2 15 7th

A. paniculata 3 3 4 4 2 3 2 2 3 3 29 2nd B. alba 1 2 1 3 2 2 0 2 1 1 15 8th O. aristatus 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 3 1 1 17 7th C. caudatus 2 3 3 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 14 9th D. stipulacea 4 3 2 5 3 5 3 3 4 4 36 1st E. prostata 3 3 2 1 2 2 3 1 1 1 19 5th rd M. malabathricum MARING 1 3 4 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 27 3 S. mukorosii 2 3 3 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 18 6th S. torvum 2 2 3 0 4 3 3 2 2 1 22 4th V. trifolia 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 17 7th

A. paniculata 4 2 3 3 3 4 4 2 3 2 31 2nd B. alba 3 2 2 1 0 3 2 3 2 2 20 4th O. aristatus 4 3 2 3 3 3 4 4 2 3 32 1st C. caudatus 2 2 1 0 3 2 3 1 2 3 19 4th D. stipulacea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7th E. prostata 2 1 0 1 2 2 2 0 3 3 16 5th M. malabathricum KABUI 3 0 2 3 3 2 1 0 2 3 19 4th S. mukorosii 2 3 2 3 3 2 1 3 3 3 25 3rd S. torvum 4 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 1 2 25 3rd V. trifolia 0 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 13 6th

A. paniculata 3 3 2 1 2 3 0 4 2 3 23 3rd B. alba 1 1 0 2 0 2 1 2 1 1 11 8th O. aristatus 2 3 3 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 20 4th C. caudatus 1 0 1 0 2 2 3 2 1 2 14 7th D. stipulacea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9th E. prostata 2 3 0 1 2 1 2 2 2 3 18 5th M. malabathricum 2 4 4 2 3 4 2 3 4 3 31 1st S. mukorosii TANGKHUL 2 2 1 3 2 2 1 1 1 2 17 6th S. torvum 3 4 4 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 29 2nd V. trifolia 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 23 3rd

(Kabui, 31 > Maring, 29 >Tangkhul, 23). Likewise, Discussion some plants also exhibit high preference score in all The present study highlights an inventory note on the four communities. They are S. torvum (Tangkhul, the use of D. stipulacea in the teeth blackening or 29 > Kabui, 25 > Maring, 22 > Meitei, 20) and M. Ha–sang practiced by Maring tribe of Manipur as a malabathricum (Maring, 27 > Meitei, 25 > Kabui, dental recipe. This primitive procedure opens up the 19). All the species except for D. stipulacea are used possibility of finding new preventive compounds in one way or the other by majority of the against oral diseases/ problems. So far, informants. phytochemistry of this particular species has not been NONGMAITHEM et al.: USE OF DALBERGIA STIPULACEA ROXB. IN ORAL HYGIENE IN MANIPUR, INDIA 761

investigated nor reported elsewhere, except its Blending of such traditional knowledge with potential as an anti-helminthic and anti-diarrheal incorporation of scientific methods of oral care will agent26. However, allied species under the genus benefit the mankind at large. Result of the present Dalbergia shows analgesic, anti-helminthic, anti- investigation advocates on the sustainable utilization microbial, anti-pyretic, anti-spermicidal, astringent, of the above plants so as to conserve the plant expectorant, anti-ulcerogenic, aphrodiasic properties. resources and also to blend the traditional knowledge Some prominent bioactive compounds include with scientific findings. Biochanin, Butein, Calycosin, Dalberatins, Genstein, Koparin, Sulfuretin, Violanone, etc.27–29. We also Acknowledgment noted that the tradition of teeth blackening failed to find The authors are grateful to all the participants of encouragement among the budding population of the the four communities (Meitei, Maring, Kabui and Maring community today, further instilling a fear of Tangkhul) who readily shared their profound extinction of the traditional knowledge after their death. indigenous knowledge for the preparation of this The study also listed other nine plants commonly draft. Authors are also thankful to village Headmen used as a remedy to oral problems by the four major (Deepak Vashum & Tamar Keishing of Ukhrul communities (Meitei, Maring, Kabui and Tangkhul) District; K. Angnai of Chandel District; Naorem of Manipur. These plants also played a significant role Madhabati, Yumnam Nanda, Ringshu & Oja Lukhoi as food (A. paniculata, B. alba, S. torvum), clothes (as of Imphal; P. Phoumei of Tamenglong; Kipgen & source of dye in case of M. malabathricum) and Haokip of Senapati) for their understanding and co- herbal medicine (C. caudatus, O. aristatus). The last operation. few decades show an increased interest in ethnomedicinal knowledge built upon the untiring References experimentation of our forefathers which need to be 1 Yatsuda R, Rosalen PL, Silva F, Fujita MG, Cury JA, Rehder documented for incorporation in modern health VG, et al., Antimicrobial activity of compounds isolated 30 from Mikania laevigata and M. glomerata on oral pathogens, practices . 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