Cross-Cultural Ethnobotanical Exploration of Diversity and Utilization of Medicinal Plants in Karbi Anglong District, Assam, Northeast India

NeBIO I www.nebio.in I March 2019 I 10(1): 35-46

CROSS-CULTURAL ETHNOBOTANICAL EXPLORATION OF DIVERSITY AND UTILIZATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN KARBI ANGLONG DISTRICT, ASSAM, NORTHEAST INDIA

Robindra Teron Department of Life Science & Bioinformatics, Assam University- Diphu Campus, Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Assam- 782 462, India Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Northeastern region of India, with diverse human races and cultures coupled with enormous biodiversity, presents a fertile ground for ethnobotanical research. In the present communication, a comparative account of medicinal plants used among the Karbi, Tiwa and Pnar ethnic groups of Karbi Anglong, Assam is discussed. Field study was undertaken during May 2016 to December 2017 and data was collected following group discussion, semi-structured interview and participant observation methods. This study documented 201 medicinal plants under 173 genera and belonging to 74 botanical families. Cross-cultural analysis of results revealed the Karbis use 184 (91%) medicinal plants followed by the Pnar and Tiwa with 41 (20.4%) and 34 (16.9%) plants respectively. There is similarity in medicinal plant use- 23 (11.4%) plants between Karbi-Tiwa, 28 (13.9%) plants between Karbi-Pnar and 13 (6.5%) medicinal plants between Tiwa-Pnar. Thirteen medicinal plants are common among the three ethnic groups studied. The medicinal plants are used for treatment of 22 disease conditions/ailments. The result shows 85 (42.3%) medicinal plants are used for dietary purpose. Cross-cultural ethnobotanical study reflects the pattern of plant use in different societies and exchange of local knowledge (dynamism). It has implications for protection of intellectual property of vulnerable indigenous people.

KEYWORDS: Cross-cultural ethnobotany, medicinal plants, diversity, utilization.

Introduction the chief source of primary healthcare. The diversity of medicinal Northeastern region of Indian, a landlocked region comprising of plants is extraordinary but despite sincere efforts documentation eight states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, of folk medicinal knowledge is far from complete for which the Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, is acclaimed Northeast India still remained ethnic storehouse of unexplored for harbouring human and cultural diversity. About 130 major medicinal plants (Chakraborty et al., 2012). With unique quality of tribal groups are settled in the region (Dutta and Dutta, 2005). diverse human races and cultures coupled with enormous Gifted with diverse topographic and climatic conditions resulting biodiversity, the region is considered as a fertile ground for in a great range of ecological habitats, the region also includes ethnobotanical and anthropological research. Ethnobotany two global biodiversity hotspots, the Eastern Himalaya and Indo- (ethnos: people; botany: plants), deals with the total natural and Burma. Among other heritages, the ethnic communities are rich traditional relationship and the interactions between man and his repository of traditional knowledge and their healing practices are surrounding plant wealth that includes the use of plants by both as diverse as their culture (Ramashanker et al., 2015). People of tribal and non-tribal communities without any implication of the region possess vast knowledge of medicinal plants which is primitive or developed societies (Jain, 1976b; Wickens, 1990).

Received 3 June 2018 I Accepted 13 March 2019 I Published online 31 March 2019

Citation: Teron. 2019. Cross-cultural ethnobotanical exploration of diversity and utilization of medicinal plants in Karbi Anglong district, Assam, Northeast India. NeBIO 10(1): 35-46

Acknowledgements This study was undertaken with financial grant provided by University Grants Commission, New Delhi as Research Award (2016-18). Also, the Institutional Biotech Hub (Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India), Department of Life Science & Bioinformatics, Assam University- Diphu Campus, is acknowledged for infrastructural support.

NeBIO, An International Journal of Environment and Biodiversity Official publication of North East Centre for Environmental Education (NECEER), Imphal I ISSN 2278-2281 (Online), 0976-3597 (Print) I www.nebio.in

Teron » Cross-cultural ethnobotanical exploration of diversity and utilization of medicinal plants in Karbi Anglong district, Assam NeBIO 10(1): 35-46

Probably the oldest science known to mankind, ethnobotany today Nagaland in the east, Meghalaya in the west, Golaghat and is a multidisciplinary science forging strong linkages with many Nagaon districts in the north and Dima Hasao district in the south. disciplines. Ethnobotany is built on strong foundation of people- The district comprises of two detached parts – the Western part plant interactions that centers on the knowledge of utilization and also referred as Hamren subdivision with its Headquarter at management of biodiversity referred as Traditional Knowledge Hamren and the eastern part comprising of Diphu and Bokajan (TK). This knowledge is acquired through long years of subdivisions with their respective Headquaters at Diphu and observations and trial and error and is not substantiated by any Bokajan (Fig. 1). scientific hypothesis and experiments. It is not static but highly dynamic; any change, whether loss in, or addition to TK among any human society is referred as dynamism of TK (Jain, 2005).

Ethnomedicines and healthcare practices of the ethnic groups in Karbi Anglong have not been properly investigated. But ethnomedicinal knowledge and traditional healthcare practices among different cultures is gradually declining for various reasons. No comprehensive description of the flora as well as medicinal plants of the district is available except a few mentions in the flora of undivided Assam, Flora of Assam in 5 volumes (Kanjilal et al., 1934-40) and Assam’s Flora (Chowdhory, 2005). Destruction of natural habitats due to jhum (slash and burn) Figure 1. Map of Karbi Anglong district, Assam where the present practice and monoculture has put medicinal plants at risk of study was undertaken. extinction. There is urgent need to study and document valuable traditional knowledge of medicinal plants of different ethnic Karbi Anglong is inhabited by many ethnic groups such as Karbi, groups before it is lost. Scattered information on ethnomedicinal Dimasa, Tiwa, Pnar, Rengma Naga, Kuki, and other plain tribes. plants of Karbi Anglong have been reported from time to time For historical reasons, the Karbi, Tiwa and Pnar ethnic groups (Borthakur, 1976a; Gogoi et al., 2005; Teron and Borthakur, 2013, have been considered for the present study. They are recognized 2016; Terangpi et al., 2014; Teronpi et al., 2015). as Scheduled Tribes (Hills) in Assam state. While the Karbis are

distributed all over the district, Tiwa and Pnar are mostly In the present communication, a comparative account of concentrated in Hamren subdivisional area but the three groups medicinal plants used among the Karbi, Tiwa and Pnar ethnic since history have settled in the same geographical area and groups is discussed. Ethnobotany has been increasingly used to maintained cordial relationships. The Karbi follow patriarchal study pattern of plant-use by human societies in different system of family whereas Tiwa and Pnar maintain matrilineal ecological zones of the world. Since antiquity, human have family system. They practice traditional customs and traditions exploited plants as source of primary healthcare practices. Over unique and distinct from each other. But there is striking similarity 80% people of the developing countries are still dependent upon in healthcare and beliefs related to health. One important traditional medicine derived from natural resources (Fansworth et semblance among the people is the belief in of multiplicity of al., 1985), yet less than 10% of the plant species have been gods/deities and considers these deities as the causes of examined for their pharmaceutical properties (Stix, 1993). A diseases and illness. They perform many magico-religious comparative study of ethnobotany of four tribes of the Amazon practices to appease deities in return for recovery of the patient. was reported by Prance (1973). Similar cross-cultural study of In addition, they also use many plants as well as animal products ethnic knowledge on medicinal plants was also undertaken to manage scores of ailments and disease conditions. Common among the tribal groups of the Nilgiris in Western Ghats, India form of healing practices include rituals, topical or local (Navaneethan et al., 2011). A cross-cultural comparison was application, oral therapy, aroma therapy, bathing, charms and made to prepare database of medicinal ﬂoras used against other forms of administration. snakebites and to identify candidate families and genera for further studies (Molandera et al., 2012) and for bioprospecting Ethnobotanical field study and data collection strategies (Saslis-Lagoudakis et al., 2011). In a recent study, A cross-cultural ethnobotanical exploration was conducted among cross-cultural study of folk plant uses was conducted among the Karbi, Tiwa and Pnar ethnic tribes and document plant Albanians, Bosnaiks, Gorani and Turks in south Kosovo (Mustafa knowledge with special reference to medicinal plants. During the et al., 2015). period (May 2016 t0 December 2017) the following places was

visited for field study-Hamren, Dokmoka, Lumbajong Development Material and methods Block, Bakalia, Chowkihola, Tumpreng, Baithalangso, Ulukunchi Study site and the people and Bakhu. Group discussion, semi-structured interview and Karbi Anglong district with its Headquarter at Diphu, represents participant observation methods (Alexiades, 1996; Cunningham, one of the hill districts of Assam. The district lies between 2001; Martin, 1995) was employed to collect data on medicinal latitudes 250 30' to 26036' N and longitudes 920 90' to 93054' E plants and healthcare practices from informants of different age covering a geographical area of 10,434 sq km. It is bounded by

36 ISSN 2278-2281 (Online), 0976-3597 (Print) I www.nebio.in Teron » Cross-cultural ethnobotanical exploration of diversity and utilization of medicinal plants in Karbi Anglong district, Assam NeBIO 10(1): 35-46 groups and gender. Permission from village heads was obtained between Karbi-Tiwa, 28 (13.9%) plants between Karbi-Pnar and for conducting field study and prior consent of informants was 13 (6.5%) medicinal plants between Tiwa-Pnar. Thirteen plants also obtained in accordance with ethics of ethnobiological have common use for healthcare among the three ethnic groups research (ISE, 2006). Medicinal plants were collected with the studied. A total of 22 disease conditions/ailments have been help of informants and identified using floras (Hooker, 1875-1897; categorised and the number of medicinal plants recorded for each Kanjilal et al., 1934-1940; Balakrishnan 1981, 1983). category is given in parenthesis (Fig. 3) - body pain (03), ulcer (01), Nomenclature of medicinal plants was updated using online gastrointestinal problems (44), antipyretic (14), urinary problems database, www.theplantlist.org. (09), masticatory (02), cosmetics (01), piles (01), tonic (02), galactagogue (02), beverage (10), gynaecology (04), antidote (24), Result and discussion cuts & wounds (22), anti-inflammatory (10), insecticide (09), Taxonomic diversity of medicinal plants: antihelminthic (02), dermatitis/allergy (12), analgesic (20), The number of medicinal plants documented during cross-cultural appetizer/food additive (17), cold & cough (10) and jaundice (16). ethnobotanical exercise among three ethnic groups (Karbi, Tiwa Plant medicines are administered through one of these methods: and Pnar) of Karbi Anglong district, Assam is presented in Table 1. topical or local application, oral therapy, aroma therapy, bathing The result shows 201 medicinal plants under 173 genera and and charms. Two plants namely Allium sativum and Schefflera belonging to 74 botanical families are used by the ethnic groups. venulosa are used in magico-religious practices for negation of The result also reveals greater number of medicinal plants have evil influence. Among other significant results, is dietary use of been recorded among the Karbi with 184 species (91%) followed medicinal plants though the consumers may be ignorant about the by the Pnar and Tiwa with 41 (20.4%) and 34 (16.9%) plants health benefits of such edible medicinal plants. In the present respectively (Fig. 2). This unequal distribution of plant knowledge study also 85 (42.3%) medicinal plants are exploited as food. This probably may be attributed to prevalence of Karbi settlements all result reiterates the food-medicine nexus and the blurred over the district and access to more natural resources than the boundary between the two use categories. It also suggests the Tiwa and Pnar who have restricted distribution in the district. The health benefits of traditional foods and the pressing need for list of medicinal plants included four members of pteridophytes investigation of edible wild plants and their management by namely Hippochaete debilis (Equisetaceae), Helminthostachys indigenous people around the world. zeylanica (Ophioglossaceae), Pyrosia obovata (Polypodiaceae) and Amblovenatum opulentum (Thelypteridaceae). The family Leguminosae has largest representation with thirteen species.

Cross-cultural perspective of medicinal plant exploitation: Medicinal plants are used for management of various ailments or disease conditions and there is variation in distribution of medicinal plant knowledge across culture. While the Karbi use 184 medicinal plants for health management, the Tiwa and Pnar people use 34 and 41 medicinal plants respectively. The list of medicinal plants however, is not exhaustive as many medicinal plants may still remain to be recorded. Recognition of plants as medicinal varies as also the use of same plant for different Figure 2. Utilization of medicinal plant among Karbi, Tiwa and ailments. However, there is certain amount of overlapping of Pnar of Karbi Anglong, Assam. medicinal use of plants among the people- 23 (11.4%) plants

Figure 3. Medicinal plants by ethnic groups of Karbi Anglong, Assam for management of various ailments.

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Table 1. Diversity of medicinal plants used by ethnic groups of Karbi Anglong district, Assam. Sl. no. Medicinal Plants Parts used Prescription Karbi Tiwa Pnar ACANTHACEAE 1 Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. Leaf Stomachache & fever 2 Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze Leaf Antidote for dog bite 3 Eranthemum suffruticosum Roxb. Lead Skin infection 4 Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. Root Antidote 5 Justicia comata (L.) Lam. Leaf Ringworm 6 Phlogacanthus thyrsiformis (Hardw.) Mabb. Flower Stomach pain Stomachache, dysentery Stomachache, fever 7 Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. ex Rottl.) Roxb. Leaf, stem Antidote; sore eye Blood coagulant ACHARIACEAE 8 Gynocardia odorata R. Br. Fruit Insecticide 9 Hydnocarpus kurzii (King) Warb. Fruit Insecticide ACORACEAE 10 Acorus calamus L. Rhizome Constipation Constipation Constipation, stomachache AMARYLLIDACEAE 11 Allium sativum L. Leaf Snake & spider bites, cuts & wounds Sleeplessnes, condiment Condiment, caterpillar antidote 12 Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng. Leaf Appetizer ANACARDIACEAE 13 Mangifera indica L. Fruit Dysentery Antidote 14 Rhus chinensis Mill. Fruit Constipation, dysentery APIACEAE 15 Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. Leaf Constipation Constipation and gastritis 16 Coriandrum sativum L. Stem Jaundice 17 Eryngium foetidum L. Leaf Appetizer, condiment Flavour Flavor APOCYNACEAE 18 Holarrhena pubescens Wall. ex G.Don Bark, latex Dysentery; cut & wound 19 Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz Root Fever, cough, stomach pain Stomach ailments Stomachache, fever 20 Wrightia tinctoria R.Br. Bark Stomachache ARACEAE 21 Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott Petiole Cuts & wound 22 Homalomena aromatica (Spreng.) Schott Rhizome Influenza 23 Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites Root, rhizome Jaundice ARALIACEAE 24 Aralia armata (Wall. ex G.Don) Seem. Leaf Appetizer 25 Schefflera venulosa (Wight & Arn.) Harms Stem Negation of evil spirit ARECACEAE 26 Areca catechu L. Fruit Food additive 27 Caryota urens L. Shoot Food additive

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ARISTOLOCHIACEAE 28 Aristolochia indica L. Root Stomachache Stomachache 29 Aristolochia saccata Wall. Leaf, root Stomachache; fever; sprain & fracture Dysentery Constipation, stomachache ASCLEPIADACEAE 30 Hoya globulosa Hk. f. Leaf Wound & cut 31 Marsdenia tinctoria R. Br. Leaf Dog bite ASPARAGACEAE 32 Dracaena angustifolia (Medik.) Roxb. Leaf Cut & wound BALSAMINACEAE 33 Impatiens balsamina L. Flower Anti-leech Infection of fingers BASELLACEAE 34 Basella alba L. Whole plant Jaundice BEGONIACEAE 35 Begonia roxburghii A.DC. Rhizome Dermatitis Skin infection 36 Begonia hatacoa Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don Rhizome Cut & wound; dysentery 37 Begonia thomsonii A.DC. Rhizome Cuts & burns Plant dermatitis BIGNONIACEAE 38 Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz. Bark, leaf Jaundice; stomachache Stomachache BRASIICACEAE 39 Brassica sp. (Jangho) Seed Drowsiness CAMPANULACEAE 40 Lobelia nummularia Lam. Fruit Headache CAPPARACEAE 41 Crateva religiosa G.Forst. Bark Urinary complaints CARICACEAE 42 Carica papaya L. Fruit Food additive Food additive CARYOPHYLLACEAE 43 Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd. ex Schult. Whole plant Dysentery, stomachache CHLORANTHACEAE 44 Chloranthus elatior Link Leaf Smooth delivery CLUSIACEAE 45 Garcinia lanceifolia Roxb. Leaf, fruit Pox Dysentery 46 Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. Pericarp Antidote Dysentery COMBRETACEAE 47 Combretum album Pers. Bark Masticatory 48 Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. Fruit Constipation; dysentery 49 Terminalia chebula Retz. Fruit Stomachache; cough, fever, flu COMMELINACEAE 50 Floscopa scandens Lour. Shoot Smooth child delivery COMPOSITAE

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51 Ageratum conyzoides (L.) L. Leaf Cuts & wounds Cuts & wounds Cuts & wounds 52 Bidens pilosa L. Fruit Beverage 53 Conyza japonica (Thunb.) Less. Whole plant Insect repellant 54 Elephantopus scaber L. Whole plant, root Fracture Stomach pain 55 Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. ex DC. Tender shoot Dysentery 56 Eupatorium cannabinum L. Leaf Skin infection 57 Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. Leaf Cut & wound 58 Mikania micrantha Kunth Leaf Blood coagulant 59 Acmella paniculata (Wall. ex DC.) R.K.Jansen. Head Toothache 60 Tagetes erecta L. Shoot Jaundice 61 Vernonia sp. Leaf Energy booster for pregnant woman CONVOLVULACEAE 62 Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Stem Jaundice CRASSULACEAE 63 Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken. Leaf Gall bladder stone CUCURBITACEAE 64 Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. Fruit Fever 65 Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt Tuber Stomachache 66 Cucumis melo L. Fruit Fever 67 Cucumis sativus L. Fruit Urinary complaints 68 Cucurbita moschata Duchense Leaf Fracture & sprain 69 Cucurbita pepo L. Fruit Urinary problem 70 Gymnopetalum chinense (Lour.) Merr. Fruit Dysentery 71 Hodgsonia macrocarpa (Blume) Cogn. Fruit dysentery 72 Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. Leaf Wasp sting; fracture DIOSCOREACEAE 73 Dioscorea alata L. Tuber Snake & spider bites 74 Dioscorea bulbifera L. Bulbil Snake bite 75 Dioscorea hispida Dennst. Tuber Insecticide DIPTEROCARPACEAE 76 Shorea robusta Gaertn. Root Wound healing 77 Vatica lancaefolia (Roxburgh) Blume Bark Dysentery EQUISETACEAE 78 Hippochaete debilis (Roxb. ex Vaucher) Ching Leaf Jaundice EUPHORBIACEAE 79 Croton joufra Roxb. Leaf Beverage 80 Baliospermum solanifolium (Burm.) Suresh Leaf Beverage 81 Croton tiglium L. Fruit Clear bowels 82 Euphorbia hirta L. Tender shoot Galactagogue 83 Jatropha curcas L. Leaf, latex Headache; wound & cut Toothache; blood coagulant

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84 Ricinus communis L. Leaf Headache 85 Tragia involucrata L. Root Intestinal worms HYPHOXIDACEAE 86 Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Rhizome Blood clotting, relieve pain LAMIACEAE 87 Clinopodium umbrosum (M.Bieb.) Kuntze Leaf Condiment Condiment 88 Elsholtzia strobelifera (Benth.) Benth. Seed Condiment Flavor 89 Pogostemon linearis (Benth.) Kuntze Whole plant Headache 90 Ocimum killimandscharicum Gurke Leaf Condiment; insecticide Curry flavor Flavor, insecticide 91 Pogostemon pubescens Benth. Leaf Bodyache 92 Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane & Mabb. Leaf, flower Stomachache 93 Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Leaf Ringworm 94 Gmelina arborea Roxb. Flower, fruit Stomachache Toe infection 95 Premna pinguis C.B.Clarke. Tuber Toothache 96 Premna mollissima Roth Leaf Insecticide 97 Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T.Nees & Eberm. Leaf Flavor LECYTHIDACEAE 98 Careya arborea Roxb. Root Dysentery Diarrhoea, blood dysentery LEGUMINOSAE 99 Erythrina stricta Roxb. Flower Tonic 100 Senna alata (L.) Roxb. Leaf Ringworm 101 Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Shoot Jaundice 102 Crotalaria pallida Aiton Root Anti-inflammatory 103 Derris elliptica (Wall.) Benth. Leaf, root Antidote; ringworm 104 Hylodesmum podocarpum subsp. oxyphyllum (DC.) Root Fracture H.Ohashi & R.R.Mill 105 Entada rheedii Spreng. Seed Wound 106 Indigofera tinctoria L. Leaf Insecticide 107 Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet Root Jaundice 108 Mimosa pudica L. Root Jaundice; oral contraceptive Boils 109 Mucuna nigricans (Lour.) Steud. Seed Fever & cough 110 Tamarindus indica L. Leaf, fruit Antidote 111 Acacia pennata (L.) Willd. Bark Beverage LINDERIACEAE 112 Picria fel-terrae Lour. Whole plant Fever Stomach pain, fever MALVACEAE 113 Bombax ceiba L. Root Cough, urinary complaints 114 Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Whole plant Antidote, analgesic Antidote 115 Sterculia villosa Roxb. Bark Hydrocele MARANTACEAE

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116 Maranta arundinacea L. Rhizome Galactagogue Galactagogue 117 Phrynium pubinerve Blume Root Ear pain MELIACEAE 118 Azadirachta indica A.Juss. Leaf Pox 119 Dysoxylum gotadhora (Buch.-Ham.) Mabb. Seed Leprosy MORACEAE 120 Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. Leaf, bark Beverage; masticatory 121 Ficus religiosa L. Bark Jaundice 122 Morus australis Poir. Fruit Urinary problems MUSACEAE 123 Musa balbisiana Coola Fruit, sap Loose motion; cut & wound 124 Musa paradisiaca L. Sap Blood coagulant 125 Musa velutina H.Wendl. & Drude Sap Blood coagulant MYRTACEAE 126 Myrcia bracteata (Rich.) DC. Leaf Beverage 127 Psidium guajava L. Shoot Dysentery Stomachache NYCTAGINACEAE 128 Mirabilis jalapa L. Leaf Millipede bite OLACACEAE 129 Erythropalum scandens Blume Bark Piles 130 Olax acuminata Wall. ex Benth. Leaf Body ache ONAGRACEAE 131 Ludwigia hyssopifolia (G.Don) Exell Twig Foot infection OPHIOGLOSSACEAE 132 Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook. Root Millipede bite ORCHIDACEAE 133 Bulbophyllum sp. Pseudobulb Wound & sprain Dysentery 134 Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.) Schltr. Stem Wound OXALIDACEAE 135 Averrhoa carambola L. Fruit Jaundice Jaundice PANDANACEAE 136 Pandanus minimus H.St.John Leaf Flavor PASSIFLORACEAE 137 Passiflora foetida L. Fruit Tongue sore PEDALIACEAE 138 Sesamum indicum L. Leaf, seed Hair wash; appetizer Condiment Food additive, plant dermatitis PHYLLANTHACEAE 139 Phyllanthus fraternus G.L.Webster Whole plant Jaundice 140 Phyllanthus emblica L. Bark Stomachache PIPERACEAE

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141 Piper nigrum L. Fruit Dog bite Toothache 142 Piper sp. Leaf Caterpillar allergy PLANTAGINACEAE 143 Scoparia dulcis L. Leaf Colic pain; malaria; foot infection PLUMBAGINACEAE 144 Plumbago indica L. Root Ringworm 145 Plumbago zeylanica L. Root Ringworm POACEAE 146 Bambusa species Shoot Food additive 147 Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf Leaf Beverage 148 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Whole plant Jaundice 149 Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Ness & Arn. ex Munro Shoot Food additive 150 Desmostachya bipinnata (L.) Stapf Tuber Pharyngitis 151 Oryza sativa L. Grain Allergy; galactagogue 152 Phragmites karka (Retz.) Trin. ex Steud. Shoot Jaundice 153 Saccharum officinarum L. Stem juice Jaundice Jaundice Jaundice 154 Setaria sp. (Taradung) Shoot Hiccup POLYGONACEAE 155 Polygonum affine D. Don Leaf Sinus; ulcer; antidote 156 Polygonum microcephalum D. Don Leaf Mushroom poisoning Antidote Wound POLYPODIACEAE 157 Pyrrosia obovata (Bl.) Ching Leaf Blood coagulant RUBIACEAE 158 Coffea benghalensis B.Heyne ex Schult. Root Antidote for dog bite 159 Hedyotis scandens Roxb. Whole plant Beverage 160 Ixora thwaitesii Hook.f. Leaf Wound; analgesic after child birth Wound healing Waist pain; urinary problems 161 Ophiorrhiza ochroleuca Hook. f. Leaf Cut & wound 162 Paederia foetida Roxb. Leaf Constipation; urinary problems; jaundice 163 Morinda anguistifolia Roxb. Leaf Giddiness; urinary problems; dysentery; fever; toothache RUTACEAE 164 Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa Fruit Constipation, apptizer 165 Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle Leaf Condiment 166 Citrus hystrix DC. Rind Condiment 167 Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. Rind Antidote 168 Citrus medica L. Rind Antidote 169 Citrus paradisi Macfad. Rind Antidote 170 Micromelum minutum (Forst. f.) Wt. & Arn. Stem Dysentery; to hasten process of delivery 171 Murraya koenigii (L.) Spr. Leaf Stomachache 172 Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack Root Labour pain; body pain; stomachache

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173 Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Shoot, root Intestinal worms; fever, cough Cough, fever Flavor, ringworm SALICACEAE 174 Xylosma longifolia Clos Bark Dysentery SAINDACEAE 175 Aesculus assamica Griff. Leaf Ear sore SAURURACEAE 176 Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Leaf Bodyache SIMAROUBACEAE 177 Brucea mollis Wall. ex Kurz Fruit, root Fever, dysentery 178 Picrasma javanica Blume Fruit Digestion SOLANACEAE 179 Capsicum annuum L. Leaf, fruit Dysentery; stomach pain 180 Datura metel L. Fruit Dog bite 181 Physalis peruviana L. Fruit Analgesic 182 Solanum aculeatissinum Jacq. Fruit Toothache; insecticide 183 Solanum ferox L. Fruit Toothache 184 Solanum americanum Mill. Leaf Urinary problem; blood pressure 185 Solanum surattense Burm. f. Fruit Toothache STERCULIACEAE 186 Rhamnus nepalensis (WaUich) M. Lawson Fruit Headache THEACEAE 187 Camellia kissi Wall. Leaf Beverage THELYPTERIDACEAE 188 Amblovenatum opulentum J.P. Roux Leaf Headache, rheumatism THYMELAECEAE 189 Linostoma decandrum (Roxb.) Wall. ex Meisn. Root Ringworm VITACEAE 190 Leea indica (Burm. f.) Merr. Root Expectorant 191 Cayratia pedata (Lam.) Gangnep. Leaf Antidote 192 Cissus quadrangularis L. Leaf, Stem Fracture & sprain Cut & wound ZINGIBERACEAE 193 Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. Rhizome Appetizer, fever 194 Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. Rhizome Cough, flu & phryngitis 195 Amomum koenigii J.F.Gmel. Leaf Beverage 196 Cheilocostus speciosus (J.Koenig) C.D.Specht Rhizome Snake bite 197 Curcuma caesia Roxb. Rhizome Dysentery 198 Curcuma longa L. Rhizome Cut & wound, antiseptic 199 Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig Rhizome Snake bite 200 Kaempferia galanga L. Rhizome Dog & pig bites; condiment Flavor 201 Zingiber officinale Roscoe Leaf, rhizome Condiment; cough, fever, flu Flavor, sprain

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Conclusion Gogoi, S.K., Teron, R and Handique, P.J. 2005. Certain herbal Today, traditional knowledge of indigenous people is at risk from ethno-medicines used by the Karbi tribe of Assam (India). globalization and technology development. Acculturation and Journal of Current Sciences, 7(1): 71-74. systematic displacement of indigenous people from their natural Hooker, J.D. 1875 – 1897. Flora of British India. Vols. I-VII, L. habitats may coerce people to abandon their traditional practices Reeve & Co. Ltd., Kent, England. and custom for western culture. There is need for more International Society of Ethnobiology, 2006. ISE Code of Ethics aggressive ethnobotanical exploration among traditional societies (with 2008 additions). International Society of Ethnobiology. in various ecological regions of the world before their ingenious Online:http://ethnobiology.net/code-of-ethics/ plant knowledge is rendered to oblivion (Prance, 1991). One Kanjilal, U.N., Kanjilal, P.C., Das, A., Purkayastha, C. and Bor, N.L. apparent advantage of cross-cultural ethnobotanical study is it 1934 – 1940. Flora of Assam. Vol. 1-5. Govt. of Assam Press, can reflect the pattern of plant use in different societies and Shillong. exchange of local knowledge (dynamism) besides biodiversity Martin, G.J. 1995. Ethnobotany. A “People and Plants” exploration, exploitation and conservation. It has implications for Conservation Manual. World Wide Fund for Nature, Chapman protection of intellectual property of vulnerable indigenous and Hall, London. people. Ethnobotanical research should avoid misappropriation of Molandera, M., Saslis-Lagoudakisb, C.H., Jagera, A.K. & Ronsted, their resourceful knowledge instead give due recognition and N. 2012. Cross-cultural comparison of medicinal ﬂoras used share benefits arising out of the research. The role of ethnobotany against snakebites. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 139: 863- in drug discovery is acknowledged by one and all (Cox and Balick, 872. 1994: Fabricant and Farnsworth, 2001). Ethnobotany touches all Mustafa, B., Hajdari, A., Pieroni, A., Pulaj, B., Koro, X. and Quave, levels of biodiversity (genetic, species and ecosystem) including C.L. 2015. A cross-cultural comparison of folk plant uses subspecific categories of plants and thus, it can be a practical tool among Albanians, Bosniaks, Gorani and Turks living in south for exploration, utilization and conservation of biodiversity in an Kosovo. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 11: 39. area or region. DOI 10.1186/s13002-015-0023-5 Navaneethan, P., Nautiyal, S., Kalaivani, T. & Rajasekaran, C. References 2011. Cross-cultural ethnobotany and conservation of Alexiades, M.N. 1996. Collectiong ethnobotanical data: An medicinal and aromatic plants in the Nilgiris, Western Ghats: introduction to basic concepts and techniques. Pp. 53-94. In A case study. Medicinal Plants, 3(1): 27-45. Selected Guidelines for Ethnobotanical Research: A Field Prance, G.T. 1973. An ethnobotanical comparison of four tribes of Manual (eds Alexiades, M.N.), The New York Botanical Amazonian Indians. Acta Amaonica, 2(2): 7-27. Garden, Bronx, New York. Prance, G.T. 1991. What is ethnobotany today? Journal of Balakrishnan, N.P. 1981 and 1983. Flora of Jowai. Botanical Ethnopharmacology, 32: 209-216. Survey of India, Howrah Ramashankar, Deb, S. and Sharma, B.K. 2015. Traditional Healing Borthakur, S.K. 1976a. Less known medicinal uses of plants Practices in North East India. Indian Journal of History of among the tribes of Karbi Anglong (Mikir Hills), Assam. Science, 50 (2): 324-332. Bulletin of Bototanical Survey of India 18(1-4):166-171. Saslis-Lagoudakisb, C.H., Williamson, E.M., Sovalainen, V., Chakraborty, R., Deb, B., Devanna, N. and Sen, S. 2012. North- Hawkins, J.A. 2011. Cross-cultural comparison of three East India an Ethnic Storehouse of Unexplored Medicinal medicinal floras and implications for bioprospecting Plants. Journal of Natural Products and Plant Resources, 2 strategies. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 135: 476-487. (1):143-152. Stix, G. 1993. Back to roots: Drug companies forage for new Chowdhury, S. 2005. Assam Flora (Present status of vascular treatments (plants-derived pharmaceuticals). Scientific plants), (Assam Science, Technology and Environment American, 268: 142-144. Council, Guwahati). Terangpi, R., Basumatary, T.K. and Teron, R. 2014. Ethnomedicinal Cox, P.A. and Balick, M.J. 1994. The Ethnobotanical Approach to plants of the Karbi ethnic group in Assam state (India) for Drug Discovery. Scientific American, 270(6): 82-87. management of gynaecological disorders. International Cunningham, A.B. 1996. Applied Ethnobotany. People, Wild Plant Journal of Pharmacy & Life Sciences, 5(10):3910-3916. Use and Conservation. WWF, UNESCO, Royal Botanical Teron, R. and Borthakur, S.K. 2013. Folklore claims of some Gardens, Kew. Earthscan, Publications, London and Sterling. medicinal plants as antidote against poisons among the Dutta, B.K. and Dutta, P.K. 2005. Potential ethnobotanical studies Karbis of Assam, India. Pleione 7(2): 346 - 356. in North East India: An overview. Indian Journal of Traditional Teron, R. and Borthakur, S.K. 2016. Edible Medicines: An Knowledge, 4(1): 7-14. Exploration of Medicinal Plants in Dietary Practices of Karbi Fabricant, D.S. and Farnsworth, N.R. 2001. The Value of Plants Tribal Population of Assam, Northeast India. Pp. 135-157. In Used in Traditional Medicine for Drug Discovery. Nutrition and Health among Tribal Populations of India- A Environmental Health Perspective, 109(Suppl 1): 69-75. bio-cultural Approach (eds Mondal, N. and Sen, J.), B.R. Farnsworth, N.R., Akerele, O. and Bingel, A.S. 1985. Medicinal Publishing Corporation, Delhi-52. plants in therapy. 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Karbi Anglong district, Assam (INDIA). International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy, 6(1): 150-156.

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