International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 2, Issue 6, June 2012 1 ISSN 2250-3153 The Folk Medicinal Plants of the Mao Naga in Manipur, North East India Adani Lokho Department of Botany, Siksha Bhavan, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan West Bengal-731235, India Abstract- The present paper exclusively deals with the Mao (Sanjem, Rout and Nath, 2008); Tai-Khamyangs of Assam ( Naga Folk medicinal plants which are used for treating various Sonowal and Barua, 2011); Mizoram (Rai & Lalramnhinglova, ailments and diseases in their day today life. They are settled 2010); Sikkim (Singh, Birkumar and Rai, 2007); Tinsukia, agriculturist and have a very rich knowledge on plant based Assam (Buragoham, 2011); Apatani, Arunachal Pradesh (Kala, resources utilization for their survival since time immemorial. 2005); Khasi and Garos, Meghalaya (Neogi, Prasad and Rao, They practices folk medicines to take care of their health and 1989); Reang, Tripura (Sil and Choudhury, 2009); Angami-a, related problems primarily from the plant resources available Nagaland (Megoneitso and Rao, 1983); Lotha, Nagaland (Jamir, within and the vicinity of their environment. During the Takatemjen and Limasengla, 2008) etc. However this is the first investigation it has recorded 61 species belonging to 39 families report on the Mao Naga Folk medicinal plants. and 57 genera which are widely used as medicines by this ethnic The Naga tribes belong to the Mongolian stock and speak a community. The most common part of the plant utilized by the Tibeto-Burmese language, and have socio-cultural affinities with indigenous people as the source of medicine is the leaves with 32 the Southeast Asia (Ao Alemchiba, 1970). They have a very rich species. Flower and inflorescence are the least part of the plant culture and traditional practices which is unique from one tribe to with only two species viz. Crassocephalum crepidiodes and the other. The Nagas have a great heritage of oral traditions Hibiscus subdariffa which used for treating cuts, wounds and which involves beliefs and practices associated with nature, appetizer during sickness. The most dominant family is plants and animals. The diversity of the ethnic tribes among the Asteraceae with 10 species that are used for several diseases. Nagas presents a vast scope of ethnobotanical researches. There are 31 different tribes- Angami, Chakeshang, Ao, Sema, Index Terms- Mao Naga, Ethno-medicinal plants, Rengma, Lotha, Chang, Konyak, Sangtam, Phom, Zeliang, Mao, Agriculturalist, Makhel. Maram, Tangkhul, Maring, Anal, Mayan-Monsang, Lamkang, Nockte, Haimi, Htangun, Ranpan, Kolyo, Kenyu, Kacha, Yachimi, Kabui, Uchongpok, Makaoro, Jeru and Somra (Horam, I. INTRODUCTION 1975). However, only a few accounts on ethnobotany mainly he Northeast India comprises of eight states viz., Assam, emphasized on medicinal and wild edible plants used by the T Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Angami-a (Megoneitso and Rao, 1983); Ao (Rao and Jamir, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura and they are physiographically 1990); Nagaland (Rao and Jamir, 1982a, 1982b); Zeliang (Jamir categorized into the Eastern Himalayas, Northeast hills (Patkai- and Rao, 1990); Zeme (Rout et al., 2010); Lotha (Jamir et al., Naga Hills and Lushai Hills) and Brahmaputra and the plains of 2008); Mao (Mao and Hyneiwta, 2009; Mao, 1993, 1998, 1999); Barak valley. There are approximately 225 tribes hailing from Nagaland (Chankija, 1975), has been reported by few the Northeast region, out of the total 450 tribes that are found in researchers. The Nagas people live and spread out in the state of the country (Chatterjee et al., 2006). Besides ethnic and cultural Nagaland, Naga hills in Manipur, North Cachar and Mikir hills, diversity, it is one of the mega biodiversity regions in the world Lakhimppur, Sibsagar and Nowgong in Assam, north-east of which falls under the Himalaya and the Indo-Burma biodiversity Arunachal Pradesh, Somrat tract and across the border into hotspots forming a unique biogeographic province harbouring Burma. major biomes recognized in the world. It has the richest reservoir The Mao Naga tribe inhabits the northern most part of the of plant diversity and supporting about 50% of India’s hills of Manipur, under Senapati district in the Northeast region biodiversity (Mao, Hyniewta & Sanjappa, 2009). Majority of the of India. The termed ‘Mao’ has two connotations which refer the tribal communities resides in the hills and some parts of the name of the place as well as the people living in the area. The plains and valleys in different parts of the region. Ethnic-cultural vernacular name for the people is ‘Ememie’ and the place is diversity and rich biodiversity in the region are one of the charms ‘Ememiechiijii’. Historically, ‘Makhel’ a village from Mao is the that attract the attention of the tourists and equally the place of origin for settlement for most of the Naga tribes and has academicians or researchers for various reasons. There is a huge a significant mark in the pages of Naga history and civilization. potential to do ethnobotanical research in the region, primarily, A symbolic ‘wild Pear tree’ which was protected and guarded because, half of the total Indian tribal communities lives and for several hundred years by the Naga ancestors signified as the practices their cultures in its own unique way. Several works has evidence and revered by everyone, stands tall in the midst of the been done on Ethnomedicinal plants used by the different tribal Mao Naga till today. They are settled agriculturalist and practices communities from Northeast India, the north Cachar hills both terrace and wet paddy field cultivation. Apart from the two major forms of cultivation (terrace & wet paddy) kitchen www.ijsrp.org International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 2, Issue 6, June 2012 2 ISSN 2250-3153 gardening for vegetables and fruits for the family is a common Mode of utilization: A bunch of fresh leaves are crush and the practice amongst the tribe. In general the agricultural practices of squeeze juice is mixed with water in a cup and drink for the Mao tribe are considered to be the most advance form gastritis/acidity. The paste of fresh leaves apply for amongst the various Naga tribes in North-east India (Mao, 1993). fungal/bacterial infections between the toes during rainy seasons. The most common cash crops are Potato, Maize, Millet, Soya Melia azaderach Linn. bean, Cabbage both leafy and ball, Tomato, Chilli, Paddy, Vernacular name: Siikhasii Pumkin, Brinjal, Beans, Peas, Raddish, Leafy mustard, Summer Family: Meliaceae onion, Tamarillo, Squash, Ginger, Garlic etc. The common fruits Part used: Barks that are grown are Peach, Plums of several varieties, Pears, Treatment: Blood pressure, Acidity and Ringworm infection Passion fruit, Banana, Lemon, Guava, Mango, Cucumber, Mode of utilization: A handful of fresh peelings of the endoderm Avocado, Kiwi fruit, Strawberry and Cherry etc. There are of the bark is crush or grounded and boiled with water and the several works done on ethnobotany, medicinal plants and decoction is taken for treating blood pressure and acidity. The traditional techniques from the northeast region by various paste of the bark is applied on the skin for ring worm. workers for different ethnic tribal communities. However, very Anthogonium gracile Wall. few works has been done on the ‘Mao’ and ethnic Naga groups Vernacular name: Oke in general. Thus, the present work is an attempt to assess and Family: Orchidaceae study the folk medicinal plants of the Mao Naga in Manipur, Part used: Tuber/Rhizome India Treatment: Cracking heels Mode of utilization: The tuber/rhizome is crush/grounded into a paste and applies on the cracking heels for quick relief from pain. II. METHODOLOGY Chenopodium ambrosoides Linn. The information was gathered during the study period from Vernacular name: Nopuepro 2009-2011 through interviewed conducted to the village elders Family: Chenopodiaceae and practitioners from the Mao area in Manipur, India. The Part used: Leaves details were recorded in the information sheets. The field survey Treatment: Headache, fever and blood pressure was conducted in the respective localities and the plant materials Mode of utilization: One or two handfuls of leaves are boiled in are collected by following the standard method (Rao and Jain, water and the decoction is taken for treating headache, fever and 1977). All the informations presented in the paper are the actual blood pressure. version of the people interviewed during the study period. The Morus nigra Linn. specimens were identified with the help of adjacent floras, the Vernacular name: Khelosii Flora of Assam (Kanjilal), Forest Flora of Meghalaya Family: Urticaceae (Haridasan) and consulted the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) Part use: Leaves and Roots museum, Shillong. The specimens were submitted to the North Treatment: Jaundice Eastern Biodiversity Research Cell (NEBRC), N.E.H.U. Shillong Mode of utilization: A hand of fresh young leaves or the for future reference. covering of the roots are crush along with water and the decoction is taken for treating jaundice. Ethnomedicinal Plants and Their Uses: Urtica dioca Linn. The vernacular name, botanical name, family and the parts used Vernacular name: Shiingho and its utilization were presented under its plant species. Family: Urticaceae Polygonum orientale Linn. Part used: Leaves Vernacular name: Obuvii Treatment: Mumps Family: Polygoncaeae Mode of utilization: Five to ten numbers of fresh leaves are crush Part used: Leaves or grounded and the paste is apply on the affected part for Treatment: Diarrhoea and Dysentry treating mumps. Mode of Utilization: Fresh leaves are boiled with or without rice Cannabis sativa Linn. and serve the patient suffering from serious diarrhea and Vernacular name: Kanjapro dysentery for quick relief. Family: Cannabaceae Maesa indica (Roxb) A. DC. Part used: Leaves Vernacular name: Kohravii Treatment: Bone fracture, Sprain and Muscle pain Family: Myrsinaceae Mode of utilization: Five to ten leaves are crush and the paste is Parts used: Leaves apply on the affected part for cuts and wounds for blood clotting.