Abstract

USE OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS IN TRADITIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AND ECONOMIC USE BY MISHING TRIBE OF JORHAT, ASSAM, INDIA

Amit Pandey*, Shweta Singh, Rita Singh, Rajashree G Mavinkurve

ABSTRACT

Background: The tribal People are custodian of unique traditional knowledge systems and their ambient flora and fauna. The Mishing community of Assam also has some traditional health care practices. Assam is very rich in plant biodiversity as well as in ethnic diversity and has great traditional knowledge based on plant resources. A survey on folk medicinal plants and folk healers of Mishing tribe was conducted in Jorhat district, Assam. Methods: Information was collected based on interview and field studies with local healers within the community. Identification of medicinal plants was done by the indigenous healers. Study was mainly with plants used to cure diseases and to enquire about different healing systems. Results: We were able to explore 30 indigenous plants used by Mishing tribe in the treatment of various diseases and their economic uses. Conclusion: Mishing tribe is very rich in indigenous health care practices and their healing techniques are not been scientifically validated till now. In support of the documented Traditional Healthcare Practices (THPs), herbarium specimens were collected for authentication and promotion of the safe and efficacious Local Health Practices. Analysis of the survey showed that such work is important and contributes for primary health care and also it is necessary to combat the diminishing indigenous knowledge and THPs.

Keywords: Mishing Tribe, Traditional Health Practices (THPs), Traditional Health Practitioners, Plant Herbariums, Indigenous Plants.