Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2025; 13(1): 32-36

ISSN (E): 2320-3862

ISSN (P): 2394-0530 Ethnomedicinal significance of some indigenous
www.plantsjournal.com
JMPS 2025; 13(1): 32-36
© 2024 JMPS
plant species of lakhimpur district, Assam and
Received: 15-10-2024
Accepted: 18-11-2024
their conservation strategy
Jully Gohain Neog
Department of Botany, LTK Jully Gohain Neog and Biju Borkataki
College, North Lakhimpur,
Assam, India DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/plants.2025.v13.i1a.1787
Dr. Biju Borkataki
Abstract
B.H. College, Howly, Assam,
Ethnomedicine embodies the rich and diverse traditional knowledge systems developed by indigenous
India
communities worldwide. This study investigates the ethnomedicinal practices of the Lakhimpur district
in Assam, India, with a focus on documenting indigenous uses of medicinal plants for healthcare.
Between 2021 and 2024, extensive fieldwork and ethnobotanical surveys were conducted, recording 60
plant species used by ethnic communities like the Mising, Bodo, Karbi, Deori, Kosari, Rabha, Dimasa,
Adibhasi etc. for treating ailments ranging from digestive disorders to neurological and metabolic
conditions. Through structured interviews with traditional healers (Kabiraj), community elders, and
market surveys, the study provides a comprehensive inventory of plants, their therapeutic applications,
and methods of preparation. The findings underscore the indispensable role of traditional medicinal
plants in sustaining community health and emphasise the urgent need for conservation strategies to
safeguard this invaluable knowledge amidst rapid cultural and environmental changes.

Keywords: Ethnomedicine, medicinal plants, Assam, indigenous knowledge, conservation, traditional

healers, healthcare.

Introduction
The Herbal healers of the Lakhimpur district have used many plant species with the ethno
medicinal value found in forest areas, marshes, kitchen gardens, paddy fields etc, for the
treatment of different diseases. Some plants like Acorus calamus. L (Bach), Ricinus
communis.L (Ara), Tinospora cordifolia. (Willd.) Hook. f. & Th (saguni lota) etc since a long
time ago. (Neog and Borgohain 2014) [10]. The Herbal healer has adequate knowledge of
medicinal plants and their uses in healing different diseases among the Mishing community
(Bhuyan 2015) [22]. The Traditional health care system is an integral part of society that is
based on tradition and belief and it means for maintaining health of people by preventing and
curing disease (Medhi, 1995) [6]. WHO has estimated that more than 80% of people in
developing countries rely on traditional medicine for their primary healthcare needs? (Azaizeh
et al. 2003) [5] and 85% of the traditional medicines involved the use of plant extracts. (Kumar
and Dhan 1988) [4]. Medicinal plants occupy an important position in the socio-cultural and
therapeutic area of India (Kurup et al.1979) [3] In India more than 2500 plants with medicinal
value are officially recorded and it is estimated that over 6000 plant species are used in
traditional folk and herbal medicines (Huxley1984). Recently several workers studied
ethnomedicinal plants and their use in curing diseases (Khongsai et al. 2011, Chakravorty et
al. 2012) [2, 23].

Methods
The study was conducted from 2021 to 2024 across villages and tea gardens of Lakhimpur
Subdivision, Assam. Data collection followed the methodologies outlined by Jain (1987-1989)
[7]
, combining interviews, direct observations, and market surveys.
Corresponding Author: Data Sources
Jully Gohain Neog
Department of Botany, LTK Traditional healers (Kabiraj) and community elders were interviewed to document plant uses,
College, North Lakhimpur, preparation methods, and local nomenclature.
Assam, India
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Fig 1: Maps of Assam and Lakhimpur district

Market surveys were conducted to observe the trade and Documentation

application of medicinal plants. Details such as scientific names, local names, families, habits,
parts used, and medicinal applications were meticulously
Plant Identification recorded.
Specimens were identified during field visits or cross-
referenced with established botanical literature, including Findings
Assam’s Flora by Choudhury (2005) and Medicinal Plants of The study documented a diverse range of ethnomedicinal
Assam by U.K. Sharma (2004). Herbarium specimens were plants, emphasizing their importance in traditional healthcare.
deposited in the Botany Department of L.T.K. College, along A representative subset is presented in the table below:
with photographic documentation.

Table 1: Traditional medicinal plants used for various ailments.

Local name
Scientific Name Family habit Parts used Used in
(Assamese)
Hydrocotyl sibihopioides Lamk. Xaru manimuni Apiaceae herb Whole plant Diarrhoea and dysentery
Appetite, dysentery, memory
Centella asiatica. L Bar manimuni Apiaceae Herb Whole plant
stimulent
Houttoynia cordata Thumb. Mosondari Sauraraceae herb Leaves Diarrhaea, dysentery
Costus speciosus( Koen. Ex. Jaundice, Pneumonia
Jam lakhuti Costaceae shrub root
Retz.) J.E. Smith Stomach pain of womendyrusia
Used in cough and throat sore, back
Vitex negundo.L Posotia Verbenaceae shrub Leaves
and body pain,.
Stem and
Mentha spictata Linn Podina Lamiaceae herb High blood pressure
Leaves
Sarcochlamys pulcherrima( Shrub or small
Mesaki Utricaceae Leaves High blood pressure
Roxb) Gaud. tree
Pogostemon benghalense (B) Leaves, tender
shukloti Lamiaceae shrub For uterus contraction after child birth
O. Ktz. stem
Phyllanthus fraternus Webst. Bon amlokhi Euphorbiaceae Small herb Leaves, fruit Jaundice, reduce cholesterol
Tuberculosis, menstrual complaints,
Paederia scandense (Lour).
bhedailata Rubiacee climber Leaves stomach pain, Dysentery,
Merr.
Diarrhoea, gastric.
Anti-rabies in dog bite, cold, cough,
Piper longum.L Pipoli piperaceae climber Leaves
idigestion
Tender stem Used in anemia, liver disease, wound,
Boerhaavia diffusa. L punarnaba Nictaginaceae Herb
and leaves kidney disease
Murraya koenigii(L) Spreng Narasingha Rutaceae Shrub Leaves increase appetite,
Used for kidney stones, burns,
Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam. Herb/
Dupar tenga Crassulaceae Leaves juice Ulcers, diarrhoea, piles and to lower
Oken small plant
cholesterol.
Andrographis paniculata Linn. Chirata Acanthaceae shrub Leaves Leaves juice against worm
Scrophular- Stem and Improve long-term memory, in the
Bacopa monnieri.Linn Brahmi herb
iaceae Leaves treatment of dementia
Citrus aurentifolia Golnemu Rutaceae shrub Fruit Fever, dysentery
Jaundice, sinusitis
Leucas aspera Spreng. Durun Lamiaceae herb Leaves
,appetite
Stem and Used in high blood pressure, diabetic,
Oxalis corniculata. L. Tengesi tenga Oxalidaceae Sub aerial herb
Leaves dysentery
Cough, cold, motion sickness, fever,
Zingiber officinale Roscoe. Ada Zingiberaceae Rhizome
indigestion, arthritis, bronchitis and
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stomach pain, gas

cancer, diabetes, leukemia, and wasp-
Catharanthus roseus.L G. Don. Nayantora Apocyanaceae shrub Whole plant
sting.
Used in tuberculosis, infection of the
Commelina benghalensis L. Konasimalu Commelinaceae herb Whole plan
eyes.
Liliaceae Anemia,
Asperagus rasemosus Wild. Satmul shrub root and stem
Leucorrhea, stomach ache
Abrus precatories. L Latumoni Fabaceae Fruit Tonsilitis
Treatment of diarrhoea,
Acorus calamus. L Boch Araceae herb rhizome tuberculosis,
cough and cold
Lever enlargement, gastric and
Eclipta prostrata (L) L. Keharaj Asteraceae Herb Whole plant hepatic trouble, hair tonic and
jaundice
Terminalia billirica (Gaertn)
bhumura Combretaceae Tree Fruit Blood purification, gastric ulcer.
Roxb. ex. Fle. m.
Fractures, gonorrhea, chronic
Tinospora cordifolia (Willd)
sogunilata Menispermeceae climber stem dysentery, cuts and wounds, malaria
Hook. f & Th
and waist pain.
Caesalpinia bonduc. L Roxb. Letaguti Casalpiniaceae climber Seed karnel Cough, fever
Leaves &
Calotrops procera Dryand ex.
Akon Asclapiadaceae Shrubs white latex of artrititis
W Ait.
Leaves
Cissus quadrangularis L. Har jora lota Vitaceae climber Climber stem Bone fracture
Croton tiglium L. konibih Euphorbiaceae Small tree root miscarase
Clerodendrum colibrookianum Leaves and
nephafu verbenaceae shrub High blood pressure
Walp. tender stem
Burn, fever, white discharge, hair
Aloe barbadensis Miller Chal kunwari Small plant Succulent stem
tonic, in piles
Spilanthes paniculata Leaves,
shuhani Asteraceae herb
Wall. ex. DC inflorescence
Fruit, white
Diarrhoea, blood dysentery, pin
Ananas comosus. L Merr. Anaras Bromeliaceae tender Leaves
worm,
base
Diabetic, loss of appetite, stomach
Azadiracta indica. A. Juss. Maha neem Meliaceae Tree Leaves
ache, skin disease, against worm
Leaves, Dysentery, cough, female infertility,
Evergreen
Aristolacia indica. Linn Ishormul Aristolaciaceae bark,root and malaria, diabetic, helminthicide,
climber
fruit eczema, antidote against snake bite.
Croton joufra. Roxb. Mahudi Euphorbiaceae Leaves Pneumonia
Leaves and
Cynodon dactylon. L Pers. Dubari bon Poaceae grass Dyuresia,
stems
Cajanus cajan.L. Millsp Rahar mah Leguminosae shrub Leaves Jaundice and gastrict
Nyctanthes arbortrsitis. Linn Shewali phool Oleaceae Tree Leaves, Flower Fever, malaria
Leucoderma, cough, swelling in
prostate gland, increase digestion,
Plumbago jeilenica. L Boga agesita Plumbaginaceae shrub
gastric, birt control, wound in
duodenum, reduce cholesterol.
Diarrhoea, indigestion, piles, skin
Plumbago rosea. Linn Ronga agesita Plumbaginaceae shrub root disease, loss in appetite,
helminthicide, cough, birth control.
Aegle mermelos. L.Correa. Bel Rutaceae Tree Fruit Used in constipation, in piles
Euphorbia hirta. Linn gakhiroti Euphorbiaceae herb Whole plant Asthmatic trouble
Sachharum officinarum Linn kunhiyar Poaceae shrub stem jaundice
Ocimum sanctum Tulasi Lamiaceae shrub Leaves Cold and cough
Diarrhoea, vomiting, hair growth,
Emblica officinalis. Gaertn. Amlakhi Phylanthaceae tree Leaves
Jaundice, liver tonic
Head ache, Stomach disorder, cough,
Crotolaria tiglum. L Konibish Euphorbiaceae shrub seed
bronchitis, fever, leucoderma
Curcuma longa. Linn Halodhi Zingiberaceae herb rhyzome Gastrict, tonsilitis,
Phlogocanthus thyrsiformis Titaphul or ranga Flowers and Fever, Stomach ache, cough,
Acanthaceae Shrub
(Hardw.) Mabberley basak leaves bronchitis
Juice of leaves used as emollient in
Rhynchostylis retusa. L.Bl. Kopou phul Orchidaceae epiphytic Leaves
otorrhoea
Riccinus communis. L Era Euphorbiaceae Shrubs Leaves roots Snake bite, post natal pain
Fruit,bark, seed
Syzygium cumini. L. Skeels Kola jamu Myrtaceae Tree Diarrhoea,stomach ache,diebetes
and leaves
Dysentery, fever, pain, gastrict,
Oldanlandia corymbosa Linn. Bonjaluk Rubiaceae herb Whole plant
jaundice
Cold and cough, constipation, kidney
Musa paradisiaca. Linn Kol gos Musaceae herbs Whole plant
problem
Acacia fornesian (Willd).L Tarua kadam Fabaceae shrub Leaves Cold and cough, tonsilititis
Piper nigram. L Jaluk piperaceae climber seed Fever, diarrhoea
Clerodendrum infortunatum. L Dhapat tita verbenaceae shrub leaves Malaria

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A total of 60 species were recorded, representing various contribute traditional wisdom has been instrumental in
families such as Lamiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Piperaceae. documenting the rich biodiversity and its therapeutic
Key findings include: applications. We also acknowledge the support of traditional
healers, whose expertise provided critical insights into the
Common Ailments Treated: Diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, preparation and use of medicinal plants.
high blood pressure, and kidney disease. Our appreciation goes to the academic institutions and
research organizations that facilitated this study, offering
Versatility of Plants: Some plants, like Bryophyllum guidance and resources for its successful completion. We are
pinnatum, exhibited multi-purpose applications, including also thankful to the field assistants and botanists who aided in
kidney stone treatment and burn healing. plant identification and data collection.
Furthermore, we recognize the contributions of policymakers
Traditional Preparation Methods: Infusions, decoctions, and conservationists working towards the preservation of
and raw plant parts were commonly employed. indigenous knowledge and biodiversity. Finally, we express
our gratitude to our colleagues and reviewers for their
Discussion: The findings of this study align with broader constructive feedback, which enhanced the quality of this
ethnobotanical research, reaffirming the therapeutic potential work. This study is dedicated to safeguarding traditional
of plant-based remedies in traditional healthcare systems. The medicine for future generations.
documentation of 60 plant species highlights the immense
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