Ethnobotanical investigations among the Lushai tribes in North Cachar Hills district of Assam, Northeast India

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1 Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 9(1), January 2010, pp Ethnobotanical investigations among the Lushai tribes in North Cachar Hills district of Assam, Northeast India Albert L Sajem 1 * & Kuldip Gosai 2 1 Department of Botany, Haflong Government College, Haflong Assam; 2 Department of Agricultural Engineering, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli , Arunachal Pradesh albertsajem@gmail.com Received 28 March 2007; revised 15 October 2008 Traditional use of plants from the Northeastern part of India has been documented for decades altogether. The ethnic community still depend upon their indigenous knowledge for healing their ailments (both intrinsic and extrinsic). The study documents the usage of 31 medicinal plant species belonging to 26 families and 31 genera by the indigenous Lushai tribes of Northeast India. The study was done through structured questionnaires in consultations with the tribal practitioners. The use of aboveground plant parts was higher (79.06%) than the underground plant parts (20.93%). Leaf was used in the majority of cases (23 species), followed by fruit (4). However, different underground plant forms such as root, tuber, rhizome, bulb and pseudo-bulb were also found to be in use by the Lushai tribe as a medicine. About 41 types of ailments have been reported to be cured by using these 31 medicinal plant species. The study thus emphasizes the need to pursue meticulous ethnobotanical research in finding solutions to major fatal diseases and ensure its application in improving human health and medical care facilities. Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Traditional Knowledge, Lushai tribe, Medicinal plants, North Cachar Hills, Assam IPC Int. Cl. 8 : A61K36/00, A61P1/02, A61P1/04, A61P1/06, A61P1/08, A61P1/14, A61P5/00, A61P5/50, A61P9/14, A61P11/00, A61P11/06, A61P15/00, A61P17/00, A61P17/08, A61P19/00, A61P29/00, A61P31/02, A61P35/00 The Indian subcontinent is being inhabited by over 53.8m tribal people in 5,000 forest dominated villages of tribal community and comprising 15% of the total geographical area of Indian landmasses, representing one of the greatest emporia of ethno-botanical wealth 1. The Northeastern states of India that comprises eight states, harbours more than 130 major tribal communities of the total 427 tribal communities found in India. Assam comprises 12.8% of the total tribal population of India with 14 hill tribes; 12 of these are tribes whose settlements go back to the days of undivided Assam and include pockets of Khasi, Jaintia, Garo, Naga and a clutch of Mizo and related tribes 2. The Mizo tribes include the Lushais, Pawis, Paithes, Raltes, Pang, Hmars, Kukis, Lakhers and others. The Lushai tribe (Lu in Lushai language means head and shai means cutter) moved into India early in the 19th century. Most Mizos belong to the Lushai tribe (the region was earlier called Lushai hills, a southern branch of the Himalayas), though there are other tribes as well. They belong to the *Corresponding author Sino-Siamese stock and are believed to have migrated to the present habitat between the 17th and 18th centuries from upper Burma. A rich diversity of both of population and flora in Assam has provided an initial advantage to its inhabitants for observing, and scrutinizing the rich flora and fauna for developing their own traditional knowledge. With the passage of time, they have developed a great deal of knowledge on the use of plants and plant products in curing various ailments. They have a deep belief in their native folklore medicine for remedies and they rely exclusively on their own herbal cure 2. Although literature on the uses of varied medicinal plants by the different tribes has been documented from different parts of India 2-35 but information on the traditional and cultural practices of the varied tribes residing in the North Cachar Hills district of Assam is scanty. A need was thus felt to gather in-depth information on the plant species used by the Lushai tribal group and document their traditional knowledge and cultural practices before they are lost forever. The North Cachar Hills district of Assam is an abode to different tribes such as Dimasas, Lushais,

2 SAJEM & GOSAI : ETHNOBOTANY OF LUSHAI TRIBES OF ASSAM 109 Jaintias, Hmars, Kukis, Nagas, etc. who have resorted to Jhum or shifting cultivation. The Mizos or the Lushais, Hmar and Kukis bear the early history of migration along with the other major tribes such as Dimasa and Jaintia to the North Cachar Hills (25º30 N-25º47 N latitude and 92º37 E-93º17 E longitude) situated at the southern part of Assam (Fig. 1). They are concentrated mainly at Muolhoi and Songpyijang situated at an altitude of about 700-1,100m. Although several languages were spoken by the Lushais, the main language is Lushai. Other languages of the Kuki-Chin groups spoken by the different tribes are Zahao, Lakher, Hmar, Paite, Lai and Ralte. Many of the smaller tribes use their own language amongst themselves but use Lushai language, which is a spoken language for conversation. The houses built by the Lushai tribe include the use of bamboo and wood in their construction. Most of the houses are built on the slopes and are invariably supported by wooden posts of varied lengths, so that the house is balanced horizontally with the level of the road. Crossbeams are fastened against these posts and over the beams long solid bamboos are laid. Bamboo matting is then laid over the bamboo frame, which forms the floor of the house. The walls of the house are also made up of bamboo matting fastened to the outer posts. The roof consists of solid as well as split bamboo frames covered with thick thatch and Fig. 1 Lushai inhabited villages of Norht Cachar hills some other kind of leaves. Cane is generally used for keeping the joints together and in some cases, iron nails are also used. In case where the floor of the house is much above the ground, a ladder made entirely of a piece of log is placed across the intervening space between the floor of the house and the ground. The doors and windows are usually of bamboo matting and these are fastened against the wall. It may be noted that in some cases the floor, doors and windows are made of wooden planks, while in others split bamboos are used instead. The interior of the house is a single rectangular structure. It is partitioned into a number of rooms according to the convenience by screens made of bamboo matting or with a cloth fixed to bamboo or wooden frame. In houses where both married and unmarried persons live together, separate sleeping apartments are made by partition. The hearth is always at one corner of the house usually near the front floor. It is made of clay and stones and is raised about 90cm above the floor supported by raised poles. Above the fire place is hung a bamboo frame which is kept suspended to keep various things used in cooking as dried chillies, dry fish, salt, etc. Methodology Field survey was carried out during to collect information on the medicinal uses of plants found in the Lushai inhabited villages of Muolhoi and Songpyijang located in the hills. Routine methods of plant collection and herbarium techniques have been followed 36. The plants were collected in its flowering stage as far as possible, from its natural habitat. Ethnomedicinal usage of plants was gathered from the village chiefs (Gaon Burahs), medicine man, local man and women and cultivators using semi-structured questionnaires. Analysis of data was made with the help of group discussions among different age classes of Lushai villagers that include both the genders of the society. A total of 238 villagers (143 men and 95 women) were selected randomly aged in between 30-80yrs, but only 63 (26%) provided information for all the methods of data collection. The average age of the person in the permanent sample was 56.7yrs. Some medicinal plants have also been procured which are domesticated by the local tribes for day to day use and for the treatment of common ailments. All the voucher specimens were identified and were deposited in the Department of Botany (DoB), Haflong Government College (HGC), Haflong 37.

3 110 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE VOL 9, No.1, JANUARY 2010 Results and discussion Ethnobotanical study on the Lushai tribe from the North Cachar Hills district of Assam revealed usage of about 31 plant species that were found to be distributed across 26 families and 31 genera. Information on plant species, local names, plant parts used, dosage and uses has been provided (Table 1). The use of aboveground plant parts for medicinal purposes was found to be higher (79.06%) than the underground (20.93%) plant parts (Fig. 2). Leaf was used in majority of the cases (21), followed by fruits (4) and shoots (4). The whole plant parts of Centella asiatica (L) Urban, Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Oxalis corymbsa L. and Scroporia dulcis L. were found to have a medicinal value. Thirty one medicinal plants were reported to be used in curing about 41 types of ailments, of which the highest number of plant species (16) was used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and about 4 of them for curing tooth ailments (Table 1). Table 1 Medicinal plants used by Lushai tribes Plant name/family Local name Uses (consensus index) Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Adhatoda vesica Mill. Acanthaceae Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae Alstonia scholaris (L) R.Br. Apocynaceae Amomum dealbatum Roxb. Zingiberaceae Arum dioscoridis Sibth. & Sm Araceae Asparagus racemosus (Willd.) Liliaceae Begonia roxburghii (Miq.) DC. Bigoniaceae Bryophyllum calycinum Salis Crassulaceae Cassia tora L. Catharanthus Caeselpinaceae Catharanthus roseus (L) G.Don Apocynaceae Centella asiatica (L) Urban (H) Apiaceae Clerodendrum grandulosum L. Verbenaceae Coriandum sativum L. Umbelliferae Curcuma longa L. Zingiberaceae Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Convolvulaceae Desmodium triquetrum (L) DC. Leguminaceae Chabet Leaves are used to cure boils and other skin diseases (53%). Kawldai Leaf extract is taken during cold and cough; leaf decoction is taken during tumour and uterine problems (51%). _ Leaves are used to prevent bleeding in cuts and wounds (52%). Thuamriat Dried bark is taken raw curing asthma (32%). Aidu Rhizome or roots are crushed, fried lightly with mustard oil and applied to cure joints pain (61%). Doldum Stem juice is applied directly to cure boils (39%). Uithinthang Dried leaves are powdered and taken orally to cure stomach disorders (29%). Sekhupthur Rhizome/bulb is used for curing stomach disorders (67%). Hnahtla-to Leaves are crushed and applied on eye sores (59%). Thuan-sen Kumthuang-par Hnahbial Puihnam Pardi Aieng Rankahrui Leaves, barks and roots are applied externally for curing different forms of skin diseases (73%). Leaves are taken directly for curing diabetes and high blood pressure (81%). Whole plant parts are crushed and are used to cure leprosy, tuberculosis and asthma (55%) The decoction of leaves is used against high blood pressure and it acts as a blood purifier (49%). Dried fruits are powdered and taken orally to cure stomach ache (58%). Pill made out of crushed rhizomes is taken orally before food to counteract dyspepsia (67%). Whole plant extract is applied on the scalp to prevent premature hair fall, greying and control dandruff (66%). Arhrik-hlo Leaf extract is used as vermicide (81%). Contd.

4 SAJEM & GOSAI : ETHNOBOTANY OF LUSHAI TRIBES OF ASSAM 111 Table 1 Medicinal plants used by Lushai tribes--contd Plant name/family Local name Uses (consensus index) Gossypium arboreum L Malvaceae Melastoma malabathricum L. Melastomaceae Mikania micarantha Kunth Asteraceae Mimosa pudica L. Mimosaceae Momordica charantia Linn. Cucurbitaceae La Builukham Japan-hlo Young and premature seed powder is taken in empty stomach to improve memory power (69%). Leaves and young twigs are taken raw to cure indigestion and dysentery (59%). Leaf extract is applied during cuts and wounds to check clotting of blood (76%). Hlonuar Fresh root extract is taken twice daily for curing piles (84%). Changkha Leaves are crushed then taken orally or applied to the injured tissues for curing rabies. It is also taken along with other vegetables to get rid from chest pain and other rheumatic pain (72%). Nicotiana tabaeccum Viv Vaihlo Whole plant extract is applied thrice daily against skin infections (55%). Ocimum sanctum L. Lamiaceae Oxalis corymbosa L. Oxalidaceae Piper longum L. Piperaceae Plantago major L. Plantaginaceae Scoporia dulcis L. Scrophulariaceae Solanum indicum L. Solanaceae Tabernaemontana divaricata (L) R.Br. Apocynaceae Urena lobata L. Malvaceae Runhmui Siak-thur Vakohrui Lambawk Hnimthuam-thum Samtrawkte Seeds mixed with honey are taken against cough. Leaf decoction is used in parasitical skin diseases and applied to the finger and toenails during fever (59%). Whole plant extract is taken thrice daily to treat dyspepsia and jaundice (69%). Crushed fruit mixed with jaggery and ginger powder is boiled with water and taken thrice daily before food for curing malaria. Dry root is taken with tea twice daily to cure body ache (73%). An equal proportion of crushed leaves and raw milk (w/v) is mixed and taken early morning in an empty stomach for almost one week to cure jaundice. Leaf extract is also used for curing ear ache, tooth ache and gum bleeding (68%). Aerial parts decoction is used for gargles. Root extract is applied twice daily on the dental cavities (56%). Pills prepared from dried fruit decoction are taken twice daily for curing high blood pressure (71%). Kelte-bengbah Latex is applied twice daily to prevent cavity formation (72%). Sehnap Leaf decoction is taken twice daily to reduce blood pressure; also taken mixed with water and black pepper before sleep to relieve rheumatic pain and body ache (54%). Assam, although is very rich in both floral and faunal diversity but is still considered to be the understudied part of India. The usage of plants by the different tribes for medicinal purposes is relatively low when compared to other tribes from other parts of the globe. The usage of 2,416 plants for ethnomedicinal purposes in the country has already been documented, out of which about 1,953 plant species found its uses among the different tribes inhabiting the Northeastern region of the country alone 2. The plants used by the Lushai tribes of the North Cachar Hills district of Assam has some or the other relevance with that of the different groups of people residing in other parts of the country such as the Khonds of Andhra Pradesh, Thottianaickans of Tamil Nadu, Miris of Assam, Nyishi tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, tea tribes of Assam, Nagas of Nagaland, Chakma community of Arunachal Pradesh, Shan tribes of Assam, Meitei community of Manipur, Mizo tribes of Mizoram, Monpas of Arunachal Pradesh, Bhil tribe of Madhya Pradesh, Mikirs of Assam, Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh and Jaintia tribes of Assam Most of the plants used by the Lushais of Assam bear a similar resemblance to that of the other tribes from the other parts of India. The root powder of Asparagus racemosus Willd. has been found to be effective in chronic peptic ulcer while the Lushais use

5 112 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE VOL 9, No.1, JANUARY 2010 it against stomach disorders 20. Adhatoda vesica Mill. is used by the Jaintias for curing nose bleeding, dysentery and blood vomiting but the usage of same species against tumour and uterine problems has never been reported earlier 2. Cataranthus roseus (L) G. Don is used by the Lushais against diabetes, high blood pressure and against nasal bleeding 35. The use of Achyranthes aspera L. against urinary disorders has been also reported amongst the Chakma community in Arunachal Pradesh while the same species is used against eye burns in the Coastal region of Cape Comorin in India 32,33. The use of Clerodendrum grandulosum L. against diabetes and high blood pressure has been reported earlier but the Lushais use it against high blood pressure 2. Also the usage of Centella asiatica L. against leprosy, tuberculosis and asthma cure has been reported for the first time. The use of Mikania micarantha Kunth as a clotting agent has also been never reported. The antitussive property of Ocimum sanctum L. is known for generations altogether but its use against parasitical skin diseases is a new report. Lushais of the North Cachar Hills district of Assam have a deep traditional knowledge that warrants a detailed documentation. Besides this, there is an utmost need to document the traditional and cultural practices of the other tribes too from this remotely located region, who had been living in harmony for centuries altogether. Conclusion North Cachar Hills district of Assam represents tropical wet evergreen forests. The data about plant use in this ecosystem gives a complete picture of the Fig.2 Above ground plant parts in use by Lushais natural wealth this hill district is bestowed with. The knowledge gathered from the study can thus be exploited in arousing the general masses to conserve the natural wealth of bio-resources in the region before they fall prey to large scale deforestation activities that are in progress in this hill district of Assam. There is also a need for the mobilization of collaborative research and funding commitments by the government departments and research institutions for facilitating the smooth transmission of folk knowledge of this region to other parts of the globe. With changes in the life style and associated decline of plants use, the traditional folklore and with it the ethnic knowledge too is declining very rapidly. Thus, there is an immediate need for documentation of the same for the greater benefit of the future generation. Acknowledgement Authors thank all the faculty members of the Department of Botany, Haflong Government College for guidance during the entire period of investigation. Villagers of Muolhoi and Songpyijang from the North Cachar Hills district of Assam deserve appreciation for their immense help and cooperation during the fieldwork. References 1 Chowdhuri SK, From Ethnobotany, In: Studies in Botany, Vol 2, 7th edn, edited by Mitra D, Guha J, Chowdhuri SK, (Manasi Press, Kolkata), 2000, Sajem AL & Gosai K, Traditional use of medicinal plants by the Jaintia tribes in North Cachar Hills district of Assam, Northeast India, J Ethnobiol Ethnomed, 2 (2006) Dutta BK & Dutta PK, Potential of ethnobotanical studies in North East India: An overview, Indian J Traditional Knowledge, 4 (1) (2005) 7 14.

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