Title : Report of indigenous uses of ethnomedicinal plants in the treatment of various ailements by the local bodo people of Kokrajhar district of Assam
Abstract:
Knowledge of traditional medicines which the Bodo people have acquired through ages by trial-and-error methods has been inherited from generation to generation. These plants represent tremendous natural resources with potential for new medicines, food crops and other varieties as well as many products. Survey has recorded 215 species of wild edible food plants with 118 numbers used as leafy vegetables, 88 number of plants and fern allies (6 no’s) having ethnomedicinal uses and others used as spices and condiments. The average informants’ consensus (Fic) value for all disease categories was 0.9 which indicates homogeneity of information provided by different informants. Highest value of Fic is found in Reproductive system disorders (0.99) followed by Nervous system disorders (0.97) and lowest in Gastrointestinal system disorders (0.65). It was found that Hydrocotyle asiatica showed highest fidelity level (96%) followed by Andrographis paniculata (92%), Phyllanthus fraternus (91%) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (90%). Lowest fidelity level is observed in Spilanthes paniculata (35%), followed by Lasia spinosa (28.5%), Stellaria media (29%) and Solanum nigrum (25%) respectively. Quantitative analysis of secondary metabolites in some plants shows the presence of tannins, terpenoids, steroids, phenols etc. with trace amounts of sugars. Ethno-medico survey of this region has brought to light some native plants which these tribes have been using from generations to cure many diseases.
