A Study on Ethnobotanically Important Plant Species Used against Various Gastro-Intestinal (GI) Disorders by the Indigenous People of Barpeta District of Assam, North-East India

Abstract

Plants and plant products have been used in traditional medication system to treat several human diseases since long back. The North-eastern region of India is a part of foot hills of Himalayas and Indo-Burma biodiversity hot spot and it was proved to be a home for a large number of ethnoboanically important plant species by several researchers. The present study was carried out during July, 2018 to June, 2019 for a period of one year at Barpeta district of Assam, North-East India to prepare a database on traditional knowledge of indigenous people regarding the uses of different plants to cure various Gastro-Intestinal (GI) disorders. The district is situated at a global position between 26°45′-26°50 N′ latitude and 90°30′-91°51′0″E longitude. Extensive field studies were conducted in the study area to obtain firsthand information on uses of ethnobotanically important plants. Sample specimens were collected and preserved during the study period. This report has documented 55 number of plant species belonging to 38 families used by the local people and especially by the traditional drug practitioners of the study area against various GI anomalies. In spite of the availability and accessibility of the modern system of medication, most of the people of the study area still depend on herbal medication system provided by traditional drug practitioners to treat a range of GI anomalies. This documentation will help to harness this traditional knowledge and to preserve this knowledge for the betterment of future mankind.