Folklore Plants from Kamakhya Hills Reserve Forest of Assam, India with their Ayurvedic Indications and Corroborated Pharmacological Activities

Abstract

Aim: The present communication deals with the report of Medico-ethnobotanical claims and folklore medicinal plants documented during the survey made to Kamakhya Hills Reserve Forest of Nagaon Forest Division situated in Central Assam region in South bank of the mighty river Brahmaputra. Materials and methods: Field surveys were conducted in the study area where four folk healers were interviewed for documentation of Medico-ethnobotanical information. The reported folklore plant specimens are collected, identified and preserved. Results: The reported folk claims involve 18 medicinal plants under 18 genera represented by 15 families. Corroborative Ayurvedic indications and reported pharmacological activities have been reviewed against documented folklore medicinal plants for further validation of folk claims. From the review, it is evident that there are total four plant species reported as the folk medicine of the region are not mentioned in any classical Ayurvedic texts as well as in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API). Among these, one plant species have come up with novel disease indications without having corroborative disease indications in Ayurvedic system of medicine as well as in reported pharmacological activities. Conclusion: Novel folklore plants are suggested for further validation and screening. Significance: Corroboration with Ayurvedic indication and reported pharmacological activities will validate the use of the folklore plant.