Medico-ethnobotanical Claims used against Gastrointestinal Disorders by Different Tribes of Assam, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim The present communication deals with some newly reported Medico-ethnobotanical claims used for the treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders like blood dysentery, chronic dysentery, diarrhea, and cholera by using medicinal plants documented during field survey since last 3 years. Materials and methods Field surveys were conducted in different locations of Assam where many folk healers were interviewed for documentation of Medico-ethnobotanical information. The reported plants are collected, identified, and specimens are preserved. Results Nine different tribes and communities of Assam are newly recorded to use 30 medico-ethnobotanical claims for the concerned purpose, while use of similar claims is already reported elsewhere by other tribes of different regions; the other tribes using similar claim are highlighted. Out of total 47 medicinal plant specimens documented, 10 medicinal plants were recorded for 11 single formulations, 39 medicinal plants for 19 compound formulations, and among these 2 medicinal plants are repeated for both compound and single formulations. Conclusion Ethnic societies are still depending upon the medicinal plants for the treatment of various diseases including gastrointestinal disorders. Further scientific investigations are needed for validation of these folk claims. Clinical significance Cross-cultural study along with other tribes was done and highlighted against enumeration for further validation of folk claims. How to cite this article Bora D, Mehmud S, Baruah D, Bharali BK, Rath C, Mangal AK, Joseph GVR. Medico-ethnobotanical Claims used against Gastrointestinal Disorders by Different Tribes of Assam, India. J Drug Res Ayurvedic Sci 2017; 2(3):175-182.