Folk Medicinal Plants of the Nagas in India

Abstract

Nagaland is a transborder state in India. It borders Myanmar and is inhabited by four teen indigenous tribes, collectively known as the "Nagas." The aboriginal Naga tribes have a rich knowledge, based on their natural resources, of indigenous folk medicine. After centuries of trial, often at the risk of the loss of hum an life, they have learned to utilize local plants to cure different ailments. Their beliefs and folk practices are based on past experience with various diseases and their cures. Presented here is an account of 109 plant species that have medicinal uses among the tribes. As none of these have been recorded earlier, the local and scientific names as well as the uses of the plants are pro vided.

Diarylheptanoids Rich Fraction ofAlnus nepalensisAttenuates Malaria Pathogenesis:In-vitroandIn-vivoStudy

“…Chemical compounds of novel structure and of natural origin represent a major source for the discovery and development of new drugs for diseases especially malaria (Kaur et al, ). Alnus is an alder species, belongs to family Betulaceae have been used in the traditional medicine in India (Changkija, ), Korea (Lee, ) and China (Vo, ) to treat diarrhea, dysentery, fever and inflammatory diseases. Platyphyllenone, alusenone, yashabushiketo, dihydroyashabushiketol, hirustenone and hirsutanonol are the important pharmacological active diarylheptanoids isolated from Alnus species (Lee et al, ).…”

Isolation and characterization of aromatase inhibitors from Brassaiopsis glomerulata (Araliaceae)

“…In India, a group of indigenous tribes called the Nagas drink a juice extract of B. glomerulata bark to aid in digestion and to alleviate constipation. The Nagas also used a paste of the bark of B. glomerulata to treat bone fractures and sprains (Changkija, 1999). This species is also used medicinally in China as one of several kinds of “tongcao” (unblocking herbs used to promote urination and assist in lactation) (Shen et al, 1998).…”

Wrightia tinctoria R. Br.-a review on its ethnobotany, pharmacognosy and pharmacological profile

“…The stomata are paracytic. The trichomes are [3][4][5][6][7] [25,41] Infusion from coconut oil Chronic wounds (veterinary medicine) [31] Paste with Santalum album and Allium cepa Chronic wounds (veterinary medicine) [31] Juice Jaundice [42] Oil obtained from the paste of leaves of W. tinctoria and Azadirachta indica Eczema [33,43] Half a teaspoon of dried leaf powder Respiratory ailments [44] Bark Stem bark crushed with those of Ailanthus excelsa, paste applied daily once for 3 d Boils, wounds [25] Powdered and mixed with coconut oil Wounds [45] Unspecified Galactogogue, abdominal pain [46] Unspecified Antipyretic [47] Unspecified Cure skin diseases, wounds [40,48] Unspecified Antidote for snake poison [49] Decoction Antidysenteric, antidiarrhoeal and antihaemorrhagic agent [50,51] Paste Skin diseases, ringworm and in leprosy [52] Infusion Stomach disorder [53] Stem Unspecified Toothbrush [31] Decoction Cure stomach disorder [44] Latex Unspecified Skin disease, wound healing [40] Root Decoction Epilepsy [54] Unspecified Laxative [40] Decoction Cure stomach disorder [44] Whole plant Unspecified Antioxidant, Antinociceptive [55] Seed Powdered and mixed with coconut oil Wounds [45] Unspecified Piles, worm infestation and pain [51] Juice Indigestion [56,57] Unspecified Decoction Wounds [45] …”