Traditional medicinal plants used by the Adi, Idu and Khamba tribes of Dehang-Debang Biosphere Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is the largest state in North Eastern India and is a centre of rich biological diversity. It is the home of tribal people belonging to 26 major tribes and over 110 sub-tribes of the Indo-Mongoloid racial stock. The Adis the Idus and Khambas are some of the dominant tribes among them. Most of these communities are ethnically similar but their geographical isolation from each other has brought amongst them certain distinctive characteristics in language, dress, and customs. They use the diverse flora in their daily life. These tribes are well versed with knowledge of edible greens, vegetables, fruits, seeds and other materials. They have good knowledge of treatment of many ailments by the local plants. 55 plant species belonging to 49 genera and 36 families were found used for medicinal purpose by the Adis and the Idus of Dehang-Debang Biosphere Reserve (DDBR). About 93 formulations were prepared from 55 plant species. Some formulations were made from single plant; while others were of more plants and were categorized into different types as per curative properties with which they were associated. These medicinal plants have been used traditionally either by eating them as raw drugs, as vegetable or apply it directly to the affected area. The manner in which the plants are used for the treatment of animal bite, cut, wounds, swellings, skin diseases, dental diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, pain, fever and headache, jaundice, leprosy, cholera, cancer, cough and cold, malaria, ostiological problems and others are presented in this paper.

Documentation of vast knowledge of medicinal plants of the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh is essential.

Conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants would substitute the allopathic medicine.