Medico-religious plants used by the Hajong community of Assam,India

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The Hajong people use many medicinal plants in their different rituals. The information generated from the present study regarding the medico-religious plants used by the Hajong tribes need a thorough phytochemical investigation. This could help in creating awareness regarding the need for conservation of such plants and also in the promotion of ethno-medico-botany knowledge within the region besides contributing to the preservation and enrich- ment of the gene bank of such economically important species before they are lost forever. Medico-religious plants so found out in this study should be screened for their efficacy by which new drugs or products could be brought out. There is also need to document this information and compare with that of other tribes in the state and region.

Materials and Methods

The diseases found during the research work among the Hajong community were grouped in 11 categories. The category of diseases includes plants used for both human and animal diseases. The informants having good knowledge on medico-religious plants were chosen for the interview. Kabiraj or Vaidyas were also included among the informants though they were not available in all villages. The informants were asked about the ritual and religious importance and the medicinal properties of the plants used in different cultural practices.

Results

Some 36 plant species including herbs, shrubs and trees are used for curing 51 different diseases with 63 formulations which are recorded during the study. Most of the medicinal plants were collected from their own homestead and rest from the forest. Hajongs make sustainable use of available natural resources that include both medicinal and religious plants. They lead a much disciplined life. They are very much religious and knowledgeable. The survey revealed that not only the Kabiraj but also the elder community member have good knowledge of the medicinal value of some plant usually those species used to treat common diseases like cough, cold, fever, viral fever, headache, stomachache, joint pain, diarrhea, dysentery, minor wounds and cuts etc. Thus 36 plants are found to be used by Hajong in different medico-religious practices. These are regarded as holy plants. These plants are strictly protected by the community. Traditional conservation and management on cultural grounds, therefore, represents a historic contribution to the present day rich biodiversity in the region.

Conclusion

The whole life system and socio-economic as well as religious and cultural activities of Hajongs were totally dependent upon forests. It reflected their high possession of knowledge on medico religious plants which allowed them to apply their indigenous knowledge regarding various aspects of exploitation of such resources. Different types of important species have been disappeared from the study area, which ultimately creates social, economical and religious problem in Hajong community. The information generated from the present study regarding the medico-religious plants used by the Hajong tribes need a thorough phytochemical investigation. This could help in creating awareness regarding the need for conservation of such plants and also in the promotion of ethno-medico-botany knowledge within the region besides contributing to the preservation and enrichment of the gene bank of such economically important species before they are lost forever. Traditional culture in different Hajong populated areas is very fast declining with lot of traditional knowledge under the influence of dominant culture. Cultural diversity conservation is needed urgently.