Research Journal of Recent Sciences _________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502 Vol. 3(ISC-2013), 137-146 (2014) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 137 Indigenous uses of medicinal plants in North Garo Hills, Meghalaya, NE India Sharma M., Sharma C.L. and Marak, P.N. Wood Science and Forest Products Laboratory, Department of Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli-791 109, Arunachal Pradesh, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 23rd October 2013, revised 10th January 2014, accepted 10th March 2014 AbstractThe present study was conducted to highlight the indigenous uses of medicinal plants by Garo tribe in North Garo Hills, Meghalaya. Villagers and traditional healers (Ojhas) were consulted to gather information on medicinal plants. In the present study a total of 66 medicinal plants belonging to 61 genera and 40 families were documented and information on local names, scientific names, family, habit, plant parts used and medicinal uses of these plants were also given. Trees were the main sources of medicinal plants followed by shrubs, climbers and herbs. The recorded plant species were used for common ailments like headache, stomach problems, cold, cough and fever, jaundice, skin diseases, blood pressure and epilepsy etc. Bark and leaves were mostly used plant parts, followed by roots, fruits and seeds for curing diseases. The recorded plants were consumed orally in the form of juice or decoction. It was also observed that knowledge of medicinal plants was confined only to elder people and traditional healers (ojhas) and source of extraction of these valuable resources were nearby forests. Keywords: Garo tribe, medicinal plants, indigenous uses, bark, trees. Introduction India is rich in its biological resources and considered as one of 17 mega biodiversity countries of the world. The Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats and Indo-Burma Region are the concentrated hotspots of India. Presently, it has rich vegetation of more than 45,000 plant species of which 15,000-20,000 plants have medicinal values. Out of these only 7000-7500 plants are used for medicinal purpose by traditional communities1,2. The report of World Health Organization shows that 80% of world population still depend on traditional medicines as they are efficient, safe, cost effective, affordable and easily accessible by the poor. North-East India is comprised of eight states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim and supports 50% of India’s biodiversity. In addition, this region is also a home of 130 major tribal communities. Meghalaya, the abode of clouds, is one of eight sister states of NE India. It is bounded by Assam on north and north-east and Bangladesh on south and south-west. It has geographical area of 22,429 km2 with 9,496 km as recorded forest area. In terms of tribal composition, Garo Hills, Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills are three main regions of Meghalaya. Garo tribe comprises the second largest population of tribes after khasi and belongs to Tibeto-Burman sub family of Tibet Chinese linguistic group. While, Khasi and Jaintia tribe belong to Monkhemer culture of Austoic dialect. Meghalaya is rich in its floral diversity and contributes about 18% of total flora of country. There are about 3128 species of flowering plants in the state of which 40% of total flora of state is endemic. As per the report of state level Planning Commission, Meghalaya is endowed with 850 medicinal plants, of which 377 species are used by majority of people for their primary health care needs. The indigenous people have vast knowledge of their plant resources as medicines and have been using over the years. The available literature reveals that a very few studies have been conducted on medicinal uses of plants from Garo Hills. Therefore, the present work is an attempt to document the information on indigenous medicinal uses of plants by Garo tribe of North Garo hills. Material and Methods Study site: The present study was carried out in Block Bajengdoba of North Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. The geographical co-ordinates of this district are 2555 North and 9031 East. It is bounded by Assam on north, East Garo Hills on south, West Khasi Hills on east and West Garo Hills on west side (Figure-1). Three villages namely Omorful, Torikha and Upper Bajengdoba dominated by Garo tribes were selected for the present study. Survey and data analysis: The survey was conducted in selected villages with suitable questionnaires. Information on local names of plants, uses of plants and plant parts used were collected through personal interviews among villagers of all age group (except below 18 years) without any gender distinction. Special attention was paid to record information from elder people and traditional healers (Ojhas) having immense knowledge of plants in local dialect and well versed with their use. Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 3(ISC-2013), 137-146 (2014) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 138 Figure -1 Location Map of Bajengdoba Block showing study area in North Garo Hills District of Meghalaya The plants were observed in natural habitat with the help of villagers and their photographs were taken. Plant parts were also collected and pressed for herbarium preparation. These were identified by authors, faculty, Department of Forestry, NERIST and by consulting existing literature8,9. A random sampling technique was used and a total of 60 questionnaires were distributed among men and women. Results and Discussion A total of 66 medicinal plants having 61 genera and 40 families are recorded in the present work. The information on scientific names, local names, families, habits, plant parts used and therapeutic uses of recorded plants are given alphabetically in table 1 and the photographs of some plants are given in figure 2-28. Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 3(ISC-2013), 137-146 (2014) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 139 Table-1 List of medicinal plants used against various ailments by villagers and traditional healers of North Garo Hills, Meghalaya Scientific Name Local Name Family Habit Part Used Ailments Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Corr Sempri Rutaceae Tree Leaves, Bark Gastric problem, dysentery Allbizia odoratissima (Linn. f.) Benth Siso Fabaceae Tree Bark Headache, dizziness Alstonia scholaris (Linn.) R. Br. Sokson Apocynaceae Tree Leaves, Bark Fever, epilepsy and respiratory diseases Anacardium occidentale Linn. Cashewnut Anacardiaceae Tree Bark, Fruit and Leaves Inflammation, urinary disorder Annona squamosa L. Ata bol Anonacaeae Tree Bark, Leaves, Roots, Unripe fruits and Seed Indigestion Antidesma acidum Retz. Arobakh Euphorbiaceae Tree Leaves Blood pressure Aristolochia clematitis L. Esamul Aristolochiaceae Climber Leaves, Roots Snakebite Artocarpus gomezianus Wall. Ex.Trecul Armu Moraceae Tree Bark Headache, dizziness Bauhinia variegata L. Megong Fabaceae Tree Leaves Blood pressure Bombax ceiba L. Bolchu Bombaceae Tree Leaves Diarrhoea Bridelia retusa Spreng. Khasi Euphorbiaceae Tree Bark and Fruit juice Wound healing and earache Calotropis procera (Linn.) R. Br. Memangtebrong Apocyanaceae Shrub Bark, Leaves, Roots, Latexand Flower Paralysis, leprosy, skin diseases and cough Carica papaya . Modipol Caricaceae Tree Root, Latex and Seed Dogbite, earache Cassia fistula L.Snaru Fabaceae Tree Bark Stomach pain Cestrum nocturnum L. Gamini Solanaceae Shrub Bark , Leaves Toothache and headache Cinnamomum tamala Fr. Nees Tejpatta Lauraceae Tree Bark Urinary disorder Cissus quadrangularis . Haljora Vitaceae Climber Whole plant Sprain and piles Clerodendrum glandulosum Coleb.Dongam Verbanaceae Shrub Leaves Blood pressure Crataeva nurvala Buch. Ham. Jongchia Oleaceae Tree Bark, Leaves Skin disease and toothache Crecentia cujete L. Rutdibol Bignoniaceae Tree Bark Headache Cuscuta reflexa Roxb, Dodimit Convolvulaceae Climber Leafless stem Jaundice and headache Crypteronia paniculata Blume. Mosuginsep Crypteroniaceae Tree Bark, Leaves Snake bite and wound healing Derris robusta (Roxb. Ex DC.) Benth. Kakharu Fabaceae Tree Leaves Headache Dillenia indica Linn. Tedike Dilleniaceae Tree Bark, Leaves Diarrhoea DIllenia scabrella Roxb. Agatchi Dilleniaceae Tree Bark Snake bite Drimycarpus racemosus (Roxb.) Hk. f. Babari Anacardiaceae Tree Bark, Leaves Skin diseases Duabanga grandiflora (Roxb.ex DC) Walp. Bolchim Lythraceae Tree Bark, Leaves, Root and Flower Headache, epilepsy Erythrina stricta Linn. Mandal Fabaceae Tree Leaves, Root Asthama, epilepsy Ficus hispida L. Thiwek Moraceae Tree Root Dysentary Firminia colorata (Roxb.)R. Br.Walgem Sterculiaceae Tree Bark, Leaves Wound healing Gmelina arborea Roxb.Gambal Verbanaceae Tree Bark, Leaves Cough, snakebite Grevillea robusta A. Cunn, Silver oak Proteaceae Tree Bark, Leaves Headache, dizziness Hibiscus rosa-sinensis word LJova Malvaceae Shrub Flower Headache, abortion Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 3(ISC-2013), 137-146 (2014) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 140 Jatropha curcas L.Banglagash Euphorbiaceae Shrub Stem Burn Jatropha gossypiifolia L.Banglagash Euphorbiaceae Shrub Latex Dysentary Justicia gendarussa Linn.Dojagipe Acanthaceae Shrub Whole Plant Cough,throat infection and sprain Lagerstroemia parviflora Roxb.Sidai Lythraceae Tree Bark, Leaves Skin diseases Lagerstroemia speciosa L. Pers.Asari Lythraceae Tree Bark, Root Dysentary, Jaundice Litchi chinensis Sonn.Letchu Sapindaceae Tree Bark, Root, Seed Stomach and throat pain Lygodium japonium Thunb. Ex Murr.Ruatip Lygodiaceae Fern Whole Plant Wound healing Mangifera indica L.Tekatchu Anacardiaceae Tree Bark, Seed Jaundice and itching Macropanax undulatus (Wall ex D. Don) SeemSambrong Araliaceae Tree Leaves Headache Melia azedarach L. Neem Meliaceae Tree Leaves Fever and stomach pain Mikania micrantha H. B. K. Sampangguri Asteraceae Climber Leaves Wound healing Mussaenda glabraVahl. Sonarupa Rubiaceae Shrub Flower, Leaves, Root Jaundice, leprosy and fever Oryza sativa L. Minil Poaceae Grass Stem Gall bladder stone and urinary disorder Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Vent. Khiring Bignoniaceae Tree Bark, Flower, Leaves, Root and Seed Fever and jaundice Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus (Roxb.)Nees Ellot Acanthaceae Shrub Bark and Leaves Cough, fever, jaundice and gastric problem Piper betel Linn. Pan Piperaceae Climber Leaves Dysentary Piper longum L. Golmoris Piperaceae Climber Fruit Fever and cough Plumbago indica L. Achitragitchak Plumbaginaceae Shrub Leaves , Root Headache Premna latifolia Roxb. Dukhemi Vrebanaceae Tree Leaves Bark Diabetes Prunus persica Linn. Bispol Rosaceae Tree Leaves Skin diseases Sabia lanceolata Colebr. Madri Sabiaceae Tree Bark, Leaves, Root Epilepsy Sida acuta Burm. Chirotha Malvaceae Herb Bark, Leaves Malaria Spilanthes acmella Murr. Sonapul Asteraceae Herb Stem, Leaves, Flower Toothache Spondias pinnata (L.F.) Kurz Ambarerongtong Anacardiaceae Tree Bark Nasal bleeding Sterculia villosa Roxb. Olmak Sterculiaceae Tree Bark Throat pain Tamarindus indica L. Cheeng Fabaceae Tree Leaves, Roots Skin diseases Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. Ceiling bol Apocynaceae Tree Latex Cough Terminalia bellerica (Gaerth.) Roxb. Chirore Combretaceae Tree Bark, Fruit, Root, Seed Headache, Jaundice and gastric problem Terminalia chebula Retz. Arithak Combretaceae Tree Bark, Fruit Dysentary, Terminalia myriocarpa Heurck. And Muell. Rakseng Combretaceae Tree Bark, Root Urinary disorder, heart problem Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers Dumandal Menispermaceae Climber Stem Urinary disorder Vitex glabrata R. Br. Bandi-kuri Verbanaceae Tree Bark, Leaves Inflammation Ziziphus jujuba Lam. Kangkil Rhamanaceae Tree Bark Cough, tuberculosis Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 3(ISC-2013), 137-146 (2014) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 141 Figure-2 Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Corr. Figure-3 Alstonia scholaris (Linn.) R. Br. Figure-4 Annona squamosa L. Figure-5 Bridelia retusa Spreng. Figure-6 Calotropis procera (Linn.) R. Br. Figure-7 Cinnamomum tamalaFr.Nees Figure-8 Cissus quadrangularis Figure-9 Crataeva nurvala Buch. Ham Figure-10 Crecentia cujete L Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 3(ISC-2013), 137-146 (2014) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 142 Figure-11 Cuscuta reflexaRoxb, Figure-12 Dillenia indica Linn. Figure-13 Derris robusta (Roxb. Ex DC.) Benth Figure-14 Drimycarpus racemosus (Roxb.) Hk. f. Figure-15 Lagerstroemia speciosaL. Pers. Figure-16 Lygodium japoniumThunb. Ex Murr. Figure-17 Melia azedarach L. Figure-18 Mikania micranthaH. B. K. Figure-19 Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Vent. Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 3(ISC-2013), 137-146 (2014) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 143 Figure-20 Piper betel Linn. Figure-21 Sabia lanceolata Colebr. Figure-22 Sida acuta Burm Figure-23 Spilanthes acmellaMurr. Figure-24 Spondias pinnata (L. F.) Kurz Figure-25 Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. Figure-26 Terminalia myriocarpa (Heurck.) And Muell. Figure-27 Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers Figure-28 Ziziphus jujuba Lam Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 3(ISC-2013), 137-146 (2014) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 144 Trees are the main sources of medicines followed by shrubs, climbers, herbs, grasses and ferns (figure-29). The present study shows that almost all plant parts are used as medicine. The most used plant parts for curing diseases are bark followed by leaves, roots, fruits, seeds, latex, flowers and stems (figure-30). The maximum utilization of bark and leaves may be due to presence of more active chemical compounds in them. These plants are used to cure number of diseases ranging from stomach problem to dog bite. Even the plants are used to cure epilepsy, jaundice, diabetes, gall bladder stones etc. Maximum number of plants are used for curing ailments like stomach problem (dysentery, diarrhoea and gastric problem), headache and dizziness while minimum number of plants are used to cure diabetes, epilepsy and gall bladder stone which are included together in ‘others’ category (figure-31). It is observed that a single plant may be used to cure many diseases such as Carica papaya and Calotropis procera. Similarly, different plants can be used to cure one ailment. The bark of Artocarpus gomezianus is boiled together with the barks of Shorea robusta, Ziziphus jujuba and Cassia fistula to cure headache and dizziness. The frequent use of Mikania micrantha for wound healing, Cuscuta reflexa for headache, jaundice and Spilanthes acmellafor toothache reflects the long conserved indigenous knowledge of Garo tribe for weeds. Majority of medicinal plants are consumed in the form of juice or decoction by boiling with water and rarely in paste or powder form. It was observed that sometimes the honey, seeds of Amomum eletaria and leaves of Cinnamomum tamala are added in decoction which shows their innovative ideas to improve the taste and aroma of bitter and tasteless decoction for consumption. During survey, it is also observed that younger generation does not have any knowledge about medicinal plants due to their inclination towards allopathic system of medicine. The old people above 55 years of age are quite familiar with these plants and use them for curing common diseases like cold, cough, fever, headache etc. Traditional healers are consulted in case of serious ailments like gall bladder stone, epilepsy, heart problem etc. They maintain secrecy in preparation of medicine and prefer to collect the desired plant parts from wild. Butdue to over exploitation of these valuable resources, there is tremendous pressure on some of the plant species which is resulting in reduction of their population. It is, therefore extremely essential to cultivate and conserve these plant species in their environment and to conserve the indigenous knowledge of Garo tribe for curing various diseases. In addition, there is an urgent need to take up phytochemical studies for analysis of active ingredients present in documented plants which may justify scientifically the indigenous knowledge for the welfare of local people.  \n \r\n \n \n\n  Figure-29 Bar diagram showing number of plant species habit wise used for medicinal purposes Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 3(ISC-2013), 137-146 (2014) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 145     \n \n \r\n     !   Figure-30 Bar diagram showing plant parts used for medicines  Figure-31 Bar diagram showing number of plant species used for various ailments Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 3(ISC-2013), 137-146 (2014) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 146 Conclusion The present study reveals that people of North Garo Hills, Meghalaya have immense knowledge of medicinal plants and rely on them for treatment of common diseases. Trees are the main source of medicinal plants as compared to shrubs and herbs. Relevant information on medicinal plants is held by traditional healers. Younger generation is least concerned about their uses because of their inclination towards allopathic medicines. Hence, there is need to motivate younger generation to acquire the knowledge on medicinal uses of plants otherwise it will vanish with time. References 1.Mao A.A., Hyniewta T.M. and Sanjappa M., Plant wealth of Northeast India with reference to ethnobotany, Ind. J. Trad. Know.,8 (1), 96-103 (2009)2.Joy P.P., Thomas J., Mathew S. and Skaria B.P., Medicinal Plants, KAU, 211 (1998)3.Dutta B.K. and Dutta P.K., Potential of ethnobotanical studies in North East India: an overview, Ind. J. Trad. Know., 4(1),7-14 (2005)4.Anonymous, India State of Forest Report, FSI, 286 (2011) 5.Anonymous, State of Environment Report, Deptt. Env. and For., Meghalaya, 75 (2005) 6.www.megforest.gov.in retrieved on 02/10/2013 (2013) 7.Dolui A.K., Sharma H.K., Marein T.B. and Lalhriatpuli T.C., Folk herbal remedies from Meghalaya, Ind. J. Trad. Know., 3(3), 358-364 (2004) 8.Bhutani K.K., Herbal wealth of North East India: A pictorial and herbal guide, Deptt. of Nat. Prod. S.A.S. Nagar, 400 (2008)9.Haridasan K. and Rao R.R., Forest flora of Meghalaya. Vols. I-II, Bishen Singh and Mahinder Pal Singh, Dehradun, 937 (1987)