Ethnomedicinal practices of the tribes of North East India

SAIKAT K BASU With SUPARNA SANYAL MUKHERJEE

The North-East Indian region—comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim—along with the Darjeeling Himalayas of West Bengal, represents one of South Asia’s richest biocultural landscapes. Characterized by dense forests, high rainfall, varied altitudes, and exceptional biodiversity, the region is home to indigenous communities such as the Naga, Khasi, Garo, Mizo, Bodo, Apatani, Mishmi, Adi, Monpa, Karbi, Lepcha, and Tripuri tribes. Over centuries, these communities have developed sophisticated ethnomedicinal systems based on deep ecological knowledge and close interaction with nature.

Ethnomedicine in North-East India is closely linked with traditional beliefs, spirituality, and community life. Health is viewed holistically, combining physical, social, ecological, and spiritual wellbeing. Traditional healers act as custodians of knowledge passed orally across generations. Their practices include herbal remedies, rituals, dietary regulation, and spiritual healing.

Medicinal plants form the foundation of tribal healthcare systems. Forests function as living pharmacies supplying herbs, shrubs, climbers, and trees used to treat fever, digestive disorders, wounds, respiratory infections, arthritis, and skin diseases. Common medicinal plants include Centella asiatica, ginger, turmeric, Acorus calamus, and various orchids and ferns unique to the Eastern Himalayas.

Ethnomedicinal knowledge also promotes ecological conservation. Sacred groves, community forests, and traditional harvesting practices help preserve medicinal plants and biodiversity. In remote tribal regions where modern healthcare remains limited, traditional medicine continues to provide affordable and culturally rooted healthcare.

However, these systems face growing threats from deforestation, climate change, biodiversity loss, cultural assimilation, and the erosion of oral traditions, making documentation and conservation increasingly important.

Traditional ethnomedicinal practices of some selected tribes are provided below:

Apatani: The Apatani tribe of the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh possesses a rich tradition of ethnomedicinal knowledge closely linked to their ecological lifestyle and sustainable resource management. The tribe uses a diverse array of over 158 medicinal plant species from families like Asteraceae, Zingiberaceae, and Solanaceae to treat ailments such as stomach aches, wounds, and colds. Key plants include Acorus calamus (headache/skin), Ageratum conyzoides (wounds), Allium hookeri (gastritis/stimulant), Solanum nigrum (jaundice and eczema), Bauhinia variegata (skin diseases, ulcers, diabetes, piles and swelling).  Their plant-based healing practices reflect deep empirical understanding of biodiversity, conservation ethics, and community healthcare. The preservation of Apatani ethnomedicine is vital for safeguarding indigenous knowledge systems and promoting future pharmacological research.

Bodos: The Bodo tribe is one of the largest indigenous ethnic communities of Assam, primarily inhabiting the Brahmaputra valley and the Bodoland Territorial Region. Traditionally agrarian and closely connected with forest ecosystems, the Bodo people possess rich ethnomedicinal knowledge transmitted orally through generations. Their healthcare practices rely extensively on locally available medicinal plants, spiritual healing, and empirical herbal therapy. Bodo traditional healers, often known as Ojhas or village medicine practitioners, utilize various plant parts such as leaves, roots, bark, fruits, and rhizomes for treating common ailments. Herbal decoctions, pastes, and infusions form the main modes of preparation. Key medicinal plants include Jasminum, Aloe vera, Clerodendrum glandulosum, Moringa oleifera, Solanum trilobatum and Paederia foetida, used to treat ailments ranging from jaundice, malaria, asthma and cough to fractures and stomach disorders.  

Chakmas: The Chakma tribe, one of the major indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Tripura and the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, possesses a rich tradition of ethnomedicinal knowledge closely linked with nature and forest ecosystems. Practicing a blend of Buddhism and traditional animistic beliefs, the Chakmas maintain a deep respect for biodiversity and rely extensively on medicinal plants for primary healthcare. Traditional healers, often known as Baidyas or village herbal practitioners, use locally available flora to treat common ailments such as fever, digestive disorders, skin infections, wounds, respiratory problems, and inflammation. The Chakma tribe utilizes a vast array of over 125 medicinal plant species like Oroxylum indicum, Acorus calamus, Homalomena aromatic, Ocimum sanctum, Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa to treat ailments like diarrhoea, fever, skin diseases, and respiratory issues. Traditional healers, known as Baddhya, primarily utilize leaves, roots, and bark for these remedies. Plant parts such as leaves, roots, bark, and rhizomes are prepared as decoctions, pastes, juices, or powders according to traditional therapeutic practices.  

Garos: The Garo tribe, primarily inhabiting the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, possess rich traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge closely linked with forest ecosystems and indigenous healing practices. The Garos rely extensively on locally available medicinal plants for treating common ailments such as fever, skin infections, digestive disorders, wounds, and respiratory problems. Plants like Centella asiatica, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, and Clerodendrum colebrookianum are widely used in herbal preparations, decoctions, and poultices. 

Jaintias: The Jaintia tribe, also known as the Pnar people, inhabit the hill regions of present-day Meghalaya and adjoining areas of Assam. Traditionally dependent on forest resources, the Jaintia community possesses rich ethnomedicinal knowledge closely linked with nature and spiritual practices. The tribe uses a rich variety of medicinal plants, with over 40 species commonly employed to treat ailments like diarrhoea, skin infections, diabetes, and injuries. Medicinal plants play an essential role in their primary healthcare system, where local healers utilize leaves, roots, bark, and rhizomes for treating ailments such as fever, stomach disorders, skin infections, wounds, and respiratory problems. Commonly used plants include Clerodendrum (hypertension), Chromolaena odorata (wound healing), Allium cepa (various illnesses), Hiptage madhablata (antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and would healing), Curcuma longa (antimicrobial) and Zingiber officinale (rhizome).

Khasis: The Khasi people of Meghalaya in North-East India possess a rich tradition of ethnomedicinal knowledge closely linked to their forest-based lifestyle and sacred ecological beliefs. Traditional healers, locally known as nong ai dawai, utilize diverse medicinal plants collected from surrounding hills and sacred groves for treating common ailments such as fever, digestive disorders, skin diseases, respiratory infections, and wounds. The Khasi tribe utilizes a diverse array of over 85 medicinal plants for ethnomedicinal purposes, particularly for traditional bone setting, skin conditions, gastrointestinal issues, and fevers. Key plants often used include  Potentilla fulgens (diarrhoea), Zingiber officinale (cough), and Cinnamomum tamala (gastric problems).

Lepchas: The Lepcha tribe is one of the oldest indigenous communities of the Eastern Himalayas, primarily inhabiting Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal. Deeply connected with nature, the Lepchas possess rich traditional ecological knowledge and practice animistic beliefs that regard forests, rivers, and mountains as sacred. Their ethnomedicinal system relies heavily on locally available Himalayan flora for maintaining health and treating diseases. Key plants include Oroxylum indicum (Phago Rip), Ageratum conyzoides, and various Zingiberaceae species, with leaves, bark, and roots utilized by traditional healers (Bongthings). Medicinal plants such as Swertia chirayita (used for fever and digestive disorders), Rhododendron (flowers for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties), Paris polyphylla (applied in wound healing and anti-inflammatory treatmets), and Zanthoxylum armatum (used for toothache, stomach ailments, and infections) are commonly utilized. 

Lusei: The Lusei (Lushai) tribe, one of the principal ethnic groups of Mizoram in Northeast India, possesses a rich tradition of indigenous knowledge closely connected with forest ecology and traditional healthcare systems. Living in the hill ecosystems of Mizoram, the Lusei community has historically depended on locally available medicinal plants for treating common ailments, long before the introduction of modern medicine. Traditional healers, often guided by inherited oral knowledge, use various plant parts such as leaves, roots, bark, and fruits to prepare herbal remedies from medicinal plants like Centella asiatica (Pennywort), Clerodendrum colebrookianum (East Indian glory bower), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Psidium guajava (Guava), Phyllanthus emblica (Indian gooseberry or Amla), Ageratum conizoides (Chick weed) and Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy basil).Medicinal plants are widely employed for curing fever, stomach disorders, skin infections, wounds, respiratory problems, and digestive ailments. Preparation methods include decoctions, herbal pastes, infusions, and smoked plant materials.

Meitis: The Meitei people, also known as the Meetei or Manipuri community, constitute the dominant ethnic group inhabiting the Imphal Valley of Manipur in Northeast India. Rich in traditional ecological knowledge, the Meitei tribe maintains a long-standing relationship with nature, where medicinal plants form an essential part of healthcare practices and cultural traditions. Their indigenous healing system integrates spiritual beliefs, dietary practices, and herbal medicine passed down through generations. Traditional healers, locally known as Maiba and Maibi, utilize various locally available plants for treating common ailments such as fever, digestive disorders, skin diseases, wounds, respiratory infections, and inflammation.

The Meitei community in Manipur, India, possesses rich traditional knowledge of medicinal plants, utilizing over 100 species for treating ailments like digestive issues, fever, and wounds, often relying on leaves (60% usage) and oral administration. Key plants include Zingiber officinale (fever), Ocimum basilicum (for cough and cold), Centella asiatica (for memory enhancement, wound healing, headaches), Plumeria (for dysentery and intestinal worms) and Acorus calamus (gastro intestinal and respiratory disorders). Many remedies are prepared as decoctions, pastes, or herbal infusions using leaves, roots, rhizomes, and bark.

Mishmis: The Mishmi tribes, inhabiting the eastern Himalayan regions of Arunachal Pradesh and adjoining border areas of India and China, represent one of the most culturally rich indigenous communities known for their extensive ethnobotanical knowledge. Comprising subgroups such as the Idu Mishmi, Digaru Mishmi, and Miju Mishmi, these tribes maintain a deep spiritual and ecological relationship with forest biodiversity. Traditional healers, often guided by ancestral beliefs and ritual practices, utilize a wide variety of medicinal plants collected from surrounding forests to treat ailments including fever, digestive disorders, wounds, respiratory infections, and inflammatory diseases. Species such as Coptis teeta (used for fever and stomach disorders), Paris polyphylla (for anti-inflammatory and wound healing purposes), and Aconitum species (carefully processed for pain relief) are integral to Mishmi traditional medicine. Ficus semicordata (often known as Bhuidumri) is a traditional medicinal plant with significant ethnobotanical uses, specifically in treating gastrointestinal disorders, jaundice, skin diseases (leprosy), and headaches.  Knowledge of plant identification, harvesting seasons, preparation methods, and dosage is transmitted orally across generations. 

Nagas: The Naga tribes of Northeast India, mainly inhabiting the states of Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam, possess rich traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge closely linked with forest biodiversity. Their healthcare practices rely heavily on locally available medicinal plants passed down through oral traditions. They use a wide array of medicinal plants for treating ailments like stomach issues, injuries, and fevers, with key species including Centella asiatica (skin/blood), Acorus calamus (wounds), and Zanthoxylum armatum (stomachache), Clerodendrum infortunatum (for stomach infection), and Houttuynia cordata (for infections and inflammation). These communities often use leaves, roots, and young shoots, often prepared as pastes, decoctions, or fermented products, deeply rooted in their traditional knowledge. 

Tripuri: The Tripuri tribe is one of the major indigenous communities of the state of Tripura, possessing a rich heritage of traditional ecological knowledge and ethnomedicinal practices. Closely connected with forest ecosystems, the Tripuri people rely extensively on locally available medicinal plants for primary healthcare, disease prevention, and spiritual healing. Traditional healers, locally known as Ochai, utilize diverse plant species to treat ailments such as fever, gastrointestinal disorders, skin infections, wounds, respiratory problems, and rheumatic pain. The Tripuri tribe in Tripura, India, utilizes a diverse range of medicinal plants for treating ailments like malaria, diarrhoea, skin infections, and bone fractures. Key plants include Oroxylum indicum (fever), Euphorbia nerifolia, Scoparia dulcis (digestive issues), Jatropha curcas, and Kaempferia rotunda. Plant parts such as leaves, roots, bark, rhizomes, and seeds are prepared as decoctions, pastes, powders, or infusions. Leaves are the most frequently used parts, often prepared as pastes or extracts.

However, modernization and loss of traditional transmission threaten this valuable indigenous knowledge system, highlighting the need for documentation, preservation, and scientific validation of Tripuri ethnobotanical wisdom.