Traditional Knowledge and Contemporary Science: Understanding the Medicinal Flora of Assam

Abstract

India is a mega-biodiversity state, and Assam, being a region of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Region, is among the two biodiversity hot spots. The diverse ecology of the region supports high populations of medicinal plants. The application of these plants in Assam is not a recent phenomenon and a well-established part of the indigenous knowledge systems of the native population, with the various tribal groups engaging in ethno-medicine being practiced since time immemorial. This is commonly associated with a combination of herbs with magical-religious medicines which entails a holistic perception of health in which the physical and spiritual health are interdependent. The processes of gathering and recognizing medicinal plants are evolving and they combine both the traditional and the modern systems of taxonomy. Nevertheless, the growing urbanization and deforestation are a threat to this invaluable knowledge and biodiversity that requires more protection. To complement the role of traditional medicine, it is required to be incorporated into the modern healthcare by educating the masses, by enhancing recognition and availing funds to conserve and train practitioners. This paper aims at discussing the important medicinal plants of Assam with respect to their ethnobotanical importance, scientific validation and the need for conservation of such plants.