Study of Ethno-Medicinal plants used by the Mishing People of Dhemaji District of Assam, India

A survey of Ethno-Medicinal plants used by the Mishing people was conducted from June 15, 2015 to February, 2016 in the Mishing populated areas of Dhemaji district of Assam. The survey aimed at identifying the plants used in the general pharmacopoeia among the Mishing communities also using interviews with house wives and mothers who have a rich knowledge on the plants. A total of 40 medicinal plants were recorded from 50 households. Amoebic dysentery, Abscess, Boils, Cough, Conjunctivitis, Diabetes, Epilepsi, Flatulence, Fracture, Gum bleeding, Galactagogue, Gonorrhoea, Headache, Helminthiasis, High blood pressure, Indigestion, Jaundice, Lower back pain, Malaria, Manstrual disorder, Tooth decay, Tuberculosis, Uterine disorder etc. were the major ailments treated in these households. To compare the usages of the plant species an index of performance (Ip) was calculated for each plant species, from the number of citations of treatment actually recorded from the households against proportion of each plant among the general flora. Some plants are widely used by other communities also in similar ways. The plants with high (Ip) are often confirmed to possess effective medicinal substances in the literature