Medicinal Plants of North-East India

About 80% of the world’s population of the developed and developing countries rely on traditional herbal medicine, for the primary health care because of their great efficacy and little or no side effects. Traditional system of medicine, popularly termed as ‘Folk medicine’ is a accustomed since the days of ancient civilizations and playing a significant role in the health care system. In modern days also, it is also becoming popular, as the tribals and rural populations of our country is highly dependent on medicinal plant therapy for meeting their health care needs, and which attracted the attention of botanists, plant scientists, researchers and other active/interested workers. The present work is an outcome of the exploration of different cultivated, non-cultivated, forest/village and other areas of plains and hilly areas, for over a period of twenty years and forms a distinct contributions towards a herbal medicines, based on the studies/observations made on the utilisation of wild herbs in medical therapy in day today life of tribal and non-tribal peoples of the north-eastern region, India, Angiospermic and pteridophytic plants only have been considered in the present study. For each species correct nomenclature, local names, habit chromosome number (where possible), flowering and fruiting season, ecological situations and medicinal uses of the plants have been discussed alongwith the illustrations of 32 photos for easy understanding of the work. Thus, present work provides excellent glimpses of the traditional knowledge of medicine of North-East India. The author hopes that, the present book will serve not only as reference material, but also as practical guide for herbal healers, research workers, students and all others interested in the field of medicinal plants.