Traditional Usage of Plants of Costus Species in Assam, India

Abstract

Customary use of plants in the treatment of ailments in Assam, India is a typical situation. Ethno medicinal study was led in a few topographically unique zones of the state and utilization of plants from Costus species were reported. The extent of study chose for the investigation range across seven organizational regions spread across Assam, India. The regions include Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Karbi Anglong, Goalpara and Kokrajhar. Different plants were reported and plants fitting with the said species were chosen for determining the relevance concerning its use in customary medication. The survey divulged that plants associated to three species of the genus Costus namely Costus speciosus, Costus pictus and Costus scaber were espied to be primarily ubiquitous in traditional medicine in the discrete contemplated regions. The species were predominantly utilized as prime ingrediants in hepatoprotactive and anti-diabetic formulations. Costus speciosus was perceived to be chiefly used in the treatment of hepatic disorders and ailments. Costus pictus was observed to be used customarily in the upper Assam region bordering Nagaland for treating diabetes and Costus scaber was being used in the area bordering Arunachal Pradesh for tending people with jaundice, snake bite etc. The research climaxed with the profiling of the costus species as annotated from the ethnomedicinal survey.

1. Introduction

Customary medical understanding is undergoing augmented consideration globally in health sector. The importance of traditional medicine in catering the health needs cannot be undermined. The herbal medicine sector commercially is already booming with the annual turnover crossing billions of dollars. With the passage of time newer knowledge is being incorporated substantially thereby highlighting the significance of documentation aspects pertaining to these medicinal plants and practices associated with herbal medicine.

Documentation based upon ethnomedicinal survey along with interaction with local healers practicing traditional system of medicine can be said to be the basis for establishing a systematic protocol for validating traditional medical knowledge.

2. Ethnomedicinal survey area

Assam was selected as the targeted study area due to the rich diversity in flora, fauna and above all due to the presence of diverse ethnic groups with a wide array of traditional practices. Several geographically distinct zones, encompassing seven administrative districts spread across Assam were considered for the study (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Map of Assam showing different districts where ethnomedicinal survey was conducted.

The selected areas in which the ethnomedicinal survey was done are as follows:

1. Nagakhelia village and Jokai area, Dibrugarh

2. Naojan and Borghoria area, Golaghat

3. Laipuli, Tinsukia

4. Majarbari village and Sissiborgaon, Dhemaji

5. Kathkatia village, Karbi Anglong

6. Dhupdhora, Goalpara

7. Dotma, Kokrajhar

2.1 Survey area: Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh is known as the Tea City of North-East.To the north and east lays Dhemaji and Tinsukia district respectively. South-east and south-west parts of Dibrugarh are bounded by Tirap and Sivsagar district [1, 2, 3, 4].

Two places in Dibrugarh district were selected for ethnomedicinal survey viz. Nagakhelia and Jokai. Nagakhelia is a small village, consisting of around hundred households under Barbaruah block of Dibrugarh district lays about 6 km from Dibrugarh University [5]. The village is located on the banks of river Brahmaputra and the area boasts of thick vegetation which serves as a prime source of medicinal plant materials for the local healers of the area practicing traditional medicine.

Jokai comes under Barbaruah block in Dibrugarh district. It is located about 10 km south from Dibrugarh University. It is also home to the over twelve hectare Jokai reserve forest within which Jokai Botanical Garden cum Germplasm Centre is located. The reserve forest is endowed with different flora species of medicinal, oil bearing and aromatic plants. It also has diverse fauna species like flying squirrel, black panther and leopard including various species of butterflies and fishes. The villages surrounding the forest areas in Jokai has a rich heritage of prescribing traditional medicine, mostly from plants for many types of ailments like jaundice, diabetes, malaria, fever, skin infection etc.

2.2 Survey area: Golaghat

Golaghat is an important district of upper Assam having its own historical and cultural heritage. Golaghat is bordered by the Brahmaputra River in north, towards south lays Nagaland, whereas in the east it is bounded by Jorhat district and the western side lays Karbi Anglong and Nagaon district [4]. The major rivers of the district are Brahmaputra, Dhansiri, Kakodonga, Doyand, Gelabil and Diplolu [6]. The vast geography of Golaghat district also includes tropical evergreen and semi evergreen forest; tropical grassland in Kaziranga National Park and swampy vegetation. The topography of Golaghat is dominated by a diverse array of flora and fauna [7, 8].

Borghoria and Naojan were the areas selected for ethnomedicinal survey in Golaghat district. Borghoria village and Naojan are located about 30 km and 60 km from Golaghat town and about 2.5 km and nearly 70 km from Numaligarh Refinary township, respectively. Naojan, due to its close proximity to Barpathar, an archeological site where the remains of an 8th century temple made of square bricks and a stone inscription of Brahmi characters belonging to the 5th century were excavated along with the hot water springs and Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary of Garampani, has a very rich abundance of diverse flora and fauna. Borghoria situated in the vicinity of Dhansiri river has an exposure to vast and varied natural resources. Traditional healers around the area are mainly engaged in agricultural activities and prescriptions of traditional medicine by these healers are done on philanthropic basis [3].

2.3 Survey area: Tinsukia

Tinsukia is situated in the northernmost portion of Assam [2]. The district is surrounded on three sides by Arunachal Pradesh. The south part is ecompassed by Dibrugarh. As the district falls in the far east of North-East region of Assam (India), it is a part of global bio-diversity hot spot and has great biodiversity significance [9, 10]. The high biological diversity found in the district is often related to its forest cover, which is categorized into tropical wet evergreen forests. The important sanctuary located in the district is Dibru-Chaikhowa Sanctuary. It has an area of 640 sq. km and is famous for rare, endangered animals and birds such as white-winged wood duck, elephant, tiger, sambar, buffalo, aquatic avifauna and wild white horse. The other protected areas and important forests are Dum Duma-Dangori-Kumsong Reserve Forests, Tirap-Burihidihing, Sadiya plains, Upper Dihing (East) and Upper Dihing (West).

Ethnomedicinal survey in Tinsukia districted was conducted in Laipuli area. Laipuli is located at a distance of around 6 km from Tinsukia town [3].

2.4 Survey area: Dhemaji

Situated in the northern bank of the mighty river Brahmaputra, Dhemaji can be suitably described to be located in one of the remote area of north eastern region of India. In its northern and eastern end the state of Arunachal Pradesh lies. The western part is bounded by Lakhimpur district followed by river Brahmaputra in the South. Dhemaji has a total geographical area of 3237 sq. km [1, 2, 3, 4].

Two places selected for the ethnomedicinal survey in Dhemaji district were Majarbari and Sissiborgaon.

2.5 Survey area: Karbi Anglong

The district of Karbi Anglong is located in the central Assam region. The eastern part is surrounded by Golaghat district, in its west lies the state of Meghalaya and Morigaon district, the north is bounded by Nagaon and Golaghat district whereas North Cachar Hills and the state of Nagaland is located towards south. Karbi Anglong district is home to thick forest cover having numerous species of flora and fauna. It is to be noted that a new district, West Karbi Anglong was curved out from erstwhile Karbi Anglong district on 15th of August, 2015 [1, 3].

The district can be broadly divided into two physiographic units’ viz. hills and plains. About 85 percent of the district is covered by hills [4]. Environmental and topology studies of Karbi Anglong specify a great degree of diversity among the existing plant and animal species. The forest areas serves as the natural gene bank of important types and sub types pertaining to various species.

Kathkatia village located in Silonijan of Karbi Anglong district was selected for the ethnomedicinal survey [11].

2.6 Survey area: Goalpara

Goalpara is sited towards the southern bank of Brahmaputra River. The district is surrounded by the state of Meghalaya in the South, towards east lays Kamrup district, the western end is bounded by Dhubri district and, the northern part is covered by the mighty Brahmaputra. In 1983, Goalpara Civil sub-division was separated from original Goalpara district to form the present Goalpara district [1, 2].

Dhupdhara selected for the ethnomedicinal survey, is a village in Rongjuli circle in Goalpara district of Assam. It is located about 58 km east of district headquarter Goalpara and 13 km from Rangjuli [3, 4].

2.7 Survey area: Kokrajhar

Kokrajhar district is the entry point to the NER of India. It is boardered by Bhutan in the north, followed by the district of Dhubri in its south, whereas Bongaigaon and West Bengal is situated in the east and west directions.

On the 1st of July, 1983 the Kokrajhar Sub-division was upgraded into Kokrajhar district with headquarter at Kokrajhar town [3]. The district is situated in a humid sub-tropical climate, which is the characteristic of the lower Brahmaputra Valley of Assam. The district also has one of the largest concentrations of forest in the state. About 55% of the total geographical area of the district is under reserved forest. The Bhutan hills are the source of a number of rivers that flow through the district and act as tributaries of the mighty Brahmaputra that flows from east to west far from the southern boundary of Kokrajhar district [4].

Dotma village in Kokrajhar district of Assam was selected for the survey for ethnomedicinal documentation. It is located about 17 km towards North from District head quarters Kokrajhar, 188 km from State capital Dispur towards East. Dotma is bounded by Kokrajhar town towards East, Kachugaon towards west, Rupshi towards west, Chapor-Salkocha towards west. Kokrajhar, Bilasipara, Bongaigaon, Gauripur are the nearby towns to Dotma [12].

3. Documentation of medicinal plants in the surveyed areas

Plants surveyed in Dibrugarh region were documented on the basis of interview and questionnaire with the traditional healers with emphasis on the part of the plants and their applications in treating different diseases and disorders (Table 1).

District	Plant name		Part used	Use/applications
	Botanical name	Local name
Dibrugarh	Asparagus racemosus	Sotmul	Root	Kidney stone
	Averrhoa carambola	Kordoi	Leaves, Fruit	Jaundice
	Bonnaya brachiata	Horu Kasidoria	Leaves	Wound healing
	Cassia fistula	Sonaru	Bark	Fever, Deworming
	Caesalpinia bonducella	Letaguti	Seed	Wound healing
	Cassia tora	Bilokhoni	Leaves	Skin infection, Snake bite, Joint pain
	Centella asiatica	Barmanimuni	Whole plant	Wound healing, Well being
	Cleodendrum viscosum	Dhapat tita	Leaves, Root	Malaria, Diabetes, Jaundice, Skin infection
	Costus speciosus	Jomlakhuti	Rhizome	Jaundice
	Coscorus olitorius	Meetha Pat	Leaves	Body pain, dysentery, piles, fever
	Cucumis sativus	Tiyanh	Leaves, Fruit	Bleeding nose, Diabetes
	Dillenia indica	Ow tenga	Fruit	Constipation, Stomach trouble
	Drymaria cordata	Laijabori	Aerial part	Fever, stomach ache
	Eupatorium cannabinum	Tongloti	Root	Tooth ache
	Euphorbia nerifolia	Hiju	Latex	Asthma
	Hiptage benghalensis	Madhoi maloti	Root	Asthma
	Houttuynia cordata	Mosonduri	Leaves	Constipation
	Leucas apsera	Durum bon	Aerial parts	Cough, Fever
	Momordica dioica	Bhat kerela	Root	Urinary problems
	Murrya koenigii	Narashinha	Leaves, Tender aerial parts	Stomachic
	Naravelia zylenica	Gorob choi	Aerial parts	Tooth ache, Skin infection
	Paederia foetida	Bhedai lota	Aerial parts	Stomach problem, Constipation, Joint pain
	Physalis peruviana	Kopalphoota	Aerial parts	Jaundice
	Polygonum chinense	Modhuhuleng	Aerial parts	Stomach trouble, Dysentery
	Rosa centifolia	Tezi gulap	Flower	Eye infection
	Sapindus mukorossi	Monisal	Fruit	Tonsillitis
	Sarcochlamys pulcherrima	Mesaki	Leaves	Infection, Diarrhea, Dysentery
	Spondias pinnata	Omora	Fruit	Acidity, Stomach trouble
	Stereospermum chelonoides	Paroli	Leaves	Skin infection
	Stephania hernandifolia	Tubuki lota	Leaves	Wound healing
	Syzygium jambolanum	Kola jamuk	Seed	Diabetes, Stomach trouble
	Sida rhombifolia	Hunbarial	Leaves	Body pain, Joint pain
	Vitex negundo	Pochotia	Leaves	Fever, Cough

Table 1.

Some of the medicinal plants used in Dibrugarh district and their allied applications.

Plants in the surveyed areas of Golaghat district were subjected to documentation on the basis of interview and questionnaire with the traditional healers with emphasis on the part of the plants and their applications in treating different diseases and disorders. Some of the plants are listed in Table 2.

District	Plant name		Part used	Use/applications
	Botanical name	Local name
Golaghat	Achasma loroglossum	Kor Phool	Rhizome	Tooth ache
	Aegle mermelos	Bel	Leaves, Fruit	Kidney problem, Dysentery
	Adiantum capillus	Chuli dhekia	Aerial part	Wounds, Infection, Tooth ache
	Averrhoa carambola	Kordoi	Fruit	Jaundice, Diarrhea, Dysentery
	Ageratum conyzoides	Gandhalibon	Leaves	Cuts and wound
	Alpinia allughos	Tora	Rhizome	Stomach trouble, Joint pain
	Alternanthera sessilis	Mati Kanduri	Aerial part	Constipation
	Baccuarea sapida	Leteku	Fruit	Stomach problem
	Borreria hispda	Dolicha Bon	Leaves	Tooth ache, Gum swelling
	Bryophyllum calycinum	Dupor tenga	Leaves	Leaves Kidney stone
	Cissus repens	Bogi tenga	Leaves	Menstrual discomfort
	Clenogyne dichotoma	Patidoi	Stem	Support in fracture
	Costus speciosus	Jomlakhuti	Rhizome	Jaundice, Diabetes
	Costus pictus	Leteki	Aerial parts	Diabetes
	Cinnamomum bejalghota	Patihunda	Leaves	Asthma, Cough
	Clitoria ternatea	Aparijita	Root, Flower	Fever, Snake bite, Infection of skin
	Croton bonplandianum	Bonoria jaifal	Seed	Laxative
	Cissampelos pareira	Tubuki lota	Leaves	Diabetes
	Eclipta alba	Kehraj sesu	Leaves	Blood clotting
	Heydichium coronarium	Pakhila phool	Rhizome	Joint pain
	Hydrocotyl sibthropioides	Horu manimuni	Whole plant	Fever, Stomach problem
	Leucas aspera Durun	Durun Bon	Leaves	Snake bite, Sinusitis
	Litsea salicifolia	Dighloti	Leaves	Insect repellent
	Phyllanthus niririi	Bon Amlokhi	Shoot	Stomach trouble, Urinary problem
	Polygonum chinense	Madhu huleng	Aerial parts	Diarrhea
	Sarochlamys pulcherrima	Mesaki	Aerial parts	Tapeworm infection
	Sida rhombifolia	Hunbariol	Root	Helps in child birth for pregnant women
	Smilax perfoliata	Tikoni barua	Leaves, Root	Wound healing
	Styrex serulatum	Lota madhuri	Shoot	Anti infective
	Triumfetta rhomboidea	Bon Agora	Aerial parts	Insect repellent
	Xanthozylum nitidum	Tejmuri	Stem	Fractured bone

Table 2.

Some of the medicinal plants used in Golaghat district and their allied applications.

Plants in Tinsukia district, surveyed areas were documented on the basis of interview and questionnaire with the traditional healers with emphasis on the part of the plants and their applications in treating different diseases and disorders (Table 3).

District	Plant name		Part used	Use/applications
	Botanical name	Local name
Tinsukia	Abroma augusta	Gorokhia korai	Root	Urinary disorders
	Abrus precatorius	Latumoni	Root	Urinary disorders
	Achyranthes aspera	Bionihakuta	Leaves, Root	Wound, Sore throat, Cough and Cold
	Acorus calamus	Bosh	Rhizome	Acidity
	Amaranthus spinosus	Hatikhutura	Root, Aerial parts	Diarrhea, Increases milk output in lactating mother
	Amaranthus tricolor	Bishalya karani	Leaves	Wound healing
	Alternanthera sessilis	Mati kanduri	Aerial parts	Dysentry, Stomach trouble
	Caesalpinia bonduc	Letaguti	Seed	Fever, Body pain
	Caryota urens	Sewa	Root	Increases milk output in lactating mother
	Cascabela thevetia	Karabi	Seed, Bark, Latex	Anti-infective, Diabetes, Fever
	Celtis tetrandra	Hukuta	Tender Aerial parts	Relieves pain after child birth
	Centalla asiatica	Bormanimuni	Whole plant	Health tonic, Memory enhancer
	Cinnamomum bejolghata	Patihonda	Leaves	Diabetes
	Ipomoea aquatic	Kolmou	Leaves	Diabetes
	Cissus quadriangularis	Harjura lota	Stem, Tendrils	Wound, Fracture
	Citrus grandis	Robab tenga	Fruit	Jaundice, Deworming
	Clerodendron colebrookianum	Nephafu	Leaves	Hypertension
	Costus pictus	Leteki	Leaves	Diabetes, Blood purification
	Costus speciosus	Jomlakhuti	Rhizome, Leaves	Jaundice, snake bite
	Croton joufra	Gochmahudi	Leaves	Menstrual discomfort
	Curanga amada	Bhui tita	Leaves	Fever, Malaria
	Curcuma amada	Aam ada	Rhizome	Diarrhea, Dysentery
	Cuscuta reflexa	Akashi lota	Stem	Jaundice, Wound healing
	Garcinia cowa	Kuji thekera	Fruit	Diarrhea, Dysentery
	Garcinia lancifolia	Rupahi thekera	Fruit	Gastric discomfort, Diarrhea
	Hibiscus sabdarifolia	Tengamora	Aerial parts	Diarrhea, Dysentery
	Houttuynia cordata	Mosondori	Leaves, Tender shoot	Flatulence, Diarrhea, Dysentery
	Lasia spinosa	Sengmora	Rhizome, Aerial parts	Menstrual discomfort
	Lindernia pursilla	Gakhiroti bon	Whole plant	Increases milk output in lactating mother
	Lygodium flexuosum	Kopou dhekia	Leaves	Fungal infection
	Malastoma malabathricum	Phutuki	Leaves	Wound healing
	Mussandra roxburghii	Hukloti	Aerial parts	Stomach problems
	Vetivera zizanoides	Birina	Root	Rheumatic pain

Table 3.

Some of the medicinal plants used in Tinsukia district and their allied applications.

Plants in Dhemaji district selected areas were documented on the basis of interview and questionnaire with the traditional healers with emphasis on the part of the plants and applications in treating different diseases and disorders (Table 4).

District	Plant name		Part used	Use/applications
	Botanical name	Local name
Dhemaji	Abroma augusta	Ui-sipak	Leaves	Cuts and wound healing
	Ageratum conyzoides	Namnyin/ Gunduabon	Aerial parts	Aids blood clotting, Wound healing
	Alternanthera sessilis	Patang oying	Aerial parts	Jaundice, Body ache
	Bombax ceiba	Singgi	Leaves	Wound healing
	Catharanthus roseus	Sada Bahar	Leaves	Diabetes
	Calotropis gigantean	Akon	Leaves, Latex	Wound healing, Body ache
	Caesalpinia cucullatum	Tezmuri	Leaves	Tooth ache, Fever
	Chromolaena odorata	Jarmanibon	Leaves, Root	Snake bite, Anti infective
	Cissus quadrangularis	Gomset sori	Aerial parts, Tendrils	Tendrils Joining of fractured bone
	Costus scaber	Keuri	Leaves	Snake bite, wounds
	Costus speciocus	Peki jigjig	Rhizome	Jaundice, UTI
	Cyclosorus extensus	Rukji	Leaves	Increases milk output in lactating mother
	Desmodium laxiforum	Bhuter chira	Aerial parts	Infection, Menstrual discomfort
	Eryngium foetidum	Bormang ori	Leaves	Appetizer, stomach problems
	Ficus hispida	Takpi	Fruit	Jaundice
	Garcinia lanceifolia	Rupohi tehekera	Fruit	Jaundice, Diarrhea
	Houttuynia cordata	Musondri	Leaves	Optimizes stomach function
	Ipomoea aquatic	Mou	Leaves	Jaundice, Diabetes
	Mentha arvensis	Takemare	Leaves	Stomach trouble
	Mimosa pudica	Yuptap	Root	Deworming
	Musa velutina	Doge kopak	Flower	Diarrhea, Dysentry
	Litseacitr ata	Mezangkori	Bark	Asthma, Cough
	Solanum nigrum	Loshkosi	Leaves	Jaundice
	Tylophora asthamatica	Jangli pikran	Leaves, Roots	Purify blood, Stops white vaginal discharge
	Oxalis corniculata	Tengsi	Leaves	Hypertension, Diabetes, Stomach upset
	Zanthoxylum nitidum	Rikom	Aerial parts	Anti infective

Table 4.

Some of the medicinal plants used in Dhemaji district and their allied applications.

Documentation of plants in Karbi Anglong district, surveyed areas was then done on the basis of interview and questionnaire with the traditional healers with emphasis on the part of the plants and their applications in treating different diseases and disorders (Table 5).

District	Plant name		Part used	Use/applications
	Botanical name	Local name
Karbi Anglong	Acmella paniculata	Bapchuki	Leaves, Flower	Stomach ache, Acidity
	Abelmoschus moschatus	Arnam hanserong	Leaves, Fruit	Snake bite
	Abrus precatorius	Chuselok	Leaves	Fever, Asthma, Joint pain
	Abutilon indicum	Mir-at	Leaves, Flower	Snake bite, Insect bite
	Acacia pennata	Themra/Khemra	Leaves, Bark	Snake bite
	Alpinia galangal	Phrikan gnek	Leaves, Rhizome	Stomach ache, Improves digestion
	Alternanthera sessilis	Raeaba	Aerial parts	Fever, Infection
	Amorphophalus bulbifer	Hen salku	Leaves, Flower	Piles, Irregular bowel movement
	Arisaema tortuosum	Chamua	Leaves, Tuber	Piles, Irregular bowel movement
	Calamus rotang	Pri	Aerial parts	Snake bite
	Cassia tora	Bapduli	Leaves, Flower	Joint pain, Improves bowel movement
	Costus pictus	Tui	Leaves	Diabetes, Jaundice
	Costus speciosus	Ai-upo	Leaves, Rhizome	Jaundice, Snake bite
	Cycas pectinata	Or-oh	Aerial parts	Acidity, Heart burn
	Lasia spinosa	Chusot	Aerial parts	Piles, Irregular bowel movement
	Laportea cremulata	Bap kangsam	Fruit, Flower	Scorpion bite
	Murraya koenigii	Thengsakso	Leaves	Acidity, Fever
	Olax acuminate	Hanboka	Leaves	Wound healing
	Oroxylum indicum	Nopak ban	Leaves, Flower	Intestinal worm, Stomach ache
	Paederia foetida	Rekang nemthu	Leaves	Acidity
	Physalis peruviana	Thebongkang	Leaves, Fruit	Stomach ache, Deworming
	Phlogocanthus thyriflorus	Titaful	Flower	Fever, Jaundice
	Solanum torvum	Bhekuri tita	Leaves, Fruit	Anti infective
	Spondias pinnata	Siming	Leaves, Flower	Acidity, Diarrhea
	Tagetes erecta	Mir kadomphui	Leaves, Flower	Anti infective, Wound healing, Improves digestion
	Vitex negundo	Vorke abap	Leaves, Flower	Fever, Ache, Malaria

Table 5.

Some of the medicinal plants used in Karbi Anglong district and their allied applications.

Documentation of plants in the surveyed region of Goalpara district was initiated on the basis of interview and questionnaire with the traditional healers with emphasis on the part of the plants and their applications in treating different diseases and disorders (Table 6).

District	Plant name		Part used	Use/applications
	Botanical name	Local name
Goalpara	Abroma augusta	Dadhubedang	Leaves	Stomach ache, Ringworm infestation
	Acalypha indica	Muktaborcha	Leaves	Asthma, Bronchitis
	Calamus rotang	Batbelai	Leaves	Eye infection
	Clerodendrum bracteatum	Vate gakha	Leaves	Memory tonic
	Calotropis gigantia	Aakon	Leaves, Bark	Snake bite, Asthma
	Deeringia amaranthoides	Matak tuka	Leaves	Wound, Sore
	Euphorbia hirta	Dudh bon	Shoot, Latex	Infection
	Ficus hispida	Domuru	Leaves	Jaundice
	Murraya koenigii	Narasinghabelai	Leaves, Tender aerial parts	Fever, Stomach upset
	Nelumbo nucifera	Podum	Rhizome	Menstrual discomfort
	Ocimum sanctum	Dhulungshi	Leaves	Cough, Fever
	Paederia foetida	Bhadalilewa	Leaves	Diarrhea, Dysentry
	Polyalthia longifolia	Debdaru	Bark	Menstrual discomfort
	Solanum integrifolium	Tita Bhekri	Fruit	Malaria, Fever, Jaundice, Diabetes
	Terminalia tomentosa	Amra	Fruit	Diabetes, Stomach upset
	Vitex negundo	Pasatia	Leaves	Body pain, Wound, Fever

Table 6.

Some of the medicinal plants used in Goalpara district and their allied applications.

Plants in surveyed areas of Kokrajhar district were documented on the basis of interview and questionnaire with the traditional healers with emphasis on the part of the plants and their applications in treating different diseases and disorders (Table 7).

District	Plant name		Part used	Use/applications
	Botanical name	Local name
Kokrajhar	Benincasa hispida	Kumbra	Fruit, Leaves	Diabetes, Acidity
	Canarium bengalensis	Dhuna	Leaves,	Bark Joint pain
	Chromolaena odorata	Bangrilewa	Leaves	Stomache ache, dysentery
	Chrystella parasitica	Daokhumwi	Young aerial part	Wound healing
	Clerodendum infortunatum	Lwkwna	Leaves	Jaundice, Wound healing
	Clitonia ternatea	Nilkantha	Leaves	Fever, antiseptic
	Costus speciosus	Buritokon	Rhizomes, Leaves	Jaundice, Snake bite
	Corchorus capsularis	Patw	Leaves, Root	Fever, Diarrhea
	Datura stramonium	Datura	Leaves, Fruits	Tooth ache, Heartburn, Asthma
	Emblica officinalis	Amla	Fruit	Tonic, Stomachic
	Laportea crenulata	Koma	Leaves, Root	Heartburn, Fever, Cuts and Wound
	Leucas plukenetii	Khangsinsa	Leaves	Sinusitis, Pain
	Nyctanthes arbortristis	Sephali	Leaves, Flower	Antihelmintic
	Ocimum sanctum	Tulsi	Leaves	Cough relief, Asthma
	Paederia foetida	Bhedalilewa	Leaves	Diarrhea, Constipation
	Scoparia dulcis	Bongpang rakeb	Whole plant	Kidney stone, Diarrhea, Fever
	Xanthium strumarium	Agara	Root, Leaves	Fever, Joint pain

Table 7.

Some of the medicinal plants used in Kokrajhar district and their allied applications.

4. Profiles of Costus species used predominantly in traditional medicine in the surveyed areas

The ethnomedicinal survey conducted in the different areas revealed the prominent use of the species belonging to the genus costus. The species were Costus speciosus, Costus scaber and Costus pictus. Therefore botanical and pharmacognostic profiling of the said species were done accordingly.

4.1 Costus speciosus (J. Konig) Smith

Costus speciosus (Figure 2) is an erect plant, up to 2.7 meters high; root stock is tuberous; stem is sub-woody at the base. Leaves have an average dimensions of (15–30) cm × (5.7–7.5) cm and are sub sessile, oblong, spirally arranged with silky-pubescent base [13, 14]. The flowers are present in very dense spikes having ovate bracts that are mucronate and bright red in color. The corolla have short tube with lobes which are ovate-oblong subequal. Flower lips are white with yellow center with crisped, concave, disk with a tuft of hair at the base. Fruits are capsule, globosely trigonus and are red in color. The seeds are black with white aril. Flowering time in Indian condition is August to October [13, 15].

Figure 2.

C. speciosus (J. Konig) Smith collected from Nagakhelia village, Dibrugarh.

It is a herb occurring in the moist and wet evergreen areas of the Indo-Malayan region and Sri Lanka along with Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Mexico etc. Within India it occurs from Central and Eastern Himalayas to Southern India [15, 16].

4.2 Costus scaber

Costus scaber (Figure 3) is an erect plant, up to 4 meters high; root stock is tuberous; stem is sub-woody at the base. Leaf shape is elliptical with entire margin and are spirally arranged around the stem. The primary bracts are borne on the inflorescence in spiral phyllotaxy. One flowered cincinni occur in the axils of these bracts. Each cincinnus consists of an axis bearing a terminal flower [17]. The floral organs are formed sequentially starting with calyx. Flowering time in Indian condition is October to December.

Figure 3.

Costus scaber collected from Dhemaji (insert: flower specimen).

It is mainly distributed in the neo tropical regions. Within India its geographical distribution is in the sub-Himalayan tract from Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh eastwards to Arunachal Pradesh; and in the Western ghats in Maharastra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

4.3 Costus pictus D. Don

Costus pictus (Figure 4) is a plant that goes upto 3 meters in height; it has tuberous root with a nearly woody base. The leaf arrangement is spiral with an elliptical shape. Leaf bears rigid and rubbery morphology. Spiral phyllotaxy is observed in the primary bracts. The external appearance of the flowers as depicted in Figure 4 is primarily are creamy colored along with pink stripes initiating from the base. The plant generally bears flower between the months of August and October.

Figure 4.

C. pictus D. Don collected from Naojan, Golaghat.

This plant is mainly distributed in the neo tropical regions [18, 19]. In India it found in the sub-Himalayan tract from Himachal Pradesh to Arunachal Pradesh; and in the Western ghats in Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

5. Conclusion

The state of Assam, popularly known as the land of the red river and blue hills is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. Assam falls in one of the great migration routes of mankind of different groups who over the centuries have come and settled down. Every community has its own traditional rituals, customs and herbal remedies which have been molded by the geographical location and the environmental factors where they reside. The abundant natural resources in encompassing location form the basis for the characteristic food habits and related medicinal practices of each community. By their experience, the knowledge of herbal remedies was transferred to generation after generation as folk medicine.

A study was conceived based on the aforesaid facts with intent to scientifically analyze different folkloric healing practices encompassing various medicinal plants. Subsequently an ethno medicinal survey was conducted across the state of Assam for compiling information with respect to traditional medicine. Thereafter, plants belonging to Costaceae family were selected for scientific validation studies owing to their predominant use among the traditional healers in the surveyed regions particularly in upper Assam for treating ailments like jaundice, diabetes etc.

Three plants belonging to the costus genus were identified viz. Costus scaber, Costus speciosus and Costus pictus for the study. Costus speciosus locally known as ‘Jomlakhuti’ in Dibrugarh, Golaghat and Tinsukia district; ‘Peki jigjig’ in Dhemaji; ‘Ai-upo’in Karbi Anglong district and ‘Buritokon’ in Kokrajhar district, the rhizomes, leaves are primarily used for treating liver aliments, diabetes, UTI, snake bite respectively. Costus scaber locally known as ‘Keuri’ in Dhemaji district, the leaves are used in the treatment of snake bite and wound healing. Costus pictus locally known as ‘Leteki’ in Golaghat and Tinsukia district and ‘Tui’ in Karbi Anglong district, the aerial parts and leaves are used traditionally in the treatment of diabetes, for blood purification and jaundice respectively.

Therefore, it can be safely concluded that species belonging to this genus are traditionally used in the mitigation of various ailments particularly diabetes. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro studies are warrented against these species so as to elucidate viable phyto components as a future prespective.

Acknowledgments

The authors thankfully acknowledges the traditional healers of Dotma, Kokrajhar district; Dhupdhora, Goalpara district; Laipuli, Tinsukia district; Kathkatia village of Silonijan of Karbi Anglong district; Naojan and Baragharia village of Golaghat district; Nagakhelia village and Jokai area of Dibrugarh district; Sissiborgaon, Barmukuli and Majarbari village of Dhemaji district of Assam who helped by sharing their valuable information regarding the methodology of usage of different plant species used in the treatment of ailments. The authors also acknowledge Mrs. Monika Kuli of Barmukuli village of Dhemaji district, Mrs. Sarala Rabha of Dhupdhora of Goalpara district, Mrs. Minu Borah and Mr. Dhruba Borah of Baragharia village and Mrs. Purnima Borah of Jyotinagar, Golaghat district, Mrs. Savitri Sonowal of Jokai and Mr. Anil Bhuyan and Mr. Ripul Bhuyan of Nagakhelia village of Dibrugarh district, Mrs. Kareng Rongpi of Silonijan of Karbi Anglong district, Dr. Pranjit Narzaree, Ms. P. Narzaree of Kokrajhar district for their immense help regarding the collection of information in the conducted ethnomedicinal survey. The conducted study was not funded by any organization whether government, semi government or private funding bodies whatsoever.

Conflict of interest

“The authors declare no conflict of interest.”