Medicinal plants used by the people of Northeast India for curing malaria

The present study showed that the people of the Northeastern region of India use at least 65 plants belonging to 38 families to treat malaria. Different plant parts such as the leaf, root, bark and fruit and in some cases the whole plant were used for making the herbal preparations. All crude preparations were made using water as the medium. The preparations were orally administered either as a plant crude extract, juice and decoction or leaf infusion. Of the 65 plants, 21 were found to be used in the form of a decoction. The hard parts of the herbs such as the root and bark were taken in the form of a decoction. In some cases the ingredients of the herbal preparation also included honey or sugar. The present investigation also indicated that most of the preparations made for curing malaria were derived from single plant sources.

Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used by Assamese people for various skin ailments and cosmetics

The present paper deals with the medicinal plants used by the people of Assam for curing different skin ailments and for cosmetics. A total of 85 plants belonging to 49 families have been documented for their therapeutic use against skin diseases and as herbal care. The herbal medicines were prepared from various plant parts of single plant, or multiple plants. The majority of the preparation was made using water as the medium. The mode of application was topical, but in many cases it was also administered orally. In several cases the pure herbal preparations was administered along with milk, ghee, honey, coconut oil, curd, etc. Remedies for 18 skin ailments were documented through this study. About 14 plants are known for their use to cure multiple skin diseases. Among these Curcuma longa and Melia azaderach constitute the major plants. The herbal cosmetic products used by the people of Assam ranges from the enhancement of skin colour, hair care, removal of ugly spots, colouring of nails, palms, and teeth. However, many of the plant preparations used for enhancing beauty were also applied for therapeutic use. Herbal remedies were also available for skin burns, prickly heat and pimples. Information on nine plants used for managing dry skin also emerged from this study.