An Investigation on Anti Diabetic Medicinal Plants Used by Villagers in Nalbari District, Assam, India

Nalbari district is situated in between 26°N and 27N latitude and 92E and 97E longitude. It lies between Kamrup and Barpeta district of lower Assam. Nalbari has a population of 1138184 (2001 census). An ethnobotanical Survey was conducted in 2010 in selected villages to explore the medicinal plant used by the villagers to cure Diabetes. This villages are inhabited by Boros, Koch, Muslim communities. The indigenous knowledge of local traditional healers and native plants used by the villagers to cure Diabetes were collected using a questionnaire and personal interviews. Total 30 villagers in the age group of 30-68 years were interviewed out of which 3 were local healers. The investigation reveals 35 species of plants belonging to 28 families which are used to cure Diabetes. It is found that the whole plant is used for curing the ailment but mostly fresh juice, powder, fresh leaves, paste or decoction in water remains the most preferred method of preparation. Most plants are very effective remedy when used in a combination or singly. The present study throws light on the traditional knowledge of the villagers regarding medicinal plant which can be used against Diabetes which is largely unexplored. INTRODUCTION: The North east region of India comprising of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim can be physiologically categorised into the Eastern Himalayas, Northeast hills and the Brahmaputra and Barak Valley plains. At the confluence of the Indo Malayan, Indo Chinese and Indian biogeographical realms, the northeast region is unique in providing a profusion of habitats, which features diverse biota with a high level of endemism. The region is also abode of approximately 225 tribes in India out of 450 in the country, the culture and customs of which have an important role in understanding biodiversity conservation and management issues . The state of Assam with an area of 78,520 sq. km, located in the North Eastern region of India has rich wealth of flora and fauna due to its characteristic geographical location and varied climate. According to 1991 census, the total population of the state is 22,414,322 out of which 11.09 per cent are urban and 88.89 per cent are rural inhabitants. The state of Assam is divided into 23 districts . This is a mixing ground of more than 100 tribes and sub-tribes of both hills and plains, having different ethnic and linguistic background. These tribal groups have accumulated a treasure of traditional knowledge about many uses and benefits of locally available plants. The diverse flora in this region provides a rich source of medicinal plants which is being used by them in their folk medicine.