Proceedings of the Two days Workshop on the Ethno Botany practiced by

the people including the tribal population of the state organized by the
Medicinal Plants Board of Tripura in the TB Control Society Auditorium
Hall at Agartala on the 18th & !9th September, 2006

The Medicinal Plants Board of Tripura organized a two days workshop on Ethno-
botany and various herbal medicines practiced by people including tribal population after
inviting the folk level herbal medicine practitioners including the Ayurvedic degree
holder practitioners, traders and collectors of the plant parts of the herbal medicines in the
TB Control Society auditorium hall at Agartala on the 18th and 19th September, 2006. The
list showing the names and address of the participants are annexed at annexure I.

The Workshop was inaugurated by the honble Minister for Forests and it was
also attended by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of Tripura, the
Chief Conservator of Forest, (Planning & Development) who is also the Vice Chairman
of the Board. Dr. Nalini Kanta Chakraborty, retired Reader of M.B.B College, Agartala,
renowned taxonomies of Tripura on invitation among others has attended the workshop.
In his welcome address the CEO explained the need to have the workshop and what is
expected out of the participants. He also requested the participants to be careful while
identifying and describing about the morphology of the plants because a single plant is
called by different names ana at times one name is attributed to many species of plants
which create confusion.

In his keynote address the Vice Chairman discussed on the health policy, the
necessity for having a Board for the development of medicinal plant sector of the State
and the necessity of generation of awareness amongst the people. The Vice Chairman
explained the need for having such workshop for exchanging the views so that the
benefits flow to the rural people. The Vice chairman has informed that very medicinal
plant conservation areas would be developed in various parts of the state which would act
as the demonstration plots of the medicinal plants garden in addition to the conservation
of rare, endangered and threatened species of the medicinal plants.

The PCCF, Tripura in his speech has requested the participant to contribute in the
workshop in a constructing way so that the plants which are essentially required locally
for the treatment of the diseases, their rarity in terms of procument can be discussed and
so that these can be listed and included in the Afforestation programme of the
Department. The expectation of the folk level practitioners may also come out during the
proceedings so that a clear direction for action can be taken by the Medicinal Plants
Board as well as the Department of Forests with a definite timeframe for such action.

In his inaugural speech the honble Minister has exhorted the participants who
have come from various distant and remote places of Tripura. The honble Minister
described about the unique feature of the traditional medicine which have floushried in
our country thousand years ago. Our people had very clear knowledge about the

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nutritional aspects of the food, the properties and medicinal values of the plants The
Minister also had also hailed the folk level traditional medicine practitioners, who in his
opinion, are rendering yeomen services in the remotest part of the State to treat the people
where the health care facilities could not be extended.

The participants then shared their knowledge on usage of various species of plants
for curing every day ailments of the people who are living in their vicinity. The species of
plants that they use are described below:

18th day of September2006

1. Madhusudhan Tripura , Herbal medicine practitioner of Sabroom, South

Tripura described about the following species of plants for curing Piles /
Diabetes / Dog bite/ Tetanus

a) Ricinus comunis (Lal Keron/ Bheron/ Letok)- Leaf

b) Centella asiatica ( Thankuni) leaf
c) Eupatorium odoratum (Maricha/ Durki)- leaf

All these parts are mixed in equal amount; small tablets are made from paste, after
drying are given to patients 3 times in a day for three weeks. During this period heat
pads are used with the leaf of Letok. During treatment Boal fish, Hiisha fish and meat of
Turtles, pigeons etc .it is also restricted to take some food item such as

In case of Tetanus due to bite of mad dog

a) Goroor flower- root -5gm
b) A special type of insect (bleakish yellow spotted color) are found in Lengra
(Crysopogon aciculatus) plant during particular season dry (2-3 Nos)
c) String from Kashmiri Shal
a) + b) mix in a ratio of 2:1 are made in small pills and taken about 2 pills with
sweet ( Gur) in empty stomach for three days and restricted to take any spicy
food item till remedy. If the bite caused by the normal dog then add only 2
insects, but incase of serious dog bite (bite caused by aggressive / mad dog) it is
need to add 3 insects. Sometimes a+b+c are tie up on neck for the same purposes.
In case of Diabetes
a) Catharanthus roseus ( Nayantara/ Malancha- white colored) leaf
b) Coccinia grandis ( Telakachu)- leaf
c) Camellia sinensis- green tea leaf
d) Eupatorium odoratum(Durki)- leaf
e) Kagag fool - leaf
f) Un boiled rice (Atap chal) washed water

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 All the plants part are mix in a quantity of 250 gm are grind to make paste with
washed water and ultimately made into small pills and take 3 pills in the morning in
empty stomach daily. During this time it is restricted to take Cucurbita maxima ( Misti
Kumrha).

g) Special drinks - Bhui Kumoor (Rhizome) is made into dry powder and mix with
un boiled rice (Atap chal) washed water are given to the same purposes.

Pureria tuberose (Bhui Kumhrha) rhizome is special type which is found in and around
the Jhum land.

In case of Dysuria
Hyptis suaveolens / Tokma
Dry seeds are soaked overnight in a glass of water and are taken in the morning in empty
stomach along with small amount of sugar for about a week in case of burning sensation
during urine pass (Dysuria) and other urinary complains.

In case of Allergy - Un boiled rice (Atap chal) washed water are given after dinner.

In case of Asthma Deer flesh / fresh deer blood

In case of Piles Flesh of buffalo

In case of Epilepsy ( Mrigi roog)- Body scale of Banrui + Spine of Heza or Sajaroo +
teeth of Squirrel ( Chola. Kat birali ) are tie up on neck in the form of Tabiz( special
necklace)

In case fattism- Leaf of Withania somnifera(Ashwagandha) + immature leaf of Magifera

indica (Am) , paste are taken for 21 days

He belongs to a Group of 12 Kabiraj This type of traditional treatment is performing by

his generation for about 70 years. Maximum plants parts are collected from nearest forest
plot. Only few on then are cultivated in the garden and Jhum. According to him the plants
resources are decreasing in the source. Marketing , manufacturing and collection is done
by own and earn about 1500/- per month.

2. Amullya Tripura.( Chamonu)

In case of Piles
a) Cynodon dectylon ( Durba) Whole plant
b) Palm sweet ( Tal Misrri) are mix in a ratio of 4:1 are taken with water for about
three times in a day. During the collection of Durba it is also need to collect the
plant fronting the body to West direction and needs to stop breath. Prescribe to
avoid Magur fish, green chilly and sweet pepo etc. during the treatment.

In case of Jaundice
a) Special type of Orchid found in Delonix tree.-leaf

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 b) Carica papaya (Pepe)- root
c) Allophylus racemosus (Choanti)- root
d) Dani gella (K)- bark
e) Snail (rounded)- flesh
f) Garlic(50g) and black piper (10g)
Mix equally , made into small pills taken 6 pills alternately after two hours for about one
week.

In case of Bronchitis / asthma / Tuberculosis

a) Ropa Jaraon(K)
b) Jama Jaron(K)
c) Dalchini
d) Piper
e) Long
f) Piper
g) Alachi
h) Jangli Ada
i) Ada
j) Jastamadhu
k) Haritoki
l) Pepo(K)
m) Khumtarom (K)

Mix equally and take three times in a day. Prescribe to avoid bringer, arum and flesh of
hen etc.

In case of Paralysis
a) Ricinus communis (Letok. Bheron)- Bark
b) Musa acuminata (Ram kala)- Root
c) Earthworm( Blackish one)
Mix in a ratio of 2:2:1 and take two times in empty stomach and avoid to take milk
and raw flesh.

In case fattism- a rhizome, looking like the rhizome of Kamferia or Alpinia + garlic in a
ratio of 2:1 are given.

3. Bhupendra Debbarma ( Khumlong, ADC, HQ)

In case of Pneumonia
a) Alternanthera sissilis ( Katamaira)- root
b) Mimosa pudica ( Lajjabati, Samsunduai)- root
c) Allophylus racemosus (Choanti)- root / leaf
Mix equally and made into small pills to take 2 pills / day. Prescribe to avoid flesh of
hen till remedy.
In case serious Bone fracture
a) Litsea glutinosa (Mendha / pressrab)- bark

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 b) Choanti- bark
c) Ban rosun-(Allium amproprasum / Asphodelus tenuifolius)
d) Calotropis gigantea (Akanda)leaf
e) Garlic

All the plant parts are mix equally and placed the mixture paste in the affected area with
two bamboos strict and joined the plaster carefully through string.

In case of White Discharge

a) Paederia foetida ( Gandhavadali)-leaf(4-5)
b) Ocimum sanctum (Black tulsi ) leaf(10-12)
c) Jain-25g
d) Fermented rice-100g
Mixture is dried and made into small pill. Sometimes the same mixture is also given
with the local wine containing one glass for two times in a day till remedy.

In case of Diabetes
a) Catharanthus roseus (Nayantara)- leaf
b) Camellia sinensis (Tea leaf)- filtered water (Cold)
c) Binni chal (Rice) washed water

The mixture is given in a ratio of 2:1:1

In case of Dysuria-
Special type of soup are made by Kagog fool
are given to the patients who is suffering from Dysuria.

According to him the number of patients for such type of medicine are increasing day
by day and he earn about 1200/- per month. He holding this experience for last 10-15
years and also said that some plant materials are to be collected from long distance and
some are cultivated in his garden. The resource is decreasing in the natural forests (
Barmura and Atharamura) for that he has to move long journey in the forest to find some
plant which are not available in his garden. He has an herbal garden which contains
around 300 of medicinal plants in plot a of 2 kani. He invites all the members of the
Board to visit his garden and also wants to develop his herbal garden for that he need
financial help from the Board.

4. Anchui Mog ( Ambassa)

In case of serious Bone fracture
a) Ricinus communis (Letok, Bheron)- leaf(5g)
b) Desmodium sp.-leaf(100gm)
c) Curcuma domestica (Raw)- rhizome(20%)
All the plant parts are grinded properly and placed the mixture powder with warm water
in the affected area with two bamboos strict and joined the plaster carefully through

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string. Prescribe to change it after 4 days by leaving one day and continue it for 25-30
days or till remedy.
According to him all the plants used by him are cultivated and easily propagated and he
planted those plants around his house. This knowledge was gifted by his ancestors
(Grandfather, Father) , but he is practicing this type treatment only for last 5-6 years and
he earn about 2500-3000/- now per month. Although there is an allopathic dispensary
situates in his village but there is no impact of modern treatments on his business.

5. Rajesh Roy (Bishalgharh)

He is a small scale manufacturer and he needs about 166 type of Medicinal plants
among them Amla 70 kg, Haritoki 40 kg, Bahera 30 kg and Red sandal 2-3 kg etc. per
year and several liquid, metal and marine elements to formulate his medicine. Maximum
raw materials are needs to bring from outside Tripura. So their costing is a great impact
to his industry. His family performing this practice for last 150 years in Bangladesh and
about 45 years ago his family stared this practice in Tripura. He had already started
several initiative approaches towards the manufacturing and commercialization of
medicinal plants and he wants to a bold financial help and guideline from Board for that
he had already submitted a list of Medicinal plants to the Board.

6. Nabendu Bhattcherjee ( Ramnagar)

He had discussed about the followings plants:
a) Aloe barbadensis (Ghritakancnan)-
b) Azadirachta indica (Neem)-
c) Widelia calendulacea (Bhringaraj)-
d) Emblica officinales (Amloki)-
e) Kalancho pinnata (Patharkuchi)-
f) Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava)-
g) Asterocantha longifolia (Kulekhara)-
h) Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi)-

7. Rabia Deb Barma (Mongia Bari, Atharamura)

In case of Uterus / Penis Cancer

a) Careya arborea ( Banthang/ Kumbhira)- Leaf
b) Mimosa pudica (Lajjabati)- leaf
c) Scoparia duleis leaf
d) Polygonum hydropiper ( Bishkatali)- leaf
e) Musa paradisiaca ( Sarbikala)- root
f) Dendrophthoe falcata- leaf
g) Insects ( Burir poka)

All the parts are boiled and after filtration the affected organ is washed three times in
a day with that filtrate boiled water. There is small difference between the combination
for male and female and used separately. Foods are needs to avoid during that time are

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Dry fish, fish, egg and any flesh. Scoparia duleis roots are also used in case of dental
pain.
Holding experience in this line for about last 10-12 years. Now his son is also learning
this technique from him. All the plants parts are to be collected from wild, even those
plants are not cultivated by him. According to him those plants are now restricted to
particular site and found in a very unequal distribution.

8. Jahanbir Deb Barma ( Khumlong, ADC HQ)

He can treat the disease like cancer, hernia and asthma etc. and holding a garden of
medicinal plants ( about 2 kani). According to him , the valuable knowledge was
God gifted one day in dream and practices for last 5 years.

19th day of September2006

9. Kumar DebBarma (Mandai)

Disease:- Seplong (Ovary Cancer), Bayer Batha(Joint pain) and Gastric

In case of Ovary Cancer

a) Abelmoschus esculantus(Simling Bukur) Bark
b) Alpinia allugus (Deb tara)- rhizome
c) Sorai khumtang(K)- Orchid
d) Azadirachta indica (Neem)- leaf
e) Pueraria tuberose(Bhui kumra)- rhizome
f) Citrus maxima(Ban Jamir)- leaf
g) Ananas comosus(Ban Anasos)-leaf
h) Colocasia sp.(Muitu)- leaf

In case of Joint pain

a) One unknown climber-leaf

b) Seplafang(K)-leaf
c) One unknown leafy vegetable- leaf
d) Dry stool of pigeon
e) Tokbaria(K)- leaf
f) Mutarkhar- leaf
g) Paederia foetida (Dukhupui / Gandhavadali)-leaf
h) Amorphophallus campanulatus(Danga donga)- stem
i) Muithamsui(K)- leaf
j) Garlic + black piper + Alachi + Sohaga + Flower of Jasminum sambac(Belli
/Dumbami)

In case of Gastric
a) Calotropis gigantea ( Amang /Akanda)leaf
b) Abelmoschus esculantus( ban dheros /Simling Bukur) fruit

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 c) Amaikhitung(K)-leaf

In case of hernia
a) Abun saha special soil
b) Nela one king of seed of a small tree
c) Wine
d) Charni sida- one kind of wild mushroom
e) Root from Sada pata
f) Datura stramonium- leaf
Mix properly and made into syrup

In case of Jaundice (Jol Pandhu)

a) Cassia fistula(Sonal) leaf
b) Schima wallichi(Kanak)- leaf
c) Solanum surattensis(Bon begun / kata begun)- -leaf

He knows 23-25 type medicine formulation, gathered from his father. According to him
the medicinal plants are available in the hill zone.

10. Susantha bhattacherjee ( Ayurvedic practitioner and manufacturer)

Discussed about Charak and Samhita. He knows medicine of some disease like-
a) Diabetes dry powdery leaf of Bamboo + Mutha
b) Lactation- Statamuli roots are given during pregnancy
c) Vermifuge- Seeds of Butea monosperma (Palash)
d) Oil for Rheumatic pain- Sida acuita (Belela) + Neem + Chatim + Punarnava
e) Blood purifier- Asterocantha longifolia (Kulekhara)
f) Soriosis , l;eocoderma- Terminalia chebula(haritoki)
Also discussed about marketing potential of Kulekhara and Satamuli, wants co-
operation in terms of financial help from Board.

11. Tuta mia (Karoimurah, Bishalgharh)

In case of Bone Fracture

a) Ricinus communis (Bherenda) leaf
b) Piper betle (Pan)- leaf / twig
c) Litsea glutinosa (Menda)- leaf
In case of patents less than 12 years old- the paste are made by three number of all
leaves but for the adult patients seven number of all three leaves are made paste.
Paste is applied on the affected area and tightly bind the place with bamboo sticks. He
has experience about 22- 23 years. He acquired this knowledge from Bangladesh. It is
essential to bring X-ray report of the fractured area. During bandage and massage special
techniques are also essential. After 3 hour of bandage a special oil are given to massage
on the fractured area. According to him the special oil is prepared by mixing the
following item-

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Talab/ Darchini( Cinnamomum cassia) / Clove / Datura stramonium (Leaf) /
Cinnamomum camphora (Karpur) / Mustard oil

The leaf decoction of Litsea glutinosa is also given to increase the count of sperm.

12 Kamala Kanta Deb Barma (Khumloong / ADC , HQ)

Incase of Gastric
a) Vitex negundo (Nishinda)- leaf
b) Cassia fistula (Sonal)- leaf
c) Chekra awal- leaf
d) Mutuikhanenda(K)- Leaf

In case of Abdominal Pain

a) Citrus medica(Bon Jamir)- leaf
b) Musa paradisiacal( Kala)- Root
c) Sangra (an semi-aquatic plant)- leaf
d) Ananus comusus ( Jangli anarosh)- leah
e) Garlic / black piper
Prescribe to take the mixture in form of pill

13. Satish Ch. Bhatta (Charilam)

a) Euphorbia hirta (Choto dudhi) leaf juice to increase the lactation
According to him maximum medicine are prepared during the winter season.
Maximum plant are cultivated in his garden. He sold the medicine in the market and
earn about 1500/- per month.

14. Sriti Rekha Tripura. (79 Tila)

a) Blood dysentery Ricinus communis (Bherenda)- leaf juice
b) High pressure- Kolia Sag (K)- leaf are cook
c) Ear ache or pass form in the ear Bhanda Utphal(K)- bark juice is applied
d) Cough- Khumi Sadarang(K)- juice from whole plant (including few juice
of Allium cepa)
e) Natural Color or dye Haritoki + Bahera + Amla

15. Abanib Mohan Chakma (Jatan Bari)

a) Malaria- Neem + Tulsi + Pipul + Jai Phal + Haritoki + Bahera are mix
and given in form of tablets.
b) Fever- Jalantar Kachu ( one kind of Colocasia species, about 5-6ft in
height)
c) Gastric- Panchur (K)- bark

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 16. Nisikantha Baddyakar, Mongiakami
Discussed about the shortage of availability of some medicinal plants in the
State. Problems of adulterant of medicinal plants in the local market.

a) Cassia fistula (Sonal) Leaves Piles

b) Cassia accidentals (Kalkasundha)- leaves / seed- fever / vermifuge
c) Polyenthes longifolia Rheumatic pain
d) Ficus religiosa- bark- piles
e) Amaranthus gracilis (Bon Nate)- leaves fever, liver complains
f) Eclipta alba- (Kesut)- root dental pain
g) Thevetia purpurea (Karabi)- latex- eye problems
h) Heliotropium indicum- leave- Black fever
i) Alstonia scholaris (Chatim)- latex- ulcer in feet
j) Leucas aspera leaves asthma
k) Marsellia minuta- whole plant- insomnia
l) Clerodendrum viscosum- root vermifuge
m) Cassia tora(Askki)- leaves eczema
n) Hyptis seavionalis seed- abdominal pain
o) Altenenthera sessilis (Hichha)- whole plant cook increase hemoglobin
p) Terminalia arjuna- Barh- Chest pain
q) Oroxylum indicum (Kannai Dingha)- leaves- juice Jaundice
r) Hibiscus rosa-sinensis- leaves hair lose / sexual disorder
s) Eupatorium triplinerve (Bishallya karani)- diabetes
t) Coccinia grandis(Telakachu)- leaves diabetes
u) Abroma angusta (Olat Kambhal)- leaves Blood pressure
v) Unknown rhizome for dysentery
w) Plumbago zelynica- leaves rheumatic disorder
x) Garchinia xanthocymus (Tamal)- leaves fever/ pimples

17. Chaitramohon Rankhol, Jampui

a) Thaifang(K)- leaves- antiseptic

b) Rakhal sasha / Jaradang dai(K)- leaves / rhizome fracture
c) Aporusa dioca (amang) leaves- wounds
d) Hadan Gai(K)- root- dental pain
e) Puereria tubarosa rhizome- snake bite

Incase of Gastric
a) Paederia foetida (Dukhupui)-leaf
b) Black piper
c) Garlic and few sugar . Mixture is boil for ten minutes and taken one spoon full in
empty stomach.
Incase of Jaundice
a) Lassia spinosa (Tharai)- stem
b) Jaiphal, black piper and camphor mix properly and taken for 3 week.
c) Terminalia chebula- fruit piles

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 18. Dr. Achinta Deb, MD

Discussed about Panchakarma / preventive and social medicine

Use of Ricinus / withania / Bamboo leaf in several item for Panchakarma
treatment.
Stream therapy

19. Dr. Arup Dhar

Nayan tara root blood cancer
Nyctanthus arboristis- leaves -fever
He wants to develop a international University of Herbal Medicine . He needs
cooperation . Discussed about several medicine collect from Bangadesh. He
also needs license

20. Dr. Niranjan Saha

Describe about the herbal medicine and traditional medicine , Village
doctorsor or koak healers and importance of Galactotherphy.

21. Dr. Sumanta Bhattacherjee

Discussed about general health and preventive social medicine
Alstonia- bark- malaria
Karala- leaf- malaria
Nyctanthus malaria
Hollarhena- bark-Dysentery
Arjun- bark- heart disease
Kulekhara- Vitamin , blood purifier
Mutha- Digestive
Stamuli- root- lactation
Withania + Aspargus - memory
and importance of honey in different medicine . There are 6 herbs are used in
Elzyma disease among Satamuli and Ashwagandha are found in Tripura (Ref-
Journal in Inertnate).

22. Dr. Amullya Guha, ( Lecturer, Udaipur college.)

Discuss about importance of herbal medicine . He wants more awareness camping in the
rural area . He also discussed about importance of tissue culture for conservation of
some rare medicinal plants .

23. Ganesh Chakraborty

Importance of some fruit which are taken after meal like Amla-/Haritoki/
Orange / Banana/ Apple etc. Leave of Guava with a pinch of salt are useful in
dental pain. Triticum aestivum stem juice are very useful to increase
immunity .

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