Mishing Traditional Healing Practices in Assam: Folk Medicines and Herbal Remedies

Traditional Healing Practices of the Mishing Community in Assam: Indigenous Herbal Medicine and Folk Remedies

Introduction: Indigenous Healing of the River People

The Mishing community, one of the largest tribal groups of Assam and North East India, has preserved a rich tradition of herbal medicine for centuries. Living along the banks of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, especially in districts such as Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Sibsagar, Dibrugarh and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, the Mishings developed a deep understanding of forest-based medicinal plants.

Frequent exposure to malaria, water-borne diseases, skin infections and digestive disorders shaped their dependence on traditional healing systems. Their elevated houses known as Chang-ghar reflect their adaptation to flood-prone riverbanks, while their medicinal knowledge reflects adaptation to the surrounding biodiversity.

Role of the Mibu and Herbal Specialists

Healing in Mishing society is guided by traditional healers known as Mibu or Miri. Different specialists exist within the community:

• Herbal practitioners

• Bone setters

• Diviners

• Faith healers

• Birth attendants

• Veterinary healers

Village elders also possess knowledge of remedies for fever, jaundice, dysentery, stomach trouble, piles, headache and body ache.

Methods of Preparation

Mishing herbal medicine follows a systematic preparation method:

• Fresh juice extracted from leaves or roots

• Crushed plant paste for wounds and skin diseases

• Decoction prepared by boiling plant parts

• Powdered medicine for oral consumption

• Paste application for sprains and injuries

In many cases, herbal treatment is combined with ritual practices and prayers.

Field Documentation and Botanical Findings

Field surveys conducted in Dhemaji and Lakhimpur in Assam and East Siang in Arunachal Pradesh recorded 55 medicinal plants used by the Mishing tribe. Among these:

• 15 trees

• 8 shrubs

• 30 herbs and climbers

Leaves are the most commonly used plant part, followed by stem, root and bark.

Dominant plant families include:

• Asteraceae

• Apocynaceae

• Euphorbiaceae

• Malvaceae

• Acanthaceae

Some medicinal plants such as Acorus calamus, Costus speciosus, Eclipta prostrata and Oroxylum indicum are now under threat due to overharvesting.

Common Folk Medicines and Their Uses

Below are some widely used herbal remedies in Mishing society:

• Centella asiatica (Manimuni or Bormanimuni): Used for gastric trouble, liver disorders and general health.

• Bryophyllum pinnatum (Dupartenga): Used for dysentery, urinary trouble and jaundice.

• Phyllanthus niruri (Bon Amlokhi): Used for jaundice and dysentery.

• Eclipta alba (Kehraj): Root juice used for jaundice.

• Saccharum officinarum (Sugarcane): Juice prescribed twice daily for jaundice.

• Citrus aurantifolia (Lime): Used for fever and dysentery.

• Aegle marmelos (Wood apple): Used for dysentery and piles.

• Curcuma longa (Turmeric): Used for acidity and tonsillitis.

• Solanum indicum: Used for toothache.

• Paederia foetida (Bhedailota): Used for stomach and kidney problems.

• Leucas aspera (Durunban): Used for jaundice and liver disease.

• Xanthium strumarium (Agora): Used for malaria and urinary trouble.

• Clerodendron infortunatum: Used for malaria fever.

• Cassia occidentalis: Used for skin diseases such as ringworm and itching.

• Ageratum conyzoides: Applied as a paste for injuries.

Treatment of Common Diseases

Magico-Religious Healing Practices

Mishing ethnomedicine combines herbal therapy with spiritual beliefs. Illness is often believed to arise from:

• Anger of gods

• Ancestral spirits

• Breach of taboo

• Evil spirit possession

Diseases such as pox, snakebite, hysteria, insomnia, convulsions and deformities may be considered spiritually influenced.

The community worships deities such as Sedi Ba:bu and Melo Nane and believes in Do:nyi Po:lo philosophy. Protective rituals, offerings and talismans are used alongside herbal medicines. Some conditions require both ritual therapy and plant-based treatment.

Cultural Significance

The annual Ali-Aye-Ligang festival marks the agricultural cycle and reinforces cultural identity. Ritual offerings are believed to maintain harmony with deities and ensure community health.

The Mishing healing system is holistic, combining preventive, curative and spiritual elements. It represents an important part of Assam's biodiversity heritage and indigenous knowledge system.

Medicinal Plants Used in Mising Community

Abbreviations Used: B = Bark, L = Leaf, FL = Fresh Leaf, TL = Tender Leaf, YL = Young Leaf, R = Rhizome, Ro = Root, S = Seed, St = Stem, T = Thorn, F = Fruit, WP = Whole Plant

Conclusion

The traditional healing practices of the Mishing community demonstrate a deep ecological understanding of medicinal plants in Assam. Documented use of more than 55 herbs for malaria, jaundice, liver disorders, menstrual problems, skin diseases and digestive ailments highlights the importance of preserving this knowledge.

As modernization expands, documentation and conservation of these medicinal plants are crucial for cultural continuity and biodiversity protection.

Disclaimer*: This article is for educational purposes only. Hepatitis is a serious medical condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment before using any traditional remedy.