How Many Medicinal Plants Are Found In Assam And What Are Their Traditional Uses?

Medicinal Plants Found in Assam: Complete List, Uses and Traditional Knowledge

Traditional village healers known as Bej play a vital role in rural healthcare across Assam. Local communities, including indigenous tribes, rely heavily on plant-based remedies, often showing remarkable success in treating common and chronic ailments. According to documented studies, around 952 plant species in Assam have identified medicinal uses, though this number continues to grow with ongoing ethnobotanical research.

Climate and Its Role in Medicinal Plant Diversity in Assam

The climate of Assam is sub-tropical monsoon in nature. Summer daytime temperatures average around 35°C, while winter temperatures remain close to 25°C, with night temperatures occasionally dropping to 10°C. The monsoon season lasts from May to October, followed by a comparatively dry period from November to April. Rainfall occurs throughout the year and humidity remains high, creating ideal ecological conditions for medicinal flora to thrive naturally.

Importance of Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge of Assam

Most medicinal plants used by the people of Assam are indigenous and remain largely unexplored by modern phytochemical science. Many of these plants contain potent bioactive compounds with promising pharmacological properties. Researchers believe that future life-saving drugs could be developed from these traditional remedies, making Assam an important contributor to global pharmaceutical science.

Commonly Used Medicinal Plants of Assam

Some of the most widely used medicinal plants in Assam include:

• Asparagus racemosa (Satmul) - Tonic and immunity booster

• Curcuma aromatica (Ban-haldi) - Anti-inflammatory and skin care

• Emblica officinalis (Amla) - Rich in Vitamin C, boosts immunity

• Terminalia chebula (Hilikha) and Terminalia bellirica (Bhomora) - Digestive health, Triphala formulation

• Aquilaria malaccensis (Agarwood) - Vitality enhancer, digestive aid, perfume industry

• Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) - Respiratory health, immunity booster

• Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) - Memory enhancer

• Hydnocarpus kurzii (Chalmugra) - Skin diseases

• Zingiber officinale (Ginger) - Digestive aid, anti-inflammatory

Rare and region-specific plants such as Vanda coerulea (Healy Bhul) for glaucoma and Red Venda for eye infections highlight Assam's unique botanical heritage.

Medicinal Plants Used as Food and Spices in Assam

Many medicinal plants of Assam are also consumed as vegetables, herbs, and spices. Plants like Moringa oleifera (Sajna), Murraya koenigii (Curry leaves), Colocasia, Alocasia, Centella asiatica (Manimuni), and Enhydra fluctuans (Helochi) play a dual role in nutrition and healthcare.

Complete List of Medicinal Plants of Assam With Botanical Name, Family and Local Name