THE PRE-EMINENT DRUGS FOR TOMORROW: AN ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY ON THE FOLKLORE MEDICINAL PLANTS FOUND IN THE NAGA VILLAGE OF LUYONG,(MOLUNGYIMSEN B), NAGALAND

摘要: Background: Traditional medicinal plants are dominant element of native medical systems in rural areas and different parts of the plants are used in treating different ailments in the body. Luyong, being a small village, the utilization of medicinal plants is so prominent and the knowledge on the medicinal plants used in the villageis not well recorded till date. Objective: To systematically document and study different ethnomedicinal practices using various plants of medicinal values.Methods: A total of 20 traditional healers were interviewed and detailed information regarding the plants was noted. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted and detailed information was collected on 59 plant species of 37 families and 51 genera. Results and Discussion: Of the plant’s families surveyed, majority belonged to the family Lamiaceae and the plant species of this family was used in treating hypertension, as an antidote against snake bites, relieving constipation and treating sinusitis. Leaves were used in highest number and decoction procedure was followed in many of the preparations. Conclusion: In this era of modern world, it has become very important to explore and preserve the importance of plants species used in our daily lives as it can cure the lives of many. The importance of this study was ventured to perpetuate the knowledge of local people with regard to medicinal plants and that the future generation can carry forward and preserve it.