Ethnomedicinal plants used for gastro-intestinal disorders (GIDs) by the tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh (Eastern Himalayas), India: A comprehensive review

Authors

  • Yashpal Bhardwaj Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Itanagar
  • Birina Bhuyan
  • Yugandhar Pulicherla
  • Shiddamallayya Nagayya
  • Srinivasulu Cheemanapalli
  • Mumtam Taboh
  • Taba Yehi

Abstract

Background: Medicinal plants used for treating Gastro-intestinal disorders (GIDs) by tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh have a long history. This study aimed to compile the ethnomedicinal plants for GIDs with special reference to pharmacological activities and preclinical test of plants with high use value. This review provides baseline data for analysis of phytochemicals, bioactive compounds, and further research in the field of herbal drug discoveries.

 Methods: For collection of data, specific keywords such as “Arunachal Pradesh”, “ethnomedicine”, “ethnobotany”, “Eastern Himalayas” etc. were searched as single-word or in different combination in online databases (Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, iMedPub, Google Scholar, Scopus, etc.).

Results: 256 plant species of 83 families were reported for GIDs. Dominant habit was herb (41%), Trees (27%), Shrubs (17%), Climbers and Undershrubs (7% each). Among the 256 species, plants with high use reports (UR) in treatment of various GIDs are Paederia foetida (20), Centella asiatica (15), Houttuynia cordata (14), Psidium guajava (10), Begonia roxburghii (8), Coptis teeta (8), Dillenia indica (7), Litsea cubeba (6), Solanum nigrum (6) and Allium hookeri (5). The highest value of Informant consensus factor was reported for Stomach Inflammation/Gasatritis (0.24) while least for stomach ulcer/peptic ulcer. Leaves (27.49%) are the common plant part under use followed by fruit 19.64 %, root 9.67%, shoot 7.85% stem bark 6.65%, rhizome 6.34%, whole plant 6.04%, stem 4.83%, seed 3.63%, and other parts.

Conclusions: The overall review study suggests tribes of this region are using diverse medicinal plants/parts as herbal medicine for different GIDs.

Key words: Ethnobotany; Tribal community; Gastrointestinal; Eastern Himalayas; Use value

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Published

2025-01-06

How to Cite

Bhardwaj, Y., Bhuyan, B., Pulicherla, Y., Nagayya, S., Cheemanapalli, S., Taboh, M., & Yehi, T. . (2025). Ethnomedicinal plants used for gastro-intestinal disorders (GIDs) by the tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh (Eastern Himalayas), India: A comprehensive review. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 30, 1–39. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/5855

Issue

Vol. 30 (2025)

Section

Reviews

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