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Research and Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences

Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers of West Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya, India

  1. Rikertre Lytan
  2. Devajyoti Bokolial

Abstract

A survey was conducted to record the medicinal plants used by traditional medicine practitioners in the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. A total of 44 species were recorded, out of which 2 were pteridophytes. Zingiberaceae was the most dominant family with 5 species. 48% of the medicinal plants used were herbs, followed by trees (20%) and shrubs and climbers (16% each). Underground parts and leaves of plants are mostly used as medicine. A large section of the population in Meghalaya still prefers and relies on traditional medicine. But of late, traditional healers are facing difficulties due to shortage of medicinal plants in the wild. Government intervention in the form of financial assistance for setting up medicinal plant gardens and adopting immediate measures for in situ conservation of medicinal plants is the need of the hour. Keywords: Herbal medicine, folk healers, MeghalayaCite this ArticleRikertre Lytan, Devajyoti Bokolial. Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers of West Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya, India. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Life Sciences. 2019; 9(1): 156–164p.

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