Wild edible vegetables consumed by Assamese people of Dhemaji District of Assam, NE India and their...

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Archives of Applied Science Research, 2015, 7 (5):102-109

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Wild edible vegetables consumed by Assamese people of Dhemaji District of Assam, NE India and their medicinal values

Moitreyee Saikia

Pink arcade Apartment, K.C. Sen road, Morkhali, Paltanbazar, Guwahati, Assam, India

___________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Food is the identity of a community which is influenced by geographical as well as social environment. The wild edible plants have a great socio-economic significance because of their food and medicinal values. The use of wild plants as food in different religious practices reflects its rich culture in social history. In Assamese traditional kitchen, a good number of wild plants are used as vegetable. The present study deals with the identification, documentation and investigation of wild edible vegetable plants used by Assamese people of Dhemaji district of Assam, NE India and their medicinal uses. In this paper, a total of 51 wild edible vegetable plants belonging to 33 families were recorded with their scientific names, family, local names in Assamese, time of availability, parts used and their medicinal values. Keywords: Wild edible vegetable, Food, Assamese people, Dhemaji district, Assam __________________________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION Assam state of North east India is rich in plant diversity. A very good number of wild vegetables are used by Assamese people in their kitchen. These vegetables are consumed either raw or cooked in daily diet. They have high medicinal properties. They are rich in vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Proteins and fats are found in a very little amount. Wild plants are mainly found in jungles. It plays an important role in rural areas by supplementing nutritional diet and poor people are dependent on them as a source of income. Wild edible plants are deceasing day by day due to destroy of forests. Therefore, in recent years conservation of these wild vegetables is needed. For these purpose, a systematic identification, documentation and investigation are urgently needed for the wild edible vegetables. Wild edible vegetables in different districts by various tribes of Assam were surveyed and documented earlier by various workers [1, 2, 3]. Wild edible plants of Majuli Island and Darrang districts of Assam were also documented earlier [4]. Use of wild plants as vegetables and also as medicines by the indigenous peoples of Assam has also been reported [5]. Assam occupies a special place in Northeastern India due to its rich biological diversity. It is located between 24º and 28º18N latitudes and 89º4 and 96º E longitudes, covering 2.4% of the geographical area of the country i.e. 78,438 sq.km. Dhemaji District is situated in the remote corner of North East India at the eastern-most part of Assam on the north bank of river Brahmaputra. . It is situated between the 940 12' 18'' E and 950 41' 32'' E longitudes and 270 05' 27'' N and 270 57' 16'' N latitudes and has a total geographical area of 3237 sq. Km. the climate of the district is moderate. The temperature varies between 8oC (min) to 35oC (max) and receives average rainfall of 3000 mm. The main inhabitants of Dhemaji district are Ahoms, Chutiyas, Kalitas, Konchs, Kaibartas, Mishings, Sonowal

Moitreyee Saikia Arch. Appl. Sci. Res., 2015, 7 (5):102-109 ______________________________________________________________________________


Kacharis, Bodos, Deoris and Tea garden community etc. The inhabitants of this region belongs to different tribes and ethnic communities having diverse cultures, use wild indigenous plants as food and folklore medicine in curing different ailments by traditional ways [6]. The identity of a culture is symbolized by their food-habits. The food of any community reflects its own culture and tradition [7]. The majority of people of Dhemaji district are still dependent on agriculture based social structure. They collect wild vegetables and maintain the areas where it grows. Utilization of wild plant resources in day-to-day life of Assamese people in urban areas has been declining popularity in recent years. Therefore, there is an urgent need to maintain and popularize this important source of non-conventional food supply. The present study was carried out to list out the indigenous plant species used by Assamese people as vegetable and to prepare traditional food recipes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was undertaken during 2013-2014 by conducting field survey in different village areas of Dhemaji district of Assam. Photographs of the specimens were taken. Questionnaire was done for the collection of data such as local name, time of availability and edible parts used and their uses. Plant species were identified with the help of local people and referring relevant scientific literatures [8, 9, 10, 11]. The herbariums of collected plant specimens were prepared and preserved [12].

RESULTS During the survey, a total of 51 wild vegetables plants were reported. Majority of these plants are eaten cooked as vegetable. Some are eaten fried, boiled and as raw or chutney. Among these, the most commonly used edible part is leaves or young shoots. Tubers, petiole, stem, flower, fruit, rhizome and roots of some plants are also used as vegetable. Most of the documented plant species have medicinal value. Aged peoples of both sexes have good knowledge of wild vegetable plants and their uses. Women are the chief collector of such plants from jungles. Plants that are used frequently are grown in their kitchen garden. The list of wild vegetable plants, their parts used, time of availability, common names are given in Table I. Total of 28 photographs of wild vegetable plants belonging to 23 families are presented in this paper.

DISCUSSION

Wild edible vegetable plants grown in wild without any care and low-priced and have a great socio-economic significance because of their food and medicinal values. In rural areas, generally the poor communities are dependent on these vegetable plants as daily income source. Elderly people of both sexes have ample knowledge about the wild edible plants and their use and medicinal properties. In the present survey it was noted that, young generations are not interested on such practices and have lack of knowledge about these valuable plants. Due to change of environmental conditions and decreasing of forest areas the populations of such wild plants are also decreasing. These vegetable plants serve as supplementary food during the period of food deficit and balanced diet [1]. To protect and popularize these wild edible vegetable plants, awareness should be needed among the people. Further, research on biochemical analysis for nutritional and medicinal value of these wild edible vegetable plants is also needed.



Table I: Wild edible vegetables of Dhemaji district of Assam Sl no.

Scientific name Local Name family Season of availability

Part (s) used Medicinal value

1. Alocasia odora (Roxb.) Koch. Dahi kachu Araceae Throughout the year

Tender leaves and flowers are eaten as vegetable.

It is used in dysentery, anemia and said to be antihelminthic.

2. Alternanthera sessiles R.Br Matikaduri Amaranthaceae March-November Tender shoots and leaves are edible. It is used in digestion problems and skin diseases. Leaf juice is good for hair growth.

3. Amaranthus hybridus L. ssp. cruentus (L.) Thell.

Moricha Amaranthaceae April- October Whole plant is eaten as vegetable. The plant medicinally used in stomach ache, anemia, night blindness etc.

4. Amaranthus spinosus L. Hati Khutora Amaranthaceae Throughout the year

Young shoots and leaves are used as vegetable.

It is rich in iron. It is good for anemiatic people.

5. Ardisia colorata Roxb. Nal tenga Myrsinaceae Throughout the year

Young shoots and leaves are used to prepare curry with fish.

It is used in dysentery and stomach disorders.

6. Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk. Kothal Moraceae March-August Young fruits are eaten as vegetables. Ripen fruits are edible. Seeds are also eaten after fried, boiled or roasted.

Roots are used in diarrhea.

7. Asparagus racemosus Willd. Satmul Liliaceae April - June Young shoots are eaten raw or cooked as vegetable

It gives stamina, enhances fertility in both male and female.

8. Bambusa balcooa Roxb. Bholuka Bah Poaceae

April-July Young shoots are eaten as vegetables cooked with fish or meat. Young shoots are also used to prepare “Khoricha” (Chopped shoots) and pickle.

Fermented shoots are used as pain killer in insect bites.

9. Bambusa tulda Roxb. Jati bah Poaceae

April-July Young shoots are eaten as vegetables cooked with fish or meat. Young shoots are also used to prepare “Khoricha” (Chopped shoots) and pickle.

The decoction of roots taken internally to promote flow of urine.

10. Calamus tenuis Roxb. Betgaj Palmae April-December Ripe fruits are edible. Young stems are eaten as vegetable or fire roasted and eaten

It kills intestinal worms and increases blood in body.

11. Centella asiatica Bor manimuni Apiaceae November- April

Leaves, young shoots are eaten as vegetable.

It is medicinally used in stomach problems locally used as liver tonic.

12. Chenopodium album Linn. Jilmil Chenopodiaceae September - January

Tender shoots and leaves are edible It is used as antihelminthic.

13. Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp.

Nefafu Verbenaceae Throughout the year

Tender leaves are taken as vegetable. The leaves are used to kill the intestinal worms. The boiled soup is used for reducing blood pressure.

14. Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt. Kunduli Cucurbitaceae June - August Fruits are eaten cooked as vegetable It is antifungal, helps in healing of oral ulcer, itching etc.

15. Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott Kola Kochu Araceae Throughout the year

Tender leaves, tubers and flowers are eaten as vegetable.

It is used for body ache and consumed in calcium deficiency.

16. Corchorus capsularis L. Morapat Malvaceae March-June Tender shoots and leaves are cooked with rice floor to prepare “Bor” (Pokora) or as vegetable.

It is digestive and appetizer.

17. Dillenia indica Outenga Dilleniaceae September- November

Fruit (fleshy calyx) eaten raw as well as cooked as vegetable best with fish.

Fleshy calyx is used for stomach disorder.

18. Dioscorea esculenta Moa aloo Dioscoreaceae December - January Tubers are used as vegetable. It is very nutritive and increases weight. 19. Dioscorea sativa L. Kath aloo Dioscoreaceae December - January Tubers are eaten cooked as vegetable. Gives energy and used in constipation.



20. Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw. Dhekiya Athyriaceae April-October Young fronds are eaten fried and as vegetable.

It is heamatinic and good for low blood pressure patient.

21. Drymaria cordata Willd . Laijabori Caryophyllaceae March- November

Young leaves are used as vegetable. Used to cure fever.

22. Eryngium foetidum L. Bongali gundhora , Man dhaniya

Apiaceae July-March Leaves are used in various curries and chutneys for its attractive flavour and taste.

It increases memory power.

23. Gardenia angusta Merrill. Togor Rubiaceae March - April Petals of flowers are eaten after fried with powdered rice or gram in the oil to prepare “Bor” (Pokora).

It is used in cholera, increases memory, good for skin.

24. Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Lamk. Bonjaluk Rubiaceae July-November Whole plant is used as vegetable. Leaves are considered medicinal for stomach trouble and skin diseases.

25. Hibiscus subdarifa L. Tengamora Malvaceae March- December Young sour leaves and fruits are eaten as vegetable.

It is used in dysentery, diarrhea and high blood pressure.

26. Houttuyenia cordifolia Machundari Saururaceae April-October Leaves are eaten either raw or cooked as vegetable. Roots are eaten as chutney.

It is used in piles, constipation and indigestion. Leaves are used in dysentery, diarrhoea, gonorrhea, stomach ulcers etc.

27. Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Soru manimuni Apiaceae November- April

Leaves, young shoots are eaten raw or cooked as vegetable.

Leaves are used as digestive, diuretic, in dysentery, diarrhea, piles and rheumatism.

28. Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl. Laheti sak Hydrophyllaceae November - December

Young shoots are used as vegetable. It is nutritive and good for stomach disorders.

29. Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. Kalmou Convolvulaceae June-January The leaves and undershoots are taken as vegetable. Fruit are eaten fried.

It helps in cure of diabetes and stimulates reproduction.

30. Justicia adhatoda L Bahak tita Acanthaceae February- June Flowers are eaten fried. It is medicinally used in cough, cold, allergy etc.

31. Leucas aspera Spreng. Durun bon Lamiaceae Throughout the year

Leaves and flowers are taken as vegetable

Roasted leaves taken with garlic and salt increases appetite and digestive power.

32. Lycopersicon lycopersium konbilahi Solanaceae February-May Fruits are eaten raw as chutney and cooked with others as vegetable.

It is an anti oxidant and rich in vitamin-A.

33. Melia indica Moha Neem Meliaceae Throughout the year

Young leaves are eaten after fried. It is used in treatment of allergy, malaria, fever, small pox, diabetes etc.

34. Mentha viridis L. Podina Lamiaceae May-August Young shoots and leaves are used as chutney.

The plant has medicinal value viz. in cough, cold, dysentery, headache etc.

35. Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. Narasingha Rutaceae April- November

Tender leaves are taken as vegetable. The plant is highly considered medicinal in dysentery and stomach disorders.

36. Musa balbisiana Colla. Vim kol Musaceae Throughout the year

Ripen fruits are edible. Young shoots and flowering part are eaten as vegetable. Dried leaves and outer cover of fruits are burnt to prepare an alkaline substance known as “Kolakhar”.

Fruits are used for chronic dysentery.

37. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. Sewali Oleaceae Flower: April-December

Tender shoots and flowers are cooked with rice floor to prepare “Bor” (Pokora) or as vegetable.

Leaves are used to treat skin diseases. It is antihelminthic & aphrodisiac.

38. Oxalis corniculata Tengechi Oxalidaceae Throughout the year

Young shoots and leaves are used as vegetable.

It is considered medicinal in dysentery and blood pressure.

39. Paederia foetida Linn. Bhedailota Rubiaceae Throughout the year

Young shoots are used to prepare sour curries.

It is used for stomach ache, gastric problem etc.

40. Perilla ocimoides Linn. Sookloti Labiatae Throughout the Young leaves are used as vegetable. It is used in uterus infection,



year menstruation irregularity disappears. 41. Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus Nees. Titaphul Acanthaceae December to

February Flowers are eaten fried or curry with fish.

The leaf extracts are used in scabies, worm and in cough.

42. Physalis minima L. Pokmou, kopal-phuta

Solanaceae March-September Young leaves are used as vegetable. Ripe fruits are edible.

It helps in treatment of prostate gland disorder.

43. Polygonum microcephalum D. Don

Madhusuleng Polygonaceae Throughout the year

Young leaves are taken as vegetable. It is used in dysentery and stomach disorders,

44. Smilax macrophylla Roxb. Tikani barua Liliaceae Throughout the year

Tender shoots and leaves are eaten as vegetable.

The roots are used in urinary troubles and dysentery.

45. Solanum indicum L. Tita bhekuri Solanaceae May-November Fruits are taken row or fried which is bitter in taste.

It is used in worm infection, skin diseases, cough etc.

46. Solanum torvum Swartz. Hati Bhekuri Solanaceae August - October Boiled or fried Fruits are taken as vegetable.

It kills intestinal worms.

47. Spilanthes paniculata Maichang, Malkathi

Asteraceae Throughout the year

Young leaves are used as mixed vegetable with others.

It is used as medicine in sore mouth, tooth ache, wounds etc.

48. Spondius pinnata (L. f.) Kurz. Amora Anacardiaceae August-October Tender leaves, floral buds and young fruits are cooked with dal or fish curry.

Twigs and fruits are used in dysentery. The roots are used in the menstruation disorder.

49. Stellaria media Linn. Morolia Caryophyllaceae September-March Whole plant is eaten as vegetable. It is used as medicine in nasal problems and stomach disorders.

50. Tamarindus indica L. Teteli Caesalpiniaceae November-February Both unripe and ripe fruits are eaten raw or as pickle or in curries and chutneys.

It is digestive, used in cough, high blood pressure, fever, rheumatism etc.

51. Vitex negundo L. Posotia Lamiaceae Throughout the year

Young leaves are eaten as vegetable. Roots are used in dysentery and piles; flowers are used in diarrhea, fever and lever troubles; leaves are used as tonic.



Acknowledgement The author is thankful to the local people of the study areas for their assistance and help in carrying out of the field study.

REFERENCES

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