Folk-Medicare System of Chakpa community of Andro Village of Manipur in Northeast India

S. Thokchom; D.S. Ningombam; Ch. Chanchal; H. Birkumar Singh

Abstract

Folk-Medicare System of Chakpa community of Andro Village of Manipur in Northeast India

Background: This present study aims system of primary health ailments of a very small indigenous Meitei schedule caste community called Chakpa residing at Andro Village (having population of around 8300) of Manipur in Northeast India. As this small v and having unique culture and lifestyle from the rest communities, the traditional knowledge system is still in prominence and intricately associated with culture and religion.
Methods: Field survey and Andro village of Manipur, Northeast India on monthly basis with main objective to collect ethno medicinal data. The data were collected through open semi-structured interviews, informal meeting and personal observation of 21 traditional herbal healers and 63 elderly knowledgeable people of the Chakpa community. Market survey to assess availability and pricing was conducted in Thoubal market. The voucher specimens were collected for all the species and deposited in the CSIR-NEIST
Results: We recorded 63 plant species belonging to 56 genera and 41 families which were used by Chakpa community in traditional health care system to treat over 25 diseases and ailments where highest number of 10 were used in treatment of menstrual disorder and kidney problem, respectively. Most of the plants are herbs (27 species) followed by trees (17 species), shrubs (15 species) and only 5 species climbers. Most remedies were prepared by boiling or cooked of the ingredients and mode of administration was in liquid or concoction forms. Honey was used in most of the preparations. Around 56% of the plants were collected from wild habitat, 24% cultivated while rest species were from both wild habitat and cultivated. Around 57% of the species were sold in local markets, amongst, the flower of 380/kg). Amongst, 10 species were rare while rest species were commonlyavailable. Around 41% of the ethno medicinal plant species were eaten as vegetables / spices / snacks / fruits by Chakpa community. Conclusions: The Chakpa community prefers and frequently used herbal formulations mainly based on 63 plant species in their day-to-day health care and treatment due to its readily available, rich knowledge system and low cost and also due to lack of availability of modern medicines in the vicinity of the villages. Substantial local economy was generated through selling of these plants. A sizeable number of species were cultivated in private lands thus sustaining the medicinal plants.