Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used by Assamese people for various skin ailments and cosmetics.
The present paper deals with the medicinal plants used by the people of Assam for curing different skin ailments and for cosmetics. A total of 85 plants belonging to 49 families have been documented for their therapeutic use against skin diseases and as herbal care. The herbal medicines were prepared from various plant parts of single plant, or multiple plants. The majority of the preparation was made using water as the medium. The mode of application was topical, but in many cases it was also administered orally. In several cases the pure herbal preparations was administered along with milk, ghee, honey, coconut oil, curd, etc. Remedies for 18 skin ailments were documented through this study. About 14 plants are known for their use to cure multiple skin diseases. Among these Curcuma longa and Melia azaderach constitute the major plants. The herbal cosmetic products used by the people of Assam ranges from the enhancement of skin colour, hair care, removal of ugly spots, colouring of nails, palms, and teeth. However, many of the plant preparations used for enhancing beauty were also applied for therapeutic use. Herbal remedies were also available for skin burns, prickly heat and pimples. Information on nine plants used for managing dry skin also emerged from this study.
Saikia
Abinash Pratim
AP
Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, North Guwahati-781039, Assam, India.
Ryakala
Venkat Kishore
VK
Sharma
Pragya
P
Goswami
Pranab
P
Bora
Utpal
U
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D003358:Cosmetics; D030024:Curcuma; D019448:Ethnobotany; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D031586:Melia azedarach; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D003358:Cosmetics; D028321:Plant Preparations