2018 Vol.24 No.1 PP 11-15

DIVERSITY AND PERSPECTIVE OF MEDICINAL MACROPHYTES IN THE WETLANDS OF NORTH BIHAR, INDIA

ASHOK KUMAR JHA¹ AND ^*CHANDRA BHANU SINGH²

¹Department of Botany,
M. L. T. College,
SAHARSA -852 201 (BIHAR), INDIA
²University Department of Botany,
T. M. Bhagalpur University,
BHAGALPUR-812 007 (BIHAR), INDIA
*Corresponding Author Email : chandra.bhanu.singh31@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The wetlands of North Bihar (India) harbour 31 species of common medicinal macrophytes belonging to 27 genera and 19 families of angiosperms. Out of these, less than 70 percent macrophytes are used by the native folk in the treatment of various ailments. Some macrophytes such as brahmi (Centella asiatica), talmakhana (Hygrophila auriculata), kamal (Nelumbo nucifera), bhent (Nymphaea nouchali) and sorkha (Nymphaea sp.- a probable hybrid) are frequently used into medication in the region. Beliefs/myths appear to hinder the incorporation of common and medicinally potent macrophytes in the primary health care system of local people. The avoidance of beliefs/myths, mass awareness of benefits and tackling of other negative facets of macrophytes can promote exploitation of such valuable medicinal resource in the flood prone areas of North Bihar (India).

Key words : Beliefs, Diversity, Medicinal Macropytes, Myths, Perspective, Wetlands.