Exploring the ethano-medicinal use of Piper longrum in association with other plant species by various ethnic tribes of Assam, India

Exploring the ethano-medicinal use of Piper longrum in association with other plant species by various ethnic tribes of Assam, India

Lakhyajit Borah

Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7413-3623

Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Jalukbarie-781014, Guwahati, India

Abstract – Assam is situated in northeast India, primarily within the Eastern Himalayas and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots, and is recognized as one of the country's richest biodiversity regions. Its landscapes encompass grasslands, tropical rainforests, wetlands, and riverine ecosystems that support a vast array of flora and fauna. Alongside this ecological wealth, Assam is renowned for its tribal and ethnic diversity, including communities like the Bodo, Mising, Karbi, Ahom, Deori, and others. These tribes possess profound ethno-medicinal botanical knowledge, using diverse plants often in combinations to treat various diseases and ailments. A prominent example is piper longum, widely employed across these groups for remedies against cough, cold, ulcers, diabetes, dysentery, and more. The present study documents the folklore medicinal practices associated with Piper longum and its associate plants among 15 different tribal communities of Assam.

Keywords: Ethano botany, Folklore medicine, Piper longrum, Assam, Tribes.

1. Introduction:

   Assam, located in northeastern India, is dominated by the broad floodplains formed by the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. Its terrain features extensive river plains, low rolling hills, and a close-knit network of streams, which are commonly categorized into the Brahmaputra valley, the Barak valley, and adjoining hill regions. Geographically, the state lies between about 24°28° N latitude and 89°96° E longitude and shares its borders with Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, West Bengal, and Bangladesh. Assam has a warm, humid, monsoon-driven climate, receiving heavy rainfall that supports dense vegetation and remarkable biological richness. Assam is inhabited by diverse indigenous tribes including Bodo, Mising, Karbi, Rabha, Dimasa, Tiwa, Deori, and Sonowal Kachari, each boasting distinctive

   dialects and traditions. These populations depend extensively on native vegetation for nutrition, healing, rituals, and everyday tools,forming the core of their deep-rooted ethnobotanical insights Their customs feature herbal cures, wild plant foraging, holy woodland conservation, and sacred flora in rites, with ancestral lore shared by word of mouth and woven into their environmental views and heritage. Assam has around 4273+ different kind plant species out of which approximately 952+ plant species were found to have medicinal properties directly or indirectly (Barooah. and Ahamed., 2014) (ENVIS Centre: Assam Status of Environment and Related Issues, 2025). One of the most widely and extensively used medicinal plant species by various tribal tribes of assam is Piper longrum.

   Botanical Description:

   Piper longum L. is a climbing vine from the Piperaceae family, thriving in South Asia, especially India. It is a perennial climber or subshrub and grows primarily in the temperate biome. People have long used its dried fruit clusters as a spice, in traditional medicine, and for various remedies (Chanchal & Thongam., 2013).

   Classification: Kingdom Plantae

   Phylum- Streptophyta Class- Equisetopsida

   Subclass- Magnoliidae Order- Piperales

   Family- Piperaceae

   Genus- Piper

   Species- Piper longum Numerous plants are used in folklore medicine by different tribal and rural communities of Assam for curing various diseases. one of them is Piper longrum also known as pipoli or long pepper vernacularly. It is primarily associated with the traditional management of a wide range of conditions, including cough, sore throat, paralysis of tongue, fever, chronic bronchitis, headache, constipation,

   including cough, sore throat, paralysis of tongue, fever, chronic bronchitis, headache, constipation, asthama, gonorrhea, diarrhea, cholera, ulcer, chronic malaria, respiratory infections, stomach ache, spleen disorders, and various tumors etc (Biswas et al., 2022). A comprehensive study has been conducted to document all folklore medicinal practices associated with Piper longum performed by various tribal communities or tribes of Assam.

2. Materials and Methods: Study-site

   The present study was conducted in different districts and villages of assam based on tribal tribes availability in different locations. Field studies were conducted between January 2024 to December 2025. Ethno-medico-botanical information on folklore practices were gathered following

   the methodologies proposed by (Schultes., 1962) and (Jain., 1963), primarily through interviews and cross-verification with local inhabitants of different tribal tribes.

   Fig: Study site highlighted in Assam map.

3. Results:

   After field survey, practical demonstration and application results are enumerated below. Different tribes of assam uses Piper longrum

   in combination with different plants and then process it differently according to illness or disease. Various tribal tribes and there use of P. longrum is describe below:

   Table1: List of tribes and their use of P.longrum for different illness and diseases in different part of Assam.

   Tribes (District/Location)	Scientific Name (assoc. with P. longrum)	Part Used	Illness/Disease	Preparation Procedure	Dosage
   1. Bodo (Kokrajhar)	Phyllanthus niruri L. Pouzolzia zeylanica (L) Benn.	Leafs and fruits Whole plant		Fruit of P. longrum and parts of P. niruri, a paste is made and applied in ulcer area. a herbal tea is prepared using the leafs and fruit of P. niruri and dry fruit of P. longrum. Whole plant extract (basically stem and leaf) is mixed with root paste of P. longrum and consumed.	3 gm applied for 1 week 100 ml, 4 days per week 5 ml of P. zeylanica extract added in 5 gm of root paste of P. longrum.
   2. Mising (Gohpur, Lakhimpur)	Zingiber officinale Roscoe	Rhizome		Rhizome of Z. officinale and fruit of P. longrum boiled with pinch of salt, then drunk. A herbal tea using rhizome of Z. officinale and dried fruit powder of P. longrum.	200 ml used during dysentery In 200 ml water: 10 gm crushed rhizome of Z. officinale + 3 gm dried fruit powder of P. longrum; boiled to 100 ml, consumed.
   3. Karbi (Dima Hasao)	Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don	Leafs and flower		Fine paste of leafs and flower of C. roseus and fruit of P. longrum made and consumed. A Amature leaf bud of C. roseus and immature leaf of P.	1 tablespoon (~56 gm) 1 leaf bud and 1 immature leaf taken.

   1. Ulcer in mouth

   2. Immunity enhancer

   3. Stomachache

   1. Dysentery

   2. Sore throat

   1. Diabetes

   2. Menstrual pain

   Tribes (District/Location)	Scientific Name (assoc. with P. longrum)	Part Used	Illness/Disease	Preparation Procedure	Dosage
   				longrum chewed and taken together.
   4. Tiwa (Morigaon)	Dillenia indica L.	Bark		Dry bark powder of D. indica and dry powder of P. longrum fruit mixed in lukewarm water and taken. Pulp of D. indica fruit and powder of P. longrum mixed and taken.	Both powders mixed in equal ratio (~56 gm), added in 150 ml water. 2 ml pulp + 4 gm P. longrum powder made into capsule form and consumed.
   5. Dimasa (Karimganj and Hailakandi)	Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa	Fruit pulp		Pulp of A. marmelos and dry powder of P. longrum mixed and consumed. Same treatment used.	2 gm P. longrum powder mixed in 100 ml pulp. 100 ml taken twice a day.
   6. Rabha (Goalpara)	Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br.			Dried bark powder of A. scholaris mixed with P. longrum fruit extract. Flower and leaf of A. scholaris crushed and mixed with root paste of P. longrum; applied on affected area.	5 gm dried bark powder of A. scholaris in 5 ml P. longrum extract, mixed in 100 ml lukewarm water. 5 gm crushed flower+leaf of A. scholaris mixed with 5 gm root paste of P. longrum.
   7. Deori (Dibrugarh)	Ocimum sanctum L.	Leafs and leaf bud		Leaf extract of O. sanctum mixed with P. longrum fruit powder and honey; consumed. Leaf extract of O. sanctum mixed with P. longrum fruit powder and ginger extract; consumed.	3 gm O. sanctum extract + 1 tbsp honey + 2 gm P. longrum powder. 3 gm O. sanctum extract + 2 gm P. longrum powder + 3 gm ginger extract.
   8. Garo (Goalpara)	Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton	Leafs	Bone pain and sciatic nerve injury	Paste of P. longrum leafs and Curcuma longa made, gently	10 gm P. longrum leafs + 30 gm C. longa paste bandaged

   1. Analgesic

   2. Digestion

   1. Constipation

   2. Diarrhea

   1. Bark

   2. Leafs and flower

   1. Malaria

   2. Skin irritation (fungal)

   1. Cough

   2. Fever

   Tribes (District/Location)	Scientific Name (assoc. with P. longrum)	Part Used	Illness/Disease	Preparation Procedure	Dosage
   				heated and bandaged using C. procera leaf on pain region.	using gently heated C. procera leaf.
   9. Sonowal Kachari (Dhemaji)	Clerodendrum infortunatum L.	Leafs	Bronchitis	Leaf extract of C. infortunatum mixed with powder of P. longrum and consumed.	2 gm P. longrum powder mixed in 5 ml leaf extract of C. infortunatum.
   10. Tea-Garden Community (Biswanath)	Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link	Whole plant	Asthma	Plant extract of L. aspera mixed with P. longrum powder or stem extract; consumed.	5 gm L. aspera extract mixed with 2 gm P. longrum powder.
   11. Khasi (Goalpara)	Cleome rutidosperma DC.	Leafs		Leaf extract of C. rutidosperma and root extract of P. longrum mixed and consumed. Leaf extract of C. rutidosperma and root extract or dried powder of P. longrum mixed and consumed.	5 ml leaf extract + 2 gm root extract. 5 ml leaf extract + 2 gm root extract or powder.
   12. Tai-Ahom (Jorhat)	Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta	Stem		Stem of H. speciosa boiled; root extract of P. longrum added and the water consumed. Same treatment used.	5 gm root extract of P. longrum added in 200 ml H. speciosa boiled water. 200 ml taken twice a day.
   13. Mech (Kokrajhar)	Ageratum conyzoides L.	Leafs and flower	Skin irritation, minor burn and cut	Leaf and flower extract of A. conyzoides mixed with root extract of P. longrum; applied on burn/cut region.	5 gm leaf and flower extract of A. conyzoides + 3 gm root extract of P. longrum. Ratio may vary with wound size.
   14. Hajong (Goalpara)	Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth.	Bark, leafs and flower	Cholera	Dried bark of A. auriculiformis and stem of P. longrum boiled together; water consumed.	In 500 ml water: 50 gm bark of A. auriculiformis + 10 20 gm stem of P. longrum; boiled and consumed.
   15. Tai-Khamti (Dibrugarh)	Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham.	Young leafs and fruit	a. Piles and Dysentery.	Fruit pulp of G. pedunculata mixed with fruit extract of P. longrum and consumed.	5 ml fruit pulp of G. pedunculata + 2 gm fruit extract of P. longrum.

   1. Convulsions

   2. Digestion

   1. High blood pressure

   2. Jaundice

   Tribes (District/Location)	Scientific Name (assoc. with P. longrum)	Part Used	Illness/Disease	Preparation Procedure	Dosage
   	Curcuma caesia Roxb.	Rhizome	b. Snake or scorpion bite	Paste of rhizome of C. caesia mixed with root extract of P. longrum; applied on bite region.	20 gm rhizome paste + 4 ml root extract of P. longrum; applied on bite region.

   Voucher speciments were collected, photographed and later identified. Identification were done following reference like Hooker (1872- 1897),

   Flora of assam – Kanjilal (1934-1940), and by comparing with pre-identified herbarium specimen in GUBH (Gauhati university botany herbarium).

   Figure of some associated medicinal plants used by different tribes:

   Calotropis procera Alstonia scholaris A.auriculiformis C. rutidosperma

4. Discussion:

   The ethno-medico botanical investigation of the region revealed that the indigenous communities possess extensive traditional knowledge regarding the therapeutic uses of local plant species. However, due to increasing exposure to modernization and changing socio-cultural dynamics, this ancestral wisdom is at risk of gradual extinction. Hence, systematic documentation and scientific evaluation of the ethnobotnical practices of different tribes and sub-tribes are imperative to preserve and utilize this traditional knowledge for future ethno pharmacological and conservation studies. The present study revealed various major tribes of Assam uses different plants combining with P. longrum for different diseases and illness. Some studies revealed that the plants used by major tribes has different phytochemical and medicinal properties like phyllantus nururi L. has anti-ulcer

   property (Mostofa et al., 2017), Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton possesses anti- arthritic and bone pain remedial property (Zafar et al., 2021)(Mamta et al., 2023). Anti-malarial properties are also observed in the secondary metabolite produced by Alstonia scholaris (L)

   R.B.r (De et al.,2024). Ocimum sanctum L. also has cough remedial property which has been used by various tribes (Santosh et al., 2024). Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch-Ham possesses dysentery remedial property (islam et al., 2021). Due to the presence of precocenes, flavonoids, and terpenoids in Ageratum conyzoides L it possesses anti-inflamatory and wound healing properties (Afariogun.,2025). Hellenia.speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R. Dutta has anti-diabetic and anti- jaundice property (Raveendran.,2019).C rutidosperma DC possesses anti-convulsion property (Trang., 2023).

   The present investigation revealed 15 tribal tribes of Assam uses 18 different plant and associate it with P. longrum for curing different diseases and illness. Different parts were being used such as rhizome, stem, leafs, leaf buds, flower, fruit, bark, roots as treatment. These all plants other than medicinal properties have other ethnic significance among the tribal tribes of Assam.

5. Conclusion and Future Perspective:

   It is found that Piper longrum is used by almost all tribal tribes of Assam. As it possesses numerous health benefit and medicinal property. Different plant above mention also rich in different phytochemicals possesses anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti- cancer and other medicinal properties. Extensive scientific research is urgently needed to validate these folk claims. Further research is required on these ethno-medicinal plants to isolate and identify their active constituents and to evaluate their safety and therapeutic effectiveness, enabling their potential use in modern healthcare applications like drug discovery.

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