Ethno-medicinal uses of Eryngo (Eryngium foetidum L.) by Meitei community of Manipur, Northeast India

Abstract

The Meitei or Meetei ethnic community of Manipur (Northeast India) use the eryngo plant (Eryngium foetidum L. of Apiaceae family), locally called Awa-phadigom to treat at least 17 diseases and ailments namely, arthritis, bodyache, bone fracture, cough, cut and injuries, diarrhoea, dysentery, dyspepsia, epilepsy, fever, hypertension, muscular sprain, paralysis, skin diseases, ulcer, vertigo and vomiting which is in comparison to the 34 diseases or ailments treated as reported from different parts of the world. Out of the treatments for 17 diseases or ailments recorded in the present study, treatments for 12 diseases or ailments are already reported in the published reports but the treatments for 5 diseases or ailments like bodyache, bone fracture, muscular sprain, ulcer and vertigo are new additions to the list. In treating the 17 diseases and ailments, 14 other plants namely, Allium hookeri Thw., Allium odorum L., Allium sativum L., Anotis foetida (Dalz.) Benth & Hooker f., Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck, Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore, Drymaria cordata Willd., Emblica officinalis Gaertn., Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit, Ocimum sanctum L., Piper nigrum L., Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn., Vitex trifolia L. and Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC. were also used by combining in different ratio. The fresh eryngo plant is widely used in food and cuisines across Manipur and cultivated in kitchen gardens as a cash crop. As the eryngo plant is widely used and has high potential for economic development, proper scientific cultivation technique (agro-technology) should be developed for different agro-climatic conditions.