Duarah et al., IJPSR, 2023; Vol. 14(6): 3012-3027. E-ISSN: 0975-8232; P-ISSN: 2320-5148 International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research 3012 IJPSR (2023), Volume 14, Issue 6 (Research Article) Received on 13 October 2022; received in revised form, 29 November 2022; accepted 30 November 2022; published 01 June 2023 MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN RICE BEER STARTER CULTURE BY DIFFERENT TRIBES IN ASSAM: AN ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY Radali Duarah 1 , Pratap Kalita * 2 and Angkita Mishra 1 Department of Food 1 , Nutrition and Dietetics, Assam down town University, Pratiksha Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2 , Guwahati - 781026, Assam, India. Faculty of Ayurveda 3 , Institute of Medical Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India. ABSTRACT: The study represents the ethnobotanical information of the medicinal plants used by the six major communities of Assam, namely Mishing, Deori, Ahom, Tiwa, Bodo and Rabha, for better understanding of their local beliefs, customs, and tradition in the preparation of traditional rice beer starter culture. A semi-structured questionnaire was used focusing on the local names of the plants used in a starter culture, parts used, the reason for their use in the preparation, and other medicinal properties. A total of thirty-six plants were found to be used in the preparation by the Mishing community, twenty-seven plants by the Ahom community, thirteen plants by the Deori community, twenty plants by the Tiwa community, and seven plants by Bodo and Rabha communities for their respective starter cultures. A total of fifty-one plants were documented from the study, many of which were commonly used by all the communities to prepare rice beer starter culture and in their traditional health care system for curing many diseases. There is a dearth of information on the efficacy of the plants used in the starter culture preparation by different communities. Therefore, this ethnobotanical survey can help scientists and researchers identify plants with medicinal properties that may be useful in developing new drugs. INTRODUCTION: Traditional alcoholic beverages constitute an integral part of the dietary culture among the tribal communities residing within the North-Eastern states of India since ancient times. This beverage plays an important role in the socio-cultural life of the community as it is associated with many occasions like religious rituals, functions and festivals, marriages, and even death ceremonies 1 . The process of preparing the rice beer is considered sacred to women folks. QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.14(6).3012-27 This article can be accessed online on www.ijpsr.com DOI link: http://doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.14(6).3012-27 Among all the communities, women folk actively prepare the traditional drink as they possess vast knowledge of the plants used in preparing the starter culture 2 . All have their specific ingredients for preparing the starter culture, which is slightly different even though the process remains almost the same. The starter culture plays an important role in the fermentation of rice beer. Each community uses different herbs and plant parts and believes each of these plants contains a unique medicinal property, making rice beer an important drink for social gatherings 3 . Reports suggest that the rice beer starter culture has some antioxidant and fibrinolytic properties, making it freely consumable. It helps maintain the community's good health by preventing and curing many diseases. Researchers reported that rice beer Keywords: Medicinal plants, Fermented bevarage, Starter culture, Ethnic communities Correspondence to Author: Pratap Kalita Pratiksha Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guwahati - 781026, Assam, India. E-mail: Pratapkalita0@gmail.com