53 Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine 2016; 2(2): 53-55 Research Article J. Ayu. Herb. Med. 2016; 2(2): 53-55 March- April © 2016, All rights reserved www. ayurvedjournal.com *Corresponding author: Dr. B. K. Bharali North Eastern India Ayurveda Research Institute, Borsojai, Guwahati, Assam-781028 India Email: drbharalibk[at]gmail.com Exploration of some folk medicinal claims of Mizoram (India) B. K. Bharali 1 , D. Bora 1 , D. Baruah 1 , T. Bora 1 1 North Eastern India Ayurveda Research Institute, Borsojai, Guwahati, Assam-781028 India ABSTRACT India has rich diversity of medicinal plants. The tribal peoples in different parts of India use their traditional knowledge in their primary health care. This traditional system of medicine serves a large portion of rural population which is out of reach and infrequently intruded by modern health care system. Mizoram, one of the North eastern states of India positioned in extreme of Himalayan ranges is rich in flora and fauna. There is high prevalence of folk medicinal practice in the rural areas of the state. 14 such folk medicinal claims of herbal origin documented from Lunglei and Darlawn area of Mizoram have been presented in this study. Keywords: Darlawn, Folk medicine, Lunglei, Mizoram. INTRODUCTION India has rich diversity of medicinal plants distributed in different geographical and environmental conditions. Tribal people in different parts of India use their traditional ecological knowledge received from their ancestors and contemporary society, in primary health care. The traditional systems of medicine together with folklore systems continue to serve a large portion of the population, particularly in rural areas, in spite of the advent of the modern medicines. Out of about 15,000 species of higher plants in India, medicinal uses have been attributed to 1500 species [1] . Mizoram is one of the eight states of North-East India, situated in the extreme of Himalayan ranges covering 21,087 km 2 and situated between 92º15´and 93º26´ E longitude and 21º58´ and 14º35´N latitude. The state has two international borders, Myanmar in the east and Bangladesh in the west [2] . Mizoram has the most variegated hilly terrain in the eastern part of India. The hills are steep and are separated by rivers which flow either to the north or the south creating deep gorges between the hill ranges. The average height of the hills is about 900 meters. Mizoram has great natural scenic beauty and endless variety of landscape and is very rich in flora and fauna. Almost all kinds of tropical trees and plants thrive in Mizoram. The hills are marvelously green [3] . Temperature of the state varies from 11 0 C - 21 0 C during winter and 20 0 C - 30 0 C during summer [4] . In Mizoram, the number of doctors and other medical staff is very low, in comparison to the total population, and due the under developed communication system in the state the people of the rural areas cannot avail of modern methods of treatment and they search for remedies from nature [1] . The local traditional healers are the only source of health service providers to the localities. The folk medicinal claims have been documented during the ethno medico botanical field trips of Mizoram with a view to conserve and bring this indigenous knowledge to the scientific community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study covers the different areas of Lunglei and Darlawn of Mizoram, India. Lunglei is one of the prominent districts of Mizoram, encompassing a total area of 4,538 sq. km [5] . Lunglei is located at 22.88°N 92.73°E. It had an average elevation of 722 meters (2368 feet) [6] . In 2011, Lunglei had population of 161,428 [7] . Darlawn is a census town in Aizawl district in the state of Mizoram, India. Darlawn is located at 24.02°N 92.9°E. It has an average elevation of 870 meters (2854 feet) [8] . Field survey was conducted to collect information on folklore use of medicinal plants for the healthcare of indigenous people of the area. RESULTS: 14 numbers of Folk medicinal claims have been presented (in Table -1) in this study with their individual Botanical name, Sanskrit name, Local name, Place of collection, Distribution, Part/parts used, Indication (disease) and mode of preparation and administration are given.