Potential plants as nervine for Unani system of medicine from the Coochbehar district, West Bengal, India

Abstract

It is well known that the stress is a major problem for many diseases ranging from psychiatric to endocrine disorders including diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, male sexual dysfunction, peptic ulcer, hypertension, ulcerative colitis etc. Today’s life style is very frustrated due to busy schedule of even school going children to old aged people. That is the reason to know the medicine related to stress and psychosis has a huge market in the world. As modern medicine can provide some positive results but sometimes did not provide satisfactory results. The scientists are thinking about any alternative medicines produced from the herbs. Herbal medicine are claimed to contribute in revitalising the tissues and thereby maintaining the health of the human being. These are stated to possess rejuvenation power which enhances the vitality of the body. It is similar to the modern concept of adaptogenic agents which gives the protection to the human physiological system against diverse stressors. Recent studies shows that the Ayurvedic herbal medicine having adaptogens which could induce a state of non-specific increase of resistance to affect internal homeostasis. The paper enumerates the ethnomedicinal uses of 22 species of plants used by the traditional Rajbanshi medicinemen of the District Coochbehar, West Bengal, India. Information on the medicinal uses gathered from the tribals together with their botanical identity, local name and medicinal are presented. In developing countries, there is an increasing attempt to incorporate traditional medicines, especially herbal preparations in the local health care systems and many modern researchers are involved today to explore the huge potential of ethno botanical knowledge for treating various types of diseases. However, the ethno medicinal plants are under threat due to deforestation, overgrazing and their reckless utilization. So, it indicates the urgent need of their conservation and preservation of traditional knowledge. In spite of researches about the use and status of medicinal plants in various parts of India, no such scientific documentation has been made in the Coochbehar District of West Bengal so far. Tribal societies, throughout the world, have their respective system of medicines. Their concepts and attitudes towards the diseases, and the pharmacopeia are different. Traditional tribal medicine is an age-old medical practice that existed in human societies before the application of modern days scientific studies.