International Journal of Science and Advanced Technology (ISSN 2221-8386) Volume 1 No 6 August 2011

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Traditional use of fertility inducing plants used by the herbal

practitioners in some parts of the state Assam, N E India, a Survey
report.
Paper Sub-Title: Plants traditionally using for infertility and reproductive abnormalities.

Manalisha Dekaa,
Department of Zoology
Gauhati University
Assam, India
E-mail
manalishad@gmail.com.
Gajen C.Sarmaa.
a
Jogen Ch. Kalita , Department of Botany,
Department of Zoology Gauhati University,
Gauhati University Guwahati-781014,
Assam, India Assam, India.
E-mail gcsbotgu@gmail.com
jogenck@yahoo.co.in

Abstract: Herbs and herbal products and to induce fertility in three districts of
have been used traditionally to cure Assam, India. The preliminary survey
almost all ailments of human as well as clearly indicated that an Ethno-medicinal
other animals. In the Ayurveda, detail plants species have been still in the use for
description of use of plants as medicine treatment of sterility or enhancing
has been found. The North- Eastern fertility or for vitality by some rural
Region of India is one of the richest people in the Assam.
biodiversity hotspots, with more than 300
species of medicinal plants used by
different tribal population groups as Key words: Herbs, Traditional
contraceptives and treating reproductive practitioners, fertility, infertility,
anomalies. It has been observed that more
than 70% of the people living in some reproductive anomalies.
tribal dominated areas of Assam even
today depend largely on traditional
Medicinal system. In the present study,
well-experienced traditional herbal
medicine practitioners were interviewed
about the uses of herbs to cure infertility
I. INTRODUCTION: Plant medicines are the most widely
used medicines in the world today. A full

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eighty-five percent (85%) of the world's
population employs herbs as their primary
medicines Evidence of the use of plants for
medicinal purposes dates as far back as
60,000 years ago in both Western and
Eastern cultures; in both developed and
under developed countries[1]. Over 50% of
all modern clinical drugs are of natural
product origin and thus these products play
important roles in drug development in the
pharmaceutical sciences. The compounds
found in the plants that are not required for
normal functioning of the body, but have a
beneficial effect on health or play an active
role in amelioration of diseases. Now-a-
days, the demand for more and more drugs
from plant sources is continuously
increasing. It is therefore essential to
evaluate plants of medicinal value
systematically for various ailments that are
used in traditional medicine. The North-
Eastern Region of India is one of the richest
biodiversity hotspots, with more than 300
species of medicinal plants used by different
tribal population groups for treating
reproductive anomalies. The knowledge of
the use of plants to treat diseases has been
with the local medicine practitioners for
generations after generation handed down
from father to son or mother to daughter but
has not been recorded. This knowledge
Volume 1 No 6 August 2011
remains mostly with the traditional medical
practitioners who are mostly old people of
remote places. Most of the medicinal plants
are collected from the wild habitat. The
present work was designed to document the
indigenous plants used by the traditional
medicine practitioners in some lower
districts of Assam, India.
II. EXPERIMENTAL
A. Study area:
The present study was carried out in three
administrative districts of Assam, India viz.
Kamrup, Darrang and Barpeta. All the three
districts are tribal dominated and densely
populated. Most of the inhabitants are
village people and depend mainly on
agriculture and are economically very weak.
The districts under study, Kamrup, Darrang
and Barpeta lie between latitudes 25.46 to
26.49 North, 20o9 to 26o95North and 26'5''
- 26'49'' North respectively and Longitudes
90.48 & 91.50 East, 91o45 to 92o22 East
and 90'39'- 91'17' East respectively.
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d). Areas where the transportation

facilities are not available.

ASSAM
Study area (with colours)
B. Survey methodology:
Ten respondents from each district were
included for the present study. The area of
study was selected on the basis of following
considerations
a). Areas where people approach first the
local herbal practitioners for the treatment of
most of the ailments.
b). Areas where medical facilities are
scanty.
c). Areas where people are economically
weak.
C. Collection of Data:
During the survey all the sources scrutinized
in this study. Till today the people of Assam
traditionally use various sex medicines for
remedies of sex diseases particularly in
villages prescribed by the folk healers. The
general procedure for collection of data
regarding the use of plants to treat infertility
and reproductive abnormality were followed
as described by Martin (1950), Barthakur
(1976) and Bellany (1993). The procedure
comprised of by personal contact with
village medicine men, herbal drugs
practitioners and by personal observation on
application of the drugs. The information
collected included formulations, ailments for
which the formulations were used and
dosages. Local names of the plants were
obtained from the informant and the plant
specimens were collected, prepared
herbarium and identified with Botany
Department Herbarium, Gauhati University
Assam, India.
III. RESULTS AND
DISCUSSION:

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The Table 1, shows the results of the survey
work conducted during February 2009 to
July 2011. In the enumeration, plants are
arranged with scientific names along with
local names, family, the parts used and
mode of application. The use of plant
extracts as fertility enhancer in animals is
now in the increase because of the shifting
of attention from synthetic drugs to natural
plant products [5].In rural Assam, there is
practice of folk medicine since the time
immemorial. During this survey areas
dominated by tribal people and also
economically weak areas were chosen where
there is tremendous faith on the traditional
medicine. In the present study, a total of 31
no of plants were recorded for their use to
induce fertility and reproductive ailments.
All the preparations are given by the
traditional practitioners in crude forms.
Fertility enhancing properties of many
plants have been evaluated by many
workers. Muanya et.al,(2008) reported the
aphrodisiac activity of herbal combination
which includes Discorea spp. Mucuna
pruriens has been reported by many workers
as antioxidant[7];anti tumour and anti
oxidant agent[8]; fertility enhancer and
aphrodisiac[9];estrogenic[10] and many
other roles. Sexual function improving effect
of Myristica fragrans was studied by
Volume 1 No 6 August 2011
Tajuddin and his co workers in 2005. The
alcohol extract of Argeria nervosa can
enhance male sexual activity in normal mice
[12].Male fertility enhancing effect has been
established in plants like Moringa oleifera
Lam[13]; Nigella sativa [14]; Lophira
lanceolata [15]; Abelmoschus manihot [16]
and many others. Fertility enhancing
properties in female are also studied on
Ficus asperifolia [17]; Lepidium meyenii
[18] etc. Now the medicinal plants as a
whole occupy a stable position in modern
medicine, since the pharmaceutical industry
is showing special interest in using or
synthesizing natural substances extracted
from the plants. Therefore, the information
generated from the present study regarding
the medicinal plant use by the traditional
practitioners need a thorough phyto-
chemical investigation. This could help in
creating mass awareness regarding the need
for conservation of such plants and also in
the promotion of ethno-medico-botany
knowledge within the local people.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Authors are thankful to the traditional
healers for providing necessary information
and cooperation during the field study.
Authors are also thankful to Ms.
Bhagyashree Mahanta, Research Scholar,
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International Journal of Science and Advanced Technology (ISSN 2221-8386) Volume 1 No 6 August 2011
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Dept. of Zoology, Gauhati University, [7].Yamini B. Tripathi and Anil K.

Assam, India for her help . Upadhyay(2001). Antioxidant property of
Mucuna pruriens Linn. Current Science,

REFERENCES: Vol. 80, No. 11.

[1]. M. Gossell-Williams, O.R. Simon, M.E. [8].Yerra Rajeshwar, Malaya Gupta And
West, 2006. The Past and Present Use of Upal Kanti Mazumder(2005). Antitumor
Plants for Medicines. West Indian Med J. activity and in vivo antioxidant status of
55(4):217. mucuna pruriens (fabaceae) seeds against
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[2]. Martin, G.( 1950). Ethnobotany A
mice. Iranian journal of pharmacology &
method manual. Chapman and Hall,
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[9].Kamla Kant Shukla, Abbas Ali Mahdi,
[3].Borthakur, S.K.( 1976 ). Native
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phytotherapy for child and women diseases
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from Assam. Fitoterapia 63 : 483-488.
Sarvada Chandra Tiwari(2007). Mucuna
[4].Bellany, B.( 1993) Ethnobiology- pruriens Reduces Stress and Improves the
Expedition Field techniques. Expedition Quality of Semen in Infertile Men .eCAM
Advisory Centre, Royal Geographic Society, 2007; Page 1 of 8
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[10].Parekar Sushant Shahaji and Somkuwar
[5].Dada AA, Ajilore VO (2009). Use of Arju Parnu(2011). Estrogenic Activity of
ethanol extracts of Garcinia kola as fertility Mucuna pruriens in Swiss Albino mice.
enhancer in female catfish Clarias International Research Journal of Pharmacy;
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Aquacul., 1 (1): 005-010. [11].Tajuddin, Shamshad Ahmad, Abdul
[6].C.A.Muanya and O.A.Odukoya(2008). Latif, Iqbal Ahmad Qasmi and Kunwar
Lipid peroxidation as Index of activity in Mohammad Yusuf Amin(2005). An
Aphrodisiac herbs. Journal of Plant experimental study of sexual function
Sciences, 3(1); 92-98. improving effect of Myristica fragrans

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Houtt. (nutmeg) BMC Complementary and
Alternative Medicine, 5:16
[12].A. Subramoniam, V.Madhavachandran,
K. Ravi and V.S. Anuja(2007). Aphrodisiac
property of the elephant creeper Argyreia
nervosa. Journal of Endocrinol Reprod 11
(2007) 2: 82 - 85
[13].Lilibeth A. Cajuday and Glorina L.
Pocsidio (2010).Effects of Moringa oleifera
Lam. (Moringaceae) on the reproduction of
male mice (Mus musculus). Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research Vol. 4(12), pp.
1115-1121.
[14].J. A. A. Al-Sa'aidi, A. L. D. Al-Khuzai
and N. F. H. Al-Zobaydi (2009). Effect of
alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on
fertility in male rats .Iraqi Journal of
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II,pp. 123-128.
[15].E. U. Etuk and A. A. Muhammad
(2009). Fertility enhancing effects
aqueous stem bark extract of Lophira
lanceolata in male Spargue dawley rats.
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and Biochemistry Vol. 1(1) pp. 001-004.
[16].K.K. Rewatkar , Ayaz Ahmed , Mohd.
Irfan Khan , N. Ganesh(2010) . A Landmark
Approach to Aphrodisiac Property of
Abelmoschus manihot (L.) International
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[17].Pierre Watchoa, EstherNgadjuia ,
Nkeng-Efouet P. Alangob, Nguelefack T.
Benota, Albert Kamanyi(2009).
Reproductive effects of Ficus asperifolia
(Moraceae) in female rats. African Health
Sciences. Vol. 9 No 1.pp. 49-53.
[18].Ana C Ruiz-Luna, Stephanie Salazar,
Norma J Aspajo, Julio Rubio, Manuel Gasco
and Gustavo F Gonzales (2005). Lepidium
meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in
normal adult female mice. Reproductive
of Biology and Endocrinology, 3:16.

Table: 1. List of plants used by the herbal practitioners in some parts of the state of Assam,
N.E. India, to induce fertility, parts used, mode of preparation and administration:

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Sl.No Local Scientific Family Parts Mode of application
name name used
1. Sisso Dalbergia Fabaceae Leaf 4-5 crushed leaves were poured for overnight
sisoo Roxb. in a glass of water. Next morning the
decoction is mixed with sugar and was given
to the women in empty stomach for 15 days
2. Ashwag Withania Solanaceace Root, One cup of the juice of root and stem were
andha somnifera Leaf. mixed with milk. Seven such doses were
Dun. given from the 5th day of the menstrual cycle.

3. Satmul Asparagus Liliaceae Root. 10 g of the root powder was used to prepare
recemosus the decoction with one cup of water. The dose
Willd. was prepared with this decoction mixed with
honey. This dose was given to both the
partners suffering from infertility for 7 days.
4. Teteli Tamarindus Caesalpiniace Flowe 5 number of flowers were crushed to make a
indica Linn. ae r. paste and mixed with one cup of milk and that
dose was continued for 7 days.

5. Bandor Mucuna Fabaceae Seed 10-15 g of seed juice is mixed with one cup of
Kekowa pruriens goat milk and this dose is prescribed to take
Linn. for one month.

6. Ananta Tylophora Asclepiadace Root. Equal amount of root of T.indica,

mul indica(Burm ae W.somnifera and leaf of Ocimum gratissium
.f.)Merr. are mixed and make a juice. Half a cup of this
juice is given daily for 15 days
7. Kath Dioscorea Discoreaceae Leaf The leaves are boiled in water and the
Alu villosa Linn. decoction is given at bed time daily for 21
days.

8. Kulmou Ipomea Convolvulace Leaf Decoction of the leaves is given for 14 days
aquatica.For ae after the menstrual flow
ssk.
9. Helochi Enhydra Astaraceae Root One tea spoon of juice of root and stem is
fluctans Leaf. mixed with one cup of fresh goat milk for 21
Lour. days
10. Aam Mangiera Anacardiacea Seed 10 gms of dry seed cotylodns is grinded and
indica Linn. e cotyle mixed with goat milk.
dons
11. Manimu Centella Apiaceae Leaf Leaves of C asiatica, fruit of Allium sativum
ni asiatica(L.) and seeds of Nigella sativa in equal amounts
Urban. are mixed to make a paste. One tea spoon of
the paste is given as one dose for three days.
12. Posotiya Vitex Verbenaceae Leaf Fumigation from the dried leaves is given
negundo daily at night to increase libido.
Linn.
13. Ulat Abroma Sterculiaceae Leaf one cup juice of the root and stem and mixed

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kambal augusta(L.) and with 5-7 no Piper nigram powder.

L.F. stem
14. Khutura Amaranthus Amaranthace Root. Juice of the root is made by grinding and one
viridis ae tea spoon of such juice is given orally for
Linn.. twenty five days.
15. Bhedail Paederia Rubiaceae Leaf Juice of stem and leaf is used to recover the
ota scandens and post pregnancy related problems
(Lour.) stem.
Merr.
16. Tulsi Ocimum Lemiaceae Leaf Half a cup of the fresh leaf juice mixed with
americanum and honey. The dose is given at morning time in
Linn. root empty stomach for 14 days after the fifth day
of menstrual cycle.
17. Biholon Polygonum Polyganaceae Leaf. One cup of the leaf juice is given daily to
gy hydropiper enhance fertility in women. The dose is
Linn. continued for 15 days.
18. Athiya Musa Musaceae Body. The tree trunk is cut at about 3 feet height
kol balbisiana from the base and a portion at the upper end is
Colla removed to make a hole. Then the hole is
covered with the leaf for overnight. In the
morning, the liquid deposited in the hole is
collected and taken in empty stomach. This
will increase the total no of sperm and thus
helps in overcoming impotency.
19. Malbho Musa Musaceae Root. From the third day of menstrual cycle till the
g kol velutina eighth day the root juice with water is given in
Wendl.& the morning in empty stomach. This helps in
inducing the ovulation process.
Drude
20. Son Sida Mulvaceae. Leaf. One cup of root juice is given for seven days
Borial cordifolia
Linn.
21. Nahar Mesua Clusiaceae Bark Juice of fresh root and stem bark is mixed
ferrea linn. and with goat milk in equal volume to make a
root final volume of one cup.21 such dose is given
at bed time daily.

22. Mann Alocasia Araceae Root. Fresh bark is collected and crushed to make a
kochu indica(Lour) pill. On the first day of menstrual cycle 2 gm
Koch of the bark is used to make a pill and is given
to the subject. On the 2nd day of menses 2.5
gm of the bark is used and on the 3rd day 3 gm
is used to make the pill. From the 4th day
onwards till the 15th day of menstrual cycle 5
gm bark is given as one pill. All the pills are
given in empty stomach and is said to give
best result in menstrual pain relief.
23 Gokhor Tribuls Zygophylace Leaf Equal amount of leaf and seed is taken and

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u terrestris ae and juice is prepared from this. One cup of such

Linn seed juice is given in morning time daily for seven
days.
24. Arjun Terminalia Combretacea Bark. Half a cup (50 ml) of the juice of stem bark is
arjuna (DC) e mixed with honey to make a dose. One such
W.& A. dose is given orally daily for 15 days
25. Obhat Achyranthus Amaranthace Leaf One half cup of the leaf juice is given for 15
Kata aspera Linn. ae days to cure the problem.

26. Kancha Bauhinia Caesalpiniace Bark one tea spoon of the bark juice is mixed with
n purpurea L. ae honey and is given from the fifth day of
menstrual cycle three months.
27. Dinedur Cynodon Poaceae Leaf Equal volume of juice of the leaf of
ba dactylon(L.) C.dactylon and juice of flowers of Hibiscus
.Pers. rosa sinensis are mixed. One cup of such juice
mixed with little amount of sugar is given
daily for seven days.
28.. Taruwa Acacia Mimosaceae Bark Pill prepared from fresh stem bark is given for
Kadam arabica seven days.
29. Sotiyana Alstonia Apocynaceae Bark Stem bark decoction is mixed in equal volume
scholaris with goat milk and given for 15 days.
R.Br.
30. Jetuka Lawsonia Lythraceae Leaf 10-15 leaves are soaked in a glass of water
alba Lamb. overnight. Next morning the decoction is
given in empty stomach and the dose is
continued for three days.

31. Bogori Ziziphus Rhamnaceae Leaf Young leaves are mixed with the young leaves
jujube of Psidium guajava ,Punica granatum,
Lamk. Centella asiatica and Allium sativum in equal
amounts are mixed to make a paste. One tea
spoon of such past is given orally in empty
stomach from the last day of menstrual flow
and continued for seven days.

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Name: Ms. Manalisha Deka

Place: Mangaldai, Assam, India.

Date of Birth: 28-01-1978

Name: Dr. Jogen Chandra Kalita

Place: Kalita gaon-1, Tezpur, Assam, India.

Date of Birth: 25.05.1961

Name: Dr. Gajen Chandra Sarma

Place: Baraholia ,Tezpur, Assam, India.

Date of Birth: 11th Nov.1954

Designation: Associate Professor

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