Mishing community's traditional healing and folk medicines in NE India.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Mishing community's traditional healing and folk medicines in NE India.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Medicine:
Medicine refers to the practices and substances used by traditional healers within the Mishing community for treating various ailments. It encompasses herbal remedies derived from plants and established methods of application that have been passed down through generations, highlighting the community's reliance on natural resources for health care.

2) Disease:
Disease is a central concern of the Mishing community, as it signifies the ailments they seek to treat using traditional healing practices. Prominent diseases like malaria and jaundice illustrate the community's health challenges, guiding their use of specific medicinal plants and methods to restore well-being effectively.

3) Knowledge:
Knowledge encompasses the extensive understanding that traditional healers possess regarding the medicinal properties of plants and their applications. This culturally embedded wisdom is crucial for diagnosing and treating ailments, emphasizing the importance of preserving and documenting such ethno-medicinal information for future generations.

4) Study (Studying):
Study refers to the systematic investigation conducted to document the folk medicinal practices of the Mishing community. It involves gathering data on herbal remedies, interviewing healers, and analyzing plant use, contributing valuable insights into traditional medicine and its role in the community's health care system.

5) Drug:
Drug refers to the various forms of herbal preparations utilized by the Mishing healers. This includes plant-based substances prepared for internal or external use, emphasizing the importance of these natural drugs in treating ailments and their integral role in local health practices.

6) Village:
Village denotes the small community settings where the Mishing ethnic group lives and practices traditional healing. These rural environments are critical for the preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge, serving as the primary context for the study of local medicinal practices and plant usage.

7) India:
India is the broader geographic context within which the Mishing community resides, reflecting its rich diversity of ethnic groups and traditional healing practices. The unique blend of cultural influences across regions underscores the significance of documenting local herbal medicine to enhance understanding of India's indigenous health practices.

8) Field:
Field refers to the practical realm where the study of traditional medicine takes place. Field surveys involve direct interaction with the environment and local healers, allowing researchers to collect data on herbal remedies and their applications in real-life scenarios, fostering an authentic understanding of ethno-medicinal practices.

9) Habitat:
Habitat describes the natural environment where medicinal plants grow and where the Mishing community sources their herbal remedies. Understanding habitat conditions is crucial for sustainable harvesting and cultivation practices, allowing for the preservation of biodiversity and the continued availability of valuable medicinal species.

10) Species:
Species refers to the various plants documented in the study for their medicinal use. The diversity of species highlights the ecological richness of the region and the specific therapeutic properties attributed to each, emphasizing the importance of conserving these species for future health applications.

11) Glycyrrhiza glabra:
Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice, is a medicinal plant identified as significant within the Mishing community's healing practices. Its incorporation into traditional remedies showcases the blending of local and broader herbal knowledge, illustrating its relevance as a cultivated drug with therapeutic uses.

12) Substance:
Substance refers to the various natural materials, including plant, animal, or mineral origins, utilized by the traditional healers in their practices. The concept underscores the holistic approach of traditional medicine, integrating multiple sources into therapeutic regimens tailored to the community's health needs.

13) Ayurveda (Āyurveda, Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda represents an established system of traditional medicine in India that may influence the practices of herbalists in the Mishing community. The interaction between local knowledge and Ayurvedic principles underscores the shared cultural heritage and the importance of cross-learning in the field of herbal medicine.

14) Table:
Table refers to the organized presentation of data related to the ethno-medicinal plants and their uses, as documented in the study. The use of tables facilitates easy reference and comparison, providing a structured overview of the traditional healing practices within the Mishing community.

15) Tree:
Tree denotes the various arboreal species used in traditional medicine by the Mishing community. Recognizing the role of trees is essential for understanding source biodiversity and the importance of ecological conservation to ensure the sustained availability of these significant medicinal resources in the region.

16) Hand:
Hand signifies the manual techniques employed by traditional healers in preparing and applying herbal remedies. The emphasis on hands-on practice highlights the skill and knowledge transferred through generations, which are vital for effective treatment and the holistic approach to health management.

17) Oroxylum indicum:
Oroxylum indicum is a medicinal plant identified in the Mishing community's treatment practices. Its inclusion underscores the regional specificity of herbal remedies and reflects the community's holistic approach to addressing various health issues through locally sourced botanical resources.

18) Acorus calamus:
Acorus calamus, also known as sweet flag, is another important plant within the Mishing community's herbal repertoire. Its documented use highlights the significance of cultivating certain species to ensure consistent access to effective medicinal substances, illustrating the balance between natural sourcing and cultivation.

19) Meeting:
Meeting denotes the interactions between researchers and traditional healers where knowledge exchange occurs. Such meetings are crucial for documenting indigenous practices and fostering greater understanding and appreciation of the role of traditional healing within the broader health care landscape.

20) Mineral:
Mineral refers to the non-plant and non-animal substances that may also be utilized as part of traditional healing practices. Acknowledging minerals alongside herbal and animal sources broadens the understanding of the diverse approaches to health care practiced within the Mishing community.

21) Animal:
Animal signifies the use of animal-derived substances in traditional medicine practices. By acknowledging animal contributions to healing, it emphasizes the holistic and multi-faceted approach of the Mishing community in addressing health, ensuring comprehensive treatment options for various ailments.

22) Costus:
Costus refers to specific medicinal plants within the Costaceae family that are utilized by the Mishing community. Recognizing Costus emphasizes the diversity of medicinal flora in the region and the importance of local botanical knowledge in effectively treating common ailments.

23) Ayus (Āyus, Ayush):
Ayush encompasses the governmental department promoting traditional medicine systems in India, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. Recognizing Ayush highlights the institutional support for preserving and integrating traditional healing practices within mainstream health care frameworks.

24) Naro (Nāro):
Naro refers to a specific folk healer from the Mishing community who contributed valuable indigenous knowledge during the research study. Individual healers like Naro play a crucial role in preserving traditional practices and ensuring the transmission of herbal wisdom within their community.

25) Phyllanthus emblica:
Phyllanthus emblica, commonly known as amla, is a highly valued medicinal plant within the Mishing community. Its utilization illustrates the importance of certain species in traditional health practices, reflecting the community's reliance on local flora for nutritional and therapeutic benefits.

26) Barleria cristata:
Barleria cristata is a medicinal plant noted for its use in the Mishing community's treatments. Its identification highlights the diversity of ethnobotanical knowledge and the community's reliance on a wide array of plants for addressing various health conditions.

27) Plumbago zeylanica:
Plumbago zeylanica, known for its medicinal properties, is part of the herbal repertoire utilized by Mishing healers. Its significance in traditional medicine illustrates the range of botanical resources available and the expertise in harnessing these for health benefits.

28) Ricinus communis:
Ricinus communis, or castor oil plant, is recognized in the Mishing traditional healing practices for its therapeutic uses. Its documentation reflects the diverse applications of both common and less-known plants in the community's health care regimens.

29) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology refers to the study and understanding of how medicinal substances interact with biological systems. It holds relevance in evaluating the efficacy and safety of plants used in traditional healing, bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and scientific validation of herbal practices.

30) Purification:
Purification reflects the various methods employed in traditional healing to cleanse or prepare substances before use. This concept accentuates the holistic approach of the Mishing community in ensuring that their herbal remedies are not only effective but also safe for consumption.

31) Measurement:
Measurement denotes the methods of quantifying dosages and applications of medicinal plants. Understanding precise measurements is vital for ensuring effective treatment outcomes and maintaining safety during herbal medicine administration in the Mishing community.

32) Developing:
Developing indicates the ongoing process of enhancing knowledge and practices among Mishing healers through interactions and training. This term highlights the community's adaptability and willingness to evolve in response to shifting health needs and the influx of new medicinal knowledge.

33) Training:
Training refers to educational initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of traditional healers. It emphasizes the importance of empowering Mishing communities to maintain their medicinal practices while incorporating broader scientific knowledge for improved health care outcomes.

34) Science (Scientific):
Science refers to the systematic study of natural phenomena, which in the context of traditional healing, involves research and documentation of herbal practices. Recognizing the scientific aspects can help validate and enhance the understanding of traditional medicine's efficacy and safety.

35) Mantra (Māntra, Mamtra):
Mantra represents a ritualistic element often involved in spiritual healing practices within the Mishing community. The incorporation of mantras illustrates the culturally intertwined nature of healing, blending herbal remedies with spiritual beliefs to address both physical and emotional ailments.

36) Tantra (Tantrā, Tamtra, Tantrism):
Tantra, similar to mantra, emphasizes the ritualistic practices employed in traditional medicine. Both terms signify the holistic approach of Mishing healing that incorporates spiritual and cultural elements alongside the use of herbal substances, enhancing treatment efficacy and the patient's mental well-being.

37) Forest:
Forest refers to the natural environment rich in biodiversity where many of the medicinal plants used by the Mishing community are sourced. Healthy forests are essential for sustainable harvesting practices and the conservation of plant species critical to the community's traditional healing systems.

38) Family:
Family denotes the social structure within the Mishing community, often reflecting kinship ties that influence knowledge sharing and medicinal practices. The family unit plays an essential role in preserving ethno-medicinal knowledge, ensuring that it is passed down through generations.

39) Sowing:
Sowing indicates the agricultural practice relevant to cultivating medicinal plants. Understanding sowing practices deepens insights into how the Mishing community engages in sustainable cultivation to ensure availability of herbal resources utilized in their traditional healing methods.

40) Badha (Bādhā, Bādha, Bāḍha, Baḍha):
Badha refers to specific local healing practices that may incorporate spiritual elements in the treatment of ailments within the Mishing community. Recognizing Badha emphasizes the cultural significance of these practices and their role in shaping the community's approach to health and well-being.

41) Water:
Water signifies an essential element in traditional healing practices, often used in preparations or applications of herbal medicine. Its importance highlights the holistic aspect of treatments, where both natural elements and plant-based ingredients combine for therapeutic effects.

42) Sida (Sīdā, Shida):
Sida refers to specific plants from the Sida genus that may have medicinal uses within the Mishing community. Acknowledging Sida showcases the variety of flora utilized in addressing health concerns, reflecting the community's deep knowledge of local biodiversity and its therapeutic potential.

43) Rich (Ṛch):
Rich denotes the biodiversity present in the regions inhabited by the Mishing community. This richness is crucial for the availability of various medicinal plants, underscoring the community's reliance on their environment for sustenance, health, and traditional medicinal practices.

44) Road:
Road signifies the developmental changes impacting the habitats where medicinal plants grow. Infrastructure developments can lead to habitat degradation or loss, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect the natural resources relied upon by the Mishing community for their traditional medicine.

45) Pain (Paiṇ):
Pain refers to the discomfort experienced by individuals, indicating the need for effective treatment methods used by traditional healers. Understanding pain management within the Mishing community reveals the focus on holistic practices that blend herbal medicine with spiritual healing for comprehensive care.