Agricultural and Biological Research

Traditional usage of underutilized aquatic plants found in the Imphal valley of Manipur

Okram Abemsana Devi*, Mridula Barooah Saikia and Sanjoy Singh Ningthoujam

The paper focuses on the traditional usage of aquatic plants found in the wetland areas of the Imphal valley of Manipur. From the survey, 30 aquatic plants have been collected for use in the management of various health conditions. Most of the collected plants are consumed as daily food items, but some are used for specific remedial purposes in the treatment of certain types of ailments and diseases like cough, fever, ulcer, piles, diarrhoea, jaundice, skin diseases, rheumatic pain, diabetes, hypertension, urinary troubles, body pain, respiratory problems, urinary problems, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Accordingly, different parts of the plant are used as a single item or by mixing with other ingredients in various forms, such as fresh or raw, culinary, or as a tonic, in dry or powder form, to treat the diseases. The aquatic plants are also incorporated in the preparation of various traditional dishes. 70% of collected wetland plants are marketable, providing a means of livelihood and a source of income for the poor and needy. Therefore, proper documentation and the preservation of traditional knowledge are essential and may provide useful information for future generations through research in pharmaceuticals and drug discovery.