TRADITIONAL USAGES OF INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS OF AO TRIBAL NAGAS OF NAGALAND

The traditional way of using indigenous medicinal plants is a resource for healing among the Ao Tribal community of Nagaland. The Qualitative study reveals the different usages, practices and effectiveness of various medicinal plants by the Ao Tribal Nagas occupying the territory of Mokokchung district of Nagaland. The research study includes interview with the village traditional medicine practitioners of Ao area under Mokokchung district. According to the study, findings shows that all the parts of the plants are useful in treating ailments and are used in various forms of herbal medicine. Some of the common medicinal plants are longsokerok Centella Asiatica (which is used for healing wound, jaundice, stomach pain, diarrhea, indigestion), longkok Solanum Torvum (used for healing fever, tooth decay), metiong Rhus Semialata (used to control diarrhoea and dysentery). Ao ancestors used to depend on medicinal plants from brushing of teeth to any disease or ailment which they were suffering from, as they believed that medicinal herbs could cure anything. Keywords: Traditional Usages, Indigenous Medicinal Plants, Ao Tribal Naga, Mokokchung