TRADITIONAL USES OF THREATENED ANGIOPTERIS EVECTA (G.FORST.) HOFFM. (MARATTIACEAE) AS AN ANTIDOTE TO SNAKE BITES AND INSECT STINGS BY THE TANGSA TRIBE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

Abstract

Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst) Hoffm. (Marattiaceae), an endangered fern, utilized medicinally by several traditional societies across the world. Its use as food is rarely reported in literature. The rhizome of Angiopteris evecta is used by members of the Tangsa tribe, who live mostly in the Patkai Hills of the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh (India), both as a famine food and a remedy for snake bites and insect stings. The article documented the preparation of rhizomes for consumption and as an antidote to snake bites and insect stings.

Keywords

• angiopteris evecta
• tangsa
• famine-food
• snakebite
• insect bite
• spider sting
• antidote