Guwahati: For centuries, plants have been healing humans and animals. One such plant, Blumea lanceolaria, has quietly served indigenous communities, particularly the Bodo people of Assam, as a natural remedy.
Known locally as Jwglwri, this herb is commonly found in homestead gardens and is deeply woven into traditional healing practices. As modern science uncovers its secrets, Blumea lanceolaria is emerging as a botanical marvel—bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary research.
Blumea lanceolaria (Roxb.) Druce is a perennial herb with woody stems that reach heights of 1–2.5 meters. The species belongs to the genus Blumea under the family Asteraceae. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, particularly the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Bodos possess distinctive traditional knowledge regarding the use of this plant. It is used as an ingredient in curry or soup to treat common ailments such as the common cold, cough, and pneumonia, and for wound healing. Notably, the Bodo tribe prepares a traditional dish called Gwkha Gwkhwi using this plant during their primary festival, Bwisagu.
Native to Debargaon in the Haltugaon forest division of Kokrajhar, Jwglwri thrives in damp, shaded regions along stream banks, reaching elevations of up to 1,500 meters. Its dark green leaves and delicate flowers bloom from January to April.
Traditionally, the Bodo community has relied on this herb to treat ailments such as colds, coughs, pneumonia, hemorrhoids, bronchitis, and wounds. Beyond medicine, Jwglwri plays a role in Bodo culinary traditions—its leaves are added to Gwkha Gwkhwi, a bitter-sour dish made from mixed wild vegetables and consumed during Bwisagu, the Bodo New Year festival. According to local belief, eating these herbs during Bwisagu cleanses the body of diseases.
Now, scientific research is validating these traditional uses. A study by Sanjib Baruah and Priyanka Brahma of Bodoland University highlights the plant’s rich phytochemical profile, which includes flavonoids, terpenoids, and essential oils with powerful pharmacological properties. Laboratory studies have shown that Blumea lanceolaria possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and even potential anticancer effects.
Preliminary phytochemical screening has identified alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, proteins, and phenols, with the petroleum ether extract showing greater medicinal significance than the methanolic extract. The plant’s essential oils, particularly borneol and camphor, have also attracted interest from the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Scientists are now exploring its potential in developing natural antibiotics and eco-friendly insect repellents, aligning with the global shift towards sustainable solutions.
Sanjib Baruah of Bodoland University says the outcomes of the present study will be helpful for the correct identification and standardization of the species, assisting in the establishment of drug purity assurance and quality control standards.
By bridging ethnobotany and modern research, Blumea lanceolaria stands as a testament to how traditional knowledge can guide scientific breakthroughs. As researchers continue to uncover its full potential, this resilient herb symbolizes the enduring relationship between nature and human ingenuity—an unbroken link between the past and the future of medicine.
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