Herbal Food as a Source of Preventive and Curative Healthcare in the Bodo Society

Abstract

Herbal foods have been an integral part of the daily diet practices of the Bodo community in Assam. These foods, often derived from wild and cultivated plants, are valued not only for their nutritional content but also for their preventive and curative properties. This study documents the various herbal foods consumed by Bodo households, examines their role in maintaining health, and explores how knowledge about these foods is transmitted across generations through cultural practices, festivals, rituals, and oral storytelling. The study finds that herbal foods contribute significantly to preventive healthcare by enhancing immunity, regulating digestion, controlling blood pressure, and supporting postpartum and seasonal health practices. However, modern lifestyles, urban migration, environmental degradation, and changing cultural attitudes are gradually weakening the transmission of this traditional knowledge. The study recommends measures for preserving and revitalizing herbal food practices, including community gardens, educational programs, documentation efforts, and intergenerational workshops. This paper explores the significance of herbal food as a traditional form of preventive and curative healthcare among the Bodo people of Assam, India, viewed through a folkloristic and ethnobotanical lens.