Consumers Caring Health with End Products (Ayurvedic Medicines) Containing Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora in Nepal

Abstract

Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D. Y. Hong is an endangered herbaceous medicinal plant found in subalpine and alpine zone of eastern Himalayas comprising Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and China. Rhizomes of Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (hereinafter referred to as Neopicrorhiza) have medicinal properties and are highly traded in Nepal, India and China. Information on driving factors for demand of Neopicrorhiza from consumer perspective is unknown, knowledge of which is important because it can allow insights into future demand and sustainability of future trade. In this context, a survey was conducted among purchasers and consumers (patients) of end products (Ayurvedic medicines) containing Neopicrorhiza (n=513) in five different cities of Nepal from March to July 2017 using structured questionnaire to explore characteristics of consumers and consumption of end products of Neopicrorhiza. The utilization of Ayurvedic medicines containing Neopicrorhiza for treatment of health disorders of human is prevalent in Nepal. Men and women patients of diverse ages and with different socio-economic profiles were found to consume Ayurvedic medicines containing Neopicrorhiza to treat health disorders associated with different organ systems of body. The patients receiving Ayurvedic medicines containing Neopicrorhiza were children, adults and elders ranging from 1 to 98 years old (av. 37.6 years). Employed and unemployed, educated and illiterate consumers were found to consume Ayurvedic medicines containing Neopicrorhiza to treat their health disorders in Nepal. Patients receiving those medicines were from households having diverse annual cash income levels. The purchase and consumption of Ayurvedic medicine containing Neopicrorhiza was most often guided by a doctor’s prescription. Most of the respondents believed that the prices of those Ayurvedic medicines were fairer than other types of medicines. Similar studies are recommended in other countries like India and China where the Neopicrorhiza is exported from Nepal.

Traditional socio-cultural utilization and harvesting practices of an alpine medicinal herb, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora in Khumbu Valley, Nepal

“…It is also used by knowledgeable individuals in the study area to treat more complex health problems like diabetes and hypertension, often associated with lifestyle and dietary change (Dhimal et al 2019, Shrestha et al 2020. These results corroborate with findings from previous studies conducted in various parts of Nepal (Bhattarai 2006, Ghimire & Nepal 2007, Ghimire et al 2022, Kafle et al 2018, Manandhar 2002. However, it's worth noting that there are additional medicinal uses of the plant reported in other regions of Nepal but not recorded from the study area, such as treating fever, eye diseases, paralysis, and bites from scorpions and snakes (Bhattarai et al 2006, Ghimire et al 2005, Manandhar 2002), as well as for managing conditions associated with bile imbalances in the traditional amchi medicine system (Ghimire et al 2022).…”