Ethnobotanical Practices among the People of Dagana District, Bhutan

Abstract

Medicinal plants are one of the most affordable and accessible method available for the treatment of various ailments and diseases by the local people. In this regards, the study aimed to document the ethno-medicinal knowledge of plants used by the local people of Dagana district of Bhutan. Data were collected between June and November of 2020 using semi-structured interviews from the local people, following snowball sampling. The study documented 74 medicinal plant species, used for treating 30 different body ailments and diseases. Maximum number of species (14) was used in treating cut/body wounds and commonly used plant parts was leaves (30 species). Current study area was found to be rich in ethno-medicinal knowledge, but equally threatened with declining practices and management of resources. Thus, appropriate conservation of resources and preservation of traditional knowledge is required.

Ethno-medicinal uses and cultural importance of stingless bees and their hive products in several ethnic communities of Bhutan

“…Integrating traditional knowledge in biological research can enrich the natural history of the species by adding a plethora of cultural information gathered from the people who have been living in proximity for centuries [ 31 ]. In addition, they might provide us with additional ecological and biological information.…”

“…In addition, they might provide us with additional ecological and biological information. However, in Bhutan, much work has been done to document the traditional uses of medicinal plants and plant products [ 31 , 32 ], but there is a definite lack of ethno-entomological works related to stingless bees. Moreover, rural–urban migration and immigration trends have been comparatively high in recent years and the young generation undervalues the traditional knowledge transmitted orally from their elders [ 34 ].…”

Ethno-medicinal uses and cultural importance of stingless bees and their hive products in several ethnic communities of Bhutan

“…Integrating traditional knowledge in biological research can enrich the natural history of the species by adding a plethora of cultural information gathered from the people who have been living in proximity for centuries [22]. In addition, they might provide us with additional ecological and biological information.…”

“…In addition, they might provide us with additional ecological and biological information. However, in Bhutan, much work has been done to document the traditional uses of medicinal plants and plant products [22,23], but there is a de nite lack of ethno-entomological works related to stingless bees. Moreover, rural-urban migration and immigration trends have been comparatively high in recent years and the young generation undervalue the traditional knowledge transmitted orally from their elders [25].…”

“…The use of plants and animals in traditional medicines for healing practices has been common since the olden days by people all over the world, and the people of Bhutan are no exception. Most of the rural inhabitant communities of Bhutan primarily depend on natural resources for their basic needs such as food, medicine, fuel, and timber [22]. While cultural and ethno-biological data on stingless bees is available for several indigenous and non-indigenous populations across Asia, particularly in Nepal and India (8, 22), such information is scarce and not documented yet for the stingless bees of Bhutan [23].…”