Ethnomedicine in Himalaya: a case study from Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Mustang districts of Nepal

Kunwar, Ripu M; Nepal, Bal; Kshhetri, Hari B; Sanjeev, Kumar; Bussmann, Rainer W.

doi:10.1186/1746-4269-2-27

Cited by 228 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…We have added 58 new medicinal plants, noted with asterisks (Additional File 1), in addition to the previous works of [13,44,47]. Many of these newly added plant species for Mustang are popular throughout Nepal and are used to treat a broad spectrum of ailments [12,15].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of medicinal plants in the trans-himalayan arid zone of Mustang district, Nepal

Bhattarai

Chaudhary

Quave

et al. 2010

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

162

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThis study documents the use of medicinal plants from the Mustang district of the north-central part of Nepal. Traditional botanical medicine is the primary mode of healthcare for most of the population of this district and traditional Tibetan doctors (Amchi) serve as the local medical experts.MethodsField research was conducted in 27 communities of the Mustang district in Nepal from 2005-2007. We sampled 202 interviewees, using random and snowball sampling techniques. After obtaining prior informed consent, we collected data through semi-structured interviews and participant-observation techniques. Voucher specimens of all cited botanic species were deposited at TUCH in Nepal.ResultsWe recorded the traditional uses of 121 medicinal plant species, belonging to 49 vascular plant and 2 fungal families encompassing 92 genera. These 121 species are employed to treat a total of 116 ailments. We present data on 58 plant species previously unknown for their medicinal uses in the Mustang district. Of the medicinal plants reported, the most common growth form was herbs (73%) followed by shrubs, trees, and climbers. We document that several parts of individual plant species are used as medicine. Plant parts were generally prepared using hot or cold water as the 'solvent', but occasionally remedies were prepared with milk, honey, jaggery, ghee and oil. Amchis recommended different types of medicine including paste, powder, decoction, tablet, pills, infusion, and others through oral, topical, nasal and others routes of administration.ConclusionsThe traditional pharmacopoeia of the Mustang district incorporates a myriad of diverse botanical flora. Traditional knowledge of the remedies is passed down through oral traditions and dedicated apprenticeships under the tutelage of senior Amchi. Although medicinal plants still play a pivotal role in the primary healthcare of the local people of Mustang, efforts to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal species are necessary.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of medicinal plants in the trans-himalayan arid zone of Mustang district, Nepal

Bhattarai

Chaudhary

Quave

et al. 2010

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

162

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Traditional healers believe that roots are more effective than other plant parts. Studies elsewhere, have shown that the roots and other underground parts have high concentrations of bioactive compounds (Kunwar et al, 2006). Harvesting of roots for medicinal purposes is not sustainable, it threatens the survival of the majority of medicinal plants used in Nhema communal area.…”

Section: Plant Parts Usedmentioning

confidence: 99%

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by the people in Nhema communal area, Zimbabwe

Maroyi

2011

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

183

115

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…The use of plants in the treatment of several diseases is reported in different populations (e.g., Berg and Silva, 1988;Bird, 1991;Verger, 1995;Guarim-Neto, 2006;Kunwar et al, 2006). The knowledge of medicinal plants often represents the only therapeutic option for many communities and ethnic groups.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethnobotany and traditional medicine of the inhabitants of the Pantanal Negro sub-region and the raizeiros of Miranda and Aquidauna, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Oliveira

Resende

et al. 2011

Braz. J. Biol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A survey on the use of medical plants was carried out in the rural communities of the Rio Negro sub-region of the Pantanal and the raizeiros from Aquidauana and Miranda municipalities, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in order to recover the ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological knowledge of these communities. Structured questionnaires were run with the residents of eight farms and 12 raizeiros. The results reveal 25 botanical families, 45 genera and 48 species of medicinal plants used, six of which are indicated for kidney disturbances, six for urinary disturbances, five for inflammation treatment, 13 for stomach aches, 10 for respiratory disturbances, four for treating sprains, four for healing wounds, four as anti-diarrheaic and one as antipyretic, among other illnesses. The main family was Asteraceae, with 12 species used. The principal preparation methods of the medicinal herbs in the Rio Negro sub-region and surrounding areas were infusion (35) and, mostly, mixed with "chimarrão" or "mate quente", traditional beverage. Nineteen exotic species are used by the raizeiros, (39.58%), which indicates a strong influence of the urban environment. The traditional pantaneiros have greater knowledge of medicinal plants than the raizeiros, and they cited only five exotic species (16.1%). Thus, this biome is an important vegetation complex for the study of medicinal herbs, covering a diversity of species with great potential for ethnobotanical studies (e.g. Conceição and Paula, 1986;Pott and Pott, 1994;Bortolotto, 1999;Souza and Guarim-Neto, 1999;Pott and Pott, 2000;Schwenk and Silva, 2000;Campos Filho, 2002). It is also occupied by a native population with great cultural importance, adapted to the intermittent cycles of flood and drought of the region, the pantaneiros or marsh-dwellers (Nogueira, 2002). KeywordsThe use of plants for therapeutic purposes in the Pantanal region has long been reported in various Indian tribes. Since the first colonisation of the region, especially during the Paraguay War (1864-1870), extractivist activities have been intensified in other communities and are now part of the 'pantaneiros' lives, either for medicinal ends or just to bring comfort in the face of their daily adversities (WHO, 2002).The knowledge of the correct use of plant species normally belongs to restricted groups of the population, known as raizeiros (generally people with little formal education, who through the knowledge transmitted by their parents or other people with empirical knowledge, use plants for disease treatment), benzedeiras (usually women, who treat distinct diseases through prayer and herbs) and other, usually elderly, people, who received medicinal information from their ancestors (Guarim-Neto, 2006). As these groups are restricted and often threatened by environmental changes, which alter their lifestyle and culture, the recovery of this ethnobotanical knowledge is fundamental in rescuing traditions that may soon be lost.Considering the information gaps in the ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacologica...

show abstract

Ethnomedicine in Himalaya: a case study from Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Mustang districts of Nepal

Cited by 228 publications

References 11 publications

The use of medicinal plants in the trans-himalayan arid zone of Mustang district, Nepal

The use of medicinal plants in the trans-himalayan arid zone of Mustang district, Nepal

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by the people in Nhema communal area, Zimbabwe

Ethnobotany and traditional medicine of the inhabitants of the Pantanal Negro sub-region and the raizeiros of Miranda and Aquidauna, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About