Herbal based traditional practices used by the Bhotias and Gangwal a tribals of the central Himalayan region of Uttarakhand

Abstract

<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Times-Roman;mso-bidi-font-family:Times-Roman">Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) on herbal medicines is gaining importance continuously, due to their efficiency, rare chances of side effects in the treatment, good faith of society on herbal medicine and their products. The state of Uttarakhand which falls under Central Himalayan Region of India is fully recognized for its rich biodiversity and traditional health care knowledge. Himalayan Region has a rich tradition of plant based knowledge on primary health care and remedies are also well known here since time immemorial. The present study has been carried out on the tribal communities, i.e. the Bhotias and Gangwals. The Bhotias reside in the high altitude area of district Pithoragarh and Chamoli and Gangwals in district Tehri on way to Khatling glacier. A non-Participant observation method was used to extract the knowledge from the local grass root innovator involved in making such medicines. An interview schedule was also used to record the responses of the local grassroot innovator and other elderly knowledgeable persons. Ethnomedicinal uses of local plants by the natives of Bhotias and Gangwal tribes were also recorded. In this paper, a total of 78 plants belonging to 39 families and 61 genera have been recorded which were used for the treatment of 66 diseases. Out of 78 plants, roots and rhizomes of 26 are used for medicine preparation followed by leaves (20), fruits (03), whole plant/aerial parts (10/04) seeds (07), flowers (07), stem (01), aerial bulbs (01), latex (02), resin (01). About 07 species were commonly used for treating wounds/sores followed by 05 species for treating fever and 05 species for headache, 04 species each for pregnancy

<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Times-Roman;mso-bidi-font-family:Times-Roman">problems, sprains, urine problem and cold and cough. Twenty one species were found using for curing more than one ailment while 57 species were reported for single therapeutic application. Twelve species are also used as dyes, spices, condiments, flavouring agent and food items and play a significant role in rural economy of the region. This study is useful in providing basic information for further studies on the documentation and conservation of traditional medicinal system which is very important for economic welfare of rural societies. Now, due to change of socio-economy and culture, the traditional knowledge of these communities is also diminishing. It needs to be preserved before the onslaught of modernization. There is also an urgent need of conservation and resource augmentation of these medicinal plants in their natural habitat as well as their plantation in suitable agro-climatic conditions. Thus, it was concluded that the tribes, Bhotias and Gangwals possess a good knowledge of herbal medicines that are used in practice successfully.

</span></span>