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Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine

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Open Access 01-12-2006 | Research

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

Authors: Ripu M Kunwar, Bal K Nepal, Hari B Kshhetri, Sanjeev K Rai, Rainer W Bussmann

Published in: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine | Issue 1/2006

Abstract

Traditional plant use in Nepal has been documented for millennia. The importance of plants as medicine has not diminished in any way in recent times, and traditional medicines are still the most important health care source for the vast majority of the population.

This paper examines the ethnobotany and traditional use of plants extracted from the vulnerable alpine zone in the Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Mustang districts of Nepal.

The results of this ethnobotanical study indicate that a very large number of plant species is used as traditional medicines. There were 107, 59, 44 and 166 species of ethnomedicinal importance in surveyed areas of Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Mustang district respectively. Of these, 84 common species, used at least in two districts, were selected to enumerate their ethnomedicinal properties. The 84 species belonged to 75 genera and 39 families.

The commonest species in this pharmacopoeia were: Allium wallichii, Cordyceps sinensis, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, and Rheum australe. A total of 21 species were most common in three districts and 59 in two districts. The genera Aconitum, Allium, Arisaema, Berberis, Corydalis, Gentiana, Hippophae, Juniperus and Rhododendron each possessed two species with ethnomedicinal use. Labiatae was the most medicinally important family with five species used, followed by Araceae, Compositae, Liliaceae, Polygonaceae, Ranunculaceae, Scrophulariaceae and Umbelliferae, each contributing four species.

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Title: Ethnomedicine in Himalaya: a case study from Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Mustang districts of Nepal
Authors: Ripu M Kunwar
Bal K Nepal
Hari B Kshhetri
Sanjeev K Rai
Rainer W Bussmann
Publication date: 01-12-2006
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine / Issue 1/2006
Electronic ISSN: 1746-4269
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-2-27

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

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

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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