Abstract

INDIGENOUS TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ADOPTED BY THE BHOTIYA TRIBE AND OTHER INHABITANTS IN A PART OF GARHWAL HIMALAYA

B.S. Bhandari*, Toseef Riaz, Roshni Panwar and Poonam Gusain

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to document the indigenous and traditional knowledge about the plants used by the ‘Bhotiya tribe’ and other local inhabitants of Chamoli district of Garhwal Himalaya. Extensive field survey was carried out in order to collect information about ethno-medicinal plants. Personal interviews were also conducted with the ‘Bhotiyas’ and local peoples including Vaidyas. A total of 48 ethno-medicinally plants belonging to 33 families were collected and identified, used in the treatment of various diseases by the Bhotiya tribe and other local inhabitants. Out of the 48 species, Rosaceae was found as the dominant family with five species followed by Asteraceae with four species and Lamiaceae with three species. Berberidaceae, Ericaceae, Fabaceae, Gentianaceae, Solanaceae and Poaceae having two species each used for the curing of various ailments. All the remaining 24 families were represented by single species. Herbs (28 species) are in maximum use followed by trees (9 species), shrubs (8 species) and climbers (3 species). The plant parts frequently used for the treatment of various ailments include roots (29.16%) followed by leaves and whole plants (22.91%), seeds and fruits (6.25%) and bark (4.16%) and rest remaining other parts like stem, gum, flower and resin. Most of the species are used in the treatment of cuts, wounds, cough, chronic fever, skin disease, diarrhoea, diabetes, joint-pains, headache, etc.

Keywords: Bhotiyas; Chamoli; Ethno-medicines; Garhwal; Traditional Knowledge; Treatment.