Ethno-medicinal Plants Used by the People of Nawalparasi District, Central Nepal

Abstract

Despite new advances in modern medicine, the cultural use of plant in traditional medicine continues from ancient time to this day all over the world. The present research seeks to explore ethnomedicinal plants used by the local people of Nawalparasi district for primary healthcare. Local healers were interviewed regarding the detail uses of plants. When convenient a jungle or forest walk was also conducted, accompanying local healers for plant collection and detailed information gathering. A rich and unique diversity of 94 ethnomedicinal plant species belonging to 49 families under 86 genera were documented. In Nawalparasi, the expense of modern medical treatment combined with the poor economic status of indigenous people and a strong belief in the traditional medicine and traditional medical practitioners are the main reasons for the persistence of the traditional healing system. In addition, we have also documented a lack of continuation and flow of indigenous knowledge from the elders to the younger generation. Youth tend to be attracted by the wave of modernization and do not appreciate the importance of conservation of traditional knowledge. The use of plants in Nawalparasi is an old tradition and the exploration of such unique cultures should be completed thoroughly so that the oral traditions are not lost forever. Immediate conservation and management approaches of valuable medicinal plants with the involvement of local indigenous people of Nawalparasi district will encourage the sustainable conservation of both biological and cultural diversity.Key words: Traditional medicine; Local healers; Healthcare; Conservation; NawalparasiDOI: 10.3126/on.v7i1.2555Our Nature (2009) 7:82-99

Wild Plants used as Vegetable in Rupandehi District of Nepal and their Ethnomedicinal Importance

“…Ethnomedicinally boiled vegetables are useful in liver disorders and anaemia (Bhattarai et al 2009). …”

“…Dried rhizome powder and rock salt mixed to prepare churan is useful in dyspepsia (Devaraj 1998). Filtered juice of rhizome put inside the nose for sinusitis (Poudyal 2001, Bhattarai et al 2009). …”

“…Fruit is used to treat fever, diarrhea and dysentery. Fresh fruit juice is applied over forehead to treat headache (Bhattarai et al 2009). …”

“…After his work, some workers continued the ethnobotanical study in the 60's and 70's (Dobremez 1976, Pandey 1964. The reports on uses of plants by different Nepalese ethnic groups have been recorded only onwards 80's (Coburn 1984, Bhattarai 1989, 1991, 1992, Joshi and Edington 1990, Manandhar 1982, 2002, Mueller-Boeker 1993, Pohle 1990, Shrestha 1985, Shrestha and Pradhan 1986, Panthi and Chaudhary 2003, Bhattarai et al 2009, Singh et al 2011. These reports documented the information of uses of plant resources.…”

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants from Ilam District, East Nepal

“…Number of studies such as Kunwar et al (2010), Rokaya et al (2010), Pandey (2013), Singh and Hamal (2013), Thapa et al (2013), and Bhattarai and Acharya (2015) have documented valuable information on traditional use of medicinal plants from western Nepal. Similarly, Bhattarai et al (2010), Uprety et al (2010), and Thapa (2012) have documented ethno-botanical information from central Nepal. Rai (2004), Acharya and Pokhrel (2006), Gachhadar (2006), Maden et al (2008), Parajuli (2012), Limbu and Rai (2013), and Bhattarai (2015) have documented ethnobotanical information based mainly on Meche, Bantar, Tharu, Rai and Limbu, Lepcha communities in eastern Nepal.…”