Medicinal plants of Dagala region in Bhutan: their diversity, distribution, uses and economic potential

Abstract

BackgroundThe traditional g.so-ba-rig-pa hospitals in Bhutan uses more than 100 polyingredient medicines that are manufactured by the Menjong Sorig Pharmaceuticals (MSP). The MSP has been collecting medicinal plants from Lingzhi region for about 48 years and therefore the ecological pressure on these plants have increased. It is MSP’s top priority to identify an alternative collection site to ease the problem. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine whether Dagala region could potentially be an alternative collection site for MSP.MethodsFirst the multidisciplinary research team generated a tentative plant list by reviewing a body of ancient g.so-ba-rig-pa literature, current formulations, and the MSP medicinal plants inventory documents. Second, the research team visited the study areas in Dagala region for spot identification of medicinal plants. Third, we confirmed our traditional and botanical identification by crosschecking the descriptions with the series of books on traditional texts, Flora of Bhutan, scientific papers on medicinal plants, and the plant databases.ResultsWe have identified 100 species of high altitude medicinal plants from Dagala region. Of these, 24 species grow abundantly, 29 species grow in moderate numbers and 47 species were scarce. More than 85 species belonged to the herbaceous life form and 51 of them are used as a whole plant. A total of 68 species grow in between 4000 and 4999 meter above sea level. These 100 medicinal plants represented 39 different families and 80 genera and the maximum number of plants belonged to the family Asteraceae. Of 60 species that are currently used for formulating medicines at MSP, 16 species have economic importance with potential for commercial collection. Out of seven areas covered by the survey, Kipchen hosted maximum number of medicinal plants (21 species).ConclusionsOur survey identified 100 medicinal plants from Dagala region and of these, 16 species has economic potential that could benefit both MSP and Dagala communities. It is feasible to establish an alternative medicinal plants collection center in Dagala Gewog.

Quality assurance of the university medical education, hospital services and traditional pharmaceutical products of the Bhutanese So-wa-rig-pa health care system

“…The BSM including medicinal plants program in Bhutan is one of the sustainable vehicles of GNH. For patients ˗ its formulations are a solace of treatment and cure; for BTM and So-wa-rig-pa practitioners ˗ it is a source of employment; for pharmaceutical organizations ˗ it is a potential chemotherapeutic pool waiting for biodiscovery [ 59 ]; and for farmers ˗ it is a tool for income generation and poverty eradication [ 60 ]. Overall, it accelerates the health and well-being of the society and produces happy society.…”

Pharmacological, ethnopharmacological, and botanical evaluation of subtropical medicinal plants of Lower Kheng region in Bhutan

“…5 For HAMP identification, we followed similar protocols as described by us previously including the translation of traditional medical uses of the plants. 6 , 7 , 8 The research team, comprising a Drungtsho (traditional physician from National Traditional Medicine Hospital), a Senior Smenpa (traditional clinical assistant from MSP), a Chief Pharmacist (Head of MSP), and two research assistants, then visited the study areas ( Fig. 1 ) for field observation, photographing, herbarium specimen collection, and spot identification of the medicinal plants based on the BSM plant characterization protocols in September 2009.…”

“…In future, we recommend the following works, which could be initiated by the Ministry of Health in Bhutan: (1) educate and train farmers on the sustainable management and harvesting of wild subtropical medicinal plants; (2) conduct value chain analysis and identify risk factors for the use of wild species of medicinal plants identified through this survey; (3) develop a sustainable management plan for the subtropical medicinal plants; (4) perform domestication of wild species and cultivation trials; (5) extend similar medicinal plants surveys and botanical identification to other parts of the country using same protocols described here or in our earlier studies 6 , 7 ; and (6) initiate biodiscovery and value addition on the subtropical medicinal plants using the approaches described. 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 All these findings could help the MSP and the farmers to strategically lay road map for medicinal plants domestication, diversification of herbal products, and their commercialization.…”

The Study of Ethnobotanical Uses by Local Healers in Taktse Chiwog from Central Bhutan

“…Bhutan is a biological hotspot in world with several endangered species of flora and fauna and more than 7,000 species of vascular plants. More than 600 medicinal plants have been identified in Bhutan and more than 200 of them are currently used by the Institute of Traditional Medicine Services (ITMS) in gso-barig-pa (traditional medical system) are effective [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13].…”

“…[15,16,17]. 108 Medicinal plants have been reported from the low altitude areas of Bhutan [1,3,4,12,13] and 116 from high altitude [6,8,11,18]. Total of 81 medicinal plants have been reported from eastern Bhutan, Trashigang Dzonkhag (Gewog Block), 165 ethnobotinical species used by Bumdellling communities in Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag and 61 different medicinal plants were recorded from Kilikhar gewog of Mongar Dzongkhag [2,19,20].…”