Ethnomedicinal knowledge and healthcare practices among the Tharus of Nawalparasi district in central Nepal

Abstract

Documentation of ethnomedicinal use of plants has been considered a high priority to support the discovery of new drugs to benefit mankind. This paper deals with the field observations recorded on the use of medicinal plants in traditional health care systems of the Tharus of three Villages of Nawalparasi district of central Nepal. The Tharus are isolated forest dwellers who have lived harmoniously with nature over the centuries and accumulated a vast knowledge of plant use to cure various ailments. First-hand information on the ethnomedicinal uses of 110 plants species belonging to 52 families were documented from the study. These plant species are used by the Tharus to treat ailments ranging from fever and headache to cough and cold, rheumatic pain and fracture to urinary tract infection and menstrual disorders. The scientific names of these plants are presented in tabular format according to alphabetic order, family, parts used, medicine preparation process and use and method of application. Increasing accessibility of modern health care facilities, low recognition of traditional healers and decreasing interest amongst the young generation has resulted in declining trends in the use of traditional medicine among the Tharus. Thus, the documentation of such knowledge is an important step for preservation of traditional knowledge, conservation and management of valuable plant resources and commercialization of ethnomedicines.