Abstract
Lepcha is the oldest and the first tribe reported from Sikkim, India; majority of its population inhabiting in Dzongu valley, an officially demarcated reserve for Lepcha community, bordering Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, in north district. Lepchas of Dzongu are known for their retention of rich cultural heritage. In view of the on-going cultural and economic changes brought in by the process of globalization, the immediate need was felt to document in details the under-explored ethnomedicinal practices of Lepchas of Dzongu valley. This paper reports 118 species, belonging to 71 families and 108 genera, under ethnomedicinal utility by the Lepchas for curing approximately 66 ailments, which could be grouped under 14 broad categories. Zingiberaceae appeared as the most used family (8 species and 5 genera). As per use pattern, maximum of 30.50% species are to cure stomach related disorders/ailments, followed by 19.49% for curing cut, wounds, inflammation, sprains and joint pains. Administration of medicine orally is recorded in 75% cases. Root and rhizome harvesting targeted 30 species. The changing scenario over time both at socio-cultural front and passing traditional knowledge interests from older to younger generation and rich ethnomicinal wealth of the oldest tribe of Sikkim are discussed in the light of conservation strategies and techniques to adopt.
Highlights
Documentation of traditional knowledge on ethno medicinal use of plants has been considered as a high priority [1,2,3,4,5] to support the discoveries of drugs benefiting mankind
The tribal populations, who have been the primary inhabitants of natural habitats, hold tremendous amount of traditional knowledge on the use of various biotic resources [4,7], which may have greater importance to the on-going research and discoveries in the field
The Lepchas of Dzongu are known for their retention of rich cultural heritage, and especially in view of the on-going cultural and economic changes brought in by the process of globalization, the immediate need was felt to document in details the under-explored ethnomedicinal practices of Lepchas of Dzongu valley
Summary
Documentation of traditional knowledge on ethno medicinal use of plants has been considered as a high priority [1,2,3,4,5] to support the discoveries of drugs benefiting mankind. The tribal populations, who have been the primary inhabitants of natural habitats, hold tremendous amount of traditional knowledge on the use of various biotic resources [4,7], which may have greater importance to the on-going research and discoveries in the field. It is well acknowledged in literature [2,8,9] that their age old practices of using plants to cure numerous ailments have paved the way to further discovery of many life saving drugs. This represents over 550 medicinal plants, which may offer incredible scope for the (page number not for citation purposes)
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