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

Yeshi Dorji,Kuenga Namgay,Phurpa Wangchuk,Karma Gayleg

doi:10.1186/s13002-016-0098-7

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.

Highlights

The traditional g.so-ba-rig-pa hospitals in Bhutan uses more than 100 polyingredient medicines that are manufactured by the Menjong Sorig Pharmaceuticals (MSP)
Habitat and diversity of medicinal plants While Dagala Jops were aware of their places, we found that they were unfamiliar with the medicinal plants that grow in their forests and rangelands
Plant parts usage and their availability status We found that the medicinal plants (100 species), which we identified from Dagala Gewog, are used in the Bhutanese g.so-ba-rig-pa medicines as a whole, stem, seed, root, leaf, fruit, flower, bark, aerial and mixed (Fig. 6)

Summary

Introduction

The traditional g.so-ba-rig-pa hospitals in Bhutan uses more than 100 polyingredient medicines that are manufactured by the Menjong Sorig Pharmaceuticals (MSP). Known as Dakarla, is one of the eight Gewogs under Thimphu Dzongkhag with total land coverage of 85 km, five chiwogs (villages), 178 households and 814 inhabitants [1] (Fig. 1). It has huge rangelands and supports livestock including the. Butter, cheese, buttermilk, chugo (dried hardened cheese consumed as snacks), tough hairy wool, meat and dung. Its dung serves as manure and is often used as a substitute for firewood They barter or sell their wool, yak’s meat (expensive than normal beef ) and other dairy

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Conclusion