Traditional Knowledge System of Medicinal Herbs and Sustainable Livelihoods
in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India
Bhagwati Uniyal, Vinod Kumar Bhatt and Vandana Shiva
NAVDANYA 105, Rajpur Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
(Corresponding author: bhagwatiuniyal@rediffmail.com)
Abstract:
The majestic Himalayan range is a treasurer of a great diversity of floral and faunal
diversity. Among the plant diversity, more than 1700 species are known as medicinal
plants. On the regional scale, the maximum species of medicinal plants have been
reported from Uttarakhand, than other Himalayan states of India due to its distinct
geography and ecological conditions. More than 95% of medicinal plants used in
preparing medicine by various industries are harvested from wild populations in India.
Medicinal plants tolerance to harvest varies with climatic conditions as the temperate
herbs become highly vulnerable to harvest. Furthermore, rising demand with shrinking
habitats may lead to the local extinction of many medicinal plant species. The
residents of Garhwal in Uttarakhand state specially women and local healers (Vaidyas)
have a vital role in environmental management and propagation of medicinal plants
due to traditional knowledge and use of plants as medicine. It is certainly a valuable
and sustainable knowledge system developed over generations by local communities
of the area. The local healers have their traditional system for curing of various
diseases with undocumented knowledge. It has been observed as one of the best option
of sustainable livelihoods for the residents of the area. Studies on the use of traditional
knowledge of medicinal plants in different areas of Garhwal have been conducted and
observed the continuous exploitation of several medicinal plant species from the wild
has led to substantial loss of their habitats and decline of many high value medicinal
plant species over the years. Use and promotion of appropriately eco-friendly
harvesting technology in medicinal plants would be valuable to recover the traditional
knowledge and generate sustainable livelihoods for the community.
Keywords: Tradiional knowledge, medicinal plants, sustainable livelihoods,
Garhwal Himalaya
1
Introduction
The use of medicinal plants has always been a part of human heritage. Traditional
medical knowledge has been defined as the sum of the knowledge, skills and practices
based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different culture, whether
explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well in the prevention,
diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness. Over the
centuries, various ethnic communities have developed their own indigenous
knowledge in recognizing, harvesting and using plants to cure different ailments. In
many developing countries, a large part of the population, especially in rural areas,
depends mainly on traditional medicine for their primary health care. In India, about
65% population depends on the traditional system of medicine (Timmermans, 2003).
Plants have traditionally served as man’s most important weapons against pathogen.
Medicinal plants are widely used by all section of the community, whether directly as
folk remedies or the medicaments of the different indigenous system as well as in
modern medicine (Alok 1991, Kala et al. 2004). The various forest types in the
Himalayan region of India are the repository of diverse flora and many of these species
posses high medicinal properties. People living in the rural areas are mainly associated
with the forest life to fulfill their daily needs for fuel, fodder and other forest produce.
Since the time of Great saga Charak, the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants has
led to the discovery of many important drug of modern age (Uniyal et al. 2002). The
Himalaya has played a very important role in the advancement of many such herbal
drugs and still the utilization as medicinal plants is very high with the Himalayan
people. Economically weaker sections of the community collect medicinal plants from
the forests for commercial use as livelihood option which is a cause of concern to the
conservation biologists.
The healers residing in the rural areas of the Himalaya play a vital role in knowing the
medicinal properties of the various plant species hence, their knowledge must be
considered as an essential component for the development of the rural areas. Failure to
document this indigenous knowledge would represent a tremendous economic and
scientific loss to mankind (Uniyal, 2003, 2004; Uniyal and Shiva 2005). The main
purpose of the study is to document the indigenous knowledge of local healers and
2
suggests appropriate conservation practices for the rural areas of Garhwal region of
Uttarakhand state. Uttarakhand is known as green state among other Himalayan states
of India. Approximately 70% of the state comprises natural forest and rangelands.
Most people reside in rural areas and live off small scale agriculture. Road and
transport is not well developed because of the hilly terrain and remoteness of
communities. The people of the state have a strong tradition of protecting the
environment and biodiversity. Medicinal plants are an integral part of the life of the
residents of the state, due to its diverse topographical and climatical condition, the
region harbours a variety of medicinal plant species. A large number of medicinal
plants have been used in traditional system of medicine which is found in different
habitats and ecosystems. There are about 2, 50,000 higher plant species distributed
throughout the world. Of these 17,000 species of higher plants are found in India of
which, 7500 species are used in the Indian traditional system of medicine (Shiva,
1996). Broadly these medicinal plant species can be classified into different categories
viz. trees, herbs, shrubs, creepers and grasses. Different parts of these plants: leaf,
stem, bark, root, tuber, flower, fruit, seeds, etc. have been used for curing different
disease. The Himalaya is the treasure of many important medicinal and aromatic
plants; the uses of these medicinal plant species have been documented in many of the
old Hindu scriptures such as Rigveda, a main source of the ancient medicine system of
Ayurveda.
Indian Himalaya harbours 8000 species of angiosperms, 44 species of gymnosperms
and 600 species of pteridophytes. Of which, 1748 species are known as medicinal
plants and maximum species have been reported around up to 1800 m altitudinal range
(Singh and Hajra, 1996; Kala et al. 2006). Increased developmental activities and
commercial exploitation of the natural resources has led to the depletion of many
important medicinal plant species raising concern among the various sections of the
society (Uniyal and Shiva, 2005). In Garhwal Himalaya, majority of herb collectors
are not trained. They collect the premature plant species from the natural habitats for
selling to any prospective buyers. This is affecting the population and regeneration of
medicinal plants in the wild. Many species of medicinal value are now at the brink of
extinction and most of them have been declared as threatened, rare, vulnerable or
endangered species depending on the available frequency in nature.
3
Traditional Local Healers
Bhotia Women of the StudyArea
4
The aim of the study was to document the significance of indigenous knowledge and
sustainable development and conservation through people’s participation (mainly
women) in the Himalayan region of Garhwal.
Study Area
The study was conducted in the area located at Latitude N3008’- 31 02’ and
Longitude E 79 12’- 80 19’ with large altitudinal range 1800 to 3500 amsl in
Chamoli district of Garhwal region which have unique topography, climate and soil
supporting diverse ecosystem, habitats, communities, richness and floral and faunal
species. The high percentages of endemic species richness itself identify the
conservation value of the area.
The area supports over 1,000 species of plants
including bryophytes, fungi and lichens. The community resides in this area belongs
to the Indo-Mongoloid (Bhotia) and Indo-Aryan tribal groups. Survey was conducted
in eight different villages of high altitude areas in Joshimath tehsil of Chamoli district
of Garhwal (Fig.1).
Local healers and resource persons mainly women, using
medicinal plants for curing of various diseases were interviewed for documenting the
information. To develop a data base on medicinal plants, all possible information has
been collected after conducting extensive field visits in the area. Study villages were
selected according altitudinal gradients (2000-3400 m) and habitat specification as to
cover maximum information to achieve the goal (Table 1).
Table- 1. Study Area villages
District
Chamoli
Tehsil
Villages
Altitude (M)
Habitat
Reni
Lata
Peng
2200
2300
2350
Temperate mixed forest
Temperate mixed forest
Temperate mixed forest
Tolma
Malari
2680
3100
Temperate mixed forest
Sub alpine
Bumpa
3300
Sub alpine
Gamshali
3300
Alpine
Niti
3400
Alpine
Joshimath
5
Faran (Allium stracheyi)
Kirmod (Berberis asiatica)
Collection and Traditional Processing of Drying Medicinal Plants
Malari Village
Niti Village
Study Area Landscape
6
Fig. 1- Map of Study Area Surveyed
Methodology Adopted
Documentation of Medicinal Plants and Indigenous Knowledge
Following methods were adopted to document and to generate relevant information on
the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants in the study area.
i.
Questionnaire Survey: Taxonomic and ethnobotanical information was
generated with the help of questionnaire. Local healers of the area are mainly
women, they were interviewed; their methods for curing of various diseases,
area of collection of medicinal plants, preparing the cultivation practices and
present demand was recorded.
ii.
Participatory Research Method: In additional to questionnaire survey,
participatory research method was used to document the information on all
aspects of medicinal plants including conservation practices adopted by the
7
community. Group meetings were conducted in the villages with the women,
local healers and other resource persons.
Results
During the survey conducted (October 2008-September 2009) eight villages of high
altitude areas of Chamoli district of Garhwal has been surveyed and documented the
use of prominent medicinal plants collected by the healers for curing various diseases
for the community. Some of the plant species were marketed by the local people for
income generation.
The collection was done from the forest areas near village
surrounds and alpine pastures. Detailed information about the medicinal plants, their
properties, area of collection, ethnomedicine uses have been provided:
1.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Season of Collection
Disease pattern
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Picrorhiza kurrooa
r
Scrophulariaceae
Kadu
2500 -3500 m amsl
Moist rocky slopes
Vegetative (Roots)
Sept-Oct
Roots are used for stomachache and fever
Root
Dried
Powder
2.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Season of collection
Disease pattern
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
Aconitum heterophyllum
Ranunculaceae
Atees
3000-3500 m amsl
Grassland
Vegetative (Roots)
Sept-Oct
Roots are used of fever, rheumatism and
stomachache
Root
Dried
Powder
8
(1)
Kutki (Picrorhiza kurrooa)
(2)
Atees (Aconitum heterophyllum)
(3)
Ban Kakadi (Podophyllum hexandrum)
(4)
Mahamaida (Polygonatum verticillatum)
(5)
Dolu (Rheum austral)
(6)
Faran (Allium stracheyi)
(7)
Choru (Angelica glauca)
(8)
Pashan Bhed (Bergenia ciliate)
(9)
Ban Tulsi (Origanum vulgare)
(10)
Chirayata (Swertia chirayata)
(11)
Burans
(Rhododendron arboretum)
(12)
Kirmod (Berberis asiatica)
9
(13)
Dhoop Lakkad (Jurinea dolomiaea)
(14)
Dalchini (Cinnamomum tamala)
(15)
Jatamansi (Nardostachys grandiflora)
(16)
Hath Panja (Dactylorhiza hatagirea)
10
3.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Season of collection
Disease pattern
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Podophyllum hexandrum
Podophyllaceae
Ban kakari
2200 -3000 m amsl
Forest
Vegetative (Roots)
June-July
Roots are used in the treatment of septic wounds
Roots
Dried
Powder
4.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Season of Collection
Disease pattern
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Polygonatum verticillatum
Liliaceae
Maha maida
2200 – 2700 m amsl
Forest
Vegetative (Roots)
Aug-Sep
Used in the urinary problems
Roots
Dried
Powder
5.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Season of collection
Disease pattern
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
Rheum australe
Polygonaceae
Dolu
3000 -3400 m amsl
Moist bouldery slopes
Vegetative (Roots)
July- Aug
Treatment of internal injuries, bone fracture,
indigestion, general weakness
Roots
Dried/Fresh
Paste
6.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Season of collection
Disease pattern
Plant part used
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Allium stracheyi
Amaryllidaceae
Faran
2500-3000 m amsl
Moist bouldery slopes and alpine pasture
July- Aug
Used in indigestion and spices
Entire plant
11
Nature of plant part used
:
Use of medicine in the form of:
Mode of preparation
:
Dried/Fresh
Dried plant
Threshed pieces
7.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Season of Collection
Disease pattern
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Angelica glauca
Apiaceae
Choru
2500-3000 m amsl
Cool temperate, sub-alpine forests
Roots
Sept-Oct
Roots used in the cure of stomach disorders
Roots
Dried
Powder
8.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Season of collection
Disease pattern
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
Bergenia ciliata
Saxifragaceae
Silpharu
1500-2000 m amsl
Moist rooky slopes
Rhizome
Sept-Oct
Rhizome used in the cure of kidney stone and
internal wounds
Rhizome
Dried
Powder
9.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Sampling technique
Season of collection
Disease pattern
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
Origanum vulgare
Lamiaceae
Ban Tulsi
3000 - 3400 m amsl
Sub-alpine forests to Alpine meadows
Leaves
Bulk
July-Aug
Leaves are used toothache and swelling, making
tea
Leaves
Fresh/Dried
Others (leaves and inflorescence)
12
10.
Botanical name
Family name
Local
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Sampling technique
Season of collection
Disease pattern
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Swertia chirayata
Gentianaceae
Chirayata
2000 -2700 m amsl
Moist temperate forests
Leaves
Selective
July-Aug
Leaves are used in blood disease
Leaves
Fresh/Dried
Powder
11.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Season of collection
Disease pattern
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
Rhododendron arboreum
Ericaceae
Burans
2000-2700 m amsl
Moist temperate forests
Flowers
March-April
Flower juice is used in headache and blood
dysentery
Flowers
Fresh
Decoction
12.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Season of Collection
Disease pattern
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
Berberis asiatica
Berberidaceae
Kingor
1500-2500 m amsl
Open forest
Roots
March-April
Roots are used to cure of ulcer, jaundice and
fever
Roots
Dried
Powder
13.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
:
:
:
:
:
Jurinea dolomiaea
Asteraceae
Dhoop
2600-3300 m amsl
Alpine meadows
13
Collection stage
Season of Collection
Disease Pattern
:
:
:
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
Roots
Sept - Oct
Roots are extracted for making incense and used
in fever
Roots
Dried
Powder
14.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Season of collection
Disease pattern
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Cinnamomum tamala
Lauraceae
Dalchini
1500-2500 m amsl
Temperate Forest
Leaves
April-May
Leaves are used in Cold, Nausea & Vomiting
Leaves
Dried/Fresh
-
15.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Season of collection
Disease pattern
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Nardostachys grandiflora
Valerianaceae
Mansi
2000-2800 m amsl
Shady, Moist Rocks
Roots
Sept-Oct
Roots are highly prized as incense, Heart tonic
Roots
Dried
Powder
16.
Botanical name
Family
Local name
Altitude
Habitat
Collection stage
Sampling technique
Season of collection
Disease pattern
Plant part used
Nature of plant part used
Mode of preparation
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
Dactylorhiza hatagirea
Orchidaceae
Hathpanja
3000-3500 m amsl
Shady, moist area
Rhizome
Selective
Sept - Oct
Rhizome are highly prized for stomach pain
Rhizome
Dried
Powder
14
Acknowledgements
We are thankful to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) New Delhi for
providing financial assistance to conduct the study. Thanks to Dr. Gajendra Singh,
(DST, Young Scientist) Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun for identification of
medicinal plants.
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