Ethnomedicine
Nature, Spirit, and Medicine: Ethnomedical Traditions of the Manger Community in the Sikkim Himalayas
Dhami-Jhankri, Ethnomedicine, Indigenous Knowledge, Medical Anthropology, Medicinal plants, Sustainable harvestingBy: NISHA THAPA MANGER – This paper presents an integrated ethnographic and ethnobotanical account of the Manger community (also spelled Mangar and identified as Magar in Nepal) in the Sikkim Himalayas. Based on fieldwork in the villages of Mangsari and Suldung in West Sikkim, the study examines the Dhami-Jhankri shamanic healing tradition, the community’s pluralistic…
Study of the rural health system from the perspective of medical anthropology
By: KANKANA DE – Medical anthropologists focus on community, social organisation, and observe that tribal people often prefer to use homemade medicines. For example, they apply turmeric paste to wounds and cuts, and use neem leaves for measles. Primary health care forms the foundation of the health care system. Anthropologists are involved in supporting marginalised…
Ethnomedical Practices among the Sangtam Naga of Tuensang Town, Nagaland
By: THERI SANGTAM, ROBERT ANGKANG SHIMRAY – This study examines the ethnomedical practices of the Sangtam Naga community in Tuensang Town, Nagaland, from a medical anthropology perspective. Based on 23 days of fieldwork, the research records 23 plant-based and 9 animal-based remedies used in traditional healing. Informed by theories of medical pluralism, ecological anthropology, and…
Some Traditional plants used by the Ahoms in health management and medicine in upper Assam, India
By: DALI DUTTA – Various identified and unidentified plant species are used by different communities in the state for the treatment of a number of diseases. However, the ethnomedicinal practices of the Ahom community of the state are hardly known. Therefore, an attempt was made to study the ethnomedicinal practices of these communities. The Ahoms…
Sustainability and Change in Ethnomedicinal Practice and Healing Systems of the Traditional Fishing Communities in Coastal West Bengal
Common diseases, Curative systems, Ethnomedicine, India, Medicinal plants, Sustainability and change, Traditional fishing communities, West Bengal coastBy: SUMAN KALYAN SAMANTA, KUNDAN GHOSH – The present paper deals with ethnomedicinal practices of the traditional fishing communities in the coastal areas of West Bengal. The traditional fishermen have used various medicinal plants for curing health-related problems and diseases for a long time. The ethnomedicinal system among them is quite diverse and old. In…
Ethnomedicinal Knowledge and Practices: A Study among the Khamtis of Assam
By: KURANGANA HAZARIKA, UPALA BARUA – Ethnomedicine refers to the traditional healing system which is closely related to natureand indigenous knowledge of people. Indigenous knowledge is characterised by the fact that itis oral and exists only in the minds of the people. It is shared through generations to generationsorally. Documenting ethnomedicines as an integral part…
An Investigation on the Effects that the Local Flora and Fauna Have on the Health Care Practices among the Hill Karbis of the East Karbi Anglong District in the Indian State of Assam
By: ARIFUR ZAMAN – Based on an empirical anthropological study conducted in that area, this paper describes the impact of the surrounding plant ecology on the health sphere of the Karbis of Kakojan village in the East Karbi Anglong district of Assam, as well as the various ethno-medicinal practices prevalent among them as a means…
Traditional Healing Practices and the Role of Traditional Health Care Practitioners among Kulung Rai community in Sikkim
Disease, Ethnomedicine, health, Illness, India, Kulung, Medical Anthropology, Rai, Shaman, Sikkim, Traditional healer, Traditional healing practices, Traditional healthcare practitionerBy: TENZING ZANGMU LEPCHA – Kulung is one of the clans under Rai community in Sikkim. Traditionally, among Kulung Rai, the concept of somodakha/tobburiri (health), tukkha (illness) and somori (disease) are completely directed by their belief in supernatural beings and have their own traditional system to deal with. Traditional healers have the most important role to play in Kulung Rai society…
Health Perceptions and Ethnomedicinal Practices among the Tai Khamti in Namsai District of Arunachal Pradesh, India
By: HEEROCK JYOTI BARUAH – With the current pace of globalisation and increased anthropogenic activities, forest resources are rapidly deteriorating. Consequently, the primary challenge to the forest fringe communities is the reduction of biodiversity and the gradual change in climatic conditions. Such societies are naturally dependent on the forest resources for their livelihoods and the…
Lakoraj. A study on ethno-botany of the Esfedan in the east of Iran
By: SOMAYYEH SAMEHSALARI, KOOHYAR MOHSENPOUR, ZAHRA SOLTANI LARKANI, MOHAMMADHADI MANSORI – The ethnobotany of the medicinal plants of Esfedan in the South Khorasan province is significant to understand the cultures and traditions of the Esfedan people. We documented 19 medicinal plant species belonging to 12 families and also focused on the specification of the application,…
An Ethnomedicinal Study Among the Gond of Chhattisgarh: India
By: DINESH MISHRA, ARTI BROKER – An ethno-medicinal survey was carried out among the Gond tribal community residing in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh State, India. Gond is the largest tribal community of India. They are widely distributed all over the India. 40 traditional healers were contacted and in depth interviewed to gather their knowledge…