The Study of Ethnobotanical Uses by Local Healers in Taktse Chiwog from Central Bhutan
Dorji Penjor *
Taktse Central School, Ministry of Education, Trongsa, Bhutan.
Taw Tshering
Taktse Central School, Ministry of Education, Trongsa, Bhutan.
Gangaram Bhattaria
College of Language and Culture Studies, Royal University of Bhutan, Trongsa, Bhutan.
Tshering Namgay
College of Language and Culture Studies, Royal University of Bhutan, Trongsa, Bhutan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To document the ethnobotanical uses in Taktse Chiwog (Village blocks) by local healers.
Study Design: Semi-structured interview and direct interview was conducted with the prior approval from the Chiwog official. Two local healers/informants were contacted for interview before field visits based on their popularity and experience of using medicinal plants in their locality.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Taktse Chiwog, Trongsa Dzongkhag, Bhutan between July and October 2019.
Methodology: Two local healers were identified based on their experience on ethno medical practice. Multiple approaches were taken such as botanical inventories, collection of plant specimens, semi-structured and direct interviews with local healers including free listing (FL) and preference ranking (PR) to collect the information on medicinal use/s using questionnaires.
Results: Eighty Two plant species from forty nine families were recorded with their ethno medicinal uses by the local healers against various ailments and diseases.
Conclusion: This study suggests that most of the medicinal plants available within locality are commonly used by the healers for the treating different diseases, dislocation and fracture of musculoskeletal system.
Keywords: Taktse Chiwog, local healers, Traditional Knowledge (TK), medicinal plants, local name, ethno medical preparation, preference ranking and treatment