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Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge
Resources of Himachal Region: A
Need for Scientific Processing and
Networking
Presented By:
 Prof. I. V. Malhan, Professor, Department of LIS, University of
Jammu
 Ms. Samita Wadhera, Research Scholar, Department of LIS,
University of Jammu.
People around the globe have tested herbs and other plant
sources for prevention and cure of diseases and well being of
human beings. During difficult situations of famine and food
scarcity, mankind made every possible effort for survival.
• Thousands of people died in African region due to famine but
some who tried Blue Green algae from a pond as last resort
for survival, could survive as this algae provided all the
essential nutrients for life. This algae is now scientifically
processed and marketed as a food supplement.
• In the best circumstances, we should all live to be about 120
years. In Tibet there are people living to be about 125 years
old. They attribute to their longevity to blood circulation and
the daily consumption of herbs.
• Reports from South Africa tell us that Ostriches that were fed
alfalfa produced stronger babies and their feathers had
extremely brilliant and beautiful new color
India is recognized as one of the world’s top “Twelve
Mega diversity” nations. The country has some of the
richest, oldest and diverse cultural traditions associated
with various aspects and one of the aspects is the use of
medicinal plants which is still amply practiced in several
parts of India.
India has the indigenous plant based medicine
system known as Ayurveda that works for
complete cure of the body without leaving any
side effects. The ancient Indian scriptures have a
mention of several plants and their medicinal
value.
• Rig-veda is having description of 99 medicinal plants
• Yajur-veda is having description of 82 plants
• Atharva-veda deals with 288 plants almost all having
medicinal value and were used for deadly disease
Very few countries in the world can boast of
the variety and vastness of traditional
knowledge that India has.
• The traditional knowledge is widely scattered, confined to
pockets of populations and sometimes rarely known beyond the
boundaries of particular communities.
• Traditional knowledge if properly processed may lead to some
breakthroughs in medical and pharmaceutical research
activities.
• Some of the traditional knowledge is existing in oral form and is
transferred from one generation to the next generation through
verbal communication and there are no documentary records.
• Closer interaction between herb collectors communities of plant
based medical practitioners and scientists will create miracles.
Threats to Indigenous Medicinal
Knowledge
• The extinction of many useful plant species due to increasing
temperature and rapid deforestation is leading to erosion of indigenous
knowledge base of local communities. When there are difficulties in
collecting herbs and other plant sources, the related practices to cure
diseases face a set back.
• The non-availability of herbs and other plant based raw materials
compel some practitioners to opt for other professions and hence
seriously affect the traditional knowledge practices.
• Migration of younger people to cities for taking up employment;
breakage of joint family system profoundly influenced the transfer of
indigenous. Knowledge.
• Lack of knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants, time of
collection, plant parts used, storage and preparation or formulation as
the local healers don’t pass their knowledge to other members of the
community as it is their only source of income and they also fear that
it could be misused.
Himachal Pradesh
• Beautiful hill state in northern India nestled in western
Himalayas.
• Landlocked with the Tibetan plateau to the east, Jammu
and Kashmir to the north, and the Punjab to the west.
• Home for several medicinal plants and indigenous
knowledge practices
• Abode of Rishis and munies, like Vyasa, Bhardwaja,
Kalidas and the legendary Pandavas
• Ayurveda has had its origin in Himachal, with the first
ever seminar being held here (Charak Samhita)
• Jantras, mantras coupled with herbs are still being used
to cure peelia, snake/scorpion bites, rabies, bone
fractures, gangrenes, body pains, eczema, childbirth etc.
Jan-Jan Sanjivani Van Abhiyan
• The Chief Minister launched this Abhiyan on August 3rd,
2008 and the forest department and people of the state
were actively involved in this program.
• The flora of the state consists of around 3500 species of
plants.
• Of these around 800 species (including a few introduced
in the region) are attributed to have the medicinal value.
• 60 medicinal plant species from the state have been
categorized as red-listed (12 species being ‘critically
endangered’, 21 species being ‘endangered’ and 27
species being ‘vulnerable’)
• 15,15,027 medicinal saplings were planted on a single
day as every family in the rural and urban areas of the
state participated in the campaign
Himachal Pradesh bordering the Tibetan region of
China is known for some of the rare herbs.
Codyceps sinensis is a fungus that is popularly known as winter worm
and summer grass because its morphology changes with change in
seasons.
In case its propagation is encouraged in high altitudes of Himachal, it can
enormously improve the socio-economic conditions of cultivators as its
exports are worth nuggets of gold.
Himachal is not only a place for less known miracle
herbs but also known for some of the miracle healers
practicing indigenous knowledge.
Jeet Ram of Kandhakhat died when he was 104 years old. “On an
average, he examined more than 100 patients every day and
stories abound on how he cured thousands of people of cancer,
diabetes, hypertension, gynecological disorders, arthritis, gout,
gangrene, mental disorders, skin disorders, barrenness, heart
ailments, etc…. A team of five American doctors visited this
miracle healer to find out as to how he cured patients of these
deadly diseases without the intervention of modern medicines and
surgical techniques” (Chib, 2002).
Janta Clinic in Gharoh, District Kangra
Clinic has been run by Dr. Lachhman Singh Thakur who has:
• an indigenous method of diagnosis of disease with the help of a unique
mirror.
• diagnoses the body of the patient with the help of this specialized mirror
• informs the patient about the problem and then prescription is given.
• patients from distance places from all over Northern India visit the clinic
because of his unique way of diagnosis of disease.
• It takes around 20-30 minutes to diagnose a patient.
• After diagnosis of the problem, initiates treatments of the diseases mainly
through the prescription of herbal medicines
In a personal interview he refused on comment on the unique
characteristics of the mirror and simply replied that it is his personal
experience and he only can diagnose the problem areas of the body with
the help of this mirror.
Some of the patients present in the clinic were also asked about the
effectiveness and accuracy of this diagnosis technique. The patients
replied that they are fully satisfied regarding the diagnosis of their
medical problem.
Interviews were also conducted with some
people associated with collection of medicinal
plants and preparation of plant based
medicines in the higher altitudes of the
Himachal Pradesh.
• People living in higher altitudes like Lahul-Spiti and adjoining
areas conveyed that the climate is so fine here that they
rarely fall ill and generally don’t need any type of medicine.
• Due to medicinal plants in the area and clean air, the breeze
that blows carries good health molecules rather than germs.
• The medicinal value of most of the herbs is known to local
people.
• As a joint venture of Himachal Pradesh Voluntary Health
Association and La Maison des Himalayas; a non-profit
association registered in France, a physio/occupational therapy
unit functions in Kulu for physically challenged children.
• A visit to the centre revealed that treatment is administered
with the help of equipment, thermotherapy and local massage
therapy.
• A visit to MacLeod Ganj area of Dharamshala revealed that
several yoga and massage centres are functioning in the area
for health, rejuvenation and fitness. A number of foreigners
visit this area for health and solace. Some of the shops sell
Tibetan herbs and there are physicians who operate the
Tibetan system of medicine.
• Himachal Pradesh is also gifted with hot springs, hot caves and
mud that help to cure different types of skin problems, body
pains, joint and bone problems. There are also naturopathy
hospitals and thermotherapy clinics.
Local Vaids
• In most of the rural communities a vaid is working
for the well being of the people of the local area.
• Vaids are either specialist to deal with specific
diseases or undertake general treatment for all
diseases.
• Vaids have their own unique methods of treatment.
• The Vaids don’t disclose the indigenous knowledge
methods they employ for treatment of diseases.
• Oral interviews were conducted with Vaid Ji of
Bhaklydar, Nimat Ram Vaid of Shaiah Grass, Fouji
Vaid of Bajura, Taj Mohd Khan Vaid of Maler Kotla,
Raj D. Das Vaid of Hadimba Road.
How to preserve the Indigenous Knowledge
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Scientists may look beyond their laboratories and establish linkages with indigenous
knowledge practitioners to utilize indigenous knowledge for modern research. Linkages
between pharmaceutical companies and traditional knowledge practitioners can also help
the pharmaceutical industries to test and develop new formulations.
Communities practicing potential indigenous knowledge based systems require to be
incentivized for disclosing their ideas in the larger public interest and be made aware of the
system of filing patents to protect their knowledge, ideas and practices.
Most of the practitioners of indigenous knowledge don’t know how to create a commercial
value out of their ideas. Industries and scientific organizations; NGOs may help such
communities to create economic value out of their ideas.
India has enormous potential for export of plant based raw materials for developing health
care products and government should encourage this sector.
There are several efforts like TKDL, foundation for revitalization of local health traditions
etc. going on to create databases of indigenous knowledge but what is lacking is synergy
and coordination in such efforts and one organization may not be knowing what the other
is doing.
A systematic and coordinated effort is desired at the national level to explore such resources
and develop suitable databases of documents and consultants in the interest of the people
of India.
Public libraries independently or in the collaboration with other organizations can play a
major role in collection and organization of information pertaining to their areas of
operation and create a database of available information.