Ethnomedicinal Knowledge of Medicinal Plants and Animals Among the Tharu Community of Kohalpur Municipality, Banke, Nepal

Abstract

Tharu is one of the indigenous tribes, living in harmony with nature along the Terai region of Nepal. They are well known for the indigenous knowledge and traditional practices to utilize local resources for their livelihood and health care. This survey was carried out to document key knowledge them, related to medicinal uses of biological products in Kohalpur, Banke, Nepal. The survey was designed with semi structured questionnaire in addition to snowball sampling method for the selection of respondents. A total of 80 informants were interviewed, including 13 local healers (Guruwas). Altogether 26 plant species belonging to 22 families, and 14 animal species under 10 families were recorded for the treatment of 32 different ailments. Plants were from families Lythraceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae, and Zingiberaceae; while animals were from Bovidae, and Phasianidae. Plant species were mostly herb, while mammalian products were widely used among animals. Commonly used plant parts were fruits, leaves, and seeds, whereas whole-body meat among animals. Plant ingredients were mostly consumed raw while cooked animal products highly preferred than raw. Regarding application mode, both plant and animal products had common oral application. The highest frequency of citation was found for plant species Kalanchoe pinnata (FC = 88.75%) and animal species Bellamya bengalensis (FC = 96.25%) with coldness (FC = 90%) as most common ailment. Common but underestimated folk knowledge on these natural resources may have significant future contribution to pharmacognosy and health care system.