Blog

Ramprakash Kumar

An investigation was conducted in tribal dominated blocks of Angara, Burmu, Ormanjhi, Kanke and Silli blocks of Ranchi district to collect the information about the resources, processing and treatment tribal medicine used against different diseases. The study indicated that local doctors (baidya) were very much aware of the herbal resources for preparation of drugs in those respective areas. The diverse natural plant resources were utilized by the baidya and collected from forest as well as the village surrounding areas. The novel innovation as well as indigenous technology used to save the tribal people from different diseases generation after generation. As their day to day need was totally dependent on the forest and they obtain food, medicine, shelter and other food materials from plants. It was well established fact that their vast knowledge and wisdom in respect to plants is noteworthy. During the course of survey the descriptions including vernacular names, botanical names, parts of plant used and processing technology were also documented. The study indicated that processing of these medicine was very simple and doses given to the patients according to the age. It was interesting to note that prepared drugs can be stored for long time. It has been observed that the traditional knowledge on use of medicinal plants is disappearing fast among the younger generation mainly due to the fact that the pertinent knowledge are not properly passed on them by knowledgeable elderly persons. Therefore, younger generation of the areas should be encouraged by the Government to protect and cultivate these valuable herbal plants before they get lost due to the impact of modernization and also due to deforestation.

Key words: tribal medicine, resources, processing, treatment