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Kunwar RM, Bussmann RW. Ethnobotany in the Nepal Himalaya. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2008 Dec 2;4:24. Review. PMID: 19055723

Investigators at the Ethnobotanical Society of Nepal and Missouri Botanical Garden partnered for this comprehensive review of indigenous knowledge and use of plant resources in Himalayan Nepal. Their analysis included more than 200 studies focusing on ethnobotany, ethnomedicine, and diversity of medicinal plants, carried out over the past three decades.

The article underscores the importance of diverse Himalayan flora to medical systems throughout Asia:

"Asia represents one of the most important centers of knowledge with regard to the use of plant species for treatment of various diseases. Examples are the Ayurveda, Amchi (traditional healing system of Tibet and mountain areas of Nepal), Siddha, Unani, and Chinese systems of medical care. Folklore medicinal systems (traditional healing and faith healing) are also important in Nepal. In this context, it is interesting to note that the Himalayan medicinal plants are the major contributors to the aforementioned systems. The topographical characteristics of the Himalayas have resulted in a variety of ecological niches that host diverse medicinal plants. It has been estimated that the Himalayan region harbors over 10,000 species of medicinal and aromatic plants, supporting the livelihoods of about 600 million people living in the area. The Nepal Himalayas include about 2,000 species with medicinal and aromatic values, and more than 1,400 of these are known to be used locally particularly as medicines."

The authors approach ethnobotany and ethnomedicine as integral elements of the public health, culture, environment, and economies of the Himalayas, concluding that "Enhancing the sustainable use and conservation of indigenous knowledge of useful and medicinal plants may benefit and improve the living standard of poor people."

CAMWatch: Posts about free-access, peer-reviewed articles on aspects of complementary medicine theory, practice and policy (about the blogger). This blog is not a source for medical advice.

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