Ethno-Medicinal Practices among the Limbu Community in Limbuwan, Eastern Nepal

Abstract

Limbuwan is the land inhabited and dominated by the indigenous Limbu people. The Limbu are very rich in ethno-medicinal knowledge and culture as well. The main objective of this work is to document the ethno-medicinal knowledge of the Limbu community with semistructured interviews and questionnaire methods. A total of 225 species, in 191 genera and 92 families, in terms of life form, 100 herb species, 48 tree species, 46 shrub species and 25 climber species were documented as medicinal plants in Limbuwan. Among these, 52 species are used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, 40 species for cut-wound-burn (CWB). The ethnomedicinal treatments are performed by Limbu healers (Phedangma) who have immense knowledge of ethno-medicine. Among the various categories, 112 species for oral administration, 92 species in extract form and root part of 67 species are used in Limbu community. This study found that the Limbu community uses more plants than other ethnic communities. Despite the efficacy of the indigenous knowledge it is gradually eroding day by day in the name of civilization.