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