Traditional Herbalists

Abstract

North-Western Himalayas are the treasure house of medicinal plants. For several generations, the local inhabitants have been collecting plants to use them as medicine. The plant gatherers have different sets of techniques for herb extraction. In case of disease, the people, visit traditional herbalists, who examine the patient and make diagnosis. They are capable of treating a variety of disorders. Herbalists usually prescribe medicines which are in the form of powders, decoctions, medicated oils, creams and ointments. They claim that the information they possess, has been passed on to them as a part of the family traditions. The healers are capable of treating the common ailments, and some even specialize in certain areas ranging from pediatric medicine to orthopedic medicine and from snake bite to traditional birth attendant. The traditional medical system has persisted in the region for a very long time, its healing significance and what is retainable of this system and how these can be upgraded through education, licensing and incorporation into state health planning still needs to be linked.