Working Paper: 491

Knowledge and Practice of Ethno-Medicine by Jaunsaris
in Jaunsar-Bawar Region of Uttarakhand

Geeta Sahu

 

Abstract

Tribal societies have always been rich with their indigenous knowledge derived from their ancestors which they have been using since centuries in every space of their lives. Health is one such major domain where treatment for various illness and diseases is carried on with ethno medicines or various other forms of indigenous health practices. This paper explores such practices of ethno- medicine to treat various diseases or illness among the Jaunsari tribal community. The information was collected through in-depth interviews with various traditional health practitioners using ethnographic research approach in Jaunsar-Bawar region of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. It was found that people in Jaunsari community use various ethno medicines found locally in the hills of Himalayas and Shivalik range. They use these plants to treat various diseases, infections and skin problems. Some cases of early stage cancer have been also been successfully treated by the local traditional healers.

Working Papers