According to the 2011 census, India is home to 104 million people who are classified as tribes [about 8.6% of the country's population] and belong to more than 550 tribal communities and about 277 ethnic groups. The tribal community is fully committed to the forest environment, and over the years, because life is so close to nature, they have acquired unique knowledge about the use of local resources. Given their valuable knowledge of the specific use of large numbers of wild plants, they can almost be considered true guardians of medicinal plants. There is a growing understanding of the critical role that medicinal plants play in providing herbs for health conditions. According to a study conducted by the All India Ethnic Biology Coordination Research Project [AICRPE], more than 10,000 species of wild plant species have been reported to be used to meet their primary health and food needs. In addition, there are more than two million traditional medicinal plants used by more than two million traditional therapists to treat human and livestock diseases. Traditional medicine passed down from generation to generation is rich in recipes for common health diseases in China. The most famous examples of traditional medicine, which differ in concept and scheme, are developed systems, such as Ayurvedic and herbal treatments, which have been widely used to maintain human health, especially in tribal areas of India.

1. Bhokar / Shelti – treatment of kidney stones, diarrhea and stomach problems

2. Karvand – a source rich in iron, phosphorus and vitamin C

Patari – For ichthyosis [skin scales], dry skin disease [dry skin]. Crushed roots and used extracts

4. Kadu kand – can eat cooked bulb slices to relieve stomach pain, while heartwood paste is used to treat wounds

5. Tetu – for women with leucorrhea and menorrhagia

Traditional medicine – links to maternal and child health

Traditional medicine is vital and has contributed significantly to the health care of mothers and children in tribal areas. The Jawhar block in the Palghar district of Maharashtra is a tribal block rich in biodiversity, especially for rice varieties with specific characteristics and uses. Tribal farmers have planted a variety of rice varieties for food security, instant energy supply and medicinal work during peak hours. This wonderful diversity of rice provides the basis for a nutritious and safe diet for the vulnerable groups of the tribal population, mothers, pregnant and lactating women, and young children.

Various ongoing studies by different NGOs such as the BAIF Development Research Foundation in different tribal areas of Maharashtra have found many rice varieties with specific medicinal properties and uses. For example, a rice variety called “Mahadi” has multiple health benefits; one of them is to cure the weakness of women after pregnancy. Other rice varieties include Rajghudya and Kali Kudai [for increasing breast milk in lactating women]; Kali Khadsi [children's growth and nutrition]; Kasbai [for nebulization, immediate relief of cough] and Dangi [for immediate energy boost], etc. .

In addition, the traditional kitchen serves as an internal medical supplies store. There is a lack of appropriate medical centers in the tribal areas. As a result, most children give birth at home rather than at the hospital. The speed of agency delivery is slowly increasing, but there is still a long way to go before becoming a rule, not an exception. Since most births are carried out at home, traditional midwives play an important role in the tribal areas. One of the approaches taken by rural midwives is to use materials such as cow dung as a disinfectant in the house to help prevent various diseases. Various homemade medicines for mothers and children, mainly herbal medicines, are also mainly used for prescriptions. Restoring a mother to its original physiological state is a challenge often used by local therapists.

Habitat loss – threat to traditional medicine

The imminent threat to the further spread of traditional medicine is the loss of habitat. Unregulated harvests of wild produce and ecological degradation lead to widespread depletion of resources and landless tribes [even those who own land continue to lose land to governments or private companies] are some of the factors that pose serious and growing threats. Protect indigenous foods and traditional medicinal plants.

In addition, indigenous species, especially rice biodiversity, are gradually being eroded. Most native rice varieties are being replaced by high-yield varieties. These high-yield varieties did not result in a significant increase in production in the region. Most farmers, especially resource-poor tribal farmers, cannot afford high-quality, expensive fertilizers that are often recommended with these varieties.

Tribal Therapist – Traditional Knowledge Erosion and Threats to Livelihoods

In addition, traditional medicine and treatment methods in tribal areas have gradually lost their practical knowledge in the past few decades. This has led to poor health in the most vulnerable groups of the tribal population. Many factors have contributed to this erosion of knowledge. The most pressing issues related to knowledge erosion are: a] lack of incentives and recognition. For example, scientists and researchers collect data and publish their research, but often fail to give appropriate approval to the therapist. In addition, Ayurveda and antagonistic companies extract knowledge for research and development purposes, but generally do not share profits with tribal therapists; b] lack appropriate literature on traditional treatments; c] broken intergenerational connections [affecting older age] The spread of ancient knowledge and traditions of people and the younger generation].

It is well known that tribal therapists use their own medical systems and plant and animal extracts. However, in the recent past, factors such as aversion to low-income traditional treatments; gradual shifts to more profitable alternative livelihoods; greater reliance on non-traditional treatments and high levels of modern medicine are threatening traditional medical traditions. diffusion. Native tribal therapists are precious but still a neglected place.

Traditional medicine is both important and cost-effective [related to hospital care] and ensures self-reliance on health care due to increased dependence on local biodiversity. It must be driven by much-needed efforts.

In addition, most traditional therapists lack the legal power to cure. Herbal therapists need to be identified and respected. These unsung heroes need to be brought into the formal health care system in India to provide unhindered services to the poor in the village. In addition, it is equally important to remove unqualified therapists. These therapists serve most of the internal and underserved tribal areas. Therefore, appropriate regulatory and government policy actions and support will help simplify traditional treatments.

As state-managed modern medicine-based healthcare systems are unable to cope with the country's enormous health challenges, coupled with a severe shortage of resources, and trained health personnel to effectively serve everyone, traditional treatments must be re-started. wheel. Traditional knowledge sharing, rich biodiversity conservation, and increased awareness of tribal treatment practices by increasing awareness of traditional therapists and thus ensuring their livelihoods are time needs. In addition, providing much-needed impetus to time-tested traditional medical practices is critical to ensuring better health care for all segments of society, especially the most vulnerable parts of the country's tribal areas.

Traditional treatment practice – implications for health care was originally published on Spring