Title : Existing traditional folk-lore remedies in Tharu ethnic community of Dang Valley of Nepal
Abstract:
Background: The Tharus are culturally and linguistically diverse, marginalised ethnic community in Terai region of Nepal. They are said to have been the first to settle in the Dang Valley, which was once a thriving centre of Tharu civilisation. However, due to exploitation by the upper castes, many Tharus were forced to migrate to the dense forests of Terai. This group has a variety of ethnic characteristics that are embedded with ethnomedicinal knowledge that is being practiced in their daily activities, as well as in their traditions and culture. The Tharu traditional healers known as Guruwa, Baidawa, and Sorhiniya use plants, minerals, animal products, and mantras to treat a variety of ailments. The main goals of this research were to assess the current situation of practices of indigenous medical knowledge and its resources and to discover the methods and techniques to manage common illnesses by Tharu traditional healers.
Methodology: This study was a cross-sectional study that was carried out from June to November 2024 among the traditional healers of the Tharu ethnic community who live in the Dang Valley of Nepal. The participants were selected using a convenient sampling method, and the data was collected using semi-structured interviews and standard questionnaires. Demographic information, professional information, knowledge and practices, herbs, minerals, animal products and herbal compositions etc. were gathered by close-ended questions. The name of the diseases those healers are treating, medicinal resources they used, diagnosis process, and treatment process were asked with open-ended questions. There were 20 participants in all, 15 of whom were male and 5 of them were female. Certain characteristics, including sex, patient age, and participants' educational status, were measured using a quantitative approach. Knowledge and practice-related data were evaluated through semi-structured or predetermined thematic areas.
Result: It was found that the majority of Tharu traditional healers lacked a formal education.. They learnt the healing practices from their Forefathers and Gurus. Baidawa were found using medicinal plants, minerals and certain animal products for madications while Guruwa were prescribing all these products together with some rituals like worshiping specific Gods, Goddesses, offering them alcohol, chanting mantra in various ways and by sacrificing animals or some varieties of green vegetables. Diarrhoea, dysentery, pneumonia, fever, jaundice, asthma, anorexia, gastritis, poisoning, wounds, skin diseases, stones, epilepsy, paralysis, arthritis, menstrual problems, infertility, contraception, psychological problems like phobias, and many more ailments have been found to be treated by Tharu traditional healers. The cure and follow-up rates were excellent. Over 150 medicinal plants, minerals, and animal products were documented as being used by them to cure a wide range of illnesses.
Conclusion: The Tharu people of Dang Valley make significant use of traditional medicines and healing methods. Many of them continue to practise indigenous and traditional medical knowledge and practices as part of their family tradition and culture. Each person has a different perspective on diseases, their causes, diagnosis, treatment, and the utilisation of local resources, preparation techniques, and calculating medication dosages for specific conditions. Nonetheless, their understanding and application of these indigenous medicinal resources and treatment modalties are based on traditional beliefs, yet they remain equally effective. Such medicinal resources require chemical exploration to identify bioactive compounds accurately, and their treatment modalities require scientific evaluation to ensure effective integration with contemporary healthcare practices.
