Traditional use of medicinal plants for curation of liver cirrhosis, tuberculosis and other associated health issues in Pin Valley National Park, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present paper deals with the local community's traditional utilization of medicinal plants through their specialized health care practitioners called Amchies to treat some major health issues, i.e., hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB) and other associated health issues in Pin Valley National Park (PVNP), Himachal Pradesh. A preliminary survey was conducted to identify the traditional healthcare practitioners covering all 13 villages (2270 souls in 545 households). Information on medicinal plants used and the mode of preparation was collected from informants. The primary data on the status of hepatitis, TB patients was collected from 93 households randomly from 13 villages and secondary data from hospitals and other archival records. Plants' use value and fidelity level were calculated to understand the importance and preference of plants species in use for treating ailments. A total of 17 plant species belonging to eight different families and an animal Vulpes vulpes (Red fox) were utilized. Males are more prone to hepatitis infection (23.7%) as compared to females (16.1%). The overall infection rate was 39.8%. The male age group 31-60 was found highly infected whereas in the female 15-30 age group. TB infection was more or less similar in both male and female cases (6.5%) and (8.6%), respectively. Overall TB infection was (15.1%). The majority of plants exhibit high use value, Fidelity level, and other cultural values. These plant species are extremely rare and threatened. In this study, specific details regarding the usage of medicinal plants, their methods of preparation, and dosages are offered.