Ethnomedicinal Uses of Plant Resources in the Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski District, Nepal
<b>Background:</b> Medicinal plants are being used by the majority of the population throughout the world for their primary health care needs. The reliance is also prevalent in Nepal, aided by its ethnic and biological diversity. This study aimed to catalogue the ethnomedicinal knowledge...
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doaj-836c5f7c28a643d39c837425813206342020-11-25T01:30:14ZengMDPI AGMedicines2305-63202019-06-01626910.3390/medicines6020069medicines6020069Ethnomedicinal Uses of Plant Resources in the Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski District, NepalMahendra Adhikari0Rashmi Thapa1Ripu Mardhan Kunwar2Hari Prasad Devkota3Prakash Poudel4Department of Pharmacy, Novel Academy, Purbanchal University, Pokhara 33700, NepalSchool of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Pokhara 33700, NepalDepartment of Geosciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USAGraduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo ku, Kumamoto 862-0973, JapanDepartment of Pharmacy, Novel Academy, Purbanchal University, Pokhara 33700, Nepal<b>Background:</b> Medicinal plants are being used by the majority of the population throughout the world for their primary health care needs. The reliance is also prevalent in Nepal, aided by its ethnic and biological diversity. This study aimed to catalogue the ethnomedicinal knowledge of plants used by local people of Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski district. <b>Methods:</b> Data were collected between February 2017 and April 2018 from eight different villages of the Kaski district by using semi-structured interviews, guided field works, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. The reported traditional uses were supported by local assistants, cataloguing vernacular names and crosschecking with the earlier published and gray literature. <b>Results:</b> A total of 105 medicinal plants, belonging to 58 families and 99 genera were documented to treat 70 different diseases and ailments. The highest numbers of plants (37) were used for gastrointestinal disorders and the lowest (4) were used for female genital disorders. Commonly used parts were underground portions (28 species) followed by fruits and seeds (25 species each). The most preferred dosage form was juice, used for 50 ailments, and the oral route was the most favored route of administration (77 species). The medicinal properties of 22 plant species were found hitherto unreported in the district. <b>Conclusions:</b> The study area was found to be rich in plant resources and the people have ample knowledge on the use of medicinal plants. Due to a lack of proper documentation, conservation, and cultivation practices, valuable plant species are at risk of extinction. Thus, appropriate conservation measures and scientific assessment of plant-lore in the district is immediately required.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/6/2/69ethnomedicineKaski districtdisease and ailmentsmedicinal plantsNepal |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Mahendra Adhikari Rashmi Thapa Ripu Mardhan Kunwar Hari Prasad Devkota Prakash Poudel |
spellingShingle |
Mahendra Adhikari Rashmi Thapa Ripu Mardhan Kunwar Hari Prasad Devkota Prakash Poudel Ethnomedicinal Uses of Plant Resources in the Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski District, Nepal Medicines ethnomedicine Kaski district disease and ailments medicinal plants Nepal |
author_facet |
Mahendra Adhikari Rashmi Thapa Ripu Mardhan Kunwar Hari Prasad Devkota Prakash Poudel |
author_sort |
Mahendra Adhikari |
title |
Ethnomedicinal Uses of Plant Resources in the Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski District, Nepal |
title_short |
Ethnomedicinal Uses of Plant Resources in the Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski District, Nepal |
title_full |
Ethnomedicinal Uses of Plant Resources in the Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski District, Nepal |
title_fullStr |
Ethnomedicinal Uses of Plant Resources in the Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski District, Nepal |
title_full_unstemmed |
Ethnomedicinal Uses of Plant Resources in the Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski District, Nepal |
title_sort |
ethnomedicinal uses of plant resources in the machhapuchchhre rural municipality of kaski district, nepal |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Medicines |
issn |
2305-6320 |
publishDate |
2019-06-01 |
description |
<b>Background:</b> Medicinal plants are being used by the majority of the population throughout the world for their primary health care needs. The reliance is also prevalent in Nepal, aided by its ethnic and biological diversity. This study aimed to catalogue the ethnomedicinal knowledge of plants used by local people of Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski district. <b>Methods:</b> Data were collected between February 2017 and April 2018 from eight different villages of the Kaski district by using semi-structured interviews, guided field works, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. The reported traditional uses were supported by local assistants, cataloguing vernacular names and crosschecking with the earlier published and gray literature. <b>Results:</b> A total of 105 medicinal plants, belonging to 58 families and 99 genera were documented to treat 70 different diseases and ailments. The highest numbers of plants (37) were used for gastrointestinal disorders and the lowest (4) were used for female genital disorders. Commonly used parts were underground portions (28 species) followed by fruits and seeds (25 species each). The most preferred dosage form was juice, used for 50 ailments, and the oral route was the most favored route of administration (77 species). The medicinal properties of 22 plant species were found hitherto unreported in the district. <b>Conclusions:</b> The study area was found to be rich in plant resources and the people have ample knowledge on the use of medicinal plants. Due to a lack of proper documentation, conservation, and cultivation practices, valuable plant species are at risk of extinction. Thus, appropriate conservation measures and scientific assessment of plant-lore in the district is immediately required. |
topic |
ethnomedicine Kaski district disease and ailments medicinal plants Nepal |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/6/2/69 |
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