Healing Plants Knowledge in Chepang Communities of Nepal
Author Information
Author(s): Arun Rijal
Primary Institution: BioMed Central Ltd.
Hypothesis
The study aims to analyze the indigenous knowledge regarding medicinal plants used by the Chepang communities.
Conclusion
The Chepang communities possess extensive knowledge of medicinal plants, with many new uses documented that were previously unreported in Nepal.
Supporting Evidence
- The study documented 219 plant parts from 115 species used for medicinal purposes.
- 75 species had 118 new medicinal uses not previously reported in Nepal.
- Chepangs expressed strong faith in traditional healers for treating illnesses.
- Knowledge of medicinal plants varied significantly between different age groups and genders.
Takeaway
The Chepang people know a lot about using plants to heal, and they have discovered many new ways to use these plants that no one has written about before.
Methodology
Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with traditional healers and elders over a one-year period.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on traditional healers and the limited scope of interviews.
Limitations
The study may not fully represent the wide range of environments in Nepal due to localized cultural constructions.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 240 individuals from Chepang communities, with a mix of genders and ages.
Statistical Information
P-Value
< 0.0001
Confidence Interval
95%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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