Medical Ethnobiology and Indigenous Knowledge System of the Lapcha in Nepal

Abstract

Lapcha are one of the Endangered Indigenous Nationalities of Nepal. Ethnomedicinal data and Indigenous Knowledge (IK) system of Lapcha of Fikkal VDC of Ilam district was documented through key informant interview, group interview, participatory observation and informal interview with local people during the field work. They were found to have rich and profound indigenous knowledge on the use of plants and animals for various purposes. Analysis of data revealed that local Lapcha people had a rich tradition on the usage of 19 animal species belonging to 10 order and13families and 61 plant species of medicinal values belonging to 35 families and 58 genera for medicinal purposes for their primary health care services. The different medicinal plant and animal species were used for the treatment of 36 and 21 different disease/ailments; respectively. The respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal disorders, skeleto-muscular problems and dermatological infections were the most frequent ailments/diseases treated. The findings revealed by the present study have also been supported by the works done on other part of the country.

Key words: Ethnobiology, Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Medicine, Medicinal Animals and Plants, Lapcha, Ethnic Community.