Originally published February 5 2006
Expert tells of the vast potential for herbal medicine in Sikkim
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Bijoy Gurung, director of the State Medicinal Plants Board, discusses the practice of herbal medicine in Sikkim.
The unit area distribution of Rhododendron, bamboo, medicinal herbs, ferns, maples and other such species is also the highest in the country.
With such abundance of medicinal plants, it comes as no surprise that herbal therapy has been prevalent here since centuries.
In today's context of course, some may be skeptical about the herbal way of treatment, but they probably do not know that it is the very basis of modern medicine.
Apart from the codified herbal culture, there are several types of shamanism or cult-based herbal systems followed in the Sikkim Himalayan region.
The Himalayan herbal art is ba-sed on two premises: the use of plant extract as medicine and the conservation and management of medicinal resources.
Thus the herbal tradition serves as not only a system of medical treatment but also a guide to meaningful exploitation of available resources.
Myths and legends add to the richness of the traditional practices of herbal medicine.
One such legend says that a particular form of the plant tamarkay, or kalo tamarkay, is a key substance needed by a porcupine for survival.
Similarly, locals claim that Triphala -- consisting of Harra, Barra and Amala -- while in the digestive system of a barking deer is of immense curative value.
Medicinal and aromatic plants constitute the largest natural resource to be tapped across the Himalayan region for economic purposes.
Mr Bijay Gurung, additional director of SMPB and an expert in the field of medicinal plants, explained the objectives and priorities of the department.
The Sikkim government has already created 13 gardens in different agro climatic zones of the state aiming at producing quality plants of important medicinal elements for subsequent distribution to private cultivators.
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