Throughout Asia, the Ayurveda, Unani, and Chinese medical systems have developed and refined treatments based purely on preparations made from available natural resources. Ayurveda was probably developed much earlier than the Unani and Chinese medicine systems. The oldest existing literature on this form of treatment is the Rigveda, the classic Hindu text, which according to legend was written in the years 4500-1600 BCE. Other important Ayurvedic medical texts include the Charak Samhita (1000-800 BCE) and Susruta Samhita (800-700 BCE). The Unani system of medical treatment developed much later and attained popularity in India during the medieval period. Likewise, traditional Chinese medicine developed in China and came to India through its association with Buddhism, trade, and migration. In all these historical traditions, the Himalaya region has been repeatedly described as a rich repository of valuable medicinal plants.

During the past few decades, the advent of conventional pharmaceutical drugs has precipitated and hastened the decline of traditional medical systems all over the world, including Ayurveda. In India, one area of concern is the sharp decline in the centuries-old knowledge of preparing medicines from local plant resources. These medicinal plants and the industries that use them represent great commercial opportunities for India in the world market. The global herbal market for medicinal plants has been estimated to be worth $120 billion a year. Medicinal plants used in Ayurveda represent $60 billion (US) of that.¹ This amount could be increased multiple times if more organized attempts were made to convey the impressive healing properties of Ayurveda.

A number of studies by various researchers have documented the use of traditional medicinal plants in India. ^2-11 About 3500 Ayurvedic formulations have been documented, as well as additional formulations based on the Siddha¹ and Unani² traditions, including details about their combinations.¹² However, much of the knowledge held by various traditional herbal healers regarding their use of medicinal plants has not been documented. This article reports on a study that documented knowledge held by the traditional herbal healers of the Uttaranchal Region of India (see Figure 1) regarding their preparation and use of herbal formulations.

Figure 1. Uttaranchal Region of India
Legend: 1-Uttarkashi, 2-Tehri, 3-Dehradun, 4-Rudraprayag, 5-Haridwar, 6-Pauri, 7-Chamoli, 8-Pithoragarh, 9-Bageshwar, 10-Almora, 11-Champawat, 12-Nainital, 13-Udham Singh Nagar.

Study Area

The study was carried out in the State of Uttaranchal, Indian Republic, during 2001 and 2002. Uttaranchal is located in the northern region of India and spans an area of 53,485 km² (approximately 20,660 square miles).² The human population of Uttaranchal is approximately 8.5 million, of which 78% live in rural areas.¹³ Uttaranchal is known as the origin of many sacred rivers like the Gori-Ganga, Kali-Ganga, Alaknanda, and the Ganges. The region is also famous for its rich biodiversity, culture, tradition, and mythology. The diverse social and economic setting of the region is well documented,^14–16 as is its vegetation.^17–21 Uttaranchal’s vast altitudinal differences, ranging from the Himalayan foothills to the high peaks of the Himalaya, plus the resulting climatic and topographical changes, produce a variety of forest types (tropical, temperate, and sub-alpine).

Methods

Field surveys were undertaken across the various districts of Uttaranchal during 2001 and 2002. A semi-structured survey was conducted among traditional vaidyas—practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine. The purpose of the survey was to document their knowledge of preparing various herbal formulations. The survey also gathered information about the local names of medicinal plants, plant parts used in treatment, and the number of ailments being treated by medicinal plant preparations.

A total of 56 traditional vaidyas were interviewed to collect such information. These vaidyas resided in 15 sites spread across various parts of the Uttaranchal, such as Rishikesh, Maletha, Rampur, Sumari, Malsayn, Pauri, Khirsu, Karnprayag, Lambgaun, Dunda, Dhontri, Joshimath, Bhyundar, Nauti, and Almora. Field visits were made with vaidyas to identify medicinal plants. Data were crosschecked by interviewing 3 or more vaidyas on the use of each plant and the preparation of each medicinal formulation. The participant observation method was used to understand the methods and techniques adopted by vaidyas in preparation of formulations. A workshop was organized and various groups of indigenous people including vaidyas participated in documenting indigenous knowledge according to the study’s parameters. Qualitative information so gathered was verified by cross-examination of different vaidyas.

Results

A Hindu priest worshipping plants in a village of Uttaranchal-Sumari, as a tradition to ward off all the diseases. Photo ©2006 Chandra Prakash Kala, PhD.

The study documented 104 formulations prepared by the vaidyas. These formulations were used in the treatment of 50 different ailments. Table 1 on pages 46-48 lists some of the indigenous plants that were used in the preparation of these formulations. Among the various ingredients, which included animal parts, minerals, and heavy metals, plants were the major ingredient. The study also showed that 125 medicinal plants were used in these medicinal formulations. Ailments with the largest number of treatment formulations were coughs and colds, followed by skin diseases, dysentery, and toothache. Of the 56 vaidyas interviewed, 6 were young (16-25 years), 14 were adult (26-45 years), and 26 were older (over 46 years). Since the 1980s, the number of recognized vaidyas has decreased. There are fewer vaidyas in lower age groups and fewer disciples studying with the vaidyas. Fortunately, in addition to the vaidyas, a number of women and men in the villages are familiar with the healing properties of medicinal plants, though they are not as well-versed in the actual preparation of various medicinal formulations. This loss of knowledge regarding the preparation of traditional medicine is directly related to the declining number of vaidyas.

Table 1. Indigenous Plants Used in Vaidyas Formulations to Treat Various Ailments

Discussion

A female traditional herbal healer of Uttaranchal. Photo ©2006 Chandra Prakash Kala, PhD.

The science of herbal formulations is one of Ayurveda’s most significant contributions to healthcare. Many of the traditional vaidyas enjoy a high level of local acceptance and respect, and thus have considerable influence on health belief and practice. According to the vaidyas, some Ayurvedic formulations contain about 15 or more secondary plant species that enhance the potency and support the primary plant species. Sometimes secondary plant species are added to the formulation to counteract any possible adverse side effects from the actions of the primary plants. However, many Ayurvedic herbs are prescribed alone to cure ailments. Examples include katuki (Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth., Scrophulariaceae), haida (Terminalia chebula Retz., Combretaceae), baida (Terminalia bellerica [Gaertn.] Roxb., Combretaceae), brahmi (Centella asiatica [L.] Urb., Apiaceae), pudina (Mentha longifolia [L.] Hudson, Lamiaceae), haldi (Curcuma domestica L. Zingiberaceae), and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal, Solanaceae). Vaidyas use the whole herb or plant part in the preparation of medicine, whereas the pharmaceutical industry extracts the active ingredient to make plant-derived drugs. For example, the pharmaceutical industry developed the formerly popular hypotensive drug reserpine, which is derived from the traditional Ayurvedic plant Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz, Apocynaceae. The notion of using the whole herb or plant part rather than an isolated chemical constituent may also contribute to a balanced formula that is less likely to have adverse side effects.

In addition to prescribing herbal medicine, the traditional Ayurvedic system gives an appropriate level of importance to lifestyle, diet, sleep, daily and seasonal routines, and internal cleansing (i.e., of the gastrointestinal tract). The values of disease eradication from its root cause and the treatment of chronic problems are some of the main forces leading to the increased interest in and acceptance of Ayurvedic treatments in many industrialized and developing countries. During the last few years, about $18 million has been spent on research in Ayurvedic medicine. According to one survey, over 600 scientific studies are being conducted in 27 countries at 220 institutions.¹ Ayurveda has a record of curing some chronic disorders that do not respond well to western medicine, such as eczema, cystitis, and migraines.¹²

A commercial Vaidya in his herbal shop. Photo ©2006 Chandra Prakash Kala, PhD.

Unfortunately, there has been a rapid decline in the traditional practice of individual healers identifying plants and preparing various formulations for direct distribution to patients. Because of rapid socio-economic changes and widespread urbanization, most of the vaidyas have grown increasingly dependent on the products supplied by the Ayurvedic pharmaceutical preparations industry. With the increased availability and acceptance of conventional Western medicine, many of those who are familiar with the tenets and benefits of Ayurveda are concerned that this traditional healing system is not receiving the respect it deserves. These advocates are found in the government, among medical practitioners, and consumers. By documenting the herbal formulations prepared by traditional vaidyas, it may be possible to prevent unfortunate scenarios like the recent attempt by commercial interests in the United States to patent the traditional Ayurvedic medicinal plant and culinary spice turmeric (Curcuma domestica Valeton, Zingiberaceae). [Note: A US use patent was granted for a turmeric preparation for inflammation, but later overturned/rescinded after strong protest by the Indian government based on turmeric’s traditional use in Ayurveda.²²]

Fortunately, the increasing popularity of Ayurveda in the West should advance the spread of Ayurveda on a global scale. Another factor contributing to the market value of Ayurveda is the growing concern about the escalating costs and safety of conventional Western Medicine. Exporters of herbal products could leverage these issues to their advantage and thereby increase sales. Highly effective formulations can be developed if steps are taken to sufficiently organize the traditional vaidyas.

A boy selling garlands of Origanum vulgare (a medicinal, aromatic and religious plant) in Badrinath of Uttaranchal. Photo ©2006 Chandra Prakash Kala, PhD.

Before the 1980s, the reputation of the respective vaidya and the formulations developed by him were sufficient criteria for people to believe in its value. Today, the reduced number of knowledgeable and recognized vaidyas clearly reveals a major disruption in the ancient custom of carrying forward this traditional knowledge. Although the study on which this article reports succeeded in capturing substantial information about the vaidyas and their use and preparation of herbal formulations, additional studies are needed to complete the work. Moreover, the documented properties of the medicinal plants utilized by various traditional vaidyas should be clinically evaluated to further strengthen their validity and to encourage the preparation of new formulations. The various formulations provided by traditional vaidyas must be preserved to ensure the integrity of this time-honored knowledge of traditional healing.

Chandra Prakash Kala is a Medicinal Plants Consultant at National Medicinal Plants Board, Government of India, New Delhi. He completed his PhD in Forestry from the Forest Research Institute, Uttaranchal. Dr. Kala has 15 years of research experience on the various aspects of Himalayan biodiversity and conservation, which includes the sustainable utilization of medicinal plants. He has 95 publications on the various aspects of conservation biology, Ethnobotany, and Himalayan ecology. Address for correspondence: National Medicinal Plants Board, Chandralok Building, 36-Janpath, New Delhi 110001, India. E-mail: cpkala@yahoo.co.uk.

Acknowledgements

For their encouragement, the author would like to thank Shri B.S. Sajwan, IFS & Chief Executive Officer, National Medicinal Plants Board, New Delhi; Dr. U. Dhar, Director, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Almora, UA; Dr. S.C.R. Vishvakarma, Senior Scientist, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development; and Dr. N. A. Farooquee, Scientist, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development. All 56 traditional vaidyas are greatly acknowledged for their cooperation and help during field work.

Read sidebar "India Digitizes Age-Old Wisdom" by Nancy Dennis

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