Wangchuk, Phurpa, and Samten (2009) Low altitude medicinal plants of Bhutan: an illustrated guide for practical use. Pharmaceutical and Research Unit, Institute of Traditional Medicine Services, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan.

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Abstract

This publication contains comprehensive pictorial illustrations and descriptions of about 108 Low Altitude Medicinal Plants of Bhutan that are used in the unique Bhutanese Traditional Medical System called g.so-ba-rig-pa. The medicinal plants described in this book were first identified by the Drungtshos based on the g.so-ba-rig-pa texts and their field experiences. The specimens of these plants were then collected from different locations under Langthel Geog in Trongsa. Some species of medicinal plants that were not available in Trongsa, were collected from places like Lingmithang in Mongar, Lhuntse, Gelephug in Sarpang and Lower Kheng in Zhemgang. These specimens were brought to PRU and their standardization was carried out through the organization of series of standardization workshops calling in the g.so-ba-rig-pa and botanical experts from ITMS, RSPN and Botanical Park. Besides, various other literatures especially internet, Tibetan books on medicinal plants, Flora of Bhutan and the Flowers of Himalaya have been exhaustively referred, thus making the plants more authentic and error-free in their identification and illustration. This book is divided into two main sections: Introduction and the illustrations of an individual plant followed by the glossaries of g.so-ba-rig-pa and the bio-medical terms. The introduction captures the classification of medicinal plants, their collection and utilization, and also the sustainability issues. An individual illustrations of medicinal plant contains information such as g.so-ba-rig-pa and botanical names, family, local names, description, distribution within Bhutan, habitat, altitude range, part used and medicinal values. These descriptions are being supported by the plant photographs. Thus, this book is truly an illustrated guide for field identification and practical use. The medicinal plants are used for a wide range of therapeutic purposes based on the traditional knowledge and practices. To avoid dilution and misinterpretation of the meaning of the gso-ba-rig-pa medical terminologies or disease names, some of the therapeutic indications of the plants or the disease names are reflected in the gso-rig terminologies only. The Indexes contain both botanical and gso-ba-rig-pa names. They are given at the last page of this book along with the page number and this should guide the users into the plant of their interests. I hope that this book will be handy and useful reference document to students, teachers, herbalists, researchers and others who are interested in knowing about the medicinal plants of Bhutan. While the uses described in this book may sound promising for diseases or tempting to use them for self care, we would like to discourage using them for self medication.

Item ID:	34514
Item Type:	Book (Reference)
Date Deposited:	12 Aug 2014 05:07
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0603 Evolutionary Biology > 060310 Plant Systematics and Taxonomy @ 100%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 100%
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