INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PRACTICES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF NEPAL: A RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE
Objectives: To explore the indigenous traditional medicine used in the rural area of Nepal and to identify the impact of indigenous conventional medicine on peoples' life span in the Nepalese context. Methods: For this study, a qualitative research method was selected. A sample consisted of 15 participants from the rural municipality. The purposive sampling method was used for the selection of the sample. The primary tools are in-depth interviews, field notes, and observation used to gather information. The discussion of participants was recorded and transcribed to develop the theme. Those data were analyzed through the themes. Findings: It was found that traditional medicine was discovered by eastern religious Vedic philosophy. It had slowly transferred to western philosophy. The Himalayan and hilly region plants used in treatment like Panchoule, Yarshagumba, Timur, Harro, Barro, amala, etc. Different parts of animals like deer velvet, monkey's flesh, the meat of jackal, bile of bear, etc., are also used to cure diseases. The primary curing diseases are Asthma, bath, bacterial infection, diarrhea, skin problems, gastritis, ulcer, Paralysis, cancer, pressure, injury, fracture, etc. It concludes that traditional medicine practices are reliable for increasing the life span of the human being. Novelty: The traditional practices are transferred from one generation to another by telling, seeing, unknowing practices, peer groups, and relations with older people. That may help to cure the many diseases in rural places. To improve the used practices of indigenous medicines, the field of science and technology is necessary for the current education system.
Indigenous, Traditional Medicine, Curing Practices, Diseases, Religious Perspective