Traditional Medicine System Utilized by the Tribal Population of Himachal Pradesh

Settled in Greater Himalayan ranges against an excruciating environment are the tribal population of Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti who have been living in the region for centuries. To cope up with the health hazards the locals have developed their own indigenous medicine systems also known as folk medicine or traditional medicine. The present study analyses the status of the traditional medicine system and transmission of medicinal knowledge to the next generation among the Scheduled Tribes of Himachal Pradesh. Tibetan medicine system is also known as ‘Sowa-Rigpa’ is the only systematic medicine set up still in practice although there are other local practitioners catering to the needs of a tribal population. The paper concludes that appropriate documentation and serious effort by the Government and Non-Government organizations are required to work for the improvement of these indigenous systems.