Home Institution
Cornell University
Publication Date
Spring 2023
Abstract
Health is intrinsically connected to biodiversity in the Himalayan mountains of Tsum Valley. Medicinal plants have historically been integral to primary health care in this region. The main objectives of this paper are to explore the role of biocultural diversity on perceptions of health and to demonstrate that medicinal plant knowledge contributes to health sovereignty in times of cultural and environmental change. The nutritional and medicinal significance of plants were examined in the daily lives of villagers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from April to May 2023. Preliminary results are analyzed ethnographically. Interviews and participant observation will provide a rich understanding of biocultural influence on health perceptions within Tsum Valley. Further analysis of results must take place.
Disciplines
Alternative and Complementary Medicine | Asian Studies | Biodiversity | Botany | Human Ecology | Medicine and Health | Place and Environment | Social and Cultural Anthropology
Recommended Citation
Weinreich, Ashira, "Biocultural Diversity of Medicine in Tsum Valley" (2023). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 3729.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/3729
Included in
Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons, Asian Studies Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Botany Commons, Human Ecology Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons
Program Name
Nepal: Tibetan and Himalayan Peoples