Knowledge and practices of different herbs for treating in acute respiratory infection in Gurung community.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT: This study entitled "Knowledge and Practice of Different Herbs for Treating Acute Respiratory Infection in Gurung Community" was carried out I Darung V.D.C. ward number 9, Syangja. The basic objective of this study was to find out knowledge and practice of different herbs in Gurung community of the study area. Cross-sectional descriptive research design and non-probability purposive sampling technique was applied and structure interview schedule were directed at 37 respondents for the purpose of this study. All the respondents had herbal knowledge. Similarly, with the age of above 6o years (70.44%), Illiterate (68.66%), female (66.66%), and agro based occupation (68.40%) had good knowledge (List out three and more number of herbs) and good practice (Prepare and use) on herbal medicine for treating acute respiratory infection (ARI). The major finding of this study was Jimbu, ginger, fried millet wine, millet porridge, Tulsi, Jwano, Jwano, Procupine stool, tortoise bone, insect and green leaves etc were used and practiced for the treatment of ARI. Similarly, with the age of above 6o years (78.56%), Illiterate (72.68%), female (73.01%), and agro based occupation (68.75%) had used (practice) on herbal medicine for treating acute respiratory infection (ARI). Mainly boiling (53.72%), roasting (24.07%), and grinding (16.66%) were main methods of herbal preparation. Some herbs were used in raw from (5.55%) like porcupine stool, Tulsi, Gholtapre and tortoise bone. Ways of taking herbal medicine were drinking (43.28%), licking (26.86), gargle (16.42%) and eating (13.44%). Similarly, the study found that majority of respondents took the herbs two times a day. Those herbs had to be stored for 24 hours (37.50%). A considerable number of respondents had used the herbs for their treatment of ARI because they had trust on it. Mainly illiterate, poor community and rural people where there was lack of modern medical facilities were benefited from the herbal medicine. A few numbers of respondents (13.04%) went to Lama and Jhakris for the treatment of ARI. It is hope that this study would be useful for the further rigorous study concerning wide study area and sample population.

Eng.