The National Institute of Traditional is located at Kawang Jangsa, Thimphu. It was established in 1971 and upgraded in 1992. Today, the institute functions as a member Faculty of Traditional Medicine under the Khasar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan. Currently it has Three Units: (1) The Hospital Unit/Indigenous Hospital, (2) Faculty of traditional Medicine or the training Unit and (3) The Pharmaceutical and Research Unit.
Bhutan is known as the land of medicinal plants. Bhutan is regarded as one of the ten global hot spots in terms of biodiversity and environmental conservation. Apart from its rich biodiversity and natural resources, there are some endanger flora and fauna. The Bhutan Landscape habitats more than 600 medicinal plants identified, and at least 300 of these are commonly used by local practitioners in the country for preparing local medicines.
Productions in the past, all traditional medicines were produced manually. Small scale mechanized production started only in 1982 with support from World Health Organization but local healer has been practicing from centuries and yet still exists. Although most of the plant ingredients are collected from wild, some of the species are now being cultivated/ domesticated by the farmers. Perhaps medicinal plants collected are one of the first economical activities initiated and sustained in this highland of raw materials procured within the country. Some part of the remaining raw materials which is not available in the country is mostly imported from India.
Table of Contents
Visit at National Institute of Traditional Medicine
Storage and distribution
Herbal Collection Site
Utilization of Traditional Medicines
Processing and production of tablets and capsule
APG system of classification
Visit at National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang
Herbarium
Conclusion
Reference
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This report documents a field visit to the National Institute of Traditional Medicine and the National Biodiversity Center in Thimphu, aiming to analyze the integration of traditional medicinal practices with modern pharmaceutical production and the botanical preservation efforts within Bhutan.
- Traditional medicinal production processes and pharmaceutical scaling.
- Botanical classification systems and medicinal plant identification.
- Herbarium management and specimen preservation techniques.
- Biodiversity conservation and sustainability of medicinal flora.
- Integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific research.
Excerpt from the Book
Herbarium
Herbarium is a store house of dried plant specimens collected from far and wide, mounted on appropriate sheets, arranged according to some known system of classification and kept in pigeon holes of steel or wooden cupboards. With the successful completion of the “Support to the National Herbarium and Flora of Bhutan” Project, the National Herbarium has developed into a national reference centre for Bhutanese flora and related works. The herbarium specimens are now stored in steel cabinets. Electric ovens are used to dry specimens during wet seasons. A deep freezer is in place to treat specimens for ensuring pest and disease control. The herbarium has adequate working space for visitors and researchers. The preparation of Herbarium involves following processes:
1. Collections –Specimens should be healthy, with at least some fully expanded leaves with flowers, fruits and vegetative parts and in smaller plants including underground portions (roots/rhizomes/ bulb). Press immediately in the fields or collecting in polythene bags is another option. Maintain field notes to record information about plant, habitat, locality and associate plants, etc.
2. Pressing specimens – Press it right away in the field using newspapers and wooden press to produce best specimens and also this prevents fungal infections and preserves Color. Then dry the press with specimens in the sun and change newspapers daily. Use blotting papers in between the specimens to absorb water from thick and succulent plants
3. Drying – dry under the bright sun or in microwave oven maintaining the temperature below 55°C. Use cardboard papers for proper aeration
4. Identifying and mounting specimens - use guide books, illustrations, pictures, Flora books – mount specimens on sheets after accurate identification using electric device, glue, thread and needles.
5. Labelling – prepare label according to the field notes. It should have botanical name, locality, habitat, description or habit, altitude, collector’s name, collection number, date etc
6. Cataloguing – Finally, place Herbarium sheet in the Genus cover and catalogue specimens in cabinets according to Engler and Prantle system of classification.
Summary of Chapters
Visit at National Institute of Traditional Medicine: This chapter provides an overview of the institute's organizational structure, its historical development, and the current state of medicinal plant utilization in Bhutanese healthcare.
Storage and distribution: Describes the logistics of managing traditional medicine supplies and their integration with modern pharmaceutical distribution channels in district hospitals.
Herbal Collection Site: Focuses on the sustainable development and cultivation strategies for medicinal and aromatic plants to ensure long-term commercial viability.
Utilization of Traditional Medicines: Highlights the growing patient demand for traditional treatments, particularly among the elderly population.
Processing and production of tablets and capsule: Details the transition from manual production to mechanized pharmaceutical processes for creating standardized herbal products.
APG system of classification: Presents a botanical classification of ten primary medicinal plants using the modern APG III system.
Visit at National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang: Outlines the center's role in botanical research, conservation, and its collaborative work with other health institutions.
Herbarium: Explains the technical processes of collecting, drying, labeling, and cataloging plant specimens for research and reference.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings regarding the balance between traditional heritage and modern scientific management in Bhutan's biodiversity sector.
Reference: Lists the academic and institutional sources used to support the report's observations.
Keywords
Traditional Medicine, Bhutan, Biodiversity, Medicinal Plants, Herbarium, Pharmaceutical Production, Botany, APG System, Conservation, Sustainable Collection, Ethnobotany, Plant Taxonomy, Bio-prospecting, Clinical Integration, Flora.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this field report?
The report examines the infrastructure, operational methodologies, and conservation practices at Bhutan's National Institute of Traditional Medicine and the National Biodiversity Center.
Which sectors are highlighted as key to Bhutanese medicinal production?
The key sectors include raw material collection, laboratory-based pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the systematic storage and distribution of finished herbal products.
What is the main objective of the visit described in the report?
The objective was to gain practical knowledge regarding the usage, processing, and availability of medicinal plants and to understand the herbarium techniques used for plant conservation.
How are medicinal plants scientifically categorized?
The plants are classified using the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) III system, as demonstrated by the dendrogram provided in the documentation.
What does the main body of the document cover?
The main body covers the history and internal units of the medical institute, detailed pharmaceutical manufacturing flowcharts, botanical data tables, and the technical standards for maintaining a national herbarium.
Which terms best characterize this report?
Key terms include traditional medicine, biodiversity, herbal taxonomy, pharmacognosy, and botanical preservation.
What specific role does the National Herbarium play in biodiversity?
The National Herbarium serves as a repository for reference material, facilitating plant identification and maintaining baseline data on the endemic flora of Bhutan.
Why is the drying process critical in herbarium specimen preparation?
Proper drying, often using electric ovens or controlled sun-drying, is essential to prevent fungal infections, preserve plant coloration, and ensure the long-term integrity of the specimens.
How is the transition to mechanized medicine production described?
The report notes a shift from traditional manual preparation to small-scale mechanized production, introduced in 1982 to improve standardization and efficiency.
- Citar trabajo
- Sonam Tobgay (Autor), 2015, Report on Visit to National Institute of Traditional Medicine and National Biodiversity Center. Systematic Botany, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/295574
