KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND USABILITY OF TIBETAN HERBAL MEDICINE (SOWA RIGPA): A COMMUNITY BASED SURVEY IN THE SAJONG-KAGYUD AREA, SIKKIM, INDIA

GAYMIT LEPCHA; TIEWLASUBON URIAH KHAR; SONAM BHUTIA

doi:10.22159/ijpps.2025v17i12.56611

Authors

GAYMIT LEPCHA Department of Pharmacognosy, Government Pharmacy College Sajong, Government of Sikkim (GoS), Sikkim University, Rumtek, Sajong, Gangtok, Sikkim-737135, India
TIEWLASUBON URIAH KHAR Department of Pharmacognosy, Government Pharmacy College Sajong, Government of Sikkim (GoS), Sikkim University, Rumtek, Sajong, Gangtok, Sikkim-737135, India
SONAM BHUTIA Department of Pharmacognosy, Government Pharmacy College Sajong, Government of Sikkim (GoS), Sikkim University, Rumtek, Sajong, Gangtok, Sikkim-737135, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5464-8775

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2025v17i12.56611

Keywords:

Tibetan medicine, Sowa rigpa, Sikkim, Tibetan herbal medicine, Survey, Sajong-kagyud

Abstract

Objective: The objective of present survey was to acquire the Knowledge, Practice, and Usability of Tibetan Herbal Medicine (Sowa Rigpa): A community survey in the Sajong-Kagyud area, Sikkim, India.

Methods: A study was conducted with n=17 out of 322 people from the area. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire, face-to-face interview about demographics, reasons for using Tibetan medicine, and details about its uses.

Results: Out of 322 survey respondents, only 17 reported using THM in the selected area. It revealed the total number of users were very low rate of adaptability (17/322=5.3%) only. Mostly used THM were 26 formulations finds in the dominant’s frequencies are widely utilized by different age groups and witnessed gender-wise (male-59% and female-41%) use patterned (fig. 2) and. The age group 41-60 y had the highest number of users, followed by the 20-40 y and above 61 y age groups (table 2). The pre-dominant of THM is in Kagyuk area (65%) than the Sajong (35%) out of n=17. Based on the type of formulations, solid (92%), followed by semi-solid (4%) and liquid (4%). The main reasons for its use include personal recommendation (58%) and cultural beliefs (29%); commonly treated (frequency of usability) (fig. 3) conditions include gastritis (23%), immunity booster (17%), followed by joint pain, neurological pain, tonsilitis, ovarian cyst, sinusitis, hypertension (11%), toothache, insomnia, constipation, anti-inflammatory (5%).

Conclusion: This survey highlights the important role of THM, showing low rate of user adaptability (5.3%) and the need for further research to understand barriers to adoption.

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