Ethnomedicinal and Shamanism in Bhotia Tribes
Nilesh Pant
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Trends June 1, 2023 DOI: 10.22271/multi.2023.v5.i6a.837 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Bhotia tribes in Uttarakhand's trans-Himalayan valleys |
| Topics | Shamanism |
| Key findings | The review synthesizes evidence that Bhotia healing combines plant-based remedies for gastrointestinal, respiratory, and musculoskeletal conditions with the ritual healing role of dangaris, or shamans. It argues that these practices show resilience and adaptability amid modernization and government health interventions, and contends that integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary health frameworks carries cultural significance for medical pluralism and indigenous healthcare sustainability in the Himalayan context. |
Abstract
This systematic review examines the ethnomedicinal and traditional healing practices of the Bhotia tribes in Uttarakhand's trans-Himalayan valleys. It synthesizes knowledge on plant-based therapies commonly used to treat ailments such as gastrointestinal, respiratory, and musculoskeletal conditions, along with the ritual role of shamans (dangaris) as healers and spiritual mediators. The review draws on ethnographic studies and scholarly reports to explore the transmission of healing knowledge, gendered roles in healthcare, and the interface between indigenous systems and formal biomedicine. Emphasis is placed on the resilience and adaptability of Bhotia healing practices in the face of socio-economic changes, modernization, and government health interventions. This study contributes to the understanding of medical pluralism and indigenous healthcare sustainability in the Himalayan context, underscoring the cultural significance of integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary health frameworks.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping review on shamanistic trances practices. | 2024 | Systematic review | |
| Shamanism as a Clinical Intervention: A Scoping Review | 2025 | Systematic review | |
| Antinociceptive Efficacy of Shamanic Healing for the Management of Temporomandibular Disorders: An Evidence-Based Review. Females with temporomandibular disorders, mean age 38.3 years | 2024 | Systematic review | n = 3 |
| Comprehensive Literature Review: Transpersonal Psychology, Transpersonal Psychotherapy, and Transpersonal Hypnotherapy (1960s–2026) | 2026 | Systematic review |