Publication:

Ethno-medicinal practices among the Toto tribe in Alipurduar, West Bengal

Background Ethno-medicinal practices has been widely using by the people of every corner of the world. Tribes are not exceptional from this. Totos are residing at the Alipurduar district of the state West Bengal. They strongly believe the natural resources of the earth like wind, water, fire and forest. They living totally forest oriented life. Ethno-medicine also somehow depends upon the natural resources as well as various types of plants.

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design has been employed for this present study. The study has been done among the 152 families. Apart from this the data regarding various types of diseases and their curing system has been gathered through interview and observation methods. Schedule and questionnaire method has been also employed to collect data of disease pattern and their treatment system.

Results It has been observed that 15.13%, 53.29% and 31.58% families believe on ethno-medicine, both ethno-medicine as well as modern medicine and only modern medicine accordingly.

Conclusions Basically, the people called Ojha who practices ethno-medicine among the Toto tribe. There 5 ethno-medicinal practitioners are present who tremendously struggle to cure the patients as soon as possible by their skill and medicinal plants.