The Disappearing World of Medicinal Herbs in Traditional Healing

In the picturesque valleys of Nepal, Gyatso Bista fondly recalls the days of his childhood, when sacks of kutki—an important medicinal herb—would arrive on horseback from the heights of the majestic mountains. This bitter-tasting herb has been a trusted remedy for fever, coughs, and liver problems for centuries. As one of the last few practitioners of Sowa Rigpa, an ancient Tibetan healing system that’s been in use for over 2,500 years, Bista feels the weight of history slipping away. “Now you barely find 5 kg,” he laments, recalling how once they harvested up to 40 kg.

The decline of kutki reflects a broader challenge we face globally. More than 80% of the world’s population relies on traditional medicine for primary healthcare. However, vital plants that form the bedrock of these traditional practices are disappearing fast, driven away by climate change, deforestation, and overharvesting.

In many regions, such as the southern Philippines, traditional healers like Mingay Dakias express concern over the dwindling availability of common medicinal herbs. “For many common illnesses, these traditional remedies are really our first aid,” he shares. A global study highlighted that out of 367 medicinal plant species surveyed over the last two decades, suitable habitats for 106 have diminished, and 33 face the risk of extinction due to shifting climates.

In areas like Panama, Indigenous midwives report difficulty in finding birthing herbs that were once abundant. Traditional healers across the Himalayas trek to higher altitudes seeking the plants that now shy away from familiar valleys. Ghana also faces droughts that destroy plants used in centuries-old healing practices.

Changing Nature Under Climate Pressures

Climate change “alters the chemistry of nature,” says Olha Mykhailenko from Ukraine’s National University of Pharmacy. She describes this phenomenon as “weather fever.” Extreme heat, erratic rainfall, and prolonged drought can change not just where plants grow but what they produce. Many plants, under these pressures, may modify their phytochemical profiles—mixes of internal chemicals crucial for their medicinal properties.

For instance, in southern France and Italy, herbs like lavender and rosemary have become poorer in their beneficial compounds due to hot summers. The environmental changes have affected their aroma and medicinal effectiveness.

“Patients may no longer see what they expect from herbal remedies,” Mykhailenko warns, and the environmental factors could be to blame. Meanwhile, traditional healers like Tenjing Dharke Gurung remain committed to their practices, but even they notice shifts—flowers blooming earlier or later than usual, breaking traditional harvesting schedules.

In Bista’s own village, he observes that rising temperatures have advanced flowering by 15 to 30 days. This alteration complicates rituals that have been specific to cultural traditions and practices for centuries. Geographically, some plants have begun to shift towards higher elevations in search of cooler climates. However, species already thriving in cooler regions may soon find themselves with nowhere to go.

The Importance of Traditional Knowledge

The decline of these medicinal plants not only distances us from effective remedies but also severs cultural ties that have been cherished for generations. Over 70% of modern medicines derive from natural sources, which include traditional remedies. Researchers are duplicating what some healers have known all along—such as the herbal remedy matalafi used in Samoa, which exhibits anti-inflammatory properties comparable to ibuprofen.

In communities around the globe, traditional healers like Lucely Pio from Brazil’s Cerrado celebrate their rich history of using nature as their “living pharmacy.” “These are the medicines I use today,” she explains, attributing her knowledge to her ancestors.

Yet, losing these plants means losing the accrued wisdom of countless generations. As Bismark Ofosu-Bamfo from Ghana notes, many medicinal trees are tied directly to tribal identities, making their disappearance an existential threat to cultural heritage.

Our Path Forward

Despite the challenges, communities are taking steps to preserve medicinal plants and associated knowledge. In Nepal, the Himalayan Amchi Association collaborates with researchers to find alternatives for endangered species, identifying over 200 substitutes to ensure the survival of traditional healing practices. They also advocate for official recognition of Sowa Rigpa to attract younger generations into healing professions.

Local shamans in Panama, worried about losing ancestral knowledge to climate impacts, have constructed health clinics and developed educational materials about local herbs. “We have a responsibility to pass these traditions down,” emphasizes shaman Viviana Montero.

In Brazil, a combined effort between healers and scholars has produced the “Pharmacopoeia of People of the Cerrado,” covering the techniques for harvesting and processing 90 traditional medicines.

In closing, as climate change reshapes the landscape of our medicinal plants, we must prioritize their protection. Implementing stricter harvesting regulations, promoting sustainable farming, and educating communities are necessary steps to maintain our botanical heritage. As Mingay Dakias reminds us, these remedies are not just accessible and effective—they are a way of life that has endured for centuries. Whether these traditions will persist for future generations may hinge on how we respond to the challenges ahead.

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