Research on the experiences of using traditional drugs of the H\u2019mong ethnic minority in Sa Pa commune, Sa Pa district, Lao Cai province

ABSTRACT

Background: Sa Pa is one of the mountain communes with a temperate climate that is appropriate for the growing of traditional medicinal herbs. Objectives: To investigate the experiences of using traditional remedies of the H\u2019mong ethnic minority in Sa Pa commune, Sa Pa district, Lao Cai province. Subjects and method: The cross-sectional study had enrolled 28 traditional herbal practitioners, 23 commune officers and 289 family\u2019s representatives who had experiences in traditional herb usage. Results: 72 traditional remedies were collected. In which, 58.33% of remedies had 1 medicinal component, 13.89% of remedies had 2 medicinal components. 158 common herbal medicines used for primary health care were collected. In which, the herbs belonged to Asteraceae family accounted for the highest rate 11 species (7.4%); followed by the Lamiaceae family 8 species (5.4%); Rosaceae, Zingilbeaceae and Convallariaceae family 5 species (3.4%); then the Acanthaceae, Araceae, Poaceae and Ranunculaceae family 4 species (2.7%). Decoction was the most recurrent use (68.99%), followed by poultice on the skin (10.13%), ingesting the herbs (7.6%) and others (<10%). Conclusion: The traditional medicinal herbs of the H\u2019mong ethnic minority at Sa Pa commune, Sa Pa district, Lao Cai province were multiform and were used in different ways.