Indigenous Traditional Knowledge of Food and Health Practices in Kashmir

Abstract

newline The modern world of today relies heavily on the wisdom of primitive communities. In newlinea lot of ways, human beings are trying to turn to their roots in terms of nutrition, newlineenvironment, health etc. advocating paleo-diets, herbal medicine, nature-therapy and newlinethe like. Undoubtedly, man has survived the planet using flora and fauna around him newlinefor centuries. There is cure in nature is not something new. Even religious scriptures newlinelike Quran and the Vedas endorse the use of plant and animal products for health newlinebenefits of human beings. newlineAgainst the backdrop of traditional knowledge in the field of Food and Health, the newlinecurrent study was envisaged in order to unveil the practices involved thereof in four newlinedistricts of the valley of Kashmir. The study was conducted using a Semi-Structured newlineInterview Schedule with quantitative as well as qualitative data. Emphasis has been newlinelaid on extracting genuine, candid information from the respondents in order to bring newlineout learning to be shared with wider scientific community. A wide range of traditional newlineKashmiri foods, which is rather a broad based menu, was categorised and classified newlineunder the study. The practices involved are an amalgamation of more than one newlinecooking method and present a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. newlineThe study elicited the novel use of a wide range of flora, fauna, chemical, natural newlinesubstances used for Health benefits by Kashmiris. For most common ailments, there is newlinea remedy. Parts of plant like root, shoot, fronds, inflorescence, thorns, bark, pollen newlinesurfaced to be used as remedy. These are used in a variety of ways which is thought of newlinebest suited to treat a particular ailment. It also brought to surface the traditional postpartum care practices of the valley those are so ardently followed even now. The postpartum period of forty days is outlined by strict do s and don ts that are aimed to newlinerestore maternal health and therefore ensure appropriate motherhood. An effort has newlinebeen made to quantify this information under the study as ......