All the responses/answers of participants were collected and analyzed section wise (Section A and section B). Further, data represented in the form of bar diagram that indicates the multiple choice question/section-A in Fig. 3 (age, gender and percentage of peoples with their location), Fig. 4 (question number: 1–16) and Fig. 5 (question number: 17–28). Maximum number of participants (26.5%) responded from Kathmandu (Nepal) and Mizoram, (India) followed by Nepalgunj (17.6%, Nepal) and Uttar Pradesh (11.8%, India) (Fig. 3: A).However, participants belong to age group of 18–25 (79.4%) were more actively contributed followed by age group 26–30 (11.8%) for present survey(Fig. 3: B). Interestingly, good number of female candidate (58.8%) was involved as compared to malecandidates (41.2%) in the assessment (Fig. 3: C). Based on survey results, most of peoples prefer medicinal herbs (64.7%) over the pharmaceutical medicines and believes that medicinal herbs are useful for several diseases (Fig. 4:1,2). In contrast to that most of the individuals (58.8%) think medicinal herbs are not in very much use due to lack of awareness, less interest and poor study of traditional herbs or medicinal plants (Fig. 4: 3). However, 26.4 % individuals/participates were not interested to learn and discuss about medicinal plants (Fig. 4:4). Moreover, 76.5% individuals were given the positive attention for medicinal plants farming and 20.6% individuals were confused for their practices (Fig. 4: 5). Approximately 17.6% peoples were not aware about medicinal plants that are growing near them and interestingly, 82.4% peoples were aware about medicinal plants and showed interest for farming (Fig. 4: 6 and 7).
Further, we discussed about home remedies and associated plants (aloe-vera, tulsi and cannabis) to check their prior knowledge and found that 67.6% peoples were interested to use medicinal plants as home remedies and rest of individuals were not interested or worried in terms of side effects. Good number of the candidates was known to tulsi and aloe vera that was 70.6% and 64.7% respectively (Fig. 4: 8, 9). However, 14.7% peoples were doubtful for medicinal herbs efficiency (Fig. 4: 10). Data depicts that 82.4% individuals have been tried the medicinal herbs and cured but 17.6% individuals were not cured after application (Fig. 4: 12). Besides, 11.8 % peoples were allergic and rest of the 88.2 % peoples was non-allergic to medicinal herbs (Fig. 4: 13). Nevertheless, 67.6% peoples believe that medicinal herbs may alter the state of mind (Fig. 4: 14). Combination of medicinal herbs was also explored by community and 58.8 % peoples prefer the mixture of herbs (Fig. 4: 15). Approximately, 80.6% and 63.3% peoples were aware for medicinal properties of tulsi and peppermint accordingly that cure or regulates cough, cold, appetite, wounds healing, tension relaxation and blood pressure (Fig. 4: 16; Fig. 5: 17). Nutritional properties of parsley were not in the notice of 32.3 % individuals (Fig. 5: 18). We discussed about Krishi Darshan that is an Indian television program which provides information in agriculture, herbs, important plants and cultivation practices. As result interprets, 93.5% individuals had very less interest in such kind of programs and did not watch Krishi Darshan (Fig. 5: 19). Though, 54.8% individuals were familiar with ancient history of medicine and their uses to solve the several diseases but 45.1% individuals were not mindful/interested (Fig. 5: 20). Some of the herbs were liked and accepted by several peoples for example black pepper, cinnamon and aloe vera with consideration of no side effects over pharmaceutical medicines. Unfortunately, 51.6 % peoples were not aware in terms of medicinal plants research (Fig. 5: 24). Likewise, majority of peoples (71%) consider only leaves may be fruitful as medicinal herbs (Fig. 5: 25). However, 80.6% candidate’s believes that medicinal herbs are not only supports human health but also cure some animal’s diseases (Fig. 5: 26). Appropriate combination of different herbs may be helpful as compared to manufactured medicines as large group of individuals (67.7%) stated but rest of the individuals was either doubtful or were not very much clear(Fig. 5: 27). When we talked about the uses of medicinal herbs in daily life, 87.1% individuals prefer as per needed and only 9.7% use in the form of green tea or food material as daily healthy diet (Fig. 5: 28).
In continuation to previous multiple choice question (question number:1–28), moved to collect and analyzedthe data of descriptive questions (question number: 29–40). Surprisingly, we received several views, opinion and arguments for same question irrespective of location, age and gender. Next assessment was recorded in relation to cannabisrelease in country due to its medicinal significance and controversy. Some of the individuals from Nepal were in favor of legalized and others were worried about its negative impacts on health and society due to less self-control and high dose consumption. Similarly, some of the statements of Indian individuals were in the motion and some against motion (Question number 29). Statements were recorded and are following “Legalizing cannabis might make the production more open and might even decrease the illegal trading”, “Legalized but under prescription and some restrictions”, “Legalized with proper law implementation towards its farming due to its health benefits (fight against cancer, cure diseases and also reduce weight), it may help the medicine industry as well as country’s income”.In contrast to that some statements were not in favor that includes “Cannabis should be illegalized in countries because addiction of cannabis will not have any good results in society, it may lead to development of mental health problems, anxiety, and depression”. Also, it may alter the brain development in adolescent. A participant raise the considerable point that non-harmful species/ variety of cannabis provides health benefits to the consumer but unknown variety may cause serious side effects and will be injurious due to psychoactive drug effect.
In relation to conservation of medicinal herbs, people have strong substantial opinion and suggested for manuals and awareness programs to grow these herbs at home;therefore, their farming and cultivation will be easy (Question number 30). Further they point out the conservation of medicinal herbs at their native place and botanical gardens of society and community. More and more knowledge and skill need to cultivate and special herbs farming schemes, incentives and plans should be launched from local government to promote it.Some of the direct statements of individuals include “Despite the existence of various sets of recommendations for the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants, only a small portion of these have achieved. Adequate protection of medicinal plant resources needed through conventional or modern conservation methods in natural reserves or botanic gardens”. According to opinion of one aware and knowledgeable individual “Most of the medicinal herbs are being exploited on the verse of extinct and the conservation of medicinal plants may be accomplished by the ex-situ method i.e. outside natural habitat by cultivating and maintaining plants in botanic gardens, parks, other suitable sites, and through long term preservation of plant propagules in gene banks (seed bank, pollen bank, DNA libraries, etc.)
Considering the current COVID-19 situation, people recommended some medicinal herbs or different parts of plants with combination of complementary components to increase the immunity power includes gurjelato, aduwa, besar, tulsi, neem, jwano, wheatgrass, turmeric with milk or honey (Question number 31).All the participants given their honest review for medicinal plants uses and most of the participants were agreed to prefer medicinal plants due to minimum side effects, low cost, environmental friendly, reliable, numerous health benefits and immunity booster and also good for cold and flu, stress reliever and involve in better digestion. In contrast to this some participants had not prefer traditional/ medicinal herbs due to partial satisfaction and trust over pharmaceuticals medicines and given such statements like “medicinal herbs are good, but not for emergencies”; “It may be effective but overall performance is slow” (Question number 32 and 33).
Most of the candidates has been explored turmeric and applied as home remedy to recover the small cuts and wounds and were found to be satisfied with the effective healing power (Question number 34). Some of the candidates said that “Dabbing a generous amount of turmeric powder on a fresh cut will help to stop the oozing of blood and also prevent infections”; “turmeric is very good home remedy not only to heals the wounds and cuts but also it helps us from cough and colds”.Most of the candidates were not tried and aware about Ginseng which is a popular herbal supplement and very few individuals were utilized to boost the immunity. Ginseng or Ashwagandha considered as traditional medicine for their valuable parts like roots and orange-red fruit components.
In daily life, frequency of aloe vera, tulsi, ginger, garlic, clove and turmeric was high as compared to rest of the herbs includes lemongrass, ashwagandha, tea tree, mint, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, giloy, green tea, gurjo, harrop, ghodethapre, amala (Question number 35). In continuation, medicinal herbs are undervalued due to lack of knowledge/awareness, slow recovery process and low availability in market. According to data evaluation (Question number 36 and 37), the choice of pharmaceutical and herbal medicines depends on several factors that are following “how a person’s body reacts to it”; “pharmaceutical medicines may provide instant cure or may seem effective for a while, but may not be good in a long run”; “Just believe in the modern science and technology so prefer pharmaceutical medicines”; “Pharmaceutical medicines represents right compositions and scientifically proven so people strongly believes”. Further, most of the participants stated (Question number 38) that medicinal herbs are effective but not explored yet in relation to COVID-19. Therefore peoples believe that depth research and trails of traditional medicines has been needed by using large population size of different regions. Standardization of traditional medicines would be required to identify the effective and appropriate formulation (scientific combinations) to test and recover from COVID-19. Although, vaccines are immediate relief so we should prefer vaccination in urgent basis. During data recording, we found that in one hand some of the individuals were not interested or explored traditional medicines for daily life use. In other hand good number of candidates consumed the herbs in daily life and feel considerable differences (like relax, refreshing and glowing skin) with the daily use of aloe vera, green tea, tulsi tea, aduwa, lemon, ghiukwari (Question number 39).They quote as “Healthy life style change with traditional medicines.”
Further we asked about medicinal herbs farming and agribusiness to evaluate their mindset.Participants said that they are interested due to high demand of medicinal herbs in future as most of the peoples are focusing and moving to live a healthier and more natural lifestyle. Some of the direct answers of participants include thefollowing statements (Question number 40):
Statement 1
This profitable business is perfect for someone wanting to make extra money, spend more time outdoors, and have fun doing it. It’s really quite easy and you can be on your way to big profits in the herbs business before you know it. You can also create awareness to more people how to live a healthier lifestyle by using more of medicinal herbs.
Statement 2: Yes! People have known about the deeds of medicinal herbs in present COVID-19 situation and they have been searching for it like crazy.So yes herbs farming would be a promising business for extra income source depending on cultivating area and particular agro-climatic conditions.
Statement 3
Yes! Nepal is already good for medical herbs production. The lacking things are proper awareness and the established market. If these two things will be addressed, a profitable living can be achieved by growing medicinal herbs in an increasing trend of global context.
Statement 4
Yes! People are getting exposed to medicinal herbs and their importance with application. Therefore,local to global medicinal market may establish slowly due to requirement of herbal compounds for medicine preparation and we may earn a living.