The Red Dao ethnic people in Phan Thanh commune of the northern border province of Cao Bang have established a community aimed at preserving and developing traditional medicinal remedies in association with tourism development.
According to the Phan Thanh communal administration, the Red Dao ethnic people in the commune have precious traditional remedies that need to be preserved and developed for future generations.
For that reason, local officials and village chiefs encourage young people who have aspirations and are dedicated to preserving the traditional remedies of the Red Dao people to establish a community in 2023 for the purpose.
The 35-member community is initially tasked with preserving and developing traditional remedies of the Red Dao ethnic people, and then with carrying out research and development for commercial use in the market.
Since the establishment of the community, the members have fanned out to look for precious medicinal plants in the forests.
Members of the community meet every month to review work done.
During monthly meetings, village chiefs spread knowledge of precious medicinal plants and traditional remedies from old books
Many traditional remedies of the Red Dao ethnic people are still preserved in their original form from their predecessors’ generations.
All information about the community’s activities is shared among community members via social network.
Ban Duc Thang, head of the Phan Thanh communal administration, says local authorities will seek consultations and complete a dossier to be submitted to authorized agencies to recognize these traditional remedies.
Currently, community members are maintaining remedies, such as herbal tea; remedies to support the treatment of bones and joints, stomach, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis; and especially herbal baths for sick people and postpartum women to restore health.
Community members are encouraged to grow medicinal plants right in their yard. In the photo is Bat giac lien, a medicinal plant used to treat liver disease, sore throat, tonsils, and especially snakebites.
Local authorities believe that developing traditional remedies commercial use is a correct strategy, helping to improve local people’s livelihood.