Abstract:Background: The use of traditional medicines among Karen people has sustained Ban Mae Lan Kham (BMLK) village for generations. Throughout the seven Karen livelihood areas, the contemporary usage of traditional medicines is not well documented. In situations where Western health care systems propose to integrate traditional medicines, the conservation of Indigenous medicine and knowledge transmission to the next generation are crucial for the livelihood of BMLK. Objectives: Through international collaboration, the study aims to enhance Indigenous medicine conservation by documenting the use of Karen traditional medicines and developing best practices for intergenerational knowledge transmission between Karen medicinal knowledge holders to Karen youth. Methods: Over a 2-year period using participatory action-based research methodology, the study used exploratory field surveys and interviews conducted with traditional knowledge keepers, village leaders, and local people in the seven Karen livelihood areas of BMLK to assess the status of traditional medicine usage. The research findings were co-analyzed with Karen research participants to develop best practices for intergenerational knowledge transmission. Results: The study found that there are 258 herbal medicinal species recorded across the seven Karen livelihood areas: Rotational farming; Fallow 1-years; Fallow 7-years; Rainforests; Tropical rain forest; Hill evergreen forest; and Livelihood areas. Although Indigenous medicines were found to be in active use, there is a need to improve knowledge transmission to younger generations. To improve medicinal knowledge transmission, a living library was developed in the BMLK community to house medicinal knowledge and serve as a gathering space for Karen medicine knowledge holders to transmit knowledge to Karen youth. Conclusions: As Indigenous communities like BMLK continue to manage their traditional territories and pass down knowledge to the next generation, these practices support biodiversity and contribute to sustainable livelihoods for planetary health.
Keywords: Indigenous Health, Indigenous health, traditional medicine, planetary health
