Shillong: Technological advancements in medicine have made significant progress, yet in the households of the Khasi tribes in Meghalaya, traditional medicine remains a well-regarded and widely practised system. It is also one of the most affordable and effective treatments. A common sight in many homes is a syrup-sized bottle containing an ointment known as ‘dawai kyllan’ in the local dialect.
Khasi traditional healers possess vast knowledge of medicinal plants, passed down through generations. This expertise led to the creation of the Protection and Promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine Act, 2011, passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
Although Khasi traditional medicine is practised throughout Meghalaya, the Act applies only to the Khasi region. Meghalaya is home to three tribes—Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo—but the other two Autonomous District Councils have yet to adopt similar measures.
Thriving on word-of-mouth
Dr Alka Kharsati from Shillong and Twit Sohtun from Smit are among the prominent traditional medicine practitioners in the Khasi Hills Region.
Sohtun, now 70, began his journey as a healer in 1984 after treating his child’s bone fracture, a skill he attributes to divine intervention. Over the years, he developed expertise in treating fractures, nerve pain, joint issues, and backaches using medicinal plants from the forest. His reputation grew through word-of-mouth, attracting patients from distant places.
Of his 10 children, three sons have learned the craft and now assist him in treating patients. To accommodate long-term treatments, Sohtun built single rooms where clients, particularly those with fractures, can stay. The fee is Rs 700 per night, covering accommodation, medicine, and treatment. He has also assisted in delivering over 100 babies and continues to support pregnant women with traditional massages and care.
Dr. Kharsati, meanwhile, inherited her skills from her grandmother. Though she never aspired to be a healer, her practice has relieved the pain of many, including Meghalaya’s former Governor MM Jacob, and earned her recognition nationally and internationally.
In the 1990s, as her grandmother’s health declined, Dr. Alka was asked to treat her grandmother’s clients. “That’s where it all began. When people found relief from their ailments, they started seeking me out, and word-of-mouth spread,” she shared with EastMojo. By 1997, she had become a regular Khasi traditional medicine practitioner.
Dr Alka runs her practice from a cosy cottage in Shillong’s Laitumkhrah locality, treating up to eight clients from Monday to Friday, strictly by appointment.
Like many traditional healers, Dr. Alka keeps the herbs she uses a closely guarded secret. She, along with others like Twit Sohtun, avoids bottling their concoctions for mass sale, focusing instead on providing medicines directly to clients to maintain quality. “I prioritize the quality of the medicine. Bulk production, like in large factories, compromises quality. That’s why I prefer producing small batches from my cottage,” Dr. Alka explained.
After collecting herbs from the forest, practitioners clean, dry, and prepare them using unique methods. Some herbs are cooked, others marinated, and specific utensils—such as iron, metal, or earthen pots—are chosen based on the herb’s requirements.
Traditional medicine, passed orally through generations, remains largely undocumented. However, Dr Alka has documented her practices and even discovered records where her grandmother had her knowledge documented with assistance. “As a literate individual, I’ve been documenting for years, and it’s rewarding to preserve this heritage,” she said.
Dr Alka’s success is evident from the certificates displayed in her cottage. She has treated notable clients, including former Meghalaya governor Satya Pal Malik and the current governor. She recalls helping an elderly man bedridden for three months due to a slipped disc, whose daughter—a doctor sceptical of traditional massages—was surprised by his recovery after two months of her treatment.
Sohtun’s facility also reflects the healing power of traditional medicine. EastMojo spoke to two clients staying there. A woman from Mynso Village, East Jaintia Hills, sought treatment for a hip dislocation after finding no relief at government hospitals. Another client, 48-year-old Phildalin Kharmawphlang, recovering from a motorbike accident, shared how she insisted on going to Sohtun’s facility due to its reputation in her village. “A week ago, I was in agony, but now I’m much better. I’m grateful to God for such healers,” she expressed.
Medicinal plants/herbs dying due to human activities
Meghalaya’s rich biodiversity, shaped by diverse altitudes, topography, and climate, creates an ideal environment for medicinal plants. However, practitioners are increasingly concerned about the scarcity of herbs, caused by population growth, mining, deforestation, and rampant forest fires.
Sohtun, a local healer, now has to purchase herbs and hire locals to search for them in remote, forested areas. “Herbs are typically found in dense forests and uncultivated land,” he explained. Dr Alka, a healer, echoed similar concerns, emphasizing that deforestation has exacerbated the issue.
Both agree on the importance of educating children about medicinal plants. Awareness from a young age can be crucial in emergencies, such as trekking or picnics. Dr Alka noted that while medicinal plants are found across Meghalaya, different regions offer unique herbs. “Tura in Garo Hills is rich in herbs not found in Khasi Hills, and vice versa,” she said. “Our state is blessed—even weeds and grass have medicinal properties.”
The Protection and Promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine Act, 2011, includes provisions for protecting medicinal plants, such as declaring plant sanctuaries. However, this has not been implemented since the Act was passed. The Act calls for mapping and demarcating these areas to conserve biodiversity, but no progress has been made.
Dr Alka, General Secretary of the Society for Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and Practices (SPIKAP) and a member of the Khasi Hills Traditional Medicine Commission (KHTMC), expressed frustration with the lack of action from both the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and the state government. She highlighted the unutilized Khasi Traditional Medicine Institute in Lum Sohpetbneng, Ri-Bhoi, which has been ready but remains non-functional. “The institute would be a boon for the people, but everything is moving so slowly,” she lamented. “The commission has been around for two decades, yet nothing has changed.”
Formation of SPIKAP
Established in 2013, SPIKAP serves as a platform for traditional healers in remote Meghalaya villages, including herbalists, birth attendants, and providers of care for burns, sprains, strokes, and fractures. Founded by Chairman John F. Kharshiing, SPIKAP aims to support and improve healthcare delivery in rural areas.
Kharshiing highlighted the cost-effectiveness of traditional medicine, pointing out that in East Khasi Hills, villagers found hospital visits expensive, costing around 3,000-4,000 rupees, while indigenous medicine was more affordable and beneficial.
SPIKAP encourages practitioners to form societies and holds occasional awareness programs. Kharshiing also educates them on the Medical Council Act, stressing the importance of knowing their limitations. He recalled an instance where a doctor informed healers about the proper treatment for dog bites, emphasizing the need for hospital care.
In 2003, Kharshiing led a team of 13 practitioners to meet former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who encouraged them to blend modern science with traditional knowledge.
Traditional medicine practitioners complement modern medicine
Seminars have often highlighted the contributions of traditional healers to the state’s healthcare and discussed integrating traditional medicine with modern practices. However, Dr. Alka notes that such discussions rarely translate into action. She emphasizes the potential of collaboration, where allopathy’s scientific methods and traditional medicine’s indigenous knowledge could together offer a more holistic approach to healthcare.
“Traditional medicine remains uncodified, whereas allopathy is well-documented and structured. If these two systems were to collaborate, it could yield remarkable results. Allopathy brings scientifically proven methodologies, while traditional medicine offers rich, indigenous knowledge. A blended approach could bridge these strengths. For instance, in health investigations, traditional healers lack diagnostic tools. But if doctors and healers worked together—sharing diagnoses and discussing treatment strategies—it could result in a more comprehensive and effective approach to healthcare,” Dr. Alka told EastMojo.
SPIKAP chairman Kharshiing warns that traditional practices risk being lost with technological advancements. He highlights the crucial role healers play in providing affordable care to underserved communities but laments the lack of government support for basic infrastructure. SPIKAP’s efforts, like giving essential tools, have helped, but challenges such as resource wastage persist. Kharshiing envisions a future where traditional medicine is integrated with tourism, branding it as “health tourism.”
This story has been published as part of the AIPP-EastMojo Fellowship 2024
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