SANTAL INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL KNOWLEDGE: HOLISTIC HEALTH PRACTICES AND ETHICAL INNOVATIONS

Abstract

The Santal tribe, one of India’s largest indigenous communities primarily found in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar, possesses a rich heritage of medicinal knowledge developed over centuries. This paper examines the Santal approach to health, which combines the use of local plants, herbal remedies, and ritual practices to treat a wide range of ailments, including skin disorders, respiratory issues, chronic conditions, and post-fever complications. Drawing on ethnobotanical surveys and historical documentation, the study highlights key medicinal plants such as Moringa oleifera, Acorus calamus, and Abrus precatorius, demonstrating their specific applications within the community. The Santal framework emphasizes holistic well-being, integrating physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental dimensions, and relies on healers like the kaviraj and ojha to tailor treatments to individual needs. Ethical innovations, including sustainable harvesting, community consent, and efforts to align traditional knowledge with modern healthcare practices, are also discussed. The study underscores the potential of Santal medicine to contribute to culturally sensitive, sustainable, and inclusive health systems while preserving indigenous wisdom for future generations.