Shillong, Oct 17: Traditional knowledge of curing ailments by using medicinal herbs in Meghalaya would be integrated with scientific knowledge through the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

Health Minister, A.L. Hek who held a discussion with a group of traditional practitioners, said that traditional practitioners would be promoted in the state in a more organized way so that the traditional knowledge related to healing of ailments can be promoted by integrating with scientific methods.

Stating that the practice of healing ailments by using medicinal plants by traditional practitioners has existed since time immemorial, Hek said that as of now, this is being practiced individually but not in an organized way.

Hek stressed the need to make this traditional knowledge sustainable so that the traditional practitioners can also earn their livelihood.

He also informed that only genuine traditional practitioners would be considered by the government.

The Health Minister said exhibition to exhibit various indigenous medicinal herbs, workshops and seminars on the importance of promoting traditional methods of curing ailments by using medicinal plants would be also organized.

According to Hek, the system would also help promote health tourism.

Traditional practitioners who were present at the meeting expressed concern over the acute shortage of medicinal herbs due to destruction of forest and various species available in the forest land.

They urged the government to take steps to conserve various medicinal plants which were abundantly available in the past and take stern action against people who indulge in indiscriminate burning of forest.

Thriking Shadap, a traditional healer from Ri-Bhoi district who used to cure snake bites and other sicknesses by using medicinal herbs, stressed the need to plant more medicinal herbs and preserve them.

Another traditional practitioner from Umkiang in Jaiñtia Hills, Pristina Bamon, said that many serious ailments were cured after patients turned up to traditional practitioners for treatment by using medicinal plants.