ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Pharmacol., 30 March 2022

Sec. Ethnopharmacology

Volume 12 - 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.789360

Traditional Dietary Knowledge of a Marginal Hill Community in the Central Himalaya: Implications for Food, Nutrition, and Medicinal Security

  • 1. G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, India

  • 2. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, India

  • 3. Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Ranikhet, India

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Abstract

Himalayan communities illustrate a rich agriculture–medicine use system that not only provides adequate dietary diversity and nutrition but also delivers therapeutic security. This study explores the food–medicine interface as observed by the marginal hill communities in the central Himalaya with an aim to assess traditional agriculture and food plants with relation to dietary diversity and nutritional and medicinal values based on comprehensive research. A total of 445 respondents were interviewed to obtain data on food intakes using dietary recall methods and dietary diversity indices (DDIs). The ethnomedical use of plant species was gathered from respondents as well as from various published studies for respective species. Nutritional parameters were collected from the Indian Food Composition Table developed by the ICMR, India to analyze the average nutritional intake. The traditional food system achieves the dietary and nutritional needs of the community within the standard norms. The average household dietary diversity of 7.45, 7.34, and 8.39 in summer, monsoon, and winter seasons, respectively, sustain 79, 74, and 93% of energy requirements in respective, seasons. The average food consumption score (FCS) was 73.46, and all the food exhibited rich phytochemicals, such as amino acids, alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolic acids. These plants also provided effective treatments against several ailments and illnesses, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetics, gastrointestinal issues, and inflammation The indigenous cuisines also have significant food and medicinal values. Considering that the community had significant knowledge of food systems with their nutritional and therapeutic utility, there is a need to protect and document this indigenous knowledge. Also, most of the crops are still under cultivation, so there is a need to create more awareness about the nutritional and therapeutic value of the system so that it could be retained intact and continued. The implications of this research are of both academic importance and practical significance to ensure food–medicine security and avoid malnutrition among rural communities. It is expected that the study would lead to renewed thinking and policy attention on traditional agriculture for its role in food and nutritional security that may lead to a sustainable food supply system.

Introduction

Notwithstanding significant growth in the agriculture sector in the past few decades, still, there is persistent hunger and malnutrition in many parts of the world (FAO 2017). Expanding the food production system to new areas comes with a heavy natural environmental cost, thus posing a challenge to sustainable food supply to the ever-growing population (Fróna et al., 2019). It is disheartening to note that despite the global commitment to bring food security and end hunger and malnutrition by 2030, the world is far from achieving these SDG objectives; on the contrary, the number of undernourished and hungry people has been increasing (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, 2020). There is also a decline in the access of quantity and quality of food in many places. Disruptions in food supply and income greatly impact the access of poor and vulnerable people to nutritious foods and healthy food across the globe (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, 2018). As per the FAO report, nearly 11% of the global population and 14.5% of India’s population is undernourished. An Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report emphasized that malnutrition is a major contributing factor behind the death of children below 5 years of age, and the incidences of malnutrition are high in rural and tribal areas (Narayan et al., 2019). The major cause of malnutrition is lack of adequacy of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, meat, and milk. Fortunately, there are many traditional crops and food production systems that are in place for centuries and have been meeting food and nutritional requirement of a substantial population (Adhikari et al., 2019). Such agricultural systems are well-established and sustainable in food supply; thus, they can provide competitive benefits over the modern agriculture systems (Carl et al., 2017). All over the world, traditional food systems are supportive in maintaining local food habits and culture along with conserving vital food and fodder plants and their wild relatives (FAO 2011a; Khoury et al., 2016). It is largely practiced by smallholders, particularly by women, and is important in sustaining agricultural genetic diversity and soil fertility (FAO 2011b; Maikhuri et al., 2015). Other important aspects of traditional agriculture are withstanding nutritional and food security, ensuring optimum productivity and economic return, reducing the vulnerability of crops during adverse conditions, retaining natural resource base, and minimizing adverse environmental impacts (Sundriyal et al., 1994; ICMR-ICFT 2017). Traditional food systems are considered beneficial in terms of providing fewer calories and saturated fat, more iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin A (IFPRI 2015). It also provides relief in selected health issues, such as allergies, asthma, digestive and cardiovascular illness, obesity, and even diabetes, thus acting as an interface of food and medicine (CINE 2021). The traditional crops and wild plants offer wide food diversity and nutritional security to local communities, thus safeguarding against hunger (Jones 2017). It secures access of marginal communities to adequate food especially in the low-income regions where a significant share of the population, especially women, is still engaged in agriculture (Bisht et al., 2018). Local food systems also offer enriched dietary diversity and quality that strengthen environmental sustainability (Fanzo et al., 2013) and therapeutic efficacy (Sarkar et al., 2015). Thus the traditional food and dietary systems constitute a backbone for the sustainable development of agriculture, food security, and poverty alleviation. Therefore, supporting the diversity of foods and species consumed in local diets has significant benefits for sustainable food systems and public health perspectives (Jennings et al., 2015; Hettiarachchi 2021). However, globally, there is a net decline in traditional food systems despite the fact that a significant population still depends on them (Khoury et al., 2014). The developing countries are undergoing a rapid change in land uses and governance with a shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture to accelerate economic growth that ultimately affects the access of local communities to food (Broegaard et al., 2017). A decline in crop diversity has significant worldwide implications for food and nutritional security. This increases the demand to make traditional agriculture more reliable by generating greater awareness regarding such systems that not only meet food demand but also serve as a better example of an interface of food and medicine. The present study was undertaken with a similar focus so as to create an enhanced understanding of the advantages and limitations of traditional agriculture in the central Himalayan region. Here, a large section of the population is still dependent on traditional agriculture, and women have been a major workforce to perform agricultural activities (Sundriyal et al., 2014). We argue that there is a need to highlight the health, nutritional, and therapeutic benefits of the traditional food system to revive it from disappearance. Considering this, the present study investigates the food–nutrition–medicine interface of marginal hill communities in the central Himalaya. The objectives are to assess 1) crops and wild plant diversity used to fulfill the dietary quality of the Central Himalayan community and 2) nutrient and therapeutic claims of the traditional diets essential for sustenance of the community. We expect that a better understanding of the intersection between traditional food, dietary diversity, nutritional quality, and medicinal efficacy along with some possible developmental options, thus, would receive greater attention from policy planners and developmental workers. In addition to this, it may salvage the dwindling traditional dietary system that is further leading the marginalization of the smallholder farming communities.

Study Region and Methods

For this study, the Uttarakhand state in the central Himalaya, India was targeted that comprised a total geographical area (TGA) of 53,483 km2. The state shares borders with Himachal Pradesh in northwest & Uttar Pradesh in the south and international borders with Tibet in the north and Nepal in the west. Physiographically, Uttarakhand can be divided into three broad zones, viz., the Himalayas, the Siwalik, and the Terai region. Administratively, the state has 13 districts and houses a population of 10.09 million (69.77% rural and 30.23% urban) with a livestock population of 4.79 million and largely exhibits an agrarian and pastoralist economy with high dependence on forest resources. For detailed investigation, we selected the Bageshwar district (area of 2,302 km2) of Uttarakhand that is most centrally located and represents all broad features of the state (Figure 1). Bageshwar is largely hilly terrain covering Siwalik ranges and the high Himalayas. Pindar, Saryu (Sarju), Gomati, and Pungar are the main rivers flowing across the district. Administratively, the district comprised four Tehsils, viz., Bageshwar, Kapkot, Kanda, and Garur and three blocks, viz., Bageshwar, Garur, and Kapkot. As per the 2011 census, the total population is 259,898 (male 48% and female 52%) with 96% living in the rural areas. There are 874 inhabited villages in the district (Anonymous 2011). The community of the area is divided into three categories, viz., General, Scheduled Class, and Scheduled Tribe. The education status of the district is good, with an overall literacy rate of 80.01%, although it is much higher for males (92.33%) than females (69.03%). The district has 10.8% land area under agriculture, which is mainly rain-fed (average annual rainfall of 1,200–1,400 mm). Only 20% of agricultural land is irrigated. In addition, the district comprised 55% land area under forest, 5.42% cultivable barren land, 3.23% barren and uncultivable land, and 10.64% as permanent pasture and grazing land (Anonymous 2011). The district also has 273,051 livestock that forms an integral part of each household. These animals comprised cattle (37%), buffalo (10%), goats (40%), sheep (6.5%), and others (6.5%). In addition, there is also backyard poultry. As per the livestock census 2012, Uttarakhand exhibited low per capita availability of milk (387g/day/person), meat (2kg/person/year), and egg (27eggs/person/year); therefore, in rural places, there is high dependence on agriculture. However, the economy is collectively met from all these lands and largely subsistence-type. The majority of people are involved in the primary sector (agricultural activities), although some also work in secondary and tertiary sectors, such as private works, businesses, and government jobs. Generally, the community is greatly dependent on farming and natural resources and characterized as highly marginal with small and scattered land holdings, small production, and low income. The major foods of the community are rice, finger millet, wheat, barley, maize, pulses, and a wide variety of vegetables cultivated or collected from the wild. Occasionally, people also consume animal products (meat, ghee, buttermilk, milk, curd, etc.). Generally, the male population out migrates to earn better livelihoods, leading to dominance of womenfolk in the villages. It also results in a continuous increase in fallow lands and culturable wastelands. The district has limited health infrastructure mainly located in urban areas. As per the National Family Health Survey (2015–16), the prevalence of malnutrition in Uttarakhand among children under 5 years of age was 26.6% underweight and 33.5% stunting (Anonymous 2014). As per Food Policy Research data, the status of nutrition in Bageswar revealed that among the children <5 years, 23% exhibited stranded growth, 26.3% were underweight, and 45% anemic. In women of reproductive age, 41.3% were anemic while 24.9% had a body mass index <18.5 kg/m2. For common health needs, rural communities are largely dependent on the traditional health care system (Ojha et al., 2020).

FIGURE 1

Assessing Traditional Food and Medicinal Usage

The study was conducted from 2017 to 2019. To collect field data, we randomly selected 24 villages covering Garur Ganga, Saryu, and Gomati Valley of Garur and Kapkot blocks of the district. The selection of villages covered an altitude from 1,200 to 2,700 m above sea level. Largely, the area has a similar sociocultural structure though crops and plants vary with elevation. The criterion for village selection was to maximize the probability of including respondents from different altitudes, social statuses, and castes. Owing to the topography of the region, the villages lie on the fringes of the hills as well as in the high peaks of the region. Thus, it was assured that a probabilistic approach was to be taken. A detailed questionnaire was prepared to cover various broad areas of food intake. In addition, focused interviews were also arranged regarding knowledge, attitude and practices, dietary intake, and food habits. Since most farmers owned small landholding and were categorized as smallholders, for selecting a household (participant), we initially conducted a household listing operation in each selected village to provide a frame to include in the sample. Accordingly, a total of 25% households or a maximum of 30 households were sampled in each village with equal probability. Altogether, we sampled a total of 445 households across villages. Of the total respondents, 65% were women being the major workforce as men migrated to towns and cities for finding alternate employment. The median age of the interviewees was 38. A detailed list of all traditional agricultural practices, crops, and foods eaten by the local community, the local name of the species, its source of availability (cultivated or collected from wild), plant part used, the month of collection, seasonal consumption pattern, uses other than food during illness, and mode of use and application was prepared. We also explored major crops and cropping patterns in rain-fed and irrigated fields. As the majority of crop species were common, they were simply matched with the existing herbarium for identification purposes. We used standard plant nomenclature using IPNI (2021). An important part of the study was to assess the food and medicine interface of traditional crops and plants that are most commonly used by the marginal hill community. These practices are being used since eternity, descended from the inherited knowledge of the locals and indigenous population of Uttarakhand.

As women commence most household doings and take key decisions in food making, of the total respondents, a total of 100 women were targeted for 24-h dietary recall survey (FAO, 2018). These women were of the age group of 25–50 years. The study was repeated consecutively for three major seasons, viz., summer (March to June), monsoon (July to October), and winter (November to February). Common village measuring units (such as patha) were standardized to obtain an actual quantity of food intake by the participants to estimate the usual daily intake of food, and the frequency of intake was combined to obtain the optimum digits. Information on main ingredients and cooking methods was gathered for different traditional food recipes, cuisines, or herbal preparations. We considered those dishes that have been traditional in nature and were in practice through generations. The frequency of food intake for different species is gathered in three categories: daily (consumed regularly), weekly (consumed at least once in a week), and occasional (consumed at least once in a month or season). We considered median values of intake instead of mean to avoid skewness of data. As some species are preferred for healthcare also, we also gathered information on the illness being treated, therapy applied, and techniques used in treatment. To further assess the potency of a treatment using local crops and plants, we also interviewed local Vaidyas (herbal healers or folk medicine practitioners) using snowball sampling. It was through discussion with locals and other practitioners that we identified 30 healers who agreed to share information. Later on, they were interviewed to elucidate the potency of crops/plants for therapeutic purposes. For this, two general meetings (one in each valley) were organized in which the information gathered from the community was shared with vaidyas to provide a common viewpoint on the effectiveness of the dietary habit for treatment of illness/ailments. In addition, the healers also have knowledge and experience on the use of different crops and wild plants for its use in curing diseases and ailments. Other than vaidyas, 20 members of the native community also participated in each meeting. Information was gathered on the illness being tackled, plant parts used, processing (if any), and mode of application. All the data collected as above were arranged by listing all crops and wild plants used as food, dietary diversity and food groups consumed in different seasons, preference of traditional food in terms of nutrition and medicinal utility, and sociocultural significance of food items, if any.

Assessing Dietary Diversity Indices

Dietary diversity indices (DDI) provide us with quantified variables with outcomes that define the quality of diet taken by the communities. The study used two major indices in the study to quantify the quality and diversity of food taken by the community. The household dietary diversity score (HDDS) was used to check the food consumption and household access to a variety of food as well as a proxy for nutrient adequacy. Data were collected in accordance with the guidelines for measuring household and individual dietary diversity and with suggested 12-food group indicators (FAO, 2010). For all the three seasons (summer, monsoon, and winter), a 24-h dietary recall was taken from the respondents which was converted into Boolean variables (where 0 = food not taken and 1 = food taken) and finally summing up the values to obtain the HDDS. Another index implemented in the study is the Food Consumption Score (FCS) developed by the World Food Program to aggregate household-level data on diversity and frequency of food consumed during a specific duration (WFP, 2009). The indicator used a 7-day dietary recall and frequency of the food groups whose intake frequencies were noted in the questionnaire and after applying the respective weights to the food groups.

FCS was calculated using Equation 1 as follows:where,

xi = frequency of food consumed in past 7 days.

The nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) was also calculated for the 13 nutritional indicators (viz., energy, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamin B1, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, Ca, Mg, Fe, Na, and Zn) used in the study by dividing the participant’s actual intake of each nutrient by the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), and additionally the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was calculated using the following equation (INDEX Project, 2018):

MAR=ΣNAR/(Number of Nutrients)

Assessing Nutritional Status of Food and Medicinal Plants

Food plants comprise significant nutritional and health benefits as they contain all the essential nutrients in the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and fruits of many plants. Therefore, after collecting the information on traditional food plants and food habits of the communities, selected crops were assessed for their nutritional values from the Indian food composition developed by the ICMR, India (ICMR-ICFT 2017; Longvah et al., 2017). The species-specific values for energy, proteins, fats and carbohydrates, water-soluble and insoluble vitamins (such as thiamine—vit. B1; ascorbic acid—vit. C; ergocalciferol—vit. D; and tocopherol—vit E), and minerals (such as Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, and Zn) were undertaken. For some species, nutritional parameters were assessed from other research sources derived by searching Google Scholar and PubMed sources. The intakes, as classified on the basis of daily, weekly, and occasionally, were filtered and analyzed with respect to the nutritional information to obtain the average nutritional intake of individuals, although the rarely eaten foods were not included in the consumption analysis.

Results

Richness of the Food System

It was recorded that the community used as many as 68 food plant species comprising cereals, pseudo-cereals, millets, vegetables, pulses, fruits, spices and condiments, oilseeds, and medicinal and aromatic plants to fulfill their basic needs (Table 1). The main crops were rice (comprise 50% of agricultural land), finger millet (20%), wheat (19%), barley (5%), and maize (1.35%), and the cropping pattern differs in irrigated and unirrigated (rain-fed) agricultural lands. In irrigated fields, rice forms the major crop, although in some areas, wheat is also grown. In unirrigated fields, however, mixed cropping along with crop rotation has been the key feature. In such areas either dry rice, followed by wheat and millet, or millet followed by rice and wheat cultivation is followed on a 3-years crop rotation basis. Mix-cropping of pulses (lentil, urd, etc.) and oilseeds (mustard, sesame, soybean, etc.) was integral in rain-fed lands. Besides, the cultivation of a wide variety of minor crops, vegetables, and medicinal plants was also performed by the farmers. The main fruits of the study area were citrus, pear, mango, walnut, apple, peach, plum, apricot, litchi, etc. Most species were cultivated as vegetables (33.82%), followed by cereals and millets (15%), spices & condiments (14.71%), oilseeds (11.76%), fruits (10.29%), and aromatic species (2.9%) (Figure 2). A total of 35 species were also sold in local markets. In addition, a significant number of wild plants were collected from nearby forests to fulfill diverse needs.

TABLE 1

Crop category and scientific name {family, (RKT no.#)}Common nameLocal name$Availability seasonCultivated or collected from the wildAdditional use other than food (during illness)Mode of use or applicationDetails of recipes or medicinal use
ACereals, pseudo-cereals and millets
1Amaranthus caudatus L. {Amaranthaceae (RKT 25885)}Amaranth/RamdanaKedari chuwaS, WCMeaslesDASeeds (25 g) are spread over the sleeping bed
2Echinochloa frumentacea Link. {Poaceae (RKT 7475)}Barnyard milletJhangora/MadiraS, WCAnemiaCoDe-husked seeds and flour used as chapati (bread) and cooked rice, respectively
3Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. {Poaceae (RKT 7299)}Finger milletMaduaM, WCCold and cough and high blood pressureCoPorridge of flour and breads (hot chapatti 2–3 nos. for 3–4 days)
4Fagopyrum esculentum Moench {Polygonaceae (RKT 27688)}Buckwheat/KuttuOgal/phapharS, WCEnergy boosterCoRecipes (halwa, chapati, and vegetables) eaten for boosts of energy
5Fagopyrum cymosum (Trev.) Meisn {Polygonaceae (RKT 12896)}Wild buckwheatJhankaraSWStomachicCoLeaves and tender twigs used as vegetable
6Hordeum vulgare L. {Poaceae (RKT 7855)}BarleyJauS, MCHigh blood pressure and throat disordersS, CoBreads (Chapatis-25 g/person) for blood pressure normalization; smoke of burning grains (10 g) inhaled for throat cure
7aOryza sativa L. {Poaceae (RKT 4796)}PaddyDhanS, M, WCLeucorrheaCoBoiled rice of Sanwdhan (100–200 g/person) locally known as Bhaat
8Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv. {Poaceae (RKT 7389)}Foxtail milletKauniS, M, WCMeaslesCoDe-husked grains (50–100 g/individual) are cooked as rice and served to the patients
9aTriticum aestivum L. {Poaceae (RKT 26973)}WheatGehunS, M, WC--CoSeed flour used as chapatti and other traditional dishes
10Zea mays L. {Poaceae (RKT 7536)}MaizeMakkaS, MCWhooping coughAFBlank cob’s ash (20–30 g)
BVegetables
11Asparagus filicinus Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don {Asparagaceae (RKT 14469)}AsparagusKairuwaSWEnergy booster and tonicCoYoung shoots (40–100 g/individual) vegetable
12Bauhinia variegata L. {Fabaceae (--)}KachnarKwairalSWDysentery, diarrhea, and StomachicCoBoiled flower buds used as a traditional Rayata and pickle
13Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. {Cucurbitaceae (RKT 26003)}Wax gourdPaitha/Kumila/BhujS, MCStomachicCoFruit used in traditional Baris and sweet dishes
14Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. {Brassicaceae (--)}CabbageBand gobiWC--CoVegetative bud used as vegetable
15Chenopodium album L. {Amaranthaceae (RKT 19173)}ChenopodiumBathuaWCCold and coughCoSoup of (100 ml) of matured grains (25 g) with normal spices
16Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott {Araceae (RKT 8706)}TaroGaderi/PinaluM, WC--CoCorms, rolled leaf blade, and petiole or leaf stalk used as vegetable
17Cucumis sativus L. {Cucurbitaceae (RKT 1040)}CucumberKakariS, MCSun stroke and malariaInWater of matured cucumber fruits
18Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir. {Cucurbitaceae (--)}PumpkinKadduM,WC--CoGreen and matured (ripe) fruit vegetable (60–100 g/individual)
19Cyclanthera pedata (L.) Schrad {Cucurbitaceae (RKT 27159)}Wild cucumberMeetha/RamKarelaS, MCLiver diseases and stomachicCoFruit (100 g/individual) vegetable
20Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw. {Athyriaceae (--)}FernLinguraS, MWConstipationCoYoung fronds (50 g/individual) used as vegetable
21Dioscorea alata L. () {Dioscoreaceae (RKT 11878)}Winged yamTarur/TairuWWStomachicCoTuber used in traditional recipe—Tarur ki sabzi (50 g/individual)
22Dioscorea bulbifera L. {Dioscoreaceae (RKT 27263)}Dioscorea, YamGenthiWCCold and coughCoCooked vegetables of yams (150 g/individual)
23Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. {Cucurbitaceae (--)}Bottle gourdLaukiS, MCLow and high blood pressureCoJuice or soup (85–105 g/individual) of vegetable
24Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. {Cucurbitaceae (RKT 3602)}Ridge gourdToraiS, MCFeverCoFruit (85–105g/individual) vegetable
25Megacarpaea polyandra Benth. {Brassicaceae (RKT 1378)}RookiBarmola/Rookhi/RugiSWDysentery, fever, and stomach acheCo, DAFresh leaves (70 g/individual) used as vegetable; roots eaten raw
26Momordica charantia L. {Cucurbitaceae (RKT 24932, RKT 27529)}Bitter gourdKarelaS,MCStomach ache, diabetes, and antiparasiticCo, InFresh fruit juice (10–20 ml/day for 3–4 days in a week; Fruit (50 g/individual) vegetable
27Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. {Phytolaccaceae (--)}Indian pokeweedJaragS, MCCough, cold, and constipationCoThe fresh tender leaves and twigs (40–50 g/individual) are cooked as vegetable
28Raphanus sativus L. (Brassicaceae) {Brassicaceae (RKT 10925, RKT 27049)}RadishMooliM, WCJaundiceCoGreen leaves and roots (50–70 g/individual) cooked as vegetables without oil and turmeric
29Solanum melongena L. {Solanaceae (RKT 29242)}BrinjalBaiganS, MCDog bite/rabiesAFStem wood ash (20–30 g) powder is tied on the wounds of biting spot
30aSolanum tuberosum L. {Solanaceae (RKT 8138)}PotatoAaluS, M, WC--CoStarchy food (king of the vegetable), ingredients of all type vegetable
31Spinacia oleracea L. {Amaranthaceae (RKT 28871)}SpinachPalakWCHemoregulatoryCoLeaf used as traditional dish—Palak ka Kafa
32Trichosanthes anguina L. {Cucurbitaceae (RKT 2264)}Snake gourdChichandaS, MCFeverCoVegetables of fruits (70 g/person)
33Urtica ardens Link. {Urticaceae (RKT 24064)}Himalayan nettleBichhughas Kandali/S, M, WWMenorrhagia disorder and muscular painCo, DAYoung shoots are cooked as vegetable and eaten for smooth menstruation; young shoots applied in body cramp & external pains (muscular pain)
CPulses
34Glycine max (L.) Merrill (Fabaceae) {Fabaceae (RKT 29313)}SoybeanBhattS, M, WCJaundice and pilesCoLocal recipes like Jaula, Dubuke, and Chutkani are prepared from the grains (40 g/individual)
35Glycine max subsp. soja (Sieb. & Zucc.) H. Ohashi {Fabaceae (RKT 15664)}Black soybeanKala BhattS, M, WCJaundice and pilesCoLocal recipes like Jaula, Dubuke, and Chutkani are prepared from the grains (45 g/individual)
36Lens culinaris Medik {Fabaceae (RKT 7781)}LentilMasoorS, M, WCAnemiaCoLocal recipes like Dal and Dubuke are prepared from the grains (40 g/persons)
37Phaseolus vulgaris L. {Fabaceae (RKT 29059)}French BeanRajmaS, M, WCEnergy booster (protein rich)CoLocal landraces are good sources of protein used as different recipes
38Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper {Fabaceae (RKT 27199)}Black gram/uradMaasS, M, WCEnergy booster and for fractureCo, InLocal recipes like chaise, Baidu roti etc are prepared from the grains (40–50/persons); Paste prepared by grinding of (50 g/person) seeds with water applied on the fractured part
39Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp {Fabaceae (RKT 16856)}CowpeaLobia/Sotta/SuntS, M, WCDiabetes and energy boosterCoTaken as a traditional dish form (40–50 g/person)
40Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verde {Fabaceae (--)}HorsegramGahatS, M, WCKidney stone, cold, and coughCoPulse (Daal–40–50 g/person) soup; Gahat ka Ras (an indigenous dish) prepared by seeds (50 g/individual) cooked with water (1 ltr.) until the volume reduced (100 ml) and taken regularly
41Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi {Fabaceae (--)}Rice beanGuruns/RayansWCJaundice and measlesCoPulse (Daal) of grains (50 g/individual)
DFruits
42Citrus hystrix DC. (Rutaceae) {Rutaceae (--)}Jambhiri lemonJamirWCMalaria, fever, and dehydrationSyConcentrated juice or extract (5–10 ml.) of matured fruits
43Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. {Rutaceae (RKT 2381)}LemonNimbuWCVitamin C, vomiting, and gastric disorderIn, SyFruit taken as traditional nimbu sanni; fruit juice, or extract (5–10 ml) is ingredients of traditional chutneys
44Ficus palmata Forssk. {Moraceae (RKT 8886, RKT 28094)}FigBeduS, MWdGastric ulcer, cuts and wounds, and removal of thornCo, DAVegetables of fruits (50 g) for gastric ulcer; stem latex (4–5 drops) for removal of thorn form the bottom of the feet.
45Ficus auriculata Lour. (Moraceae) {Moraceae (RKT 7524)}Elephant ear figTimilaS, MWdAcidity, blood pressure, and duodenal ulcerCoVegetables of fruits (50 g/individual)
46Punica granatum L. {Lythraceae (RKT 28845)}PomegranateDarimS, M, WC, WdAnemia, cold and cough, and source of vitamin ‘C'Po, InFruit peels (5–10 g) used for 3–4 times or powder (50 g) of dried fruit peel taken orally with warm water for cold and cough; fruit juice (50 ml) given twice a day to anemic patient
47Psidium guajava L. {Myrtaceae (RKT 13868)}GuavaAmroodWCCold and cough and mouth blistersInFruits (50 g) baked in the hot ash are served to the patients; fresh leaves are chewed as astringent
48Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels {Myrtaceae (RKT 8839)}BlackberryJamunSWdDiabetesInFruits and seeds (100 g)
ESpices and condiments
49aAllium cepa L. {Alliaceae (RKT 7675)}OnionPyazS, M, WCPimplesOPaste of bulbs (50 g) applied on the spot
50aAllium sativum L. (Alliaceae) {Alliaceae (RKT 19219)}GarlicLahsunS,M,WCGastric problem and joint pain (Arthritis)In, OCloves (2–3 nos.) are eaten in the morning before breakfast; paste prepared from 5 to 7 spilled cloves heated with 20 ml mustard oil and massage on joints
51Allium schoenoprasum L. {Alliaceae (RKT 24974)}ChivesDunn/Dhungar/PanguriS,M,WCCold and cough, gastric problem, and joint painCoSoup of cloves (20 g) and fresh (20 g) and dried leaves (20 g) taken as a vegetable; tempering the dishes
52aCapsicum annuum L. {Solanaceae (RKT 7675)}ChilliKhursaniS, M, WCSkin burnOPaste of powder of chilli capsules applied over burned parts
53Cannabis sativa L. {Cannabaceae (RKT 27224)}HempBhangS, M, WCConstipation, stomach ache, and warm effectCoSeed milk (100 ml) extracted from 20 g seed and used as an ingredient of traditional dishes
54aCoriandrum sativum L. {Apiaceae (RKT 29354, RKT 28118)}CorianderDhaniaS, M, WCUrine disorderInfCoriander grains (20 g) are soaked in water (100 ml); this water is served to the patients
55aTrachyspermum ammi (L.) Spr. {Apiaceae (--)}AmmiAjwainS, MCStomach ache and gastric problemIn, PoSeeds (5 g) are chewed or powder is consumed with lukewarm water
56aCurcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) {Apiaceae (RKT 5970)}TurmericHaldiS, M, WCCuts, internal injury, and woundsO, Po, DAPaste of rhizomes for cuts and wound healing; powder (5 g) mixed with a full glass of warm milk for internal injury; dry leaves (5–10 nos.) are used as bed for infants
57Trigonella foenum–graecum L. {Fabaceae (RKT 29342, RKT 28507)}TrigonellaMethiS, M, WCCold and cough, constipation, diabetes, indigestion, joint pain, and obesityCo, InfVegetable of grains (12 g/individual) and leaves (50 g/individual); leaf juice (5–10 ml) is taken orally for curing obesity, indigestion, joint pain and constipation; 25 g seeds are soaked overnight and filtered, the filtrate taken orally on empty stomach for gastric problems and diabetes
58aZingiber officinale Roscoe {Zingiberaceae (RKT 5921)}GingerAdrakS, M, WCCold and cough and viral feverIn, SyBaked rhizomes and soup (50 g) or a piece (5–10 g) of broiled rhizome mixed with small amount of honey and chewed
FOilseeds
59aBrassica campestris L. {Brassicaceae (RKT 26286)}Yellow mustardPili sarsonS, M, WCParalysis treatmentOOil (100 ml) massage on the affected parts
60aB. juncea (L.) Czern {Brassicaceae (RKT 2286)}Brown mustardBhuri sarsonS, M, WCParalytic limbsOOil (100 ml) massage on the affected parts
61Brassica nigra (L.) Koch {Brassicaceae (--)}Black mustardRaituwa raiS, M, WCStomachic, refreshing agent, and relieves tirednessInGround seed (5 g for 500 ml curd) is a main ingredients of traditional Pahari Raytas
62Lepidium sativum L. (Brassicaceae) {Brassicaceae (--)}Pepper cressChamsur, HalangWCAsthma, cold and cough, and massage (infant)Co, OLeafy vegetables (30 g) for cold cough; fatty oil (8–10 drops) body massage for infant
63Linum usitatissimum L. {Linaceae (RKT 22549)}LinseedAlsiS, M, WCImmunity enhancer, and joint painDA, Po, InSeeds or seed powder (1 g/day) taken early in the morning; Roasted seeds (25 g/individual) is an ingredient for traditional chutneys
64Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton {Lamiaceae (RKT 28724)}PerillaBhangiraS, M, WCCough and joint painInRoasted seeds (20g/individual) are an ingredient for traditional chutneys
65Ricinus communis L. {Euphorbiaceae (RKT 22941)}CastorArandiS, M, WWdVein and artery problemsOOil (10–20 drops) massage
66Sesamum indicum L. {Pedaliaceae (RKT 25193)}SesameTilS, WCWashing hair, cold and cough, and muscular painDA, InCrushed green leaves (20–25 g) are used as shampoo; dried seeds (100 g) or crushed seed powder mixed with jaggery, small balls are prepared, and consumed during the winter season as medicine, Oil used in massage
GAromatic plants
67Mentha arvensis L. {Lamiaceae (RKT 1838; RKT 4355)}MintPudinaS, MCDiarrheaInSauces (Chutney) of young tender leafy stem leaves and twigs (10–20 g)
68Ocimum basilicum L. {Lamiaceae (RKT 1836, 19325)}BasilTulsiS, MCCold and cough and viral feverInfTea of leaves or soup (10–15 nos. of leaves) of boiled leaves

Crops plants used as traditional foods, nutritional security, and primary healthcare by central Himalayan communities.

a

Eaten on a daily basis; $Availability: crop season, storage, and market; S=summer (April to June); M = monsoon (July to September); Winter (December to March); cultivated (C); wild (Wd); ointment (O); ingestion (In); infusion (Inf); powder (Po); direct application (DA); cooking (Co); syrup (Sy); ash form (AF); smoke (S). #Matched vouchers with the herbarium specimen lodged in CCRAS-RARI, tarikhet, Ranikhet, Uttarakhand with the acronym (RKT).

FIGURE 2

The main characteristics of traditional farming are that it is performed on small and fragmented land holdings and is subsistence-type and labor-intensive, therefore practiced as family farming. It is largely organic in nature as the community uses only farmyard manure (FYM) to maintain soil fertility. The traditional food system comprised a combination of food plants, wild edibles, and other cuisines, etc., and there was a preference for traditional food items/dishes that maintained taste, nutrition, and cultural values. Women are at the center of the traditional food systems that undertake diverse roles from seed selection, storage, agriculture field preparation, weeding, harvesting, storage, cooking, etc., protecting farm diversity and maintaining dietary diversity within the community. The community strongly believed that the traditional food items substantiate their energy, protein, and carbohydrate requirements, particularly of women who performed extensive physical works at households and farms. An assessment of average food self-sufficiency revealed that communities would produce a significant share of their household need from their farms. For generations, the community has been successful in extending proper local governance in a decentralized manner to various resources, such as land, forest, and water, on which the traditional food system is intensely reliant. All these resources form an integral part of the local socioecological systems. All natural resources are maintained with the perspectives for proper access, harvest cycles, and equitable distribution, which is key to sustaining local food systems and diets.

Seasonal Dietary Analysis

It was noticed that the dietary habits of the local community are influenced by seasons as per the availability of crops and wild plants. Some seasonal food items are also brought to the local market, and people can procure them from the market if it is not grown by them. An assessment of 24-h dietary recall of the community against the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) indicated that a large share of daily energy requirements of a working woman was fulfilled by traditional diets only (Figure 2). The community prefers energy-rich foods in their diets. An assessment of energy requirement of the age group of 19–50 years against the RDA revealed that traditional crops fulfill 78.97% requirement during summer, 73.29% during monsoon, and 92.88% in winter (Tables 2, 3). The energy intake was higher during winter than in monsoon. During winter, the community consumes more energy-rich foods such as Eleusine coracana, Dioscorea bulbifera, Glycine max, and Amaranthus caudatus (Table 4). Protein intake was recorded as 60.90 g/day in summer, 61.73 g/day in monsoon, and 77.85 g/day in winter, which is higher than the recommended intake; however, it can be attributed to the amount of labor performed for various works. Fat intake was confined within the RDA limits that reduce the risk of cholesterol-linked diseases. The traditional food also supports higher carbohydrate content in winter (345 g/day) than summer (298 g/day) and monsoon (277 g/day). Traditional food supports a higher intake of vitamin D within tolerable limits. Occasional consumption of meat and fish products also met nutrient demands. A low intake of calcium and sodium was observed, although the requirement of the latter element is met from natural salts. The study clearly revealed that traditional food crops are an important asset to food and nutritional security even in remotely located villages.

TABLE 2

Consumed common food cropsParts used/consumedaAverage intake (g/day/individual)
SummerMonsoonWinter
Daily basis
Allium cepa LBulb69.00 ± 19.2761.00 ± 10.9957.00 ± 12.00
Allium sativumLBulb (cloves)04.00 ± 2.2011.00 ± 4.3625.00 ± 08.46
Brassica juncea (L.) CzernSeed oil30.00 ± 06.8932.00 ± 06.2234.00 ± 08.03
Capsicum annuum LFruit capsule08.00 ± 02.8508.00 ± 02.5612.00 ± 06.25
Coriandrum sativum LSeed24.00 ± 06.9720.00 ± 07.5420.00 ± 06.70
Cucumis sativus LFruit105.0 ± 17.9072.00 ± 20.36--
Curcuma longa LRhizome05.00 ± 03.4105.00 ± 03.117.00 ± 02.95
Oryza sativa LSeed (Grains)190.00 ± 16.24135.00 ± 17.03160.00 ± 09.97
Solanum tuberosum LStem75.00 ± 7.1575.00 ± 11.1290.00 ± 21.20
Trachyspermum ammi (L.) SprSeed05.00 ± 0.8205.00 ± 0.8810.00 ± 0.83
Triticum aestivum LSeed (grains)150.00 ± 10.33140.00 ± 18.54100.00 ± 21.73
Zingiber officinale RoscoeRhizome10.00 ± 03.8215.00 ± 04.0515.00 ± 04.90
Weekly (twice in a week)
Allium schoenoprasum LCloves and leaf10.00 ± 05.20--20.00 ± 05.98
Amaranthus caudatus L. (Amaranthaceae)Seed (grains)--15.00 ± 12.6260.00 ± 26.64
Brassica oleracea var. capitata LVegetative buds----65.00 ± 28.49
Chenopodium album LLeaf twig----30.00 ± 12.84
Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex PoirFruit--100.00 ± 44.6060.00 ± 32.13
Cyclanthera pedata (L.) SchradFruit--130.00 ± 55.04--
Colocasia esculenta LCorms and petiole--80.00 ± 38.54120.00 ± 60.97
Dioscorea bulbifera LAerial tuber----130.00 ± 28.65
Eleusine coracana (L.) GaertSeed (grains)--70.00 ± 18.86110.00 ± 31.45
Fagopyrum esculentum MoenchLeaf75.00 ± 28.67----
Glycine max (L.) MerrillSeed38.00 ± 14.0933.00 ± 11.1150.00 ± 11.72
Glycine max subsp. soja (Sieb. & Zucc.) H. OhashiSeed40.00 ± 23.3035.00 ± 15.1360.00 ± 31.22
Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) StandlFruit80.00 ± 19.5595.00 ± 21.82--
Lens culinaris MedikSeed30.00 ± 18.4735.00 ± 16.3955.00 ± 30.53
Luffa acutangula (L.) RoxbFruit85.00 ± 20.99105.00 ± 23.42--
Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) VerdeSeed25.00 ± 10.8330.00 ± 11.2675.00 ± 20.24
Momordica charantia L--50.00 ± 27.59--
Phaseolus vulgaris LSeed45.00 ± 23.5540.00 ± 20.0170.00 ± 31.34
Raphanus sativus LWhole plant50.00 ± 9.565.00 ± 1070.00 ± 8.4
Spinacia oleracea LLeaf----100.00 ± 45.41
Trichosanthes anguina LFruit--70.00 ± 13.62--
Trigonella foenum–graecum LSeed and leaf14.00 ± 02.4712.00 ± 03.02b50.00 ± 11.12
Vigna mungo (L.) HepperSeed30.00 ± 1635.00 ± 1855.00 ± 30
Vigna unguiculata (L.) WalpSeed25.00 ± 1645.00 ± 2250.00 ± 30
Occasionally used (taken only on seasonal basis)
Asparagus filicinus Buch.-Ham. ex D. DonTender shoots70.00 ± 36.12----
Bauhinia variegata LFlower buds10.00 ± 2.5----
Benincasa hispida ThunbFruit--35.00 ± 17.41--
Brassica nigra (L.) KochSeed5.00 ± 2.535.00 ± 2.525.00 ± 4.20
Cannabis sativa LSeed10.00 ± 8.3410.00 ± 7.2720.00 ± 11.95
Citrus hystrix DC.Fruit----90.00 ± 39.40
Citrus limon (L.) Burm. fFruit and extract10.00 ± 7.1410.00 ± 7.4990.00 ± 44.03
Dioscorea alata LTuber----50.00 ± 29.39
Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) SwYoung fronds40.00 ± 22.9540.00 ± 22.20--
Echinochloa frumentacea LinkSeed (grains)50.00 ± 29.39--50.00 ± 29.61
Fagopyrum esculentum MoenchSeed (grains)40.00 ± 23.87--40.00 ± 24.13
Fagopyrum cymosum TrevLeaf70.00 ± 38.56----
Ficus palmata ForsskFruit35.00 ± 18.4640.00 ± 20.44--
Ficus auriculata LourFruit45.00 ± 27.4653.00 ± 29.40--
Hordeum vulgare LSeed (grains)20.00 ± 11.0717.00 ± 08.95--
Lepidium sativum LLeaf----30.00 ± 12.84
Linum usitatissimum LSeed20.00 ± 12.5820.00 ± 11.9535.00 ± 21.37
Megacarpaea polyandra BenthLeaf70.00 ± 36.91----
Mentha arvensis LLeaf20.00 ± 08.3115.00 ± 07.80--
Ocimum basilicum LLeaf08.00 ± 04.5006.00 ± 03.29--
Perilla frutescens (L.) BrittonSeed20.00 ± 13.0710.00 ± 5.0320.00 ± 11.60
Phytolacca acinosa RoxbLeaf50.00 ± 29.3940.00 ± 22.95--
Psidium guajava LFruit----50.00 ± 22.46
Punica granatum LFruit20.00 ± 12.1450.00 ± 22.4230.00 ± 13.31
Sesamum indicum LSeed10.00 ± 06.08--15.00 ± 08.79
Setaria italica (L.) P. BeauvSeed80.00 ± 37.8868.00 ± 29.9450.00 ± 23.80
Solanum melongena LFruit80.00 ± 36.6385.00 ± 42.56--
Syzygium cumini (L.) SkeelsFruit30.00 ± 13.72----
Urtica ardens LinkLeaf twig----50.00 ± 29.39
Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi& OhashiSeed----50.00 ± 29.66
Zea mays LSeed--65.00 ± 32.14--

Mean daily, weekly, and rare intake of food crops in different seasons.

a

Average intake as per availability of the consumed part in different seasons.

b

Used and consumed part only leaf; (--) no intake during respective season.

TABLE 3

NutrientsaRDA (per day)$TULDaily and weekly average intake of nutrients in different seasons
SummerMonsoonWinter
DailyWeeklyTotal(%)bFRDADailyWeeklyTotal(%)*FRDADailyWeeklyTotal(%)*F RDA
Energy (KCal)2,200.00--1,452.92284.411737.3378.971,225.08387.311,612.3973.291,223.56819.692043.2592.88
Protein (g)46.00--44.1616.7460.90132.3938.7722.9561.73134.1938.3139.5577.85169.24
Fat (g)28.00--17.783.4821.2675.9117.975.4723.4483.7019.7410.2229.95106.98
Carbohydrate. (g)130.00--274.6423.87298.51229.62223.1953.51276.69212.84224.40120.66345.06265.43
Vit. B1 (mg)01.10ND1.070.251.32119.661.000.381.38125.620.870.651.53139.06
Vit. C (mg)75.002000.00101.2327.86129.09172.1264.9841.26106.24141.6677.9179.78157.69210.25
Vit. D (µg)15.00100.0018.865.2224.07160.5018.8019.0637.86252.4118.6521.8140.45269.70
Vit. E (mg)15.001,000.003.390.333.7124.753.600.594.1927.933.691.335.0233.50
Ca (mg)1,000.002,500.00386.59145.59532.1753.22295.31289.71585.0358.50304.65757.671,062.33106.23
Fe (mg)18.0045.0017.8714.4432.31179.5216.528.3724.89138.2814.9416.9431.88177.12
Mg (mg)320.00350.00222.33103.21325.55101.73187.61167.14354.76110.86193.11297.59490.71153.35
Na (mg)1,500.002,300.0055.8617.8473.714.9153.7020.9574.654.9842.0584.56126.628.44
Zn (mg)08.0040.008.442.3110.75134.387.343.4710.82135.226.816.9213.73171.58

Nutritional requirements and uptake from traditional food crops commonly eaten by the communities.

a

Recommended dietary allowance (RDA); tolerable upper limit (TUL).

b

Fulfillment against RDA; ND- not determined.

TABLE 4

Use purposeKey sources in traditional diet (crop species)
EnergyLepidium sativum L., Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verde, Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv., Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaert., Glycine max (L.) Merrill, Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern, Triticum aestivum L., and Fagopyrum esculentum Moench
ProteinAmaranthus caudatus L., Brassica juncea (L.) Czern, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, Glycine max subsp. soja (Sieb. & Zucc.) H. Ohashi, Lepidium sativum L., Sesamum indicum L., and Trigonella foenum–graecum L
FatSesamum indicum L., Glycine max (L.) Merrill, Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Spr., Brassica juncea (L.) Czern, and Glycine max subsp. soja (Sieb. & Zucc.) H. Ohashi
CarbohydrateAmaranthus caudatus L., Dioscorea bulbifera L., Oryza sativa L., Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv., Zea mays L., Hordeum vulgare L., Solanum tuberosum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, and Colocasia esculenta L
Vitamin B1Lepidium sativum L., Sesamum indicum L., Glycine max (L.) Merrill, Vigna mungo L., Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, and Phaseolus vulgaris L
Vitamin CAllium cepa L., Capsicum annuum L., Raphanus sativus L.) Hook, Citrus hystrix DC, Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f., Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, and Brassica oleracea var. capitata L
Vitamin DAmaranthus caudatus L., Glycine max (L.) Merrill, Punica granatum L., Brassica juncea (L.) Czern., Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaert, Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper, Trichosanthes anguina L., and Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir
Vitamin EBrassica juncea (L.) Czern, Curcuma longa L. and Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi

Key nutrient-rich food crops used in traditional diets.

Dietary Diversity Scores

An investigation of the household dietary diversity score (HDDS) was also undertaken to assess the households’ access to a variety of foods (Table 5). It was interesting to note that most households were consuming adequate nutritional food in all the seasons, and none of them were placed with low dietary scores. The HDDS ranged from 4 to 10, being maximum in winter, followed by summer and monsoon months. The communities were fed well in all the food groups with daily consumption of cereals, oils and fats, vegetables, and milk products as well as meat and related products in all the seasons. The consumption of meat products was low in monsoon. There was low consumption of sugar edibles and fruits in almost all the seasons, although vitamin C–rich fruits were consumed in ample quantity in winter.

TABLE 5

Food groups (12-FGI)Household dietary diversity distribution
Summer (HDDS = 7.45)Monsoon (HDDS = 7.34)Winter (HDDS = 8.39)
MDS (4–5) (n = 11)HDS (>6) (n = 89)MDS (4–5) (n = 10HDS (>6) (n = 90)MDS (4–5) (n = 8)HDS (>6) (n = 92)
Cereals (%)100.00100.00100.00100.00100.0092.00
White roots & tubers (%)54.5598.8860.00100.0062.5090.00
Vegetables (%)100.0096.6340.0097.7875.0087.00
Fruits (%)-22.4720.0032.220.0061.00
Meat (%)-53.93-24.4412.5040.00
Eggs (%)-34.83-31.11-48.00
Fish and other sea food (%)-16.85---39.00
Legumes, nuts, and seeds (%)-47.1910.0067.7825.0057.00
Milk and milk products (%)36.3698.8860.0094.4425.0083.00
Oil and fats (%)72.73100.0090.00100.00100.0091.00
Sweets (%)-6.74-14.4412.5.0019.00
Spices and condiments (%)90.9198.88100.00100.00100.0091.00

Dietary diversity at the household level in central Himalaya.

Medium dietary score (MDS); High dietary score (HDS).

The average nutrition adequacy ratio (NAR) for all the nutritional parameters was 9.51 with a mean adequacy ratio of 0.73, which promises good quality of food intake by the communities living in remote locations. Although the anthropometric was not undertaken, it was recorded that the community was not eating junk food, sugar additives, and other unhealthy dietary markers. It reduces the chances of obesity, diabetes, and other similar ailments. The population is found taking better intake of nutrition that can be an indicator of low risks of diabetes and other ailments as well.

It was interesting to note that traditional diets form a rich source of nutrients (Table 4). The most common mode to use species is in the form of cooked, direct ingestion, as an ointment, and applying it directly either by crushing, powder, or adding the part as it is (Figure 3). In terms of plant parts used for treating the ailments, they include seeds (32.89%), fruits (21.05%), and leaves (18.41%) followed by bulbs, seed oils, and others, etc. (Figure 4). Most species had multipurpose uses ensuring food and nutritional security as well as medicinal efficacy for curing minor ailments (Figure 5). The community had species-specific knowledge on the use and application of various species. A total of 43 species were reportedly used as dietary supplements and food additives with definite physiological benefits during different ailments. Such species are commonly consumed as cooked food; thus, it can be categorized as neutraceutical or bioceutical. Other common methods comprised ingestion (15 species), ointment (eight species), and direct application (seven species).

FIGURE 3

FIGURE 4

FIGURE 5

The average food consumption score of the communities was 73.46, which is a good sign of food diversity intake among communities ranging from a minimum score of 55.55 and a maximum score of 87.00. The average cumulative probability for the entire crop species intake in the FCS was above 0.6, showing higher diversity of intake (Figure 6).

FIGURE 6

The Interface of Food and Medicine

Traditional food plants are rich sources of nutrients and chemical compounds that are used by the body to function properly and maintain health. An assessment of the nutritional status of crops plants revealed the presence of diverse components, such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, in traditional foods and diets (Supplementary Annexure 1). Many species comprised high energy content (>3.5–5.5 kcal/g), such as Sesamum indicum, Trachyspermum ammi, Oryza sativa, Cannabis sativa, Brassica juncea, Glycine max subsp. soja, Lepidium sativum, Linum usitatissimum, Echinochloa frumentacea, Bauhinia variegata, and Glycine max. While Zea mays, Vigna mungo, Triticum aestivum, Setaria italica, Phaseolus vulgaris, Fagopyrum esculentum, Perilla frutescens, Vigna unguiculata, Vigna umbellata, Trigonella foenum–graecum, and Macrotyloma uniflorum exhibits medium energy content (2.5–3.5 kcal/g), Asparagus, Bauhinia variegata, Benincasa hispida, Brassica campestris, Brassica juncea, Brassica nigra, Brassica oleracea, Cannabis sativa, Capsicum annuum, and Chenopodium album exhibited high protein content (>20–43 g/100 g). Similarly, Cannabis sativa, Perilla frutescens, Sesamum indicum, Brassica juncea, Linum usitatissimum, Lepidium sativum, and Trachyspermum ammi comprised high fat content (20–49 g/100 g). Many local species were also rich in vitamins and other nutrients (Supplementary Annexure 1). Thus, the data clearly reveal that the nutritional energy value (can be calculated as the sum of food energies of all components) of the traditional food systems was very high.

The use of plants and food recipes has been a fundamental component of all rural house treatment systems as it is the most easily accessible resource available to the local community at the time of medical urgency. The local communities are well aware of the potency of food crops and their utility for treating various ailments and illnesses. Although they may not be known for the scientific reason as to how these food crops work in the body in treating the ailment. Since such treatments have been in practice for centuries, they apply it as the best affordable means. A literature survey on traditional crops clearly exhibited high medicinal value ranging from antifungal, anti-inflammatory, decreasing risks of cancer, reducing the risk of diabetics, etc. (Supplementary Annexure 2). Oryza sativa, Eleusine coracana, Glycine max, Vigna umbellata, and Macrotyloma uniflorum were good sources of carbohydrates, while Brassica juncea, Sesamum indicum, and Lepidium sativum provided worthy fat sources. Some species also exhibited aphrodisiac, antimicrobial (fungal and bacterial), antidiabetic, cardioprotective, anticancer, analgesic, antianemic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, swelling & cholesterol-reducing, blood sugar lowering, etc. characteristics. It clearly revealed that local food has enough provisions for appropriate diets to satisfy the nutritional and energy needs along with a good balance of vitamins and micronutrients to the local community. It is essential to perform diverse functions, such as from boosting the immunity to therapeutic actions and repair of cellular damage to the healing of wounds and ailments, thus acting as protective shields against different ailments.

An important aspect of the interface of food and medicine is the use of diverse food recipes and the community’s hyperawareness of its potency for curing different illnesses (Table 6). The use of food recipes varies with seasons. The mode of preparation, ingredients, cooking process, and intake frequency differs. The community uses foods with warm potency in monsoon and winter. Such species are Amaranthus virdis, Chenopodium album, Dioscorea bulbifera, Hordeum vulgare, Eleusine coracana, and Macrotyloma uniflorum, while, cool potency food such as Cucumis sativus, Coriandrum sativum, Oryza sativa, and Raphanus sativus were taken usually in summer. Several other criteria also work in selecting the food, such as people prefer eating meat products and coarse grain cereals more at higher altitudes due to cold. Other than achieving wellness, the traditional recipes also help address seasonal health issues. There is significant scope to prepare many new food dishes from traditional recipes to attract the market.

TABLE 6

Name of traditional recipes (vernacular name)Common name and ingredientsImportant uses
As foodAs medicinal purposes
AChapati (bread)
1Chaulai ki rotiAmaranth seed flourSF, TFIE, SE
2Jhangora/Madira ki rotiBarnyard millet flourSFSE
3Kutu ki rotiBuckwheat flourSF, TFSE
4Kauni ki rotiFoxtail millet flourSFSE
5Madua ki rotiFinger millet flourSF, TFIE, SE
6Makke ki RotiMaize flourSFSE
7Choi/Chhola rotiRiceSF--
8Lesuwa rotiFinger millet and Wheat flourSF, TFIE, SE
9Gahat ki bedu rotiHorse Gram and wheat flourSF, TFIE, SE
10Gurunsh ki bedu rotiRice bean and wheat flourSFIE, SE
11Mash ki bedu rotiBlack Gram and wheat flourSFIE, SE
12Sonta (Lobia) ki bedu rotiCowpea and wheat flourSFIE, SE
BRice
13Chaulai ka bhatAmaranth seedsSF, TFIE, SE
14Jhangora/Madira ka bhatBarnyard millet seedSFIE, SE
15Kauni ka bhatFoxtail millet seedSFIln, IE, SE
CDishes related to pulses
16Bhatia/JaulaBlack or white soybean (bhatt) and riceSFAF, IE, SE
17Bhatt ke dubakeBlack soybean (kala bhatt)SFAF, IE, SE
18Bhatt ka fanaBlack soybean (kala bhatt) and finger millet flourSFAF, IE, SE
19Bhatt mathi ki sabziBlack/white soybean (bhatt) and methi leavesSFAF, IE, SE
20Bhatt papad ke sabziBlack/white soybean (bhatt) and dried petiole/stalk of TaroSFIE, SE
21ChudkaniBlack soybean (kala bhatt) and rice flourSF, TFAF, Iln, IE, SE
22Gahat ki dalHorse gram and heengSF, TFIln, SE
23Gahat ke dubakeHorse gramSFIln, SE
24Gahat ka fanaHorse gram and finger millet flourSF, TFIln, SE
25Gahat gaderi ki dalHorse gram and TaroSFIln, SE
26Gahat muli ki sabziHorse gram and radishSF, TFAF, Iln, IE, SE
27Maas/Urad ka chaisaBlack gramSF, TFSE
28Maas/Urad ki dool dal (Khari dal)Black gramSF, TFSE
29Maas/Urad ke badeBlack gram pasteSFSE
30Masur dal ke sabziLentil paste and onion and GarlicSFIln, SE
31Ras (extract of mixed pulses)(Horse gram, black or white bhatt, cowpea, black gram, gram, rice bean, French bean) and rice flourSF, TFAF, IE, SE
32Sonta (Lobia) ka chaisaCowpeaSFSE
33Sonta (Lobia) ke badeCowpea pasteSFSE
DVegetables
34Aalo or muli ka thinchwaniPotato or raphanus and hemp seed milkSF, TFSE
35Aalu muli ki sabziPotato and radish and curd/buttermilkSF, TFSE
36Aalu sarson ki sabziPotato and Mustard seedsSF, TFSE
37Bathua ki sabziTender twigs of ChenopodiumSF, TFIln, IE, SE
38Barmola/Rooki ki sabziRooki leaf and rootSFAF, AS, Iln, IE, SE
39Bichhu/Kandali ka saagSoft twigs Urtica sp. and garlic and heengSF, TFAF, AS, Iln, IE, SE
40Bhang aur gaderi ki sabziHemp seed milk and taro tuberSF, TFAS, IE, SE
41Bhang aur genthi ki sabziHemp seed milk and genthi yams (aerial tuber)SF, TFAF, AS, Iln, IE, SE
42Bhang aur gobi ki sabziHemp seed milk and cabbageSF, TFAS, SE
43Dhungar/Dunna ke sabziAllium sp. and curd/buttermilkSF, TFAF, AS, Iln, IE, SE
44Genthi ki sabziDioscorea/yam (aerial tuber)SF, TFAF, AS, Iln, IE, SE
45Jarag ka saagJarag tender twigsSF, TFIln, SE
46Jhankara ka saag/TinariWild buckwheat tender twigs and leavesSFAF, AS, IE, SE
47Kairua ka saagTender shoots of Asparagus spSF, TFIE, SE
48Kafa/Kapa (Palak ka Kapa)Spinach and rice flourSF, TFIE, SE
49Karela ka bharuwa/sabziBitter gourd and fennelSFIln, IE, SE
50Kewral/Gwaral ki sabziTender flower bud of Bauhimia spSFIln, IE, SE
51Lahsun ki sabziGarlicSF, TFIln, IE, SE
52Lingura ki sabzi LinguraLingura fern frondsSFIE, SE
53Meetha/Ram karela ki sabziFruits of wild cucumberSFIE, SE
54Patyude/Pinalu ka gunuwaLeaves of taro and lentil or gram flourSF--
55Pindalu/Dharud ke gabe/sabziTaro rolled leaf blade and petiole or leaf stalk and radishSF--
56Tarur ki sabziTuber of winged yamSFSE
57Timila ki sabziFicus auriculata tender fruitsSFAF, AS, Iln, IE, SE
58Ogal/Phafar ka saagBuckwheat tender twigs and leavesSF, TFIE, SE
EBari (prepared by mixing black gram bean flour with vegetables and)
59Bhuj ki bari ke sabziBari (wax gourd and black gram) and rice/wheat flour/gram flourSF, TF--
60Kakadi ki bari ke sabziBari (matured cucumber and black gram) and rice/wheat flour/gram flourSF--
61Mooli ki bari ke sabziBari (radish and black gram) and rice/wheat flour/gram flourSF, TF--
62Pinalu ki bari ke sabziBari (taro tuber and black gram) and rice/wheat flour/gram flourSF--
63Pinalu ke danthal/dhare ki bariBari (taro petiole or leaf stalk and black gram) and rice/wheat flour/gram flourSF--
FRaita (prepared with curd)
64raitaCucumber and curd and brassica seed (rai)VSAF, AS
65Kewral/Gwaral ka raitaTender flower buds of Bauhinia and curd and brassica seed (rai)VSAF, AS, Iln
66Lauki ka raitaBottle gourd fruits and curd and brassica seed (rai)VSAF, AS, Iln
67Mooli ka raitaRadish and curd and brassica seed (rai)VSAF, AS
68Timila ka raitaFicus auriculata tender fruits and curd and brassica seed (rai)VSAF, AS, Iln
GChutney (sauce, ketchup, and seasoning)
69Alsi ki chutneyLinseed and lemon extractSCAF, AS, IE
70Bhang ki chutneyHemp seed and lemon extractSC, TFAF, AS
71Bhangeera ki chutneyPerilla seeds and lemon extractSCAF, AS, IE
72Bhatt ki chutneyBlack/brown seeded soybean (bhat) and lemon extractSCAF, AS, IE, SE
73Darim ki chutneyWild pomegranate seeds and lemon extractSCAF, AS
74Kaddu ke meethi ChutneyPumpkin and hemp seed and jaggery and lemon extractSCAF, AS
75Nimbu ke saaniLemon and hemp seeds and curd and jaggerySC, TFAF, AS
76Til ki chutneySesame seeds and lemon extractSC, TFAF, AS, IE
77Timila ki Chatni/SanniFicus auriculata fruit and lemon extract and mustard seedSCAF, AS, IE
HPakories (fritters))
78Ogal/Phaphar ki PakoriBuckwheat flour and potatoS, TFSE
79Palak ki pakoriSpinach leaf and gram flourSSE
80Jarag ki PakoriJarag tender twigs and gram flourSSE
ISweet dishes
81Chaulai ki kheerAmaranth seeds and milkD, TFIE, SE
82Chaulai ka halwaAmaranth seeds and milk/waterD, TFIE, SE
83Jhangora/Madira ki kheerBarnyard millet seed and milkDSE
84Jhangora/Madira ka halwaBarnyard millet flourDSE
85Kauni ki kheerFoxtail millet seed and milkDSE
86Khir-KhajaRice and milkDSE
87Lapsi/Leta/RauttiWheat flour and curdD, TFSE
88Meetha bhatRice and jaggeryD--
89Ogal/Phaphar ka halwaBuckwheat flourD, TFSE
90RotWheat flour and butter and milkD--
91Singal, PuweRice or suji flour and milk and curd and butterD--
92ShayaRice or suji flour and curd and milk and butterDIln
93Swanl-LadaoWheat flour; rice flour and water and butter and sesameD--
JOther dishes
94Chhachhiya/JaulaRice and curd/buttermilkSFIln, SE
95Laina JaulButtermilk/curd and riceSFIln, IE, SE
96SattuBarley; wheat; and finger milletSFAF, AS, Iln, IE, SE
97VigaudColostrum of buffalo or cowSAF, AS, Iln, IE, SE

Traditional recipes with major ingredients and its special uses in the central Himalaya.

Antifatigue (AF); antistress (AS); dessert (D); illness (Iln); immunity enhancing (IE); snacks (S); spicy cuisine (SC); stamina enhancing (SE); staple food (SF); thermogenic food (TF); vegetable substitute (VS).

The health status of Bageswar reveals that the children below 5 years are impacted with anemia, stranded growth, and are underweight. Similarly, the women of reproductive age are anemic with less bodyweight, thus influencing their lactation ability. A major reason for this is the lack of proteinaceous food and timely supply of tonics and other medicines. Fortunately, there are a large number of local food plants that can supplement such dietary needs of the community. For example, species such as Eleusine coracana, Setaria italic, Glycine max, Amaranthus caudatus, Fagopyrum esculentum, Chenopodium album, Punica granatum, Vigna umbellata, Syzygium cumini, Spinacia oleracea, and Urtica ardens are useful to avoid anemia. In addition, in case of stunted growth, consumption of Eleusine coracana, Glycine max, Glycine soja, Setaria italica, Vigna umbellata, Brassica juncea, Fagopyrum esculentum, and Linum usitatissimum is considered beneficial. Likewise, to enhance breast milk, consumption of Eleusine coracana, Glycine max, Glycine soja, Phaseolus vulgaris, Spinacia oleracea, Amaranthus caudatus, Fagopyrum esculentum, and Brassica oleracea var. capitata is advisable. There are also many protein-rich traditional recipes such as Bhatia/Jaula, Bhatt ke dubake, Bhatt ka fana, Bhatt mathi ki sabzi, Bhatt papad ke sabzi, Chudkani, and Sonta (Lobia) ka chaise. (Table 6). The traditional recipes can also help overcome anemic conditions by consuming Chaulai ki roti, Jhangora/Madira ki roti, Kutu ki roti, Kauni ki roti, Madua ki roti, Sonta (Lobia) ki bedu roti, Bathua ki sabzi, Bichhu/Kandali ka saag, Barmola/Rooki ki sabzi, Jhankara ka saag/Tinari, etc. There is a need to make people aware of these plants and dishes to consume them for treating such illnesses.

Discussion

Access to healthy food is a major global challenge; a major reason for this is changing food systems and steady decline in traditional diets (

FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, 2020

). As traditional food systems are well-adapted to the local ecological, sociocultural, and economic setting, they are best placed to carry forward the nutritional and health security among the masses (

Niketan et al., 2018

). In many places, such traditional systems are still prevalent, and there is a need to highlight and endorse the health, nutritional, and therapeutic benefits of the traditional food system to revive it from disappearance. This study explored a Central Himalayan community of the Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand (India) that is highly marginal; however, it still exhibits a significant dependence on the traditional food system. The traditional farming practice is age-old and time-tested, which greatly helped maintain crop diversity along with ensuring food security. This study provided some valuable data in this regard:

  • i) The community uses as many as 68 food plants as part of their regular diet to fulfill their basic food needs, and the efficacy of the traditional food system can be judged from the perspectives of production, consumption, nutrition, and healing characteristics. The production perspective comprised a diversity of cereals, millets, vegetables, fruits, spices and condiments, medicinal plants, and meat sourced for food from farming or wild areas; the consumption perspective comprised the diversity of foods in local diets along with its cultural identity; the nutritional significance refers to the contents of food that fulfill the nutritional requirements, such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins, of the local community, thus minimizing nutrition deficiency in the community; while the healing perspective comprised remedial treatments offered by food and wild plants to accomplish medicinal and health security. This clearly reflects that the native dietary pattern fulfills diverse requirements of the marginal hill community, and a large section still considers it as a healthy food system.

  • ii) The communities possess significant knowledge about the local plants and diets (cultivation or wild collection, storage, food preparation, seasonal uptake, nutritional traits, therapeutic efficacy, etc.), which makes it a highly resilient food system. The foods support diverse and nutritionally rich diets in different seasons holistically and comprehensively. Continuity of such a system is greatly required to maintain on-farm crop diversity and species richness.

  • iii) The community has been successful for generations in maintaining the food production system embedded in the local sociocultural and ecological context that safeguards local communities to afford healthy diets at their home, thus providing an answer to counter malnutrition in the community.

  • iv) Women are at the core of the traditional food system that plays a key role in maintaining dietary diversity within the community. Their voices can lead to expansion of traditional agriculture and diversification of local diets for ensuring nutrient adequacy within indigenous territories.

  • v) The community has been successful in providing proper governance to various resources, such as land, forest, and water, on which the traditional food system has strong dependence. The community manages these resources as an integral part of the local livelihood in a socially acceptable and decentralized manner by maintaining access, harvest cycles, and equitable distribution, which is key to sustaining local food systems and diets.

Given the abovementioned situation, it is clear that traditional food systems, local knowledge, sociocultural setup, women, and resource governance together can lead to maintaining a traditional agroecological system that can provide a basis for a future of holistic food and health system. A large share of global crop genetic diversity including landraces and wild plants and animals is under the communities’ custody (Oldfield and Alcorn 1987). Traditional food systems are largely practiced by smallholders, particularly by women, who maintain local food habits and genetic diversity and soil fertility of agricultural fields (FAO 2011a; FAO 2011b; Sundriyal et al., 2014; Maikhuri et al., 2015). They are low-cost, energy-efficient, local resource–dependent, and climate-smart systems, thus contributing immensely to food supply and environmental sustainability (Sundriyal et al., 1994; CINE 2021). The dietary diversity index works as a proxy for nutritional security and varies in seasons, which is also a resemblance to our study (Hjertholm et al., 2019). Worldwide previous studies concluded that dietary diversity has a positive alliance with nutritional adequacy (Ruel, 2003; Steyn et al., 2006; Faber et al., 2009). The inclusion of a household healthy diet can reduce the risk of diseases in the community (Bezerra and Sichieri, 2011). A study on the relationship between food insecurity and diabetes in women found that they consume adequate diet, thus having a lower risk of diabetes than others (Seligman et al., 2007). Himalayan communities make good use of local herbs and spices that increase appetite and healing properties (Joshi et al., 2015). Allium species are used as spices and vegetables, and many of the species own strong medicinal purpose in the form of fresh paste or tonic (Keusgen et al., 2006). Curcuma longa, a major ingredient in the local kitchen, has miraculous effects on human ailments, thus being the consumer choice for cancer prevention, liver protection, treating wounds, and other activities in traditional medicine (Nita Chainani-Wu, 1982). Traditional food and recipes help address seasonal health issues, and diversity of recipes provide a supporting base for the nutritional security of the communities in the state of Uttarakhand (Mehta et al., 2010). Other than providing food security, the traditional food system also reduces the risk of deficiency in chronic health conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, and higher cholesterol as well as nutrition increases the mental efficiency, physical development of children, etc. (Cole and Fox, 2004; Seligman et al., 2007; Borborah et al., 2014; Martin et al., 2016).

The health of women and children has been an enduring concern all over the state and the country (Anonymous 2014). As reported, the status of nutrition in Bageswar exhibited children influenced with stranded growth, underweight, and anemia. Also, the women of reproductive age were anemic. Uttarakhand comprised 25% of children with low birth weight (<2.5 kg) which is similar to the statistics in Bageshwar district (Pradhan 2017). A major reason for this is the lack of a health care delivery system to supply even the low-cost appropriate medical technology to all women and newborns. Moreover, the low purchasing power of the community for procuring tonics and related medicines is another reason. The state has been implementing Janani Suraksha Yojana (Women Safety Scheme) that provides financial assistance to mothers after delivery and Janani–Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (Mother–child safety scheme) for ensuring better facilities for women and child health services along with providing immunization, vitamin A, and iron supplement at childbirth (Anonymous 2012). The efficiency of such schemes needs to be improved in terms of ensuring universal access to all pregnant women and children, particularly in villages. Most of the dietary requirements are being met from traditional sources without which the magnitudes of malnutrition would have been much larger. Therefore, the role of traditional diets could not be undermined as, at least, it is helps maintain a certain dietary level, although it also necessitates strengthening the traditional dietary system to meet adequate nourishment requirements, particularly for lactating mothers and infants. The local community should be made aware of the nutritional role of local crops and plants for treating anemia, stunted growth, and lactation for which Eleusine coracana, Setaria italica, Glycine max, Amaranthus caudatus, Fagopyrum esculentum, Vigna umbellata, Phaseolus vulgaris, Spinacia oleracea, and Chenopodium album are greatly helpful. In addition, there are many traditional dishes that are supportive during such illnesses.

Despite clear distinguishing features and health benefits, increasing population, degradation of natural resources, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and climate change, etc. are threatening to traditional agriculture systems. In addition, a change in cultural, social, and spiritual values has posed a significant threat to the traditional food system. A discussion with the community highlighted that the dependence on traditional food crops was more prevalent until the last decade. However, slowly, such practice is changing because of varied reasons. Traditional agriculture is labor-intensive and is practiced in small and fragmented landholdings. Because of its subsistence-type nature, farmers lack a surplus to sell in the market. This led to the switch on to other crops or the abandonment of agriculture fields. It creates a threat to a large variety of local crop gene pools. The young generation due to widespread education is looking for white-collar jobs, thus migrating to towns and cities. In addition, due to globalization and access to markets, food habit is changing. Some youths also feel that consuming traditional crops and food recipes is inferior in comparison to many other crops available in markets. All these factors influence traditional crops and food habits. Another possible reason for this is that diverse nutrient-rich local foods have gained limited consideration in the policy and decision-support process. Modern industrial agriculture and food systems have largely evolved through a centralized approach that brings in several hidden costs, including environmental as well as degradation of natural resources, etc. (Niketan et al., 2018). Such an approach has been a major threat to the biological and nutritional diversity of traditional diets (Fróna et al., 2019). High-cost market-driven and industrial crops are being promoted through a centralized approach. There is disconnect between agricultural and food policy and adequate nutrition supply (Pingali 2015). An analysis of India’s agricultural and food policy showed an inclination toward industrial food system. To address the issue of malnutrition and hunger and achieve Integrated Child Development targets, the country implemented the public distribution system (PDS) and mid-day meal scheme; however, they are more market-driven and frequently complain about micronutrient deficiencies in many areas. Inconsiderately, the state agencies also promote a market-based agricultural system. There is a need to make traditional agriculture and farming systems more reliable and sustainable (FAO 2017). It would be highly disadvantageous if the community lost such an efficient system or changes their agroecological practices. This highlights a need to have a realistic way forward to protect native food systems and diets so that they can continuously support food, nutrition, and health benefits.

Way Forward

The implications of this research are of both academic importance and practical significance to ensure food–medicine security and avoid malnutrition among rural communities. For food security, a sustainable food production system is highly demanding. The study established a better understanding of the intersection between traditional food, dietary diversity, nutritional quality, and medicinal efficacy. It highlighted the need to conserve and continue with the traditional food systems as it is in the best interest of the people. We expect that the study would receive greater attention from policy planners and developmental workers that will not only salvage the dwindling traditional dietary system but also ensure a healthy dietary cover to the marginal hill communities. The local government should recognize the role of traditional food and dietary systems in meeting community necessities and support appropriate policies and programs to continue with it. It should support better financial incentives to farmers to continue traditional agriculture and dietary practices. It would empower the local communities to manage traditional food and dietary systems not only to feed themselves and preserve crop gene pools but also to sell produces in markets. Greater awareness of the masses and policy planners is desired on the beneficial aspects of traditional crops and wild plants. In addition, proper documentation of traditional knowledge related to local crops, cropping practices, local delicacies and recipes, and herbal preparation is highly desirable for future use. Such an approach will not only promote and nurture traditional food systems but also support local sociocultural and ecological systems and provide a sustainable solution for nutrition security. This requires location-specific strategies and trade-offs so as to develop a synergy in terms of food security and environmental gains with minimum transformations. Other than government support, public investment in various forms is also required. In addition, there is a need for proper scientific investigation on nutritional/anti-nutritional and therapeutic efficiencies in food items and herbal preparation as the current state of knowledge is highly limiting on these aspects. There is a need to make some traditional food, recipes, cuisines, and ingredients appropriate for recent times that may attract a significant population outside. The local government should incentivize the traditional system so that it creates new values and job opportunities for youngsters. It is expected that the study would lead to advancement of a renewed thinking on traditional agriculture for food and nutritional security as well as sustainable rural development all over. It is a global challenge to conserve traditional food systems and maintain healthy diets that have been sustainably used for generations and can have an important synergy with SDGs (Wang et al., 2018).

Statements

Data availability statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material; further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Ethics statement

Ethical review and approval were not required for the study on human participants in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. Written information was given to the village head to undertake the study in a village involving local participants.

Author contributions

RS: conceptualized the study and prepared the manuscript. SO: undertook fieldwork and arranged the data. AA: undertook field work and typeset the material. DA assisted in identifying and matching plant species with registered herbarium.

Acknowledgments

We owe our gratitude to the local community of Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, who shared valuable information and knowledge. The authors thankfully acknowledge the facilities received from GBP-NIHE, Kosi-Katarmal and Almora, India for undertaking this work. We sincerely thank the Director, CRAS-RARI, Tarikhet and Ranikhet, Uttarakhand for helping in the identification of plant species. We are thankful to DST, Govt. of India for the financial assistance through NMSHE, Task Force 5 sponsored project entitled “Network program on the convergence of traditional knowledge system for sustainable development in the Indian Himalayan Region”. We sincerely thank Prof. S. C. Garkoti, JNU for his constant support and cooperation.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors, and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Supplementary material

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.789360/full#supplementary-material

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Summary

Keywords

central Himalaya, traditional food crops, dietary intake, food–medicine interface, nutritional security, health care, traditional cultural knowledge, Uttarakhand

Citation

Ojha SN, Anand A, Sundriyal RC and Arya D (2022) Traditional Dietary Knowledge of a Marginal Hill Community in the Central Himalaya: Implications for Food, Nutrition, and Medicinal Security. Front. Pharmacol. 12:789360. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.789360

Received

04 October 2021

Accepted

16 December 2021

Published

30 March 2022

Volume

12 - 2021

Edited by

Michael Heinrich, UCL School of Pharmacy, United Kingdom

Reviewed by

Arunachalam Karuppusamy, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China

Giulia Mattalia, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy

Concepción Obon, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Spain

Yao Fu, Kunming Institute of Botany (CAS), China

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: R. C. Sundriyal,

†Present address: S. N. Ojha, Department of Botany, Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani, India

‡Present address:Aryan Anand, Central University of Punjab, Ghudda, Bathinda, India

This article was submitted to Ethnopharmacology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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