The traditional health care is practiced mainly by Maiba-Maibi (male-female traditional health care practitioners of Manipur). Since prehistoric times, Manipur had a unique history of using medicinal plants to treat various primary health ailments, AIMS said in the representation
TFM Desk
The Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), Manipur has urged union minister of Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal to set up a “National Manipuri Traditional Medicine and Research Institute” in Manipur.
AIMS submitted a representation to the union minister who landed in Imphal on Friday for a two-day visit to the state.
Traditional health care practices were once prevalent and still being followed extensively in Manipur, AIMS said and added that this is the major or the only medical facility available in some rural areas of Manipur.
The traditional health care is practiced mainly by Maiba-Maibi (male-female traditional health care practitioners of Manipur). Since prehistoric times, Manipur had a unique history of using medicinal plants to treat various primary health ailments, AIMS said in the representation.
“Manipur has separate ancient manuscript texts, ‘Puya’ known as Hidaklon (a folk medicine in five volumes, namely i). Kanglei sanglen puba puya, ii) Shingligi maram (a treatment through reflexology system of veins), iii) Laimuron, iv) Taorinai yangbi and v) Thepalon)”.
AIMS further said that Manipur falls in the Indo-Burma Centre of biodiversity ‘Hotspot’ of global significance. The state has rich and diverse fauna, flora and various medicinal plants available. However, it grows as wild plants without any value.
“If it is promoted properly, these medicinal herbs will be of very high value in the international market. It can also be the alternative plant for opium-poppy, one of the most challenging issues in Northeast India”.
During this coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, it is pertinent and justifiable to set up National Manipuri Traditional Medicine and Research Institute in Manipur, AIMS argued.
Manipuri traditional medicine and healing practices are rapidly disappearing from the state, whereas Myanmar, Thai and Chinese traditional medicine and healing systems are flourishing, with their government working tirelessly for promoting and preserving the same, it lamented.
“Retired Director General, Ministry of Traditional Medicine, Government of Myanmar, Professor Aung Mying who is also the WHO Regional Expert in Traditional Medicine for Asia Pacific Region, said at the inaugural function of the one-day workshop on ‘Medicinal Herbs, Traditional Healing Systems and Scope for Bamboo of Myanmar and Manipur’, held at VC’s conference hall on 20, June 2019 that, during the reign of King Bo Daw Phayar of Konbaung Dynasty, there were many professional traditional massage therapists (maiba or maibi) coming from neighboring Manipur. During the reign of King Min Don Min Tayar Gyi, Manipuri massagers called “Gi Ri Seit Ta” were also there. The traditional medicine from Manipur has been thriving with the promotion and standardising activities in Myanmar with great momentum”.