Pattern of traditional medicine usage in East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya

164-170The present paper reports the usage trend of traditional medicine among the indigenous Khasi population of East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya. The study recorded a high percentage of usage of herbal home remedies for common and minor ailments. Between the C & RD blocks, there is some difference with respect to usage. Further, for all three blocks studied distance and literacy did not influence usage of herbal medicine. A highly significant difference (p< 0.01) was observed on the frequencies of herbal medicine consultation per year, by the respondents. A large majority of the respondent shows duality vis-à-vis allopathic versus local health practices. Allopathy comes into play when home remedies fails. The difference in the preferences of respondents between these two systems of medicine is significant at p<0.01. Amongst the different population categories consulting the LHPs, adults record the maximum number, in all the three C & RD blocks. The difference between the three population categories is significantly high (p<0.01) in Mylliem block whereas the difference are insignificant (p>0.01) in Mawkynrew and Shella-Bholaganj blocks