Zhonghua Yi Shi Za Zhi. 2002 Oct; 32(4): 195-9.

[Investigation on folk medicine and health care of She ethnic group in Zhejiang province]

Zhu J, Lin S.

Institute of Literature, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310007.

Investigation has been made on the folk medicine and health care in Jingning Autonomous Prefecture of She ethnic group, the only of its kind in China. It is demonstrated that since the living condition is bad, the hygienic environment is very poor, epidemics like measle, malaria and venereal diseases are very prevalent, and a high incident area of hyperthyroidism. Since there are no special writing characters, She ethnic group spread their medical know - how by oral transmission. Collection of herbs and compounding of recipes are mainly through the family. Medicine of the She ethnic group has a long history, and the treatment of bone - injury, snake - bites and wind - pain are very unique. It has been found that there are 599 genuses, 199 families of herbs in She medicine with 1043 species; among them, 214 herbs are in common use, falling under 126 genuses. In addition, 7 new herbal plants are found, and 332 recipes collected. Currently, over 40 She physicians are practicing in the prefecture.