A Red Dao woman goes to the forest to pick medicinal plant. (photo: Ngoc Anh)

 

Almost every Red Dao family uses medicinal herbs to treat common diseases. Every hamlet has some good herbalists. They usually collect medicinal plants from the forest or river and process all parts of the tree – bark, leaves, and roots – to make medicines.

Phung Mui Vien, a Red Dao in Phan Thanh commune, said: “The Red Dao have many medicines. The plants grow wild in the mountains and forests. We grow a few plants and preserve them.”

The Red Dao base prescriptions on the patient's illness, physical condition, and age. Herbal plants are processed in several ways – ground to a powder, condensed to herbal glue, steeped in boiled water and drunk, or used to bathe itching skin, ulcers, and edema. Many medicinal plants do not have names but are referred to by their application, such as treating bone pain, stomachache, or toothache.

Ly Mui Sinh, a woman in Phan Thanh commune, said: “Medicines of the Red Dao can treat many illnesses, such as sciatica and pain. Herbal supplements can improve one’s general health.”

In the past the Red Dao used fresh plants to make medicines mainly for the family and people in the village. Now they sellthe homegrown medicines to other localities.

Ban Sanh Vang of Phan Thanh commune said: “In the past, we made medicine on a small scale for the villagers, not to sell. Now our herbal medicines are commodities and sold in many places. We earn larger incomes and our lives are improving.”

Following an event to introduce Red Dao traditional herbal medicine in March this year, Phan Thanh people started growing herbal plants in their gardens. Once a month they meet to share their experience in growing herbal plants and making medicines.

Ban Duc Thang, Chairman of the Phan Thanh communal People’s Committee and Head of the local Red Dao community, said: “We keep the original medicines and books made by our ancestors to teach young people. Our community currently has 35 members and expects to have more in the future. Our main goal is to preserve and develop traditional remedies in combination with tourism. We have herbal teas to detoxify the liver, medicines to treat stomachache, allergies, colon and kidney pain and other diseases. We have bath leaves for sick people and postpartum mothers. We are studying to apply science and technology to growing medicinal plants.”

Local authorities have licensed a business to experimentally grow some rare medicinal plants. Hoang Thi Hong Vuong of Phan Thanh commune said: “The Red Dao community doesn’t have many types of herbal medicines. We’re trying to create more and are planning to apply for a One Commune, One Product certificate. We’ll also sell our products on e-commerce platforms.”

Making herbal medicines as a livelihood is boosting incomes and improving the living conditions of the Red Dao community.