Wetland Medicinal Plants of Eastern Himalayan Highlands of Gasa District, Bhutan

This paper documents the medicinal plant species in wetlands of the Eastern Himalayan Highlands of Gasa District, Bhutan. A random quadrat sampling method was used to assess the presence-absence of species. The study was conducted at Khatoed and Khamaed gewogs (blocks), Gasa District between January and December 2018. Identification of medicinal plant species and families were done in consultation with a botanist at the herbarium in Thimphu and volumes of Flora of Bhutan were referred. Based on the published and authentic scientific literature, information on medical uses of plant parts was collected. A total of 74 species of medicinal plant species in the wetlands, distributed in 69 genera and 43 families have been recorded. The study suggests preserving invaluable wetland medicinal plants and integrating ethno-medicinal practices in our lives.