For thousands of years, people have looked to nature for healing. Across cultures, traditional healers have developed deep knowledge of medicinal plants through close observation of the environment and generations of lived experience. This knowledge has been passed on through written texts, oral traditions, and apprenticeship systems, forming the foundation of healthcare for many communities. Even today, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 80% of the global population relies on traditional medicines for some aspect of primary healthcare.

In Bhutan, the traditional medical system known as Sowa Rigpa (the “Science of Healing”) has been formally documented and taught since the 16th century. Practitioners undergo rigorous training and are skilled not only in diagnosing and treating patients but also in identifying medicinal plants and preparing herbal medicines. In addition to scholarly Sowa Rigpa medical traditions, there are also Folklore medicines that are practised by local healers, whose knowledge has been orally passed down from practitioners to their disciples. Many plants that are used by both the Sowa Rigpa and Folklore practitioners are collected from the Himalayan mountains, ranging from subtropical valleys to alpine ecosystems above 4,000 metres. However, these valuable medicinal resources are increasingly threatened by climate change and environmental pressures.

On the other side of the world, Aboriginal peoples of Australia have nurtured rich and diverse healing traditions for tens of thousands of years. Their knowledge of Bush Medicines is deeply connected to Country, culture, and community. More than 1,800 medicinal plant species have been recorded across Australia, yet much of this knowledge remains orally transmitted and is at risk of being lost. To help safeguard this cultural heritage, the Traditional Indigenous Ethnobotany Centre (TIEC) at James Cook University works in partnership with Traditional Owners and Indigenous organisations to document and preserve medicinal plant knowledge for future generations.

This presentation explores the medicinal plant traditions of Bhutan and Australia - two geographically distant yet culturally rich knowledge systems. Through case studies from both countries, I will highlight how traditional knowledge can guide scientific discovery, support biodiversity conservation, and create opportunities for culturally respectful biodiscovery and community benefit, by giving relevant case studies. The talk will also reflect on the importance of protecting biocultural knowledge and strengthening collaborations between Indigenous knowledge holders and researchers in addressing contemporary health and environmental challenges.