Community Self-Management for Food Selity and Immune Health with Herbs With the participation process of community in the Kabin Sub-District, Kutkhaopun District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study the changes in resources in community forests, explore traditional wisdom in self-care using herbs, identify restoration approaches, and enhance the capacity of people in Kabin Subdistrict for self-management to ensure food security and immunity building through herbal use. The target group consisted of 150 participants, including 10 monks, 40 community leaders, and 100 local residents. The research instruments included questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and observation forms. Data were analyzed by categorizing content, drawing systematic conclusions, and writing descriptive findings in response to the research objectives.

              The findings revealed that: 1) in the past, Don Pa Tio Forest was abundant with food and herbs such as mushrooms, Pak Tio, red ant eggs, etc.; however, the soil has now deteriorated, resulting in the extinction of many edible and medicinal plants; 2) in the past, herbal wisdom such as the use of boiled wild Himalayan cherry bark was commonly practiced, but its use has since declined. The researcher organized training sessions to raise awareness of the importance of traditional herbal healthcare knowledge; and 3) the effort to enhance people's capacity for self-management to ensure food security and promote immunity through herbs involved collaboration with local organizations, including the Subdistrict Administrative Organization, subdistrict health-promoting hospital, temples, schools, and the community. Through participatory planning meetings, the following activities were implemented: 1) training local researchers, 2) planting trees such as Pak Tio, rattan, and wild vegetables, 3) training volunteers to build household food security, 4) promoting model households for food security, and 5) extracting lessons learned. These efforts raised community awareness of the value of local food and herbs, leading to mechanisms for community-driven self-management to support local food security, healthcare, and immunity building through herbal use.