Gillett, Ellie

The Medicinal Plants and the Traditions of Nepal and Tibet: How Spiritual and Artistic Traditions Inform Our Appreciations of the Landscape

Faculty Mentor: Mark Graham, Art Department

Introduction

For my project, I traveled to Nepal with Dr. Mark Graham. I studied medicinal plants that I came
in contact with as we hiked in the Everest region. I studied how these plants fit into Tibetan
traditions and how they were significant to the culture of Nepal and India. The local plants I
came in contact with were recorded, illustrated, and compiled. Upon returning from my travels I
researched more cultural understandings and facts about the specific plants I encountered. I then
compiled my book by inputting my drawings into the computer to create templates for a
letterpress. After creating the templates, I pressed each of the pages onto paper and compiled
them into a book. Each of the drawings included poems and writings that I encountered while in
Nepal. They each have a significant meaning to both me and the people of Nepal. My book will
be placed in our trip’s exhibit on the first of February. This project provided an invaluable
learning experience for me and I am very grateful for the opportunity to have represented
Brigham Young University while in Nepal.

Methodology

As previously mentioned, I traveled throughout the Everest region searching for these plants. I
cam across several medicinal plant doctors who graciously showed me how the herbal medicines
were made and what purposes they serve. One in particular gave me several of the herbal pills to
try on my own. This was a very enriching experience and I learned a great deal about the cultural
and artistic traditions of Tibet and Nepal. I collaborated with the people we encountered to learn
more about their culture and how medicine is used here. After returning to the states I worked to
finish up my drawings and writings gathered on the trip. These were compiled into several sheets
of a book and were bound together. I then created a type of cover for the seven sets of each book
that I made. These will be distributed to my professors and other students who accompanied me
on the study abroad. A final exhibition will also be available for viewing in the HFAC on
February 1st, 2016.

Results

The results of my book are compiled into seven separate bound journals. Each page includes a
particular plant and accompanying phrase, quote, or poem encountered while in Nepal. Other
results from this trip include a much greater appreciation for the culture and people of Nepal. I
gained invaluable information in regards to Tibetan culture, religious beliefs, and the background
culture of the places I visited.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to thank the donors of my Orca project. I have gained an invaluable
amount of knowledge that will benefit both the people of Nepal and those who I come in contact
with in the future. I feel very blessed to have been the recipient of this grant and look forward to
being a donor in the future.