New Delhi / PASIGHAT : HL August 27, 2026
Yanung Jamoh Lego, a renowned herbalist from Arunachal Pradesh, has emerged as an important voice in the preservation of the region’s traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. A member of the Adi community, Lego has devoted decades to studying and practising indigenous herbal medicine.
Her contribution to traditional medicine was nationally recognised when she received the Padma Shri in 2024 for her work in the field of traditional healing and agriculture. According to the official Padma Awards citation, Lego was born on July 9, 1963, in Sika Tode village of East Siang district.
From Agricultural Officer to Traditional Herbal Practitioner
Lego holds B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. She joined the Department of Agriculture, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, in 1988 and served as an Agriculture Inspector until her retirement in July 2023.
Her interest in herbal healing, however, began much earlier. Inspired by her father, who was a traditional healer, she started learning about herbal medicine and medicinal plants. After years of apprenticeship, she began practising as a herbal healer in 1995.
Preserving Indigenous Knowledge
Lego’s work goes beyond treating patients. She has also focused on conserving medicinal plants and preserving traditional knowledge associated with the Adi community.
Reports about her work have highlighted her efforts to maintain medicinal plant resources and pass traditional knowledge on to younger generations. Her approach has attracted interest from researchers and scholars studying indigenous healthcare practices.
Recognition as the ‘Adi Queen of Herbs’
Because of her long association with herbal medicine, Lego is popularly referred to as the ‘Adi Queen of Herbs’. Her work has brought greater attention to the traditional medicinal knowledge of Arunachal Pradesh and the wider Northeast.
The official Padma Awards citation records her contribution to herbal healing and notes her work with patients suffering from serious and chronic illnesses.
At the same time, traditional herbal remedies should not automatically be considered substitutes for evidence-based medical treatment. Patients with serious illnesses should consult qualified medical professionals before changing or stopping prescribed treatment.
A Living Link to Arunachal’s Herbal Heritage
The official Padma Awards citation notes that Yanung Jamoh Lego has used traditional herbal practices to treat patients suffering from various serious and chronic illnesses, including cases involving cancer. Her work has therefore attracted attention as an example of Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous healing traditions and the Adi community’s knowledge of medicinal plants.
Lego’s journey reflects the continuing importance of indigenous knowledge systems in India. Her work combines formal education in agriculture with traditional knowledge passed down through generations.
Her recognition with the Padma Shri has also helped bring national attention to the importance of documenting medicinal plants, protecting biodiversity and ensuring that traditional knowledge is not lost.
