Abstract
BackgroundFleagrass, Adenosma buchneroides, is an aromatic perennial herb that occupies an important position in the life of the Akha people. They regard it as a tribal symbol and a gift of love. Fleagrass also has many medicinal uses, and there is considerable potential for its development as an insect repellent. Traditionally, Akha people plant it in swidden fields, but there are few swidden fields in China now. Therefore, the first question this study aims to answer is as follows: how is fleagrass planted and utilized now? At present, fleagrass is only reported to be used by Akha people in Mengla. We also try to understand the following questions: Is fleagrass used in nearby area? If so, how is fleagrass used in nearby area? Furthermore, why is fleagrass used in that way?MethodsFrom August 2016 to July 2018, field surveys were conducted six times. The ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological uses of A. buchneroides in 13 Akha villages were investigated by means of semi-structured interviews. We assessed the responses of a total of 64 interviewees (32 men and 32 women; mean age, 58.6) from the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China, and from Phongsaly Province, Laos. To explain the bases for the ethnobotanical uses of fleagrass, we used Google Scholar, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure to review the bioactivities of the chemical constituents of A. buchneroides.ResultsWith the vanishing of swidden agriculture and the development of modern products, fleagrass cultivation is disappearing in China. However, most Akha people in Xishuangbanna still remember and yearn for its traditional uses, and Akha people in a nearby area (northern Laos) continue to plant and utilize it. We documented ten uses of A. buchneroides within five discrete categories. The whole plant of fleagrass has a distinct strong aroma, of which Akha villagers are particularly fond. Akha villagers mostly use this aromatic property as a decoration, perfume, and insect repellent. A. buchneroides is also used as a condiment and for medicinal and ritual purposes, including its use as a cure for insect bites, headaches, influenza, and diarrhoea, and as a part of pray ritual for a bumper harvest. From our literature review, we identified many major chemical compounds contained in the essential oil of A. buchneroides, including thymol, carvacrol, 3-carene, and p-cymene, which have insecticidal or insect-repellent, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.ConclusionFleagrass is an aromatic plant that is widely used by Aka people. Its chemical composition also has a variety of biological activities. With the vanishing of swidden agriculture and the development of modern products, fleagrass utilization in China is disappearing and its cultural importance is reduced. However, its economic and medicinal value is assignable.
Highlights
Vector-borne diseases pose a significant threat to human life and welfare and account for approximately 17% of the global burden of infectious diseases, causing more than one million deaths each year [1]
The first question this study aims to answer is as follows: How is fleagrass planted and utilized now? At present, fleagrass is only reported to be used by Akha people in Mengla
Ethnobotanical usages of fleagrass Fleagrass is known by Akha people with the vernacular name ‘Lao-wo-suo-du,’ ‘Lang-suo-du,’ and ‘La-sang-suo-du’
Summary
Vector-borne diseases pose a significant threat to human life and welfare and account for approximately 17% of the global burden of infectious diseases, causing more than one million deaths each year [1]. The earliest recorded human use of plants as a repellent can be traced back to BC. In the Arribes del Duero (western Spain), local residents reported 27 traditional uses of 22 plants to prevent or control mosquitoes, flies, and other insects. In Africa, some places are the hardest hit areas by insect-borne diseases, where local residents still apply plants in traditional ways as an effective and economical means of insect control [8, 9]. Adenosma buchneroides, is an aromatic perennial herb that occupies an important position in the life of the Akha people. They regard it as a tribal symbol and a gift of love. We try to understand the following questions: Is fleagrass used in nearby area? If so, how is fleagrass used in nearby area? why is fleagrass used in that way?
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