Ethnomedicinal knowledge and novel folk claims from Sunderbani Block, Rajouri District, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Background: Khatling valley is an unexplored and remote region located in the Uttarakhand state of Indian Himalaya, the area possesses rich medicinal flora, and local inhabitants using these plants since generations. The majority of primary health care depends upon traditional medicine due to the unavailability of a modern medicinal facility, however, the identity of medicinal plants is limited to traditional healers or elder people in the region thus the documentation of such important medicinal knowledge is a dire need for sustainable use. Methods: An ethnomedicinal survey was carried out in this region from 2018 to 2020. Ethnomedicinal data were collected from 82 informants through semi-structured questionnaires and group conversations. To check the popular and frequently used species URs and Informant consensus factor (ICF) were calculated for the collected data. Results: The present study recorded 68 plants from 63 genera and 35 families utilized for treating various disorders. The dominant families were Asteraceae (7) and Rosaceae (6) followed by Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Polygonaceae, Zingiberiaceae (4 species each). The majority of the useful plants were herbaceous (78%) followed by trees (12%), shrubs (9%), and climbers were the least in number (1%). Most of the plant parts used were leaves and roots 25% each, followed by rhizome, aerial part and tuber (9% each), seeds, fruits, and whole plant (5% each), bark (4%) while, stem, flower, resin, and the bulb has less proportion (1% each). Five drug formulations were used by the local inhabitants of which paste was the most common (32%) followed by powder (31%), decoction (19%), raw (12%), and juice (6%). Some important medicinal plants based on use reports (URs) were Valeriana jatamansi Jones (300 URs and 5 uses), Aconitum lethale Griff. (275 URs and 5 uses), Nardostachys jatamansi (D. Don) DC (250 URs and 4 uses), Solanum nigrum (L.) (234 URs and 5 uses), Paeonia emodi Royle (230 URs and 4 uses). ICF values ranged between 0.96 and 1. The highest ICF value (1) was recorded for mental disorders (ICD code F) and epilepsy (ICD code G) while a minimum of 0.96 was recorded for blood problems (ICD code I). Conclusion: Ethnomedicinal plants having high URs and ICF can be a good source for novel phytoconstituents and novel drug discoveries, apart from this documentation of traditional knowledge will be helpful for the new generation, researchers, and policymakers for sustainable use of the species. Keywords: Ethnomedicine; Indigenous knowledge; Medicinal plants; Remote region

Ethnopharmacological survey of endemic plants used in ethnomedicinal knowledge of Soqotra Island

BackgroundPlant-derived products have an imperative biological role against certain pathogenic organisms and were considered to be a major source of modern drugs. Rural people residing in developing countries are relying on traditional herbal medical system due to their strong believe and minimum access to allopathic medicines. Hence, ethnomedicinal knowledge is useful for the maintenance of community’s based approaches under this medical system. Present study was carried out in an unexplored remote tribal area of Pakistan to investigate and document the existing ethnomedicinal knowledge on local flora.MethodsData was collected through semi-structured questionnaires from the community members and local herbalists. Use reports (URs) were counted for each species and analyzed through Linear Regression between the number of URs per family and number of plant species per family.ResultsA total of 64 medicinal plant species were recorded belonging to 60 genera and 41 families. Most frequently used plant families in ethnomedicines were Lamiaceae (8 species) and Asteraceae (7 species). Highest URs were recorded for Caralluma tuberculata N.E. Br. (49 URs) being followed by Thymus serphyllum L. (49 URs), Fagonia cretica L. (47 URs), Plantago lanceolata L. (45 URs), Periploca aphylla Decne. (44 URs), Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (44 URs), and Sideroxylon mascatense (A.DC.) T.D.Penn. (44 URs). New ethnomedicinal uses were reported for Boerhaavia elongata Brandegee and Fumaria officinalis L. with confidential level of URs from the study area. Nineteen groups of health conditions were recorded during the course of study being treated with medicinal plants. Maximum number of 30 plant species was used to treat digestive problems. Most widely practiced mode of drugs’ preparation and administration was powder. Leaves (30% plants) were the most frequently used plant parts in the preparation of ethnomedicinal recipes.ConclusionsCurrent study is an important addition to the field of ethnomedicines. The study reports important medicinal plants from an area, which has not been investigated previously. Traditional knowledge is restricted to health practitioners and elder community members. This knowledge is at the verge of extinction because younger generation is not taking interest in its learning and preservation process. Hence, there is a dire need to phytochemically and pharmacologically test the investigated taxa for the validation of traditional knowledge.

Medicinal plants traditionally used in the health care practices by the indigenous communities of the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, India

Medicinal plants are the local heritage and assets to a country that are to be collected, preserved, characterized, scientifically analyzed and utilized in treating particular ailments. Several important medicinal plants from different parts of the world are yet to be indexed, characterized and tested for their medicinal values. Adulteration (mixing cheaper materials with the original herb) is a prime concern in herbal medicine for which proper scientific characterization of specific plant parts of each is essential. In this study characterizationof some medicinally important plant species ( Alstonia scholaris,Ephedra sinica,Zingiber officinale,Phyllanthus emblica,Terminalia bellirica , T. chebula ) were done. Anatomical studies of transverse sections of the leaves of Adhatoda vasica Nees, stems of Alstonia scholaris L. R. Br. and Ephedra sinica Stapf.and fine sections of rhizomes from Zingiber officinale Rosc. were carried out.The characteristic presence of typical vascular bundlesfollowing double staining methods and distribution of specific types of tissues helped us to identify and standardize the constant anatomical features. The standardized anatomical features helped us to detect the particular medicinal plants species. A combination of three fruits with medicinal values is called ‘ Triphala’ consisted of ‘Amlaki’ ( Phyllanthus emblica) , ‘Bibhitaki’ ( Terminalia bellirica ) and ‘Haritaki’ ( Terminalia chebula ), used for boosting immunity. In the Ayurvedic medicine, Triphala is recommended as an aqueous drink. In this study, microscopic and elemental analyses were attempted for the purpose of identifying morpho-anatomical characteristics of Triphala components, which could serve as markers for the authentication of this herbal product. Thinly cut sections and macerated tissue samples of three fruit samples were mounted in 70% glycerin and observed with a Leica DM-750 microscope equipped with LV-4.4 software. Starch grains, epidermal tissue, and cell wall structures were observed and compared for each species. Brown and yellow storage products, tannin and oil droplets were found in globular cells of T. bellirica and T. chebula . Elemental analysis was carried out using an Elementar CHNS analyzer (vario MICRO cube) to determine total carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur in fruit tissue. The results showed a significant variation in the amounts of carbon between samples.

Documenting the indigenous knowledge on medicinal flora from communities residing near Swat River (Suvastu) and in high mountainous areas in Swat-Pakistan

Background: This study is the first of its own kind conducted in the study area with the aim to document and conserve the indigenous traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used for curing gynecological diseases. Materials and Methods : During the course of work, the use of medicinal plants and their ethnomedicinal uses for gynecological problems were documented by interviewing 532 people of different ages (20-110 years) through semi-structured interviews Results : The result of the present work is showing the dependency of the indigenous population on medicinal plants. In the present work 60 plants, species belonging to 40 families were collected and their medicinal uses were documented by interviewing both genders of the local population through semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaires. The results of the study were compared to 14 previously published articles. The result of this study indicates that Asteraceae was the dominant family with 4 species. Similarly, the dominant life form was herb (39 species) and the most used plant part was leaf (19 species). The highest RCF (Relative Citation Frequency) value was obtained for Acacia modesta Wall. 0.71. The highest UV (Use Value) was 0.91 for Trachyspermum ammi (L.) sprague and lowest UV was 0.50 for Ficus benghalensis L. The highest ICF (Informants Consensus Factor) value 1.0 was obtained for emmenagogue and vomiting and the lowest for leucorrhoea (0.67). Conclusions: The present study shows that the study area is rich in ethnomedicinal knowledge. The result also indicates that the local population is more sensitive and careful about gynecological diseases. This study is providing a baseline for future pharmacological studies to discover new herbal drugs. Keywords: Traditional knowledge conservation; Ethno-medicine; Gynecological disorders; Buner; Pakistan

Background: Nepal is rich in culture, tradition, knowledge of traditional health practices. In fact, traditional healing practices have been a strong cultural and scientific heritage in this country. The majority of people (80%) in Nepal continue to rely on these practices of health care. Practitioners of this traditional medical wisdom are called as traditional healers (THs). THs are prevalent in every ethnic group and community. Majority of rural people are very dependent on traditional medical practices of THs who mostly use locally available medicinal herbs and spiritual methods to treat diseases. Therefore, this study had investigated whether traditional healers had the knowledge, skill, practices and technology of diagnosis and treatment of diseases which could be utilized to assist in providing health care services to rural people in Nepal.
 Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional research design a total of 25 traditional healers from Kapilvasttu district of Nepal were interviewed. Responses on the following topics were obtained: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, skill and practice regarding medicinal plants use. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the responses.
 Results: Traditional healers’ knowledge, skill, practice and technology of diagnosis and treatment of diseases were related to tradition and culture of particular ethnic groups and communities. Majority of THs (n=25) are male (73.33%) and Hindu (88.29%) by religion. They mostly used medicinal plants (85.6%) singly or in combination with shaman, spiritual and others techniques. Less than 22.5% of THs had got training from health related institutions formally. Rest of the THs had acquired the knowledge and skill of traditional healing practices from ancestors, colleagues, self-study, from guru (traditional teachers), grandparents etc. Some of the both trained and untrained traditional healers would treat 52 types of diseases including gastro-intestinal and cardiac disorders, HIV, cancer, mental disorders, fractures and other common diseases with 79 known medicinal plants.
 Conclusion: The results indicate that traditional healers (THs) have acquired traditional medical knowledge, skill, practice and technology from their ancestors, teachers, trainings etc. They use medicinal plants as a means of treatment for providing primary health care to local people in the communities. This is significant considering, that are serving the health needs of a large percentage of the Nepalese rural population. However, further health policy and development of controlling mechanism for them on the treatment related issues is necessary.
 Keywords:Traditional healers, medicinal plants, traditional medicines, Nepal

The endemic medicinal plants of Northern Balochistan, Pakistan and their uses in traditional medicine

Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. It affects about 12% of all pregnant women and increases the risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child. Gestational diabetes is prevalent in Bangladesh. The rural population mostly depends on traditional healers (THs) for treatment of this disease. The THs rely on decoctions made from medicinal plants or plant parts to treat gestational diabetes, which decoctions can vary widely between THs in the various districts of the country. The objective of this present study was to conduct an ethnopharmacological survey among the THs of Narail district, Bangladesh to learn about medicinal plants to treat gestational diabetes. In-depth information regarding medicinal plants type, preparation of medicines, ailments for which they are used, dosages, and side effects if any, were obtained from the THs. Medicinal plant samples were later identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. The collected information indicates that the following medicinal plants are used to treat gestational diabetes: Nigella sativa, Aconitum napellus, Agaricus albolutescens, Euphorbia cedrorum, Santalum album, Grewia asiatica, Ipomoea aquatica, Prunus communis, Plantago ovata, Phyllanthus emblica, Litsea liyuyingi, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Scoparia dulcis, Carica papaya, Bacopa monnieri, Tamarindus indica, Abrus precatorius, Dillenia indica, and Aloe vera. It was noted in this ethnopharmacological survey that the patients were quite satisfied with treatment by the THs. Since allopathic medicine does not have a cure for gestational diabetes, the above-mentioned medicinal plants are potentially interesting for discovery of novel compounds, which can be effective in controlling or curing gestational diabetes.

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants used by indigenous and tribal people in Rangamati, Bangladesh

The xerosis of the conjunctiva is a symptomatic condition in which the conjunctiva becomes dry, lusterless, and nonwettable. These patches almost always involve the interpalpebral area of the temporal quadrants and often nasal quadrants as well. Typical xerosis may be associated with conjunctival thickening, wrinkling, and pigmentation. Xerosis is correlated with Shuktika as the per Ayurvedic reference. In this disease, a small elevated blackish spot resembling shell appears in Shukla mandala. There are various noninvasive as well as safe treatment modalities mentioned in Ayurvedic classics for the treatment of Shuktika. Gambhari, Amalaki, and Haritaki Aschyotana are some of the medicines mentioned in Sushruta Samhita in the management of Shuktika. Hence, an attempt has been made in this regard to review the role of these drugs, i.e. topical instillation of Gambhari, Amalaki, and Haritaki eye drops in Shuktika. Ashchyotana is one among the seven Netra kriya kalpa. Gambhari, Amalaki, and Haritaki are found useful in treating Shuktika, i.e. conjunctival xerosis. As per Sushruta Samhita, the causative dosha in Shuktika is Pitta, and hence, the treatment involves in mitigating the Pitta dosha. It is told in Sushruta Samhita that the causative dosha should be eliminated. Gambhari, Amalaki, and Haritaki Ashchyotana have properties to eliminate Pitta dosha. The medicines mentioned in the present review are Pittahara and are considered best for the eyes. Gambhari, Amalaki, and Haritaki Ashchyotana are cost-effective, safe, and easy procedures which can be done by the patient himself/herself in their own homes.

Liver afflictions are an important global well-being burden, making the study of everyday remedies such as Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, and Emblica officinalis (Triphala) important for their hepatoprotective effects. Terminalia chebula, Terminalia Billerica, and Emblica officinalis are famous for their different bioactive compounds, containing polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and vitamins, which award antioxidant, antagonistic-instigative, and hepatoprotective characteristics.Several in vitro and in vivo studies have manifested the capability. Triphala, an established Ayurvedic formulation including equal parts of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, and Emblica officinalis, exhibits cooperative hepatoprotective belongings distinguished from individual components that are necessary for the complete conduct of allure constituents. Clinical studies judging Triphala have stated promising results in improving liver function stones and reducing manifestations of liver ailments. In conclusion, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, and Emblica officinalis, both separately and as Triphala, hold huge potential as open hepatoprotective powers. Further research, including dispassionate problems and mechanistic studies, is authorized to obtain across their efficacy, safety, and latent microscopic mechanisms, concreting the habit for their unification into prevailing medicine for liver health management and affliction administration

Diversity of medicinal plants and their therapeutic usages of Kachin people (Jinghpaw) in the central part of Kachin State, Myanmar

Aim: Tripura is a small state of the northeastern part of India. The floral biodiversity is playing an important role in the traditional system of treatment in tribal and rural population. The research pertaining to the use of medicinal plants in ethnomedico-botany and formulations of study area is limited. The Medico-Ethno-Botanical Survey (MEBS) team of Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI), Itanagar, documented the local health traditions (LHTs) from traditional healers of rural and tribal pockets of Dharmanagar subdivision, North district, Tripura. Materials and methods: The MEBS has been conducted in tribal pockets and villages of Dharmanagar Range, Damchera Range, and Panisagar Ranges of Dharmanagar subdivision of Forest, North Tripura district, Tripura. Local health traditions (LHTs) were documented through discussion and interview with traditional healers in the prescribed format along with global positioning system (GPS) location and digital photography of healer and plant raw drugs used in the traditional medicine and also prepared formulations. Medicinal plants were identified by using local and regional flora followed by processing, mounting, and preservation. Documented information has been processed for scientific validation and Ayurvedic names were provided to medicinal plants. Results and discussion: The MEBS conducted and documented six folk claims with six medicinal plants in prescribed formats to conserve traditional knowledge. The data presented systematically as botanical name, family, Sanskrit name, part used, morphological description of the plant, method of formulation, indication, and information of folk healer. Conclusion: Folk healers of Dharmanagar subdivision, Tripura, collects and use medicinal plants from surrounding area in the treatment of Sarpa Danstra (snake bite), Kamala (jaundice), Stanyajanan (galactagogue), Udarasula (acute abdomen), Alpamutrata (oliguria), and Vrana (fresh wound) popularly. Further, scientific validation is required to understand the useful therapeutic benefits and large-scale medicine production for the treatment. Clinical significance: The MEBS team noticed that some medicinal plants are used in the treatment of human diseases, such as Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. in snake bite, Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. in jaundice, Euphorbia herita L. in galactagogue, Scoparia dulcis L. in acute abdomen, Sida acuta Burm. f. for oliguria, and Mikania micrantha Kunth for fresh wound. These plants need to be studied in detail in order to harvest the maximum benefit for the mankind.