Medicinal Plants Used by Ethnic Groups in Yunnan

Abstract

Yunnan is well known for its rich biological and cultural diversity in China. There are 26 linguistic groups in the province, and every group has developed traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. Although medical systems in Yunnan have largely changed since the establishment of new China in 1949, ethnomedicines are still necessary for indigenous people to protect themselves from diseases such as bites from venomous animals, dysentery, gastric disorders, inflammation, infectious hepatitis, mental disorders, pain, rheumatism, and wounds. Especially, the ethnic groups in Yunnan have acquired unique knowledge about the properties and uses of wild plants, much of which is not known to the outside world. Nevertheless, ethnomedicines usually lack scientific evidence for validating their traditional uses. This chapter examines useful ethnobotanical information on medicinal plants used by ethnic people in Yunnan. Eight ethnomedicines have been selected as examples to present the research status in the province. They are Arundina graminifolia (D. Don) Hochr., Coptis teeta Wall., Cynanchum otophyllum C.K. Schneid., Psammosilene tunicoides W.C. Wu & C.Y. Wu, Rodgersia sambucifolia Hemsl., Winchia calophylla A. DC., Piper boehmeriifolium (Miq.) Wall. ex C. DC., and Piper mullesua Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don.