The medicinal plants of Myanmar.

Gary A. Krupnick,Robert A. DeFilipps

doi:10.3897/phytokeys.102.24380

Abstract

A comprehensive compilation is provided of the medicinal plants of the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar (formerly Burma). This contribution, containing 123 families, 367 genera, and 472 species, was compiled from earlier treatments, monographs, books, and pamphlets, with some medicinal uses and preparations translated from Burmese to English. The entry for each species includes the Latin binomial, author(s), common Myanmar and English names, range, medicinal uses and preparations, and additional notes. Of the 472 species, 63 or 13% of them have been assessed for conservation status and are listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN 2017). Two species are listed as Extinct in the Wild, four as Threatened (two Endangered, two Vulnerable), two as Near Threatened, 48 Least Concerned, and seven Data Deficient. Botanic gardens worldwide hold 444 species (94%) within their living collections, while 28 species (6%) are not found any botanic garden. Preserving the traditional knowledge of Myanmar healers contributes to Target 13 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.

Highlights

In many parts of the world traditional knowledge and biodiversity still play an import role in health care, culture, religion, food security, environment, and sustainable development
The medicinal uses of this species in in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India) are discussed in Jain and DeFilipps (1991)
Medicinal uses of this species in China are discussed in Duke and Ayensu (1985)

Summary

Introduction

In many parts of the world traditional knowledge and biodiversity still play an import role in health care, culture, religion, food security, environment, and sustainable development. GSPC’s Target 13 aims for an increase in indigenous and local knowledge innovations and practices associated with plant resources to support customary use, sustainable livelihoods, local food security, and health care It is with this aim that we compiled a list of plant species and their medicinal uses in Myanmar based on published accounts. Common names given here come from the various sources, but most are those given in Kress et al (2003) This list contains 123 families, 367 genera, and 472 species of medicinal plants. According to Botanic Gardens Conservation International’s ThreatSearch database (BGCI 2017), which is a comprehensive list of threatened plant species at the global, national, and regional scales using both IUCN and non-IUCN methodologies, over 75% (355 species) of the medicinal plants listed here have been assessed for conserva-. To reduce the pressures of harvesting plants from wild resources, there are calls for conservation strategies (e.g., in situ and ex situ conservation and cultivation practices) and resource management (e.g., sustainable use practices) to sustain wild populations of medicinal plant species (Schippmann et al 2002, Chen et al 2016)

References cited in Introduction

Peristrophe Nees

Strobilanthes Blume

Altingia Noronha

Polyalthia Blume

Trachyspermum Link

11. Kopsia Blume

Colocasia Schott

Typhonium Schott

Cyanthillium Blume

Mayodendron Kurz

Vaccaria Wolf