Ethnobotanical Data Research Articles

Folk taxonomy and quantitative ethnobotany of Loranthaceae in northern Benin

Loranthaceae are parasitic plants whose management remains a challenge. This study aimed to record Loranthaceae species and their local names, assess their use diversity and cultural importance, identify the socio-demographic groups with the highest levels of knowledge about Loranthaceae uses, and analyze the variation of Loranthaceae utilization between and within ethnic groups. Ethnobotanical data were collected in northern Benin from March 2015 to February 2017 through semi-structured interviews and show-and-tell method with 240 informants. We assessed Loranthaceae use diversity and cultural importance using the Relative Frequency of Citations (RFC), Number of Uses (NU), Use Value (UV), Number of Use Categories (NUC), and Cultural Importance Index (CI). Poisson's regression and Jaccard's Similarity Index were used to identify the socio-demographic groups with the highest levels of knowledge about Loranthaceae uses and evaluate the similarity of Loranthaceae uses between ethnic groups. Results showed 15 local names used to designate four Loranthaceae species namely Agelanthus dodoneifolius, Tapinanthus globiferus, Phragmanthera kamerunensis, and T. ophioides. Loranthaceae were involved in 113 uses gathered in six categories namely human medicine, magic, veterinary, fodder, food, and cosmetic. Human medicine was the most important category with 0.825 as RFC, 61.10 % of the uses, and 100 % of Loranthaceae species involved. A. dodoneifolius was the most important Loranthaceae species regarding its RFC, NU, UV, and NUC of 0.938, 95, 2.296, and 6 respectively. CI showed A. dodoneifolius and T. globiferus were mainly used in human medicine with 0.729 and 0.458 respectively. Bariba, traditional healers and breeders, old people, and animists presented the highest levels of knowledge about Loranthaceae uses. Loranthaceae utilization varied according to ethnic groups and Bariba and Yom presented a similarity in Loranthaceae uses. Loranthaceae valorization in the production of improved traditional medicines, animal feed, soap, and green fertilizers will contribute to the biological control of these plants.

Indonesian Euphorbiaceae: Ethnobotanical Survey, In Vitro Antibacterial, Antitumour Screening and Phytochemical Analysis of Euphorbia atoto.

Indonesia is among the countries with the most significant biodiversity globally. Jamu, the traditional medicine of Indonesia, predominantly uses herbal materials and is an integral component of the Indonesian healthcare system. The present study reviewed the ethnobotanical data of seven Indonesian Euphorbiaceae species, namely Euphorbia atoto, E. hypericifolia, Homalanthus giganteus, Macaranga tanarius, Mallotus mollissimus, M. rufidulus, and Shirakiopsis indica, based on the RISTOJA database and other literature sources. An antimicrobial screening of the plant extracts was performed in 15 microorganisms using the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods, and the antiproliferative effects were examined in drug-sensitive Colo 205 and resistant Colo 320 cells by the MTT assay. The antimicrobial testing showed a high potency of M. tanarius, H. giganteus, M. rufidulus, S. indica, and E. atoto extracts (MIC = 12.5-500 µg/mL) against different bacteria. In the antitumour screening, remarkable activities (IC50 0.23-2.60 µg/mL) were demonstrated for the extracts of H. giganteus, M. rufidulus, S. indica, and E. atoto against Colo 205 cells. The n-hexane extract of E. atoto, with an IC50 value of 0.24 ± 0.06 µg/mL (Colo 205), was subjected to multistep chromatographic separation, and 24-methylene-cycloartan-3β-ol, jolkinolide E, tetra-tert-butyl-diphenyl ether, α-tocopherol, and β-sitosterol were isolated.

Contribution of Participatory Forest Management Program in Non-Timber Forest Products to balance Livelihood Improvement and Conservation: a case of Sera Forest, Amigna District, Southern Ethiopia

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) have a significant role as a local source of medicine, fiber, forage, and sustenance and offer income opportunities mainly in rural families. As sustainable use of NTFPs is imperative to provide ecosystem services and biological resources, this study focused on the identification and documentation of plant species used for NTFPs, their availability, and conservation status in Sera Forest, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The study applied a combination of plant ecological and ethnobotanical methods. Ethnobotanical data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires and interviews which involved 206 randomly sampled general and 24 purposively selected key informants, group discussions, guided field walks, and market surveys. Data were analyzed and presented using analytical methods of ethnobotany, including descriptive statistics, informant consensus factor (ICF), and ranking. Species diversity, richness, and evenness were also computed using Shannon–Wiener diversity indices. A total of 137 plant species belonging to 49 families used as a source of NTFPs were documented from the study area. Eleven major use categories of the NTFPs were identified. Out of these, medicine, firewood, charcoal making, and construction materials were the most dominant uses requiring large volumes of NTFPs. Direct matrix ranking of plant species with multipurpose use revealed, that Hagenia abyssinica was ranked highest, followed by Olea europaea ssp cuspidata, Grewia mollis, Croton macrostachyus, Ximenia americana and Carissa spinarum. Local communities of the study area possess rich indigenous knowledge in the regulation of grazing and extraction of forest products, forest patrolling, firebreak clearance and maintenance, selective preservation of tree species and nursery activities focused on the restoration of indigenous woody species, which all help in using their natural resources for sustainable livelihood. Sera forest is rich in NTFP-bearing plants and associated indigenous conservation knowledge. However, nowadays illegal timber extraction, grazing, over-harvesting of NTFPs, farm expansion, and fire hazards are found to be threatening the plant resources, irrespective of the Participatory Forest Management (PFM) principles. Therefore, it is important to have strong evaluation and monitoring mechanisms for setting harvesting quantities and regulating types of collection. Besides developing a sense of ownership, and responsibility, integrating their traditional forest management practices with modern conservation approaches is desirable for higher livelihood outcomes with lower environmental impacts.

Traditional medical practices for children in five islands from the Society archipelago (French Polynesia)

BackgroundTraditional Polynesian medicine for children has been poorly documented, and few data are available on their efficacy and safety. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify traditional practices used for treating children and then assess the efficacy and safety of the most cited remedies by reviewing the literature.MethodsIn 2022, a semi-structured survey was carried out on five islands from the Society archipelago (Bora Bora, Huahine, Moorea, Raiatea, and Tahiti). A total of 86 participants were interviewed including 19 experts in herbalism. A thorough literature review was performed on the most cited plant species to gather the relevant ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and clinical data of each remedy.ResultsParticipants mentioned using 469 remedies to treat 69 health disorders. The most represented health categories were digestive system, skin disorders, infectious diseases, and respiratory system. A total of 67 plant species (representing 731 use-reports) were mentioned and Annona muricata, Gardenia taitensis, and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis were the main plants reported. Regarding the safety of cited remedies, one plant (Microsorum grossum) showed high risk of toxicity, and its use should be avoided in infants and children.ConclusionOur survey confirms the importance of traditional medical practices for children in the Society Islands. A lack of data in children for most cited remedies demonstrate the need for more pharmacological and toxicological research on Polynesian medicinal plants. Finally, the potential risk of toxicity for some cited plant species reported calls for a better information of traditional medicine users and healers.

Plant parentage influences the type of timber use by traditional peoples of the Brazilian Caatinga.

Local populations select different plants to meet their demands, so that morphologically similar species can be more used for a given use. Herein, we seek to understand whether plant species that are phylogenetically closer together are used more similarly than distant species in the phylogeny. Ethnobotanical data were collected in five rural communities in a semi-arid region of Brazil. A total of 120 local experts were selected and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The people's knowledge of plants was organized into usage subcategories. We estimated the redundancy values for the mentioned species, and we compiled data from the literature on the wood density values of the cited species. We constructed our phylogenetic hypothesis of useful plants and used comparative phylogenetic methods to estimate the signal. Our results showed a strong phylogenetic grouping for both tool handle and craft uses. We observed a moderate phylogenetic grouping in which related cited plants exhibit similar redundancy and a weak grouping in which cited plants present similar wood density values. Our results revealed the importance of using phylogeny for useful plants. We conclude the phylogenetic proximity of useful plants and the lower redundancy for some species in our study may suggest greater use pressure, given that few species fulfill the same function.

Short Communication: Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat livestock ailments in Dallo Manna District, Oromia State, Ethiopia

Abstract. Gobana AH, Telila H, Jilo SA. 2023. Short Communication: Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat livestock ailments in Dallo Manna District, Oromia State, Ethiopia. Asian J Ethnobiol 6: 127-136. Historical information on the use of medicinal plants is in danger of extinction due to changes in different parts of the world, including Ethiopia. This study aimed at the ethnobotanical analysis of medicinal plants used to treat animal diseases. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the selected informant sources. Analysis of ethnobotanical data used the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), preference ranking, ranking matrix, and calculating the degree of fidelity. Dallo Manna Region was reported to have all 68 medicinal plant species used to treat veterinary diseases. The most common family is Fabaceae (7 spp.), followed by Euphorbiaceae (5 spp.), Asteraceae (5 spp.), and Solanaceae (4 spp.). The local people generally used the root, followed by leaves, seeds, and stems, to prepare drugs for treating livestock diseases. All medicine is made and used immediately; some are boiled and dried. In addition, the most common route of administration for treating animal diseases in the study area is oral, followed by topical application and nasal. The highest consensus criteria (ICF) values were recorded in ophthalmology, followed by dermatology. Most species have been reported for treating gastrointestinal disorders, followed by species for treating skin diseases and fever. Ten participants compared nine herbs used to treat veterinary diseases to determine their rankings. Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gmel. in the first place, then this was followed by Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Embelia schimperi Vatke in third place, which achieved the highest value among traditional medicinal plants. The main threats to veterinary medicinal plants are overharvesting of available species, agricultural land expansion, and less attention to traditional medicine due to modernization.

“MEDICINAL PLANTS TRADITIONALLY USED BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN AILMENTS IN AND AROUND ‘’POLO FOREST’’–VIJAYNAGAR DISTRICT”

This paper reports an ethnobotanical study that focused on the traditional medicinal plants used by local communities to treat various human diseases. The study focused on documentation of medicinal plants used to treat various human diseases in the study area. Ethnobotanical data were collected using surveys, interviews, field walks, and observations with local peoples. A total of 67 medicinal plants, were collected and identified. Crushing was a widely used mode of preparation of traditional remedies where oral administration was the dominant route. Local people in the study area possess a rich traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used to treat various human ailments. However, agricultural expansion and lack of interest by the young generation became a major threat to the medicinal plant diversity and the retention of the knowledge. It is, therefore, necessary to preserve this indigenous knowledge on traditional medicines by proper documentation, identification of plant species used, and the mode of preparation. To save medicinal plants from becoming rare in the area, cultivation of the medicinal plants by local communities is suggested.

Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch.: a comprehensive review of its pharmacology, phytochemicals, ethnobotanical uses, and therapeutic potential.

Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch., commonly known as costus, is a perennial herb that has been traditionally used in various indigenous medicinal systems across Asia. Its historical prominence in traditional remedies underscores the need to explore its phytochemical composition, pharmacological properties, and potential therapeutic benefits. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the available literature on the pharmacological properties, phytochemical constituents, ethnobotanical uses, and therapeutic potential of S. costus. An exhaustive search was performed across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed/MedLine, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, TRIP database, and Science Direct. Both experimental and clinical studies, as well as traditional ethnobotanical records, were considered for inclusion. The phytochemical analysis revealed that S. costus contains a plethora of bioactive compounds, including sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and essential oils, which are responsible for its myriad of medicinal properties. The pharmacological studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory effects, among others. Ethnobotanical data showcased its extensive use in treating ailments like asthma, digestive disorders, and skin conditions. Some clinical trials also underscore its efficacy in certain health conditions, corroborating its traditional uses. S. costus possesses significant therapeutic potential, largely attributable to its rich phytochemical composition; the convergence of its traditional uses and modern pharmacological findings suggests promising avenues for future research, especially in drug development and understanding its mechanism of action in various ailments.

Ethnobotany of Food Plants in The Penghulu Tribe Community in Sarolangun, Jambi

Tribal community in the Bukit Bulan area, Limun District, Sarolangun Regency, Jambi. This research aims to identify the ethnobotany of food plant species by the Penghulu Tribe community in Sarolangun Regency, Jambi Province. This research was conducted in Napal Melintang and Meribung Villages. Research method ethnobotanical data on food plants were obtained through qualitative data collection techniques through in-depth interviews, in contrast, potential data were obtained through vegetation analysis and exploration methods. The study's results identified as many as 88 species from 35 families of food plants originating from cultivation and wild plants, which herbaceous plants dominated. Based on the results of interviews, there are many food plant species in the forest habitat. The part of the plant that is widely used by the community is fruit, and this is because people generally grow fruit in their yards and community gardens. Cultivators mostly use food plants for direct consumption. Conclusion this research The Penghulu tribe community's dependence on food plants is still high because they can utilize, gather, and process them. 88 species of food plants have been identified from 35 families, of which 77 produce carbohydrates, vegetables, and fruit.

Therapeutic Potential of Traditional Medicinal Plants from Algeria for Treatment of Liver Diseases

The objective of our study is to conduct an ethnobotanical investigation of traditional medicinal plants used by people in El-Oued state, southeast Algeria, for the treatment of liver diseases. We collected data through personal interviews and questionnaires. In total, we conducted interviews with 156 respondents, the majority of whom were aged 50 or older. Our study of medicinal plants used for treating liver diseases led to the discovery of 78 species from 41 families and various genera, including 52% of medicinal plants found in the wild. Approximately 77% of these plants were primarily used in dried form for remedy preparation. The most commonly employed preparation method was decoction. Interestingly, 70% of the participants mentioned Zizyphus lotus (L.) Lam., Silybum marianum L., and Atriplex halimus L. as sources for treating liver illnesses. This investigation revealed that many people in the research region still rely on herbal remedies to treat liver disorders. Moreover, the present study provides valuable ethnobotanical data on medicinal plants, serving as a foundational resource for future extensive research in this field.

Indigenous medicinal plants used in folk medicine for malaria treatment in Kwara State, Nigeria: an ethnobotanical study

BackgroundFolk medicine is crucial to healthcare delivery in the underdeveloped countries. It is frequently used as a primary treatment option or as a complementary therapy for malaria. Malaria is a deadly disease which greatly threatens global public health, claiming incredible number of lives yearly. The study was aimed at documenting the medicinal plants used for malaria treatment in folk medicine in Kwara State, Nigeria.MethodsEthnobotanical information was collected from selected consenting registered traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) through oral face-to-face interviews using in-depth, semi-structured interview guide. The ethnobotanical data were analysed, and descriptive statistical methods were used to compile them.ResultsSixty-two indigenous medicinal plants, including 13 new plants, used for malaria treatment were identified in this study. The TMPs preferred decoction in aqueous solvent (34%) and steeping in decaffeinated soft drink (19%) for herbal preparations. Oral administration (74%) was the main route of administration, while leaves (40%) and stem barks (32%) were the most dominant plant parts used in herbal preparations. The most cited families were Fabaceae (15%) and Rutaceae (6%), while Mangifera indica (77.14%), Enantia chlorantha (65.71%), Alstonia boonei (57.14%) followed by Cymbopogon citratus (54.29%) were the most used plants. Besides, the antimalarial activities of many of the plants recorded and their isolated phytocompounds have been demonstrated. Furthermore, the conservation status of 4 identified plants were Vulnerable.ConclusionThe study showed strong ethnobotanical knowledge shared by the TMPs in the State and provides preliminary information that could be explored for the discovery of more potent antimalarial compounds.

Traditional use of Polypores in Georgia (the Caucasus)

Background: The present work was intended to explore the quantitative ethnobotany and conservation status of flora of Koh-e-Suleman range, Razmak valley, North Waziristan, Pakistan. For the first time, significant traditional knowledge of the uses of reported flora was documented. Objective: The aim of the present study was to: (i) elucidate local populations' traditional knowledge of indigenous plants used for various purposes (ii) compile ethnomedicinal data using quantitative analyses for in-depth pharmacological evaluation of medicinal plants. (iii) evaluate the reported flora's conservation status. Methods: Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using quantitative tools, i.e., Relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL). Results: 102 participants including 75 men and 27 women were interviewed. The participants reported a total of 68 plant species, belonging to 57 genera and 19 families. There was 1 family of pteridophytes (1 species), 1 family of gymnosperms (4 species) and 63 species belonging to 17 families of angiosperms. Of the total reported plants, 38 were fodder species, 37 were medicinal species, 5 were timber species, 9 were fuel species, 8 were fruits species, 1 was vegetable species, 5 were condiment species, 2 were thatching species, 9 were ornamental species while none of the species was poisonous in nature. Conservation status revealed that 49 species (72.05 %) were vulnerable, 12 species (17.64 %) were rare, 6 species (8.82 %) were endangered, and 1 species (1.47 %) was found infrequent. Conclusion: The current study showed the majority of the species were used as fuel wood, medicines, and fodder. As most plant species have significant curative properties, a rotational and moderate grazing system is required to conserve the plants. Local residents must inculcate in their children the importance of floral diversity and conservation. Keywords: Anthropogenic activities, Conservation status, Endangered species, Quantitative ethnobotany, Razmak valley.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants of lake Abaya basin, southern Ethiopia

IntroductionEthnobotanical study was conducted in lake Abaya basin, southern Ethiopia. The study aimed at documenting indigenous and local knowledge and use of traditional medicinal plants for treating human and livestock ailments. MethodsA survey was conducted among purposively selected traditional healers and randomly selected herbal medicine practitioners of the local communities. Guided field observations, semi-structured interview, group discussions and market survey were used for ethnobotanical data collection. Preference and direct matrix rankings including descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. ResultsSeventy-one medicinal plant species belonging to 64 genera and 36 families were used as remedies for human and livestock ailments. Among these, 51 were reported for human, 13 for livestock ailment treatments and seven for both. Most of them were collected from the wild. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves followed by roots. The largest numbers of remedies were used to treat abdominal disorders. The major routes of administration include oral, dermal and nasal. Leucas abyssinica ranked first and most effective to cure abdominal disorder followed by Lepidium sativum and Stephania abyssinica. Moringa stenopetala was most preferred multipurpose plant by local people. Agricultural expansion was the major threatening factor followed by firewood consumption. ConclusionsTraditional healers apply diversified traditional medicinal plants for healthcare of the community and domestic animals. However, traditional medicinal plants and the associated indigenous knowledge of local community were under threat. Thus, public awareness and community-based management need to be encouraged to maintain indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge of the study area.

A Wonder Plant Aloe vera L. (Liliaceae): An Overview of its Folk Traditional Uses, Phytoconstituents, Biological Activities, and Cosmaceutical Applications

Aloe vera L. (Lililaceae) bears various medicinal applications that likely date back more than a thousand years ago. The current review provides an overview of the folk traditional uses, phytochemistry, biological activities, and cosmaceutical applications of the A. vera plant to date. The data have been retrieved from different scientific databases, including PubMed-Medline, Researchgate, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, SciELO, Taylor & Francis, Web of Science, books, conference papers, Masters and Ph.D. dissertations. As per the collected data of this review, almost 40 active phytoconstituents in A. vera have been reported so far with varying concentrations. Ethnobotanical data displayed that A. vera is still used as traditional medicine among communities against more than 20 different health-related problems. The DPPH, FRAP, TAC, and ABTS assays were commonly employed where A. vera extracts showed varying antioxidant activities against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Data on the biological activities showed A. vera plant extracts with remarkable anti-inflammatory activities through the inhibition of TNF-α and prostaglandin E2 factors and also exerts anti-diabetic activity against type 1 and type 2 diabetes. As per the collected data of this review, A. vera extracts have been reported with anti-microbial activities against more than 12 bacterial and 7 fungal strains and also obstruct the uncontrollable proliferation of specific types of cancer cells like HCT-116, HepG2, HeLa, A549, and MCF-7. Conclusively, A. vera possesses wide-ranging applications in the treatment of various diseases. However, more controlled investigations and clinical trials with the elucidation of the mechanism of action activities are prerequisites in the future to substantiate the outcomes and efficacies of A. vera under different circumstances. Any toxic effects of A. vera if associated with specific extracts or compounds should be addressed for safer consumption of Aloe-based food and cosmetic products.

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used To Treat Livestock Ailments, In Dallol Manna District, Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, South East Ethiopia

Historical information on the use of medicinal plants is in danger of extinction due to different changes in different parts of the world, including Ethiopia. This study, carried out in the DallomAna, Oromia regions of Ethiopia, aims at the ethnobotanical analysis of medicinal plants used in the treatment of animal diseases. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the information sources selected. Analysis of ethnobotanical data using tools such as the Consensus Consent Factor (ICF) preference ranking, ranking matrix, and calculating the degree of fidelity. In Dallomanna Region reported all 68 medicinal plant species used to treat veterinary diseases. The most common family is Fabaceae (7 spp.), followed by Euphorbiaceous (5 spp.), Asteraceae (5 spp.) Solanaceae (4 spp.). For the preparation of drugs for the treatment of livestock diseases, plants are generally used as the root, followed by leaves, seeds and stems. All of the medicine is made and used immediately, and some of it is boiled and dried for use. In addition, the most common way of route of administration for treatment animal diseases in the study area is oral, followed by topical application and nasal .The highest consensus criteria (ICF) values were recorded in ophthalmology, followed by dermatology. Most species have been reported for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, followed by species for the treatment of skin diseases and fever. Ten participants compared nine herbs used to treat veterinary diseases to see how they ranked. This was followed by Hagenia Abyssinia in first place, then Zingier ofcinale and Embelia schimperi in third place. Nicotiana tabacum, Phyllanthus ovalifolius, Ruta chalepensis Santalum album followed Hagenia abyssinica, which achieved the highest value among traditional oyster medicinal plants. The main threats to veterinary medicinal plants were overharvesting of available species, agricultural land expansion, and less attention to traditional medicine due to modernization.

Ethnomedicinal plants used for malaria treatment in Rukungiri District, Western Uganda

BackgroundMalaria remains a major global health challenge and a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, limited access to medical facilities has perpetuated the reliance of indigenous communities on herbal medicine for the prevention and management of malaria. This study was undertaken to document ethnobotanical knowledge on medicinal plants prescribed for managing malaria in Rukungiri District, a meso-endemic malaria region of Western Uganda.MethodsAn ethnobotanical survey was carried out between May 2022 and December 2022 in Bwambara Sub-County, Rukungiri District, Western Uganda using semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 125 respondents (81 females and 44 males) were randomly selected and seven (7) key informants were engaged in open interviews. In all cases, awareness of herbalists on malaria, treatment-seeking behaviour and herbal treatment practices were obtained. The ethnobotanical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, informant consensus factor and preference ranking.ResultsThe study identified 48 medicinal plants belonging to 47 genera and 23 families used in the treatment of malaria and its symptoms in the study area. The most frequently cited species were Vernoniaamygdalina, Aloevera and Azadirachtaindica. Leaves (74%) was the most used plant organ, mostly for preparation of decoctions (41.8%) and infusions (23.6%) which are administered orally (89.6%) or used for bathing (10.4%).ConclusionsIndigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used as prophylaxis and for treatment of malaria still exist among the local communities of Bwambara Sub-County. However, there is a need to investigate the antimalarial efficacy, phytochemical composition and safety of species (such as Digitariaabyssinica and Berkheyabarbata) with high percentage use values to validate their use.

Usage of spicy aromatic plants of the flora of Armenia in the national cuisine

Since ancient times, Armenians have used wild plants in their diet in both fresh and processed forms. Their gastronomic traditions, knowledge about useful plants, and methods of their application have been passed from generation to generation. In this review we analyse the species composition of plants that are used as spices in the national cuisine, how many there are, and what prospects there are for their use. Field surveys were conducted to collect ethnobotanical data of the use of aromatic plants in all of regions in Armenia during the years 2016–2022. 58 informants (42 women and 16 men) were interviewed after obtaining their prior informed oral consent. The informants included farmers, housewives and cooks engaged in preparing the national cuisine. All the informants participated voluntarily and shared their life experience, knowledge received from grandmothers and their professional skills. For the first time, a list of spicy plants of the flora of Armenia which were used in the preparation of national dishes is presented. Some species are no longer used, because classic spices are already available for sale, but some species of plants are still used today as a seasoning in national dishes. In the flora of Armenia there are 142 species of spicy aromatic plants belonging to 115 genera and 46 families. Studies have shown that the largest number of spicy-aromatic plants grow in Central and Southern Armenia (Armeno-Iranian floral province). On the basis of this rich plant resource, it is possible to organize the cultivation of organic spicy plants and spices in order to use them in various branches of the food industry. The recollected knowledge of our ancestors in the area of cheesemaking, winemaking, beermaking, combining centuries of experience with today's new technologies and use of spice plants can be used to develop the country's economy.

Ethnobotanical study in the underexplored species of Genus Litsea (Lauraceae) in Northern Thailand

Abstract. Chaisoung N, Panyadee P, Long C, Ngernsaengsaruay C, Chaowasku T, Inta A. 2023. Ethnobotanical study in the underexplored species of Genus Litsea (Lauraceae) in Northern Thailand. Biodiversitas 24: 3977-4000. Ethnobotanical studies offer valuable insights into medicinal plant use, but accuracy is limited by the difficulty in identifying similar species during field surveys. This study aims to investigate the Genus Litsea Lam. (Lauraceae) plants in Thailand, specifically focusing on underexplored species with ethnobotanical value for future utilization. The present research aims to comprehensively analyze the ethnobotanical data by comparing the results from previous ethnobotanical documents with those obtained from our field surveys. From a comprehensive review of ethnobotanical documents published from 1996-2022, the study discovered seven species of Litsea report to be used in Thailand. In addition, a subsequent field survey from November 2019 to December 2021 revealed that 13 species were used, with 11 of these used for medicinal purposes. The study identified seven additional species not previously documented for their medicinal uses. Among these species, Litsea mollis Hemsl., Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B.Rob. and Litsea martabanica (Kurz) Hook.fil. have the highest use values and hold potential for future development, particularly L. mollis and L. martabanica. We also found that Litsea species were primarily used for treating digestive disorders. This study highlighted the importance of considering taxonomic complexities and conducting field surveys to assess plant uses accurately and can serve as a foundation for future research on these species, including their chemical analysis, biological activities, and pharmacological properties.

Local Knowledge, Perceptions, and Uses of the Potentially Conflict-Generating Plant Species, Moringa oleifera Lam.: A case Study in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Moringa oleifera Lam. is listed In South Africa as Species Under Surveillance for Possible Eradication or Containment Targets (SUSPECT) under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (NEM:BA), although it is widely used in some communities. We conducted this study to investigate local ecological knowledge (LEK) and perceptions about moringa in the rural communities of Limpopo Province (South Africa). We used a structured questionnaire and open-ended interviews with 106 informants to gather ethnobotanical data associated with utilisation and perceptions of moringa. We found that moringa is generally perceived positively and is used primarily for medicinal purposes, its nutrition value, as livestock feed, and for skin care. Most participants (76%) were unaware that moringa is an alien species and disagreed with NEM:BA regulations to restrict its spread or to eradicate it entirely due to the benefits they associate with it. We argue that listing moringa as SUSPECT could fuel conflict between rural communities that use it and management authorities. Rather, we would urge policymakers to adopt a holistic approach to sustainable conservation strategies that incorporates LEK in future planning.

Quantitative ethnobotany of medicinal plants used by the Bodo Community of Baksa District, BTR, Assam, India

Abstract. Boro M, Das B, Boro KK, Nath M, Buragohain P, Roy S, Sarma PJ, Kalita S, Nath M. 2023. Quantitative ethnobotany of medicinal plants used by the Bodo Community of Baksa District, Assam, India. Biodiversitas 24: 3169-3182. Plants are the core part of religious and cultural aspects of various ethnic communities of the world. Assam is a homeland of diverse ethnic tribes of Indo-Mongolian origin. The Bodo Community is one of the oldest communities and they are rich in their traditional healthcare knowledge system. The current study aimed to record the data on medicinal plants used by the Bodo Community in Baksa District, Assam, India. Statistical analysis was done by following established formula to find Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Informant Agreement Ration (IAR) and Informant Consensus (Fic). A total of 129 medicinal plant species were recorded, used in 18 different ailment categories by the Bodo people. Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. was the most used plant by the informants (use value 0.69) and also had the highest RFC (0.60). In present survey, the IAR range was from 0-1. The highest Fic value was recorded in the ailment category of Renal and hepatic disorder. The present work provides rich data, as this work, besides documenting the medicinal plants used by the community, also gives proper scientific evaluation of the ethnobotanical data. The work will be helpful for future researchers, academicians and stakeholders to carry out research work in this diverse scientific field of ethnobotany. From the conservation point of view, there is an urgent need to involve local people for the conservation of medicinal plants for the future.