Ethnobotanical Exploration Research Articles

Resiliencia y sostenibilidad de agroecosistemas tradicionales de México: Totonacapan

En México, la tecnología agrícola tradicional, resultante de la acumulación milenaria de valiosas experiencias pertinentes al manejo, aprovechamiento y selección bajo domesticación de un amplio conjunto de etnorecursos, continúa expresándose en una amplia superficie. Sin embargo, debido a diversos aspectos negativos del proceso de aculturación, sus fundamentos biológicos y culturales se encuentran en grave riesgo. Considerando al agroecosistema la unidad de estudio integral conducente al entendimiento de las interrelaciones involucradas en la dinámica de sus componentes físicos, biológicos y culturales y teniendo como objetivo, contribuir al entendimiento de la dinámica ecológica y cultural evidenciada en agroecosistemas tradicionales del Totonacapan. Mediante experiencias derivadas de más de tres décadas de trabajo en la región, se describen y analizan algunos rasgos distintivos de dichos sistemas de producción agrícola, enfatizando a la milpa y al monte como espacios en los que se genera y transmite conocimientos y actitudes vinculados a la percepción, manejo, aprovechamiento y conservación de los etnorecursos inherentes a éstos. Se proporciona información cuantitativa vinculada a la dinámica de este tipo de sistemas de producción agrícola. Los métodos aplicados se fundamentaron en el marco para la evaluación de sistemas de manejo de recursos naturales incorporando indicadores de sustentabilidad (MESMIS), la evaluación del ciclo de vida (LCA), la exploración etnobotánica, así como en la observación participativa. Con base en la definición y evaluación de 15 índices pertinentes a su resiliencia, se propone un modelo de trabajo transdisciplinario conducente a la mensuración del grado de sostenibilidad evidenciado por los mismos. Los resultados indican que, mientras mayor sea el legado biocultural transmitido por sus ancestros y el apego de las familias campesinas al mismo, mayor será la resiliencia ecológica y cultural de sus agroecosistemas y consecuentemente, la sustentabilidad evidenciada por éstos.
 

Evolutionary dynamics of Cucurbita argyrosperma from the Mesoamerican domestication center using SSR molecular markers

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the evolutionary dynamics of the wild-weedy-domestic gene pool of Cucurbita argyrosperma squash by estimating the levels of genetic diversity and gene flow in the putative area of its domestication. Nine populations were collected, and DNA was extracted from young leaves harvested separately from approximately 20 individuals in each population. The DNA fragments were amplified with eight pairs of SSR primers and separated by electrophoresis in 5% denaturing polyacrylamide gels. Genetic diversity and the amount of gene flow were estimated in the populations, and Bayesian grouping was used to determine the levels of gene infiltration and probability of ancestry. The ethnobotanical exploration indicated that the evolutionary dynamics in the area occurred under five different ecological scenarios. Eighty-seven alleles with 75% to 100% polymorphic loci were identified. The greater genetic diversity in the weedy-domestic populations may have been the product of recombination due to the high gene flow between these populations promoted by pollinators and human selection. There is high gene flow between the wild and cultivated populations of C. argyrosperma in its domestication centre, highlighting the importance of conserving and maintaining these genetic resources.

Ethno-botanical study of wild edible fruits consumed by the people of Lakhimpur district of Assam, India.

The present study deals with the identification, ethno-botanical exploration, documentation and popularization of wild edible fruits consumed by the people of Lakhimpur district of Assam, India. Fruits are the chief sources of essential minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, sugar, water and possess tremendous medicinal value. Fruits play an important role in maintaining a well-balanced weight loss diet and healthy living. During the study period, several field trips were conducted in different seasons and the plants were identified by consulting relevant scientific literatures. In this paper, a total of 48 wild edible fruits belonging to 25 families were recorded along with their local names, scientific name, family, time of availability, taste and uses. Further, emphasize should be given in order to maintain and improve this important source of food supply for their conservation for human welfare.

Relative popularity level of medicinal plants in Talagang, Punjab Province, Pakistan

This is the first ethnobotanical exploration with the aim to document the traditional medicinal usage of plants with the therapeutic values in Tehsil Talagang of Punjab province, Pakistan. The study shows the dependence of local people on medicinal plants in their daily life and provides practical evidence regarding the traditional usage of medicinal plants in health care practices. A total of 196 respondents including residents of the study area with gender representation and traditional healers were interviewed by using visual appraisal approach and rapid rural appraisal methods along semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaire. The data was quantitatively analyzed by using quantitative indices like use value, the relative frequency of citation, informant consensus factor, fidelity level and relative importance. A comparison with 25 published ethnobotanical and pharmacological studies was carried out to authenticate the ethnomedicinal relevance of the data recorded. The ethnomedicinal practices of 101 medicinal plants belonging to 36 families were reported. The results indicated that the dominant family was Brassicaceae (nine species). Herbs (57%) were the most dominant life form and leaves (29%) were the frequently used plant part with 45 reports. Mentha arvensis was found as highly cited plant species by respondents. The highest informant consensus factor value (0.65) was found for gastrointestinal disease category. There are 25 plant species having 100% fidelity level value. Use value and relative frequency of citation ranges from 0.04 to 0.16 and 0.15 to 0.36, respectively. The majority of the plant species were found to have strong pharmacological evidence. The current study will provide the basis for the preservation of ethnomedicinal heritage, knowledge and practices as well as for the further scientific investigations regarding the development of new herbal drugs.

Diversity of traditional and fermented foods of the Seven Sister states of India and their nutritional and nutraceutical potential: a review

ABSTRACTThe Seven Sister states of northeast India are characterized by diverse population with different ethnic backgrounds. Indigenous and fermented foods are an intrinsic part of diet of these ethnic tribes. It is the oldest and most economical methods for development of a diversity of aromas, flavors, and textures as well as for food preservation and biological enrichment by manipulation of different microbial populations. Wild fruits and vegetables have more nutritional value than cultivated fruits and contribute to sustainable food production and security. Fermented products are region-specific and have their own unique substrates and preparation methods. Soybeans, bamboo shoots, and locally available vegetables are commonly fermented by most tribes. Fermented alcoholic beverages prepared in this region are unique and bear deep attachment with socio-cultural lives of local people. These products serve as a source of income to many rural people, who prepare them at home and market them locally. Detailed studies on nutritive and medicinal value of these products can provide valuable information and would prove beneficial in guiding the use of these products on a wider scale. Furthermore, the ethnobotanical field exploration, conservation of indigenous knowledge, and proper documentation of wild edible bio-resources are suggested for sustaining the livelihood of local communities.

Ethnomedicinal Plants Used for their Roots in the Nawabgunj Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh, India

Floristic and ethnobotanical exploration of Nawabgunj Bird Sanctuary revealed that the roots of 25 species of plants under 25 genera and 19 families, were utilized by the local people dwelling in nearby villages of this area for ethno medicinal purposes.

Investigations into Ecological Consequences and Threats from Ethnoecological and Ethnobotanical Practices across Karakorum Mountain Ranges: A Case Study Berberis

Geomorphologically inaccessible mighty mountain ranges of Karakoram, Hindukush, Himalaya and Pamir have been mother sanctuaries for several ecologically attuned civilizations. Modern changes underway across ethnoecological and ethnobotanical settings among these mountain traditional communities have drastically depreciated folk wisdom and ecological equilibrium. Ethnoclimatic agencies have threatened several species and Berberis pseudumbellata subsp. gilgitica has become critically endangered. Present study was an attempt to discover ethnobotanical insights and exploration of threatening factors affecting Berberis species. Survey (n=373) revealed that communities use Berberis meeting various purposes including medicinal (92.2%; SE±0.057; 0.409 MT/annum-a), firewood (19.3%; SE±37.375; 6.589 MT/a), commercial (2.41%; SE±1.692; 0.048 MT/a), cultural (2.41%), fodder (16.08%; SE±11.474; 8.724 MT/a), fencing (19.03%; SE±6.895; 3.352 MT/a) and grazing (100%; SE±1.035). Data was analyzed using Pearson correlational coefficient, student t-test and descriptive statistical tools. Study exhibits highly significant relationship ( p< 0.000) among different age groups, ethnomedicinal uses and conservation status of Berberis.

Ethnomedicinal plants of Valmiki Tiger Reserve, West-Champaran District, Bihar, India

The floristic and ethnobotanical exploration of Valmiki Tiger Reserve present here the ethnomedicinal uses of 70 plants species belonging to 62 genera and 39 families by the local communities and Tharu of this Reserve. Among 82 ethnomedicinal preparations, 39 preparations of 36 species are new as they have not been reported in earlier published literature.

English

As part of an ethnobotanical exploration among the Berbers of Marmoucha in the Middle Atlas in Morocco, a floristic analysis is conducted to inventory the existing plants and assess the extent of plant diversity in this area. Located in the eastern part of the Middle Atlas, the Marmoucha is characterized by the presence of various ecosystems ranging from oak and juniperus forests to alfa steppes and altitude cold areas with thorny plants. The fieldwork was conducted over the five years 2008-2012 using surveys and informal techniques. The results show that the number of species recorded in Marmoucha is 514 distributed over 83 families and 323 genera, representing 13.1%, 54% and 30% of species, families and genera at the national level, respectively. With 92 species, the Asteraceae is the richest family, representing 18% of the total reported in the Marmoucha local flora. In second and third places, the two richest families are the Poaceae and the Fabaceae, respectively. From a comparative perspective, the ranking of the eight richest families of the local flora in relation to their position in the national flora reveals a significant match between the positions at local and national levels with slight ranking differences except in the case of the Rosaceae and the Caryophyllaceae. The Asteraceae count 26% of the 50 identified endemic plants in Marmoucha. In Morocco, the Asteraceae holds the first place in terms of species richness and the third in terms of endemic plants with a rate of 24%. With respect to the genera level, local endemism roughly reflects national endemism, with at least one species in four of the five genera rich in endemics (Ononis, Teucrium, Astragalus, and Centaurea). There are 40 species and subspecies considered rare or endangered, distributed in 16 families. With 11 species, the Asteraceae represents 28% of the total of inventoried rare and endangered species. Marmoucha’s floristic heritage is characterized by high diversity and significant importance of endemic, rare, and endangered species. Available information on these species is scarce to inexistent and can be classified among the least studied and least known plants. Therefore, it is imperative to pay further attention to these plants for conservation purposes and if a red list is to be developed in Morocco, it is not inappropriate to begin with these species.

Ethnobotanical Importance of Some Highly Medicinal plants of District Muzaffarabad, Pakistan with special reference to the Species of the Genus Viburnum

An ethnobotanical exploration was carried out in Muzaffarabad and its adjoining areas including Jhelum Valley of the District Muzaffarabad during 2010-2011. All the plants with the ethnobotanical importance were identified and segregated separately. The region is entirely mountainous, having sub-tropical to dry temperate climate with distinct seasonal variations. This study mainly focused on the information regarding traditional uses of plants over the years by local inhabitants. The informations were then confirmed by Hakims and the old people of the areas. During the survey informations were collected from various sites, i.e. Noon Bagla, Rahim Kot, Danna Kachilee, Kot Terhala, Sanwarrian, Chikar, Chikothi, Kathiee, Qazi Nag, Rashian, Daokhun, Mojee, Lamnian, Nardaggian, Pandu, Hatian Balla, Ghahi Dopatta, Chinnari, Rabanee, Bani Hafiz, Domel, Hattian Dopatta, Khanssian, Nandi Ka Sar, Sing Paharee,Nari Bela, Khalla Butt and Leepa. The plants were used medicinally and for other purposes. The investigations resulted that usually one plant or a mixture of two or more plant is used. The unplanned exploitation had resulted in the loss of medicinally important plant species. It was concluded that afforestation programme followed by proper protection is need of time.

Phytotherapy and traditional knowledge of tribal communities of Mayurbhanj district, Orissa, India

The present ethnobotanical exploration documents phytotherapeutical practices in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa, eastern India. It is primarily based on field surveys and taxonomic identification of plants carried out in villages, where dwellers provided information on plant species used as medicine, parts used to prepare the remedies, and the illnesses to which the remedies were prescribed. One hundred and twelve plants from sixty two families were described, which are therapeutically used against different ailments such as cough, diarrhea, chronic dysentery, chronic constipation, jaundice, menstrual problem, piles, snakebite, rheumatism, tuberculosis, diabetes, leprosy, skin diseases etc. The plant parts namely; leaf, bark, seed, root, tuber, fruit and whole plant were used in raw or cooked forms. The most important medicinal plant families were: Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Rutaceae, Solanaceae and Zingiberaceae. These phytotherapeutical resources were used for the cure of 45 illnesses. Key words: Mayurbhanj, Orissa, phytotherapy, traditional knowledge, tribals.

Tequila and other Agave spirits from west-central Mexico: current germplasm diversity, conservation and origin

Current germplasm diversity used in the production of Agave spirits in west-central Mexico is in danger of erosion due to an expansion in the cultivation of the clone A. tequilana Weber var. azul, used for the elaboration of the famous drink “Tequila”. In order to define critical areas of in situ conservation and to determine the role of local native and mestizo cultures in the generation and maintenance of diversity, an ethnobotanical exploration was conducted in the center and south of the state of Jalisco. Results situate the nucleus of greatest diversity at present in the south of Jalisco and indicate that this is a result of a continuous process of selection initiated by the indigenous population for the production of food and fermented drinks, which continued into the final years of the 16th century but with a new objective: distillation using the Filipino technology introduced to west-central Mexico through Colima. More than 20 variants were found to be cultivated by the traditional farmers, the majority relating to the A. angustifolia Haw. complex. We discuss the possibilities of in situ germplasm conservation and its legal protection.

Ethnomedicobotany of Uttara Kannada District in Karnataka, India—plants in treatment of skin diseases

Present paper deals with the herbal remedies for skin diseases in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka—a Southern State in India, which is located in the hearts of Western Ghats. In an ethnobotanical exploration of this area 52 herbal preparations from 31 plants belonging to 21 families have been recorded. This also includes 17 new claims to the ethnomedical knowledge. The parts used and methods of preparation are discussed along with the family and local name for all the plants.

Medical ethnobotany of the tribals of Sonaghati of Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, India

The present ethnobotanical exploration study presents the folk medicinal uses of certain plants by tribes of the Sonbhadra district in the Uttar Pradesh state of India. One hundred and twenty five plants from 57 families, which are therapeutically used against different diseases, such as cough, cold, dysentery, diarrhoea, ulcers, diabetes, male and female weakness, snake-bite and skin disorders are covered in this report. Part of the plant used, dosage and the mode of drug administration in different ailments are described.

Etnobotanica del Quintonil: Conocimiento, Uso y Manejo deAmaranthus spp. Como Verdura en la Sierra Norte de Puebla, Mexico

In addition to the seeds consumed as a pseudocereal, amaranths provide important edible greens. In the Sierra Norte de Puebla, Mexico, the management and utilization of amaranths occur within a wide variety of environmental, biological and cultural contexts. This paper presents both the results of ethnobotanical exploration in this region and the comparison of different species and races of amaranths used as greens that were grown in common experimental garden plots in Chalco, Mexico. Ethnobotanical exploration, cultural practices and growth analysis suggests that these plants have been selected for their use as leafy vegetables. The experimental data support the divergence of amaranths used for greens from those used principally for edible seed.

Veterinary Crude Drugs in Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh, India

AbstractAn ethnobotanical exploration in Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh, carried out during 1985-88, revealed 106 plant species exclusively used by herbalists for different diseases of their domestic animals.

Agave studies in Yucatan, Mexico. II. Nutritional value of the inflorescence peduncle and incipient domestication

Recent ethnobotanical exploration of henequen (Agave fourcroydes) in the Peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico, finds that inflorescence peduncles are used as emergency food and in the preparation of a fermented drink. Bromatological analysis and determination of total carbohydrates were made for the two length classes (ca. 3.30 m and ca. 0.60 m) which are consumed. The analysis of both the cultivated plant and its putative wild ancestor (Agave angustifolia) suggests that utilization of the inflorescence peduncles as food may have been involved in the initial stages of the history of its evolution under artificial selection, because the wild and the cultivated plants have similar palatability. The subsequent agricultural prevalence of annual crop species in the region was possibly responsible for the abandonment of henequen in the local diet. No significant differences are observed between the bromatological and total carbohydrate values of domesticated and wild plants. The preference for small inflorescence peduncles as a vegetable is a consequence of its significantly minor content of raw fiber and its larger content of total carbohydrates. As a fermented drink, longer peduncles are preferred because they provide more substrate material and because fiber can be eliminated by filtering. This agricultural byproduct, almost totally wasted, has potential value as a source of carbohydrates and raw fiber.

Agave studies in Yucatan, Mexico. I. Past and present germplasm diversity and uses

Henequen (Agave fourcroydes) is believed to have been domesticated by the Maya fromAgave angustifolia and has been of great economical and cultural relevance in the Mexican State of Yucatan since pre-Hispanic times. Although at the beginning of this century, the recorded diversity included eight cultivated variants, our ethnobotanical exploration reveals only three, one of them in very small populations. Three wild variants with different fiber quality and possibly three ecotypes were found in our study. The documented use of agaves in the Peninsula of Yucatan is as a source of fiber. However, ethnobotanical exploration revealed that wild and cultivated variants have over 40 traditional uses. Medicinal use is the most diverse, followed by its use in construction, as utensils, and for textiles. The most frequent uses are as fiber, fuel, construction material, and medicine. One of the most interesting uses of these species is as food; this may have been important in the domestication of the plant.

Ethnobotany of Cuddapah District, Andhra Pradesh, India

An ethnobotanical exploration was carried out from 1985 to 1987 in Cuddapah District of Andhra Pradesh, one of the southern states of India. In this report, information on forty five species used in traditional medicine by local tribal people (the Yanadis, Yerukalas, Sugalis, and Chenchus) for treating different ailments is presented.

Plant Drugs of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India

AbstractAn ethnobotanical exploration was carried out from 1980 to 1986 in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, one of the peninsular states of India. In the present study, information on 125 plant crude drugs currently used by the tribals and folklore for different types of diseases was recorded apart from the mode of living, customs, rituals etc., of folklore and tribals of this area.