Informant Consensus Factor Research Articles

Perception paysanne de la fourniture des services éco-systémiques des forêts communautaires de Nafourgo et Dassissé dans le Centre-Ouest du Burkina Faso

Forest ecosystems are of global importance and vital to local communities. These communities depend on forests for their livelihoods, even their survival. The aim of this study was to identify the categories of ecosystem services that benefit local people and to measure the level of consensus around these services. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, primarily focusing on the ecosystem services provided by the forests studied. Household surveys, interviews, and field observations were used to gather information on the ecosystem services provided by these forests to local people. The results revealed a rich assemblage of 34 species representing 32 gene-ra and 20 families. These forest species contribute to the provision of three provision-ing ecosystem services with an informant consensus factor ranging from 0.8 to 0.97. These services are food (68%), traditional medicine (28%), and wood energy (4%). These findings confirm that local populations how important forest resources are for their basic needs. To ensure the availability of these resources in the long term, it re-mains necessary to provide them sustainable management practices.

Ethnobotany and phytochemistry of plants used to treat musculoskeletal disorders among Skaw Karen, Thailand

Context Musculoskeletal system disorders (MSD) are prevalent around the world affecting the health of people, especially farmers who work hard in the field. Karen farmers use many medicinal plants to treat MSD. Objective This study collects traditional plant-based remedies used by the Skaw Karen to treat MSD and evaluates their active phytochemical compounds. Materials and methods The ethnobotanical study was conducted in six Karen villages in Chiang Mai province using semi-structured interviews were of 120 informants. The data were analyzed using ethnobotanical indices including use values (UV), choice value (CV), and informant consensus factor (ICF). Consequently, the 20 most important species, according to the indices, were selected for phytochemical analysis using LC–MS/MS. Results A total of 3731 use reports were obtained for 139 species used in MSD treatment. The most common ailments treated with those plants were muscular pain. A total of 172 high-potential active compounds for MSD treatment were identified. Most of them were flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and steroids. The prevalent phytochemical compounds related to treat MSD were 9-hydroxycalabaxanthone, dihydrovaltrate, morroniside, isoacteoside, lithocholic acid, pomiferin, cucurbitacin E, leonuriside A, liriodendrin, and physalin E. Sambucus javanica Reinw. ex Blume (Adoxaceae), Betula alnoides Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don (Betulaceae), Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. (Asteraceae), Plantago major L. (Plantaginaceae) and Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Raeusch. (Salicaceae) all had high ethnobotanical index values and many active compounds. Discussion and conclusions This study provides valuable information, demonstrating low-cost medicine plants that are locally available. It is a choice of treatment for people living in remote areas.

Folk medicinal plants in forest fringe villages of tribal’s hill districts of Nagaland, India

In forest fringe villages, folk medicines play a pivotal role in human health care management. The aim of present study was to document the plants employed in the folk medicines by ethnic groups inhabiting forest fringe villages of Nagaland. Field survey was conducted for over two years in 32 forest fringe villages of Nagaland. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and quantitatively analyzed by statistical tools i.e., Use-value, Relative frequency of citation and Informant consensus factor to identify promising plants for future studies. This research documented 96 medicinal plants employed in the treatment of 59 ailments of human being. The quantitative analysis of the data indicates that some species have relatively high ―use value (UV)‖ and ―relative frequency of citation (Rfc)‖, these are: Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Phyllanthus emblica L. with 0.67 as UV and 3.6 as Rfc. Maximum consensus among informants was observed for the treatment of tooth and gum ailment and under this category Solanum aculeatissimum Moench was frequently cited by informants. Those plants which receive high relative frequency of citation values may serve as potential source for pharmacological studies, especially Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (used as insect repellent), Phyllanthus emblica L. (used in abdominal pain and indigestion), Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. (in flatulence), Aloe vera Mill. (in constipation), Canna indica L. (in genital infection), Gmelina arborea Roxb. ex Sm. (prevent miscarriage), Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr. (in bleeding piles), Carica papaya (DC.) Merr. (cure ringworm), Solanum aculeatissimum Moench (in foot and toe infection), Thalictrum foliolosum DC. (for vomiting and indigestion), Mentha spicata L. (in stomach ache), Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton (incough and cold), Zingiber officinale Roscoe (in cough and cold) and Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre (in skin infection).

Medicinal plants used for management of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana

Diabetes and hypertension have been declared as a global health menace of the 21st Century. Thus, the search for potential therapeutic agents from medicinal plants for the management of diabetes and hypertension is important. This study was undertaken to investigate medicinal plants being used in the management of diabetes and hypertension by herbalists in Ghana. Data were obtained from 36 herbalists through questionnaire interviews and conversations. Botanical specimens were collected, processed and identified following standard ethnobotanical methods. Data were analyzed using Fidelity Level (FL) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). A total of 39 species of plants belonging to 31 families were reported being used for management of diabetes and hypertension. Eighteen of these plants are used for the treatment of hypertension, 12 species for diabetes, and 9 species for management of both diseases. Informant consensus factor was highest for plants used to treat both diseases (IFC = 0.82) followed by hypertension (ICF = 0.31) and then diabetes (IFC = 0.24). FL values were high for Carica papaya L. Moringa oleifera Lam. and Khaya senegalensis A. Juss. for the management of both diabetes and hypertension. Of the 14 species used for hypertension, Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. ex. Thonn.) recorded the highest FL value whiles Momordica charantia L. recorded the highest FL value for antidiabetic plants. Baphia nitida G. Lodd, Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. and Tapinanthus banguwensis (Engl. & k. Krause) Dancing are being mentioned for the first time in the management of hypertension. Herbal medicines for treatments of both diabetes and hypertension were usually prepared from multiple plant prescriptions by boiling the plant parts, and the decoctions drunk for treatments. The results show that there is substantial preclinical evidence to support the usefulness of some of these herbs as an important choice for patients with diabetes and hypertension. However, clinical studies are important to confirm the efficacy and safety of the herbal medicines prescribed by herbalists.

Medicinal plants used for various health issues by rural inhabitant of Wayanad forest division-Kerala, India - A statistical analysis

Native peoples of Wayanad use a wide range of plants medicinally. Many of these Plants have profound meaning to their users. Quantitative ethnobotany deals with the computation and importance of plants and vegetation to people. It helps quantification of qualitative data in biological and social sciences. The traditional source of medicinal plants is an important way for daily curative uses in the rural area. A survey was carried out among the tribes of Wayanad forest division, Wayanad district, Kerala India. The present study identified traditionally using 64 species of ethnomedicinal plants distributed in 61 genera belonging to 42 families to treat various diseases. Moreover, among the plant habit wise analyzed there are 16 herbs, 9 shrubs, 10 Climbing shrubs, 25 trees, 3 Small trees and 1 Twiner. The status of plants was analyzed and recorded as 44 rare, 14 Common, 3 extinct, each one in Endangered, Least common and sporadic in this study area. In this communication, the information got from the rural inhabitants was compared with the already existing literature. The data were collected randomly from tribal and healers of 149 informants and the data were statistically analyzed by using suitable statistical tools such as Use Value (UV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Fidelity Value (FL) and various ranking methods.Top of Form

Ethnobotanical study of traditional medicinal plants in Kebridehar and Shekosh districts, Korahi zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Kebridehar and Shekosh districts, Ethiopia, to investigate an ethnobotanical study on traditional medicinal plants. Systematic random sampling techniques were used for data collection. Preference ranking, paired comparison, informant consensus factor, direct matrix ranking, and jaccard comparison were used for data analysis. A total of 44 medicinal plant species from 34 genera and 23 families have been documented as being used to treat 38 human, 5 livestock, and 1 both human and livestock ailment. The shrub category was the dominant growth form in the study area. The study showed that the most frequently used plant parts for the preparation of traditional medicine were roots (45.45 %), followed by leaves, glue, and liquid (11.36 % each). The most common route of administration was oral (30.77 %), followed by dermal (20.51 %). Jaccard's Coefficient of Similarity for Kebridehar and Shekosh for the reported traditional medicinal plants were 0.21, indicating some trend towards using common plants. Methanol extracts were more effective than ethanol extracts. The results of this study provide an insight into the anti-bacterial properties of the extracts of Aloe megalacantha, Ephorbiarobecchi, and Oppiliacampestris. This in vitro study demonstrated that these three folklore medicinal plants have good potential. In conclusion, the main threat to medicinal plants in the study area was drought. Therefore, it is recommended that the cultivation of medicinal plants be encouraged in home gardens.

Prospects of the sustainability of traditional and ethnic foods and their applications for basic health care in human society

BackgroundTraditional and ethnic foods, rooted in centuries-old practices, have long been revered for their potential health benefits. In contemporary society, the sustainability and application of these foods for basic health care are garnering increased attention, offering promising prospects for holistic well-being. MethodsIn our research, we aimed to document the medicinal plants utilized by the indigenous community residing within the study area. Between 2021 and 2022, interviews were conducted with 457 participants, with 100 of them being identified as key informants. The snowball sampling technique was utilized to identify respondents. A group discussion was also held concerning the conservation and challenges associated with medicinal plants and traditional wisdom. The medicinal plants were assessed by applying various quantitative metrics, including Use Value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Relative Frequency Citation (RFC) and Relative Popularity Level (RPL). ResultsThe study identified 40 medicinal plant species from 22 different families that are employed to treat 33 unique human ailments. It was observed that perennial herbs accounted for 78% of these species in use. The leaves were shown to be the primary plant part in use, accounting for 35% and decoction was determined as the most prevalent preparation method. Some plants, such as Polygonum plebejum with the highest UV and RI values, and Centaurium pulchelum known for its use in treating jaundice with the highest RFC, were highlighted. In contrast to the findings presented in earlier literature, our study revealed a 14% concurrence rate, accompanied by a 6% disparity rate, and notably, 69% of the usages were newly documented. ConclusionThis research serves as the inaugural quantitative investigation into ethnomedicinal practices within the study area, underscoring the importance of indigenous herbal treatments. The sustainability of traditional and ethnic foods offers promising prospects for the future of health care in human society. These foods, rooted in age-old wisdom, not only preserve cultural heritage but also present holistic health benefits. Embracing them can lead to more natural, accessible, and effective health solutions, bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern healthcare needs.

Therapeutic Uses of Gum-Resin Yielding Plants of India

IntroductionPlants hold significant cultural and medicinal importance in indigenous communities across India. Gum-resin derived from plants plays a crucial role in primary healthcare within the Indian pharmacopeia. MethodsA cross-cultural study was conducted to explore the therapeutic uses of gum-resin yielding plants in five Indian states: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. A total of 43 participants were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire to document the ethnomedicinal uses of these plants. The data obtained from these interviews were subsequently analysed using quantitative tools, including use value, informant consensus factor, and preference ranking. ResultsIn this study, researchers identified a total of 19 gum-resin yielding plant species spanning across 11 different families. These plants were employed for treating a variety of 55 human ailments. The most prevalent category of diseases in the study area was gastrointestinal disorders, followed by dermatological disorders. Notably, Butea monosperma emerged as the most highly preferred plant species, with Sterculia urens and Commiphora wightii also ranking prominently. ConclusionsThe study highlights the significant role of gum-resin yielding plants in traditional medicine within the indigenous communities of India. It demonstrates their importance in treating various common ailments, with a particular focus on gastrointestinal and dermatological disorders. Most of the species are not explored phytochemically as well as pharmacologically; action is needed for the isolation of novel compound, which will be useful for curing human ailments.

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.

Plants and mental disorders: the case of Catalan linguistic area.

Introduction: Mental disorders are among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide. Despite the disease burden they cause, including significant direct and indirect impacts on individual's health and major social and economic consequences in all countries of the world, it is still one of the most neglected areas of public health. In such a context, the medicinal plants traditionally used to pale these pathologies are presented as a promising tool for future drug development for the management of mental health disorders. The aim of the present study is to analyze the information about plant species used to treat mental disorders in the Catalan linguistic area (CLA) and compare these traditional uses with pharmacological literature in order to evaluate the most quoted taxa and their uses and to provide a basis for further research. Methods: Data have been recovered from the "Etnobotànica dels Països Catalans" webpage (https://etnobotanica.iec.cat/) and the meta-analytic work carried out in the present study covers 27 prospections performed in different territories between 1990 and 2019. Descriptive statistics and quantitative ethnobotany were carried out and some ethnobotanical indices were calculated. Results and Discussion: The number of use reports analysed to treat mental disorders in CLA is 2,544 spread over 183 taxa belonging to 64 families, being the most cited the Malvaceae (29.36% of use reports), Lamiaceae (16.71%), Caprifoliaceae (7.94%), Rutaceae (7.47%) and Papaveraceae (6.01%). The most used taxa to treat or alleviate the mental disorders have been Tilia platyphyllos Scop. (24.53%), Valeriana officinalis L. (7.47%), Salvia officinalis L. (5.07%), Sambucus nigra L. (4.28%), and Ruta chalepensis L. (3.89%). The flowers or inflorescences (47.68%), followed by aerial part (23.49%), have been the most used plant parts, and tisane the most commonly used pharmaceutical form (78.03%). The most reported use is as sedative with 40.92%, followed by anticephalalgic (21. 19%) and tranquilizer (20.01%). The informant consensus factor (FIC) was 0.93, and 3.72% was the ethnobotanicity index (EI) value. The information is coincidental with at least one of the comprehensive pharmacological literature sources checked for 73.68% of ethnobotanical uses.

An ethno-botanical study of medicinal plants used for the management of respiratory tract disorders in northern parts of Palestine

BackgroundThe medicinal application of natural plant remedies is well established. These medicinal plants are still in use within the Palestinian community to treat several illnesses. This research is intended to study the use of natural plants to treat different types of respiratory tract disorders.MethodThis ethno botanical study focused on the medicinal plants that are used to treat respiratory diseases in the northern part of Palestine; Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilia, and Jenin. A questionnaire was distributed to 120 respondents. The data obtained included names of the plants used, the parts used, the diseases for which the products were applied, as well as the method of preparation. To evaluate results, percentages (%), Fic (factor of informant consensus), and FL (fidelity-level) were calculated.ResultsA total of 120 participants were selected for the final analysis. The highest percentage of herbal use was reported for flu 85.8% (103 participants) followed by cough 83.3%, while the lowest percentage of users was for bronchitis with 54.1%. The study showed that 31 plant species of 19 families were used for respiratory disorders treatment. Six species were from the Lamiaceae family, three species from the Apiaceae family, two species from Amaryllidaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae, and one plant species for each of the rest of families. Leaves and fruits were the most commonly used parts of plants. Decoction was the method of preparation and was taken as a hot drink. Chamomile, mint, sage, lemon, and ginger were in the recipes for the five respiratory diseases.ConclusionIn Palestine, patients with respiratory diseases rely heavily on the use of herbal remedies. Leaves and fruits were the most commonly used plat elements. Age and marriage were significantly associated with the use of botanical remedies. Whereas there was no significant association between the source of information about medicinal plants and the location where medicinal plants were purchased. It is vital to conduct comprehensive clinical investigations and pharmacological assessments of these herbal remedies, in order to identify their efficacy, safety, and toxicity levels.

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.

Diversity, Informant Consensus Factor and Cultural Significance Index of Wild Edible Plants in the Jaunpur region, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand

The wild edibles are essential not only for nutrition, medicine, fodder and fuel but also as potential source of income generation. The conventional use of wild edible plants is habitual in the remote and hill regions of the Uttarakhand state (India). The present study was carried out in a mountainous part of the Uttarakhand namely Jaunpur region situated in the district Tehri Garhwal. Extensive field surveys were conducted in the area to gather information (traditional knowledge on wild edible plants) from the inhabitants through questionnaire method. A total of 220 key informants including old aged farmers, shepherds, and vaidyas were surveyed. The present study resulted in documentation of a total 73 plant species (under 58 genera and 38 families) as source of wild edibles. Rosaceae (10 species) and Fabaceae (7 species) revealed as the most dominant families followed by Anacardiaceae, Moraceae and Rutaceae (4 species each). Majority of the recorded species belong to the tree habit (35% species) followed by herb (29%), shrub (29%), and climber (7%). The commonly used plant parts as source of wild edible in the area include fruits (59% species), leaves (24%), seeds (5%) and flowers (4%). Documentation of the traditional knowledge is much important because it provide alternative means to reduce hunger, poverty, and health issues especially in finding novel compounds (drug discovery).

Quantitative analysis of medicinal plants used by traditional healers of the Khasi tribe in East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, India

Traditional healers in India hold a prominent place within the country’s healthcare landscape due to their deep-rooted cultural heritage and holistic approaches to well-being spanning diverse systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and indigenous tribal practices. These healers offer natural remedies and personalized care, often in rural or remote areas of the state of Meghalaya where traditional healers play a highly significant role in rural health care since access to modern medical facilities are limited or non-existent. The study was carried out in selected villages across East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya to quantitatively analyze the medicinal plants used by the traditional healers. Field surveys were carried out during the year 2021–2022 in order to document the medicinal plants used by the traditional healers in the selected villages. A total of 4 villages were selected i.e. Mawlyngbna, Lawbah, Thyllaw and Sohbar village. Of the selected villages, 10 traditional healers were interviewed and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on local plant names, uses, parts used, and modes of preparation and administration; the collected data was analyzed through informant consensus factor (Fic), use value (UV), Informant agreement ratio (IAR) and fidelity level (FL).

Ethnobotanical Insights: Qualitative Analysis of Medicinal Plants in Colón Putumayo for Traditional Knowledge Preservation.

The ancestral knowledge of the community of Colón Putumayo unfolds in several dimensions that allow us to recognise the ethnomedicinal properties of plants. The research focused on systematising ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal knowledge on the use of plants as alternatives for treating illnesses. A cross-sectional study was carried out through semi-structured questionnaires to 100 inhabitants of the community of Colón. We found 38 plant species catalogued in 18 botanical families where 10 species of medicinal plants were prioritised by the community for the treatment of illnesses. The use value (UV) evaluation showed that Chamaemelum nobile equals 0.18 compared to Cymbopogon citratus and Lippia alba with 0.04. The Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) for the cited medicinal use categories equivalent to 1.00 are for the treatment of six types of ailments, however, the plants can treat 16 types of ailments. The Fidelity Level (LF) found identified that four plants are used for the treatment of one type of ailment while three are used to alleviate several ailments. The local knowledge of the community of Colón Putumayo is linked to the ancestry of the territory, culture, and family farming practices.

Plants used in female reproductive healthcare by the Gujjar tribe of the sub-Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India

BackgroundAbout half of India's female population suffers from gynaecological disorders due to lliteracy, poverty, a lack of healthcare resources, and social stigma. Medicinal plants play a vital role in the basic healthcare services of tribal communities in India due to their ease of availability and cost, and their use is also a vital part of the cultural heritage. The study aimed to identify and document the medicinal plants used in female reproductive healthcare by the Gujjar tribe in the sub-Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India. MethodsOne hundred twelve informants between 21 and 80 years of age were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire and open-ended interviews. The documented data was quantitatively analysed by applying frequency of citation (RFC), informant consensus factor (ICF), family importance value (FIV) and the Jaccard’s index (JI). ResultsThe present study documented 90 plant species from 47 families with Leguminosae as the most cited family. The study identified Asparagus racemosus as the most important species based on RFC value. Menstrual disorder and leucorrhoea were among the primary disease categories based on ICF values. Roots were the most commonly used plant parts (22%) and decoction was the major mode of preparation (52%). ConclusionsAsparagus racemosus was one of the most frequently mentioned plant species in the present study. The findings of this investigation are important for documenting and prioritising plant species such as A. racemosus, Abrus precatorius, Bombax ceiba, Moringa oleifera, Curculigo orchioides, Cocculus hirsutus, and Centella asiatica for additional investig,ations.

Exploration of the Wild Edible Plants Used for Basic Health Care by Local People of Bahawalpur and Adjacent Regions, Pakistan.

The current study aimed to explore the traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous communities in Bahawalpur and adjacent regions, Pakistan, to treat a variety of diseases with a particular focus on the usage of ethnomedicinal wild plants. The objective of the study was to collect and evaluate local and indigenous knowledge regarding the quantity, variety, use and management of resources by the people. Data were gathered using Rapid Appraisal Approach (RAA), which involved in-person interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics methods as well as common ethnobotanical analytical techniques viz. use value (UV), relative frequency of citation (RFC), informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), relative importance (RI), frequency index (FI), family use value (FUV), family importance value (FIV), popular therapeutic use value (POPUT), plant part value (PPV), preference ranking (PR), cultural significance index (CSI), rank order priority (ROP) and Jaccard index (JI). A total of 158 plant species from 49 families were identified. The perennial herbs made up 72% of the documented species of therapeutic plants. There were 21 different species in each of the two major plant families i.e., Fabaceae and Poaceae. The maximum ICF were calculated for gonorrhea and paralysis (1.0) and maximum POPUT was calculated for skin disorders (0.088) and cough (0.077), respectively. The maximum UV was found for Rumex crispus (0.57) and RI for Leucaena leucocephala (4.38). Heliotropium crispum had the highest FL value (83%) and is used to treat kidney diseases. Alhagi maurorum had the greatest RFC (0.009) and FI (0.93). Arecaceae (0.45) and Fabaceae (13.39%) had the greatest FUV while Poaceae and Fabaceae had the highest FIV (13.29 for each). Leaves were the most frequently used plant part (35%). Alhagi maurorum (4.0) and Rumex crispus (32.57) had the highest CSI and ROP, respectively. The maximum JI (28.31) was calculated for Cholistan desert. These results showed the local population's reliance on herbal remedies to treat prevalent illnesses. To demonstrate the viability of species, it's crucial to emphasize both the use and conservation of these species. Adopting innovative applications, enhancing their value, and prioritizing the protection of multipurpose wild plants in inhabited environments is vital.

Ethnomedicinal study of plants utilized in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum healthcare in Kashmir Himalaya

IntroductionWomen residing in the remote villages are entirely dependent on medicinal plant resources against a variety of disorders due to the unavailability of modern health resources. The study aimed (i) to explore the indigenous knowledge regarding the utilization of medicinal plants during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum healthcare (ii) and to carry out the preliminary phytochemical analysis of selected important plants species. Till date none of the previous studies have investigated this topic in the study region. MethodsThe ethnomedicinal information was gathered using semi-structured interviews and group discussions by standard questionnaires. All the collected data was analyzed by Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity Level (FL), and on this basis 16 medicinal plants were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. ResultsThe current research reported 134 medicinal plants of 55 families being utilized in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum healthcare. Asteraceae was reported to be the dominant family with 9.7% species contribution. The ICF value was reported in the range of 0.62 and 0.82, with the highest of 0.82 for complications predominantly related to the puerperium. The highest FL (86%) was reported for Dipsacus inermis. On the other hand, various secondary metabolites (carbohydrates, flavonoids, alkaloids, phytosterols, glycosides, tannins, phenols, proteins, diterpenes and aminoacids), were also reported. ConclusionThese findings specify that indigenous utilization of traditional herbal medicine is a well-established practice in Kashmir valley. However, plants were reported to be used unsustainably. Keeping in view the toxicity, pharmacological mechanisms of action and efficacy, we recommend more research on these medicinal plants to expand and enhance regional maternity and delivery care.

Animal and their products used for treatment and prevention of disease practiced by traditional healers in Jimma Arjo district, East Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is one of the countries with richest fauna used for medicinal purpose. The Jimma Arjo community has knowledge and practice of utilizing this medicinal animal for treatment of human and animal ailments. The objective of this research is to assess animals and their products used for treatment of human and animal ailment METHODS: A cross-sectional ethnozoological survey was conducted using a semi structured questionnaire among purposively selected traditional healers resided in Jimma Arjo district. The data collected was entered in Microsoft excel spread sheet and analysed using SPSS statistical software. Fidelity level (FL), use value and informant consensus factor was determined. A total of 33 animal species was found to be used for treating 40 human ailments and different livestock disease confirmed by 36 informants of different ages, sexes and educational backgrounds. The majority of animals (63.63%) were mammals followed by birds (15.15%). Most of the respondents were male, married and aged 55 years and above. Most of the healers learn ethnozoological practice from the father (36.11%) followed by mother (19.44%). The traditional practice is accepted by (72.22%) of the community where 61.11% of the healers are not willing to transfer their knowledge to other. For most of the healers, the reason to practice traditional healing was for treating one's own family or animals (41.67%). The FL was found 100% for honey from Apis mellifera and Trigona spp. for asthma, Cynopterus sphinx for viral skin disease and Crocuta crocuta for bad sprit treatment. In this study, honey from A. mellifera, Hystrix cristata and Sus scrofa domesticus were reported to cure different ailments. This study indicated wide use of medicinal animals and their products which could be used as an alternative and complementary medicine or a basis for in developing new drugs because the existing drugs especially antimicrobials are under threat due to the development of resistance by microbes.

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by Bulang people in Yunnan, China

BackgroundDespite the popularity of modern medicine, medicinal plants remain a cornerstone of treatment for numerous diseases, particularly among ethnic groups and tribal communities around the globe. Ethnomedicine offers advantages such as ease of use, convenience, and economic benefits. Medicinal plant knowledge within Bulang ethnic community of southwest China is a valuable complement to Chinese ethnomedicine systems. Accumulated medical knowledge is due to the extensive length of occupation by Bulang People, considered the earliest inhabitants of Xishuangbanna; this has resulted in the development of various traditional treatment methods with local characteristics and unique curative effects. Therefore, there is exceeding value in exploring the medical knowledge of Bulang.MethodsA total of 175 local informants participated in the interviews and distribution of questionnaires in 10 Bulang villages in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. We documented the community of Bulang's use of medicinal herbs, and we used both the informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value (UV) methodologies to analyze the data. Furthermore, we conducted a comparative study to explore the potential of Bulang traditional medicine by comparing it to traditional Dai medicine.ResultsThe study recorded 60 medicinal plant species belonging to 41 families and 59 genera, including 22 species of herb, 22 species of shrub, nine species of trees, and seven species of liana. Araceae, Compositae, Lamiaceae and Leguminosae were found to have the highest number of species. The affordability and cultural heritage of Bulang medicine make it advantageous, Investigated Informants report that increased usage of Western medicine (88%), less availability of herbal medicine (95.43%), and the reduction in medicinal plant resources (80.57%) pose significant threats to Bulang medicine. All Bulang medicinal plants are naturally grown, with only 22 per cent being cultivated. Camellia sinensis (0.94) and Zingiber officinale (0.89) showed the highest UV values, while the function of Phyllanthus emblica L. and Houttuynia cordata Thunb. were also noted. The ICF revealed digestive system related diseases were the most commonly treated, with conditions of the motor system using the highest number of plant species. Finally, a comparison with traditional Dai medicine determined that 22 plants (36.67%) of the 60 surveyed had higher medicinal value in Bulang medicine.ConclusionBulang communities primarily source medicinal plants from the wild. Should environmental damage lead to the extinction of these medicinal plants, it could result in a shift toward modern Western medicine as a preferred medical treatment. Bulang ethnomedicine is a vital supplement to China's traditional medicine, particularly aspects of ethnic medicine relevant to daily life. Future research should emphasize inter-ethnic medical studies to reveal the untapped potential of medicinal plants.