Folk Medicinal Knowledge Research Articles

Medicinal plants and their uses by a folk medicinal practitioner of Matlab Upazila in Chandpur district, Bangladesh

Background: Bangladesh is a small developing country with the majority population still residing in villages; most villages lack many modern amenities like proper drinking water facilities, sanitation, and conventional (allopathic) doctors and hospitals. On the other hand, although it is getting lost with possibly every passing day, villagers have a long history of traditional medicinal practitioners, who are also known as folk medicinal practitioners or Kavirajes (in Bengali). Kavirajes for the most part use medicinal plants, which are locally available for treatment and thus saves the villagers from costly conventional treatment, the medicines of which are neither readily available nor affordable. Once common, Kavirajes are fast disappearing along with loss of their folk medicinal knowledge. This loss is irreparable because plants and their phytochemicals still form the basis for discovery of modern drugs. For more than a decade, we had been conducting ethnomedicinal surveys among folk and tribal medicinal practitioners of Bangladesh.Methods and Findings: Interviews were conducted of the only folk medicinal practitioner (FMP) in Matlab Upazila. Prior permission was obtained from the FMP. Interviews were conducted with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire, extensive discussions, and field trips to areas frequented by the FMP to collect medicinal plants. Information was noted carefully. Plants were pictured, and plant samples identified by a trained botanist following collection, drying and mounting onto herbarium sheets. We could obtain information on only ten formulations, which were used for treatment of respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal tract disorders, pain, dengue, diabetes, acne, fever, eye problems, jaundice, gonorrhea, sexual problems, and debility.Conclusions: The richness of folk medicinal practice can be glimpsed from the diversity of illnesses treated with just twelve medicinal plant species. Some of these plants urgently need scientific attention before plants and FMPs disappear altogether. The phytochemicals present in the plants can be sources of potential drugs, lead compounds, or scaffolds for better drugs.

Ethnopharmacobotanical Findings of Medicinal Plants in the Kızılcahamam District of Ankara, Turkey.

Folk medicines in Kızılcıhamam has not been investigated in detail so far. Thus, this study aimed to conduct a comprehensive investigation of folk medicine in the Kızılcahamam district. Nine scientific field trips were organized to Kızılcahamam between April 2007 and July 2008. Data were obtained by field interviews with local people using open and semi-structured questionnaires. Results were evaluated statistically with the "use-value", "informant consensus factor" and cultural importance index. Sixty-five species (69 taxa) that belong to 58 genera of 31 families were determined to be used as folk medicines. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to record four of these species as folk medicines. Plants from Compositae, Lamiaceae and Rosaceae families were used most frequently as folk medicines in Kızılcahamam. Plants in the study area are mainly used for gastrointestinal system problems, respiratory disorders, and urinary tract diseases. Residents from 41% of the villages where the scientific trips were carried out, declared that they are not using or interested in folk medicines. This study highlights once again the gradual reduction of folk medicinal knowledge and the urgent need for folk medicine investigations in all parts of Turkey.

Ethnopharmacology, chemodiversity, and bioactivity of Cephalotaxus medicinal plants.

Cephalotaxus is the only genus of Cephalotaxaceae family, and its natural resources are declining due to habitat fragmentation, excessive exploitation and destruction. In many areas of China, folk herbal doctors traditionally use Cephalotaxus plants to treat innominate swollen poison, many of which are cancer. Not only among Han people, but also among minority ethnic groups, Cephalotaxus is used to treat various diseases, e.g., cough, internal bleeding and cancer in Miao medicine, bruises, rheumatism and pain in Yao medicine, and ascariasis, hookworm disease, scrofula in She medicine, etc. Medicinal values of some Cephalotaxus species and compounds are acknowledged officially. However, there is a lack of comprehensive review summarizing the ethnomedicinal knowledge of Cephalotaxus, relevant medicinal phytometabolites and their bioactivities. The research progresses in ethnopharmacology, chemodiversity, and bioactivities of Cephalotaxus medicinal plants are reviewed and commented here. Knowledge gaps are pinpointed and future research directions are suggested. Classic medicinal books, folk medicine books, herbal manuals and ethnomedicinal publications were reviewed for the genus Cephalotaxus (Sanjianshan in Chinese). The relevant data about ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology were collected as comprehensively as possible from online databases including Scopus, NCBI PubMed, Bing Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). "Cephalotaxus", and the respective species name were used as keywords in database search. The obtained articles of the past six decades were collated and analyzed. Four Cephalotaxus species are listed in the official medicinal book in China. They are used as ethnomedicines by many ethnic groups such as Miao, Yao, Dong, She and Han. Inspirations are obtained from traditional applications, and Cephalotaxus phytometabolites are developed into anticancer reagents. Cephalotaxine-type alkaloids, homoerythrina-type alkaloids and homoharringtonine (HHT) are abundant in Cephalotaxus, e.g., C. lanceolata, C. fortunei var. alpina, C. griffithii, and C. hainanensis, etc. New methods of alkaloid analysis and purification are continuously developed and applied. Diterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, lignans, phenolics, and other components are also identified and isolated in various Cephalotaxus species. Alkaloids such as HHT, terpenoids and other compounds have anticancer activities against multiple types of human cancer. Cephalotaxus extracts and compounds showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, immunomodulatory activity, antimicrobial activity and nematotoxicity, antihyperglycemic effect, and bone effect, etc. Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies of Cephalotaxus are increasing. We should continue to collect and sort out folk medicinal knowledge of Cephalotaxus and associated organisms, so as to obtain new enlightenment to translate traditional tips into great therapeutic drugs. Transcriptomics, genomics, metabolomics and proteomics studies can contribute massive information for bioactivity and phytochemistry of Cephalotaxus medicinal plants. We should continue to strengthen the application of state-of-the-art technologies in more Cephalotaxus species and for more useful compounds and pharmacological activities.

Entomotherapy: a study of medicinal insects of seven ethnic groups in Nagaland, North-East India

BackgroundThe ethnic communities in Nagaland have kept a close relationship with nature since time immemorial and have traditionally used different kinds of insects and their products as folk medicine to treat a variety of human ills and diseases. The present study was conducted to record the entomotherapeutic practices of seven different ethnic groups of Nagaland.MethodDocumentation is based on semi-structured questionnaires and group discussions with a total of 370 informants. The data collected were analysed using fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (ICF).ResultsFifty species of medicinal insects belonging to 28 families and 11 orders were identified in connection with treatments of at least 50 human ailments, of which the most frequently cited were coughs, gastritis, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach ache and wound healing. Mylabris sp. showed the highest fidelity level (FL) of 100% for its therapeutic property as a dermatologic agent, while the informant consensus factor (ICF) ranged from 0.66 to 1.00. The use of medicinal insects varies amongst the seven ethnic groups, suggesting that differences in cultures and geographic location can lead to the selection of specific insect species for specific medicinal purposes. The largest number of insect species appear to be used for treating gastrointestinal, dermatological and respiratory diseases.ConclusionThe list of medicinal insect species, many of which are reported for the first time in the present study, suggests the presence of a considerable diversity of therapeutically important insect species in the region and elaborate folk medicinal knowledge of the local ethnic groups. This knowledge of insects not just as a food, but also as therapy is passed down verbally from generation to generation, but is in danger of being lost if not documented in a systematic way. Having stood the test of time, traditional folk medicinal knowledge and its contribution through entomotherapy should not be regarded as useless as it has the potential to lead to the development of novel drugs and treatment methods.

Screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and characterizing of phytochemical constituents from Dichocarpum auriculatum (Franch.) W.T. Wang & P. K. Hsiao through UPLC-MS combined with an acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay in vitro

The genus Dichocarpum is endemic to East Asia, and many of them are traditionally used folk medicine in China. Dichocarpum auriculatum (Franch.) W. T. Wang et P. K. Hsiao has the effect of clearing away heat, removing toxicity, and relieving swelling in southwestern China. Intriguingly, its root and whole herb also used as remedy for the neurological disease epilepsy. However, there are not any scientific reports on the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of D. auriculatum. Traditional and folk medicinal knowledge would be useful for finding new pharmaceutical resources. There are many evidences over the years reported that an interaction probably exists between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the study was to investigate the potential AChE inhibitors and the phytochemical profiles of the specie D. auriculatum. The AChE inhibitory activity of plant extracts of D. auriculatum and other 6 species from different regions of the genus Dichocarpum were evaluated in vitro assays and the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique was used to analyze the chemical constituents. Moreover, UPLC-ESI-MS/MS was used to determine the distribution of 12 standard compounds in samples. As a preferred source of potential acetylcholinesterase inhibitors of the genus Dichocarpum, D. auriculatum has been further investigated. The screening results show that the ability of root extracts from D. auriculatum (IC50 = 0.15 mg·mL-1) to inhibit AChE was better than other samples, it is consistent with traditional medicinal records. The phytochemical constituents of D. auriculatum was surveyed firstly by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, and 36 compounds, including 14 alkaloids, 16 flavonoids, 6 others, were identified tentatively. Further experiments showed that five compounds (columbamine, palmatine, dauricine, jatrorrhizine and berberine) from D. auriculatum were confirmed the potential inhibition of AChE activity in vitro (IC50: 0.24-6.37 μM) and UPLC-ESI-MS/MS results showed that the content of most active compounds in roots was much higher than in aerial parts. Palmatine (IC50 = 0.34 μM) and columbamine (IC50 = 0.24 μM) showed prominent AChE inhibitory activity among the tested compounds. This is the first report about the evaluation of AChE inhibitory activity and phytochemical profiles of D. auriculatum, led to the identification of 36 compounds including alkaloids and flavonoids, and five alkaloids exhibited a significant AChE inhibitory activity and had the potential as AChE inhibitors. This study provided scientific experimental basis for the traditional efficacy of neurological disease of the plant.

Folk Phytotherapy in Paediatric Health Care in Central and Southern Italy: a Review

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) consists of systems and practices used to prevent or treat illness, and/or promote health and wellbeing, generally with herbal remedies. In recent decades, ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological surveys have received increased attention among populations in central and southern Italy traditionally highly conservative regarding knowledge of folk medicine. This review highlights the use of wild and cultivated plants in paediatric health care. From a search of articles published between 1978 and 2017 we found a total of 34 containing reports of medicinal plants specifically used for treating children’s diseases, listing 83 taxa belonging to 37 families in 116 recorded cases of medicinal plant use. Tuscany has the highest number of plant use reports and the highest number of species used in a single region, followed by Campania and Sicily. Allium sativum is the most widely reported species, cited in eight regions. We identified eight ailment categories. Plants used as anthelmintics and for gastro-intestinal and skin diseases are widely used.

Knowledge Transmission of Medical Prescription and the Role of the Literati Officials from the Song Dynasty: Focusing on Huadupainongneibusan.

This paper attempts to examine the spread of medical prescription knowledge during the Song dynasty and the role played by the literati officials through a reconstruction of the transmission of Painongneibusan, a prescription to treat abscesses. An examination of the origins of Painongneibusan shows that after being confirmed in the Qianjinyaofang, it was passed down through Waitaimiyao, Taipingshenghuifang, Shengjizonglu, and Taipinghuiminhejijufang. In particular, in the records from Taipinghuiminhejijufang, which was revised and enlarged during the Shaoxing period (1131-1162) unlike transmissions that were almost identical to those from previous periods, we can find a clear increase in the knowledge regarding medicinal effects, medicinal ingredients, administration methods, precautions and so on. However, if we examine the same prescription record included in Hongshijiyanfang published by Hong Jun in 1170, we can see that the contents are almost exactly the same as those in Taipinghuiminhejijufang and that Hongshijiyanfang had even more content. Through this study, we can deduce that the prescription recorded in these two books were from the same original text. In addition, we can conclude that the original text is likely to be sourced from the knowledge of folk medicine. According to the records, Hu Quan received this prescription from an "outsider," and Hu Quan gave this to Hong Kuo, who wrote an introduction and published it as a stone carving in Huizhou. After this, knowledge about this prescription became known far and wide. While Chen Yan criticized the abuse of this prescription, Hong Jun still included it in Hongshijiyanfang, and Hong Mai included it in Yijianzhi, leading to it becoming even more widespread. Due to this spread of the prescription, the transmission of the description that is connected from "Outsider - Ho Quan - Three Hong Brothers" continued to appear in many medical anthologies by literati officials. Whenever this prescription was mentioned, they referred to Three Hong Brothers, and it went as far as to cause the practice to sometimes be called "Hongshineibusan." Chen Ziming continued the criticism of Chen Yan in Waikejingyao; while the prescription made famous by Hong Kuo had the same contents as prescription in Taipinghuiminhejijufang, the fact that criticism was only directed at Hong Kuo is a proof of his influence in the spread of related knowledge. In conclusion, this happened during an active time of accumulation, exchange, and competition in the knowledge of prescription, as can be observed in various sources from the Song Period. There were various communications and exchanges between officials, locals, and literati officials, and tensions could also sometimes be found. We can say that the role of the literati officials was to collect, record, publish, and spread the knowledge of medicine taken from various sources. In addition, in relation to the spread of the knowledge of medicine, the influence of the literati officials exceeded Taipinghuiminhejijufang, which was the official text at that time.

Folk medicines of Bafra (Samsun-Turkey)

Abstract Objective In this study, determination and documentation of folk medicines that are being used by indigenous people in Bafra was aimed. Materials and methods Scientific trips were organised to the region and folk medicines were identified by interviewing individuals which have knowledge of folk medicine. One hundred and fifty-five plant samples were collected during the study. Obtained data were statistically analysed by using four quantitative indices; “informant consensus factor”, “use value”, “relative frequency of citation” and “cultural importance index”. Results Fifty-three genera and 62 taxa belonging 33 families were recorded to be used in the treatment of different diseases. The usage of five species (Anthemis coelopoda var. coelopoda, Tanacetum corymbosum, Quercus frainetto, Salvia forskahlei and Lavatera punctate) as folk medicine was previously undocumented in Turkey. In addition, new usages of 13 folk medicines [Allium porrum, Brassica oleracea, Corylus maxima, Foeniculum vulgare, Helianthus annuus, Melissa officinalis subsp. altissima, Petroselinum crispum, Plantago major subsp. intermedia, Prunus avium, Punica granatum, Sedum pallidum, Vitis sylvestris and Zea mays] in Turkey were also detected. Folk medicines are mostly used for muscle-skeletal (FIC=0.6935), respiratory (FIC=0.6909) and dermatological system disorders (FIC=0.5555). In addition, Cydonia oblonga (UV value=0.23), Urtica dioica (UV value=0.19), Sambucus ebulus (UV value=0.18) and Allium cepa (UV value=0.16) were the most cited species in Bafra. Conclusion Once again, the present investigation has highlighted the gradual reduction in the use of folk medicines, and ethnobotanical knowledge has been falling into oblivion rapidly. Therefore, ethnobotanical inventory surveys should be undertaken throughout Turkey before this important cultural heritage becomes lost.

A survey of herbal weeds for treating skin disorders from Southern Thailand: Songkhla and Krabi Province

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSkin diseases are common health problems which affecting to all ages. In Thailand, the number of patients diagnosed with skin diseases is increasing every year. Nowadays, The Ministry of Public Health is supporting and promoting herbs for treating various disorders, including disorders of the skin to reduce the problem of antibiotic resistance and adverse drug reactions. This study aimed to: (1) enumerate the herbal weeds for treating skin disorders; (2) study local knowledge of weed utilization for treating skin disorders according to the folk healers in Songkhla and Krabi province; and (3) study quantitative data by Informant consensus factor (ICF), Use value (UV) and Fidelity level (FL) value. Materials and methodsField surveys and Semi-structured interviews about the local names, parts of plants used, preparation and use method, as well as local properties were done. The data were further analyzed by descriptive statistics, interpretation and quantitative indexes (ICF, UV as well as FL). ResultsThe results discovered 44 herbal species of weeds belonging to 41 genera in 25 families. The most used plant families were Amaranthaceae (6 species). Most plants were used to treat abscess (18 species; 40.91%). The highest UV was recorded for Commelina benghalensis (0.65). The highest ICF values were found in vitiligo, ringworm, tinea versicolor and burns (1.00 each). The highest FL values were recorded for Cleome gynandra, Cleome viscosa, Sphenoclea zeylanica, Acmella oleracea, Leersia hexandra, Cyperus involucratus, Phyllanthus urinaria and Iresine herbstii (100.00 each). A review of the literatures revealed that 34 plant species had already been tested for their pharmacological activities. The biological activities associated with treatment of skin diseases can be divided into four categories: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing and antioxidant activity. ConclusionThe information indicates that herbal weedy utilization is still importance to the treatment of traditional healers through accumulated experience for a long time. Therefore, this study is a guide to the conservation of folk medicinal knowledge. It might be implied as the basis for drug development and application of herbal weeds to treat skin disorders along with promoting sustainable use of natural resource.

Traditional use of medicinal plants among Kalasha, Ismaeli and Sunni groups in Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe traditional use of medicinal plants for the treatment of human and livestock ailments is important to indigenous communities in the northern parts of Pakistan, and considered to be a valuable local biological and sociocultural heritage. The aim of this study was to obtain a detailed inventory of medicinal plant use and preparation among Kalasha, Ismaeli and Sunni groups. Materials and methodsSemi-structured group and individual interviews were carried out with men and women of different age groups that identified themselves as being Kalasha, Ismaeli or Sunni. Interviews were followed up by field visits to collect herbarium vouchers and record in greater detail the exact methods of harvesting, preparation and use on medicinal plants. ResultsA total of 76 species were recorded for treatment of various diseases. The Kalasha, Ismaili and Sunni ethnic groups have similar medicinal floras, but show striking differences in plant use. Our comparative survey shows that out of all species reported in this study, only 13 species have been reported previously from Chitral District. ConclusionsIndigenous knowledge of folk medicine is intricately linked to local culture, religion and history. Any short study can only scratch the surface of this intricate system, but provide an insight into the critical importance of medicinal plants for local livelihoods and the important role these play in health care systems. There is a great need to assess and properly manage the production potential of medicinal plants to ensure sustainable supply of these species for local use and subsistence trade.

Documentation and Assessment on Knowledge of EthnoMedicinal Practitioners: A Case Study on Local Meetei Healers of Manipur

The traditional medicinal healersof the state Manipurare generally known as Maibas for male health practioner and Maibis in case of female health practioner. Since time immemorial they are involved in prescribing folk-medicine with the help of herbal-medicine or mystic incantation. An investigation on 41 local Maiba and Maibi of Meetei community of Manipur is carried out to find reliability of their knowledge, and tested if these were related significantly to age, literacy, hesitation, results of their treatment, doses and to document such know ledges based on a total of 205 locally available medicinal plant spp. belonging to 87 families used for treating 18 major diseases classes. Traditional medicinal practioners were also interviewed to gather information regarding knowledge of folk medicinal system, diagnostic system of ailments, classification of folk medicinal system, nomenclatural system and uses of medicinal plants found in Manipur as a remedy for various primary health complaints. In the present study three types folk medicinal system were recorded. The diagnostic system is bases on pulsation and symptoms. Nomenclature of medicinal plants was made in with reference to its medicinal value and traditional culture for easy identification. The Meetei forefathers put several norms for do and don'ts of eating food plants accordingly to the season and its consequences. Most of the species (72.20%) were wild species and the part used for medicinal properties were above-ground (83.41%) amongst which leaves (27.80%) were mainly harvested. Concoction mode of preparation (21.46%) is the most common way of preparation and gastrointestinal ailments (13.170%) constitute the major ailments treated. About 55.60% of the medicinal plants collected were taken orally taken internally for treatment of various primary health ailments. For some ailments like jaundice, snake bites, dog bites and stone cases, etc , more than 90% of the Manipuris preferred folk medicine rather than modern medicine. Age interval 56 and above constitute 70.7 % of the informants of which majority of them are excellent professionals (46.3 %) in the field of medicine of which almost 48.8% of them are illiterate. Again, age 35 - 45 were persons who have good knowledge of folk medicine but lacks experience, 46 - 55 have mixed type of folk medicine knowledge where as age above 56 have a good experience and better knowledge except some who have limited knowledge of folk medicine as they are following their parents footsteps only or due to their expertise is meant for treatment of a very few diseases only. Statistical analyses showed that there was significant correlation between the age of the informant and his knowledge of plants on folk medicine. According to our statistical analysis, spearman correlation showed significant correlation (Spearman correlation test, r = 0.5435, at 5% level of significance) between the education level of traditional healers and the number of species reported. Majority of herbal healers learnt their knowledge of folk medicine from mangtak (43.9%), it is from followed by forefathers (24.4%) and senior herbal practioners as guru (24.4%) later other few learnt from literature. An excellent herbal practitioner could be characterized by aged (56 years and above) old experience, educated, who were accustomed with the use of wild plants, whose forefathers were herbal practitioners, who had gained high confidence of doses and cure, and with good knowledge of folk medicine and plants.

Decay of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Ethno Medicine: A Study In Joypur Jungle Mahal, Bankura District, West Bengal.

Irrational exploitation of Nature and Natural Resources are plundering our natural system, jeopardizing the ability of the system to bounce back to its previous condition. Due to human intervention feedback mechanism of the natural system is decaying rapidly, at the same time indigenous societies are distancing from the wild ecology which is proving to bear a detrimental effect upon their socio economic fabric. Globalization and tecnocentrism has radically changed their web of relationship between wild ecology and tribal society. Folk medicinal knowledge and the abundance or extinction of medicinal plants may serve as a missing link to conceptualize ecology, economics, ethics and folk society under study and the change scenario. A proper assessment of knowledge on ethno medicine will help to conceptualize the changed scenario and promote reasonable measures to sustain the medicinal valued plant species and socio ecological sustainability.

براہوئی ادب ٹی مشی آ دارو تا جاچ او کدکاٹ

This article describes the indigenous knowledge of folk medicine which is known as Mashi a daaro in Brahui folk literature. The folk remedies of Brahui have used as indigenous treatment. The exploitation of indigenous drug resources had increased the importance of the nomadic life of Brahui. The study of indigenous knowledge in Brahui folk lore shows the literary importance about folk medicine and other useful plants. Custom knowledge is generally accepted on / conveyed from herbalist (Hakims) and "Poopoo" (Traditional herbalists). At present time transmission of such knowledge from herbalists to folks had been enormously decreased. As we learn from the history of traditional herbalist or poopoo do not tell the specific prescription to the local people. So far credit goes to Brahui folk singers especially Murad Parkoi he saved the history of several herbs in his melodious voice.It further concludes that research should be carried out in the field of phyto-chemistry, pharmacology and biotechnology of these resources in order to save Brahui indigenous remedies

Medicinal Plants Used in Folk Recipes by the Inhabitants of Himalayan Region Poonch Valley Azad Kashmir (Pakistan)

Plants with medicinal properties were held in the highest esteem in indigenous medicine systems all over the world. All indigenous remedies, whether traditional or modern, have originated directly or indirectly from folklore, rituals and folk medicinal knowledge. The objective of this study was to collect the information about how the local people used the plants of their area to cure a wide variety of ailments in human and livestock. Extensive surveys were carried out during the field work; interviews were conducted with the local inhabitants, the herbalists ‘Hakims’ (local physicians). About fifty informants were interviewed on random basis. The ethnobotanical data obtained was checked and compared with the existing literature and was analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. In total 68 species of plants belonging to 44 families were recorded as used medicinally for preparations of folk recipes of 68 ailments. During the field study, it was found that the indigenous knowledge related to medicinal uses comes from women age between 30-50 years, whereas the folk medicinal use comes from men. This survey indicated that 72% source of indigenous knowledge related to the medicinal use of plants comes from people between age of 50 years, while 28% of it comes from people between age 30 and 50 years. The survey also indicated that men especially old one’s are more informative of folk knowledge of medicinal plants than women in the area. It was also indicated that about 60% of the homemade drugs were used by people above the age of 50 years, 30% by children below age of 15 years especially infants. While remaining 10% of the traditional medicines of plant origin were utilized by people between ages of 15-50 years.

Ethnobotany of some useful plants of Poonch Valley Azad Kashmir

The ethnobotanical studies indicated that the inhabitants of Poonch Valley utilized 169 plant species for more than 30 domestic needs. The major usage include 68 medicinal plants, 35 fuel wood species, 35 fodder species, 24 vegetable and pot herbs, 10 veterinary medicinal plants, 24 fruit yielding plants, 14 spices and condiment species, 12 for construction and timber requirements, 13 ornamental species, 9 used as field fencing, 13 furniture making species, and 6 used as mouth wash (maswak). Other miscellaneous uses of plants included agricultural tools, thatching and roofing, basket making, cosmetics, dish cleaners, home decoration, narcotic, anti-snake and scorpion bite, soil binding, stick/handles, shade tree, utensil making and pillow filling. Results of the survey conducted revealed that 72% of folk medicinal knowledge comes from people above the age of 50 years, while 28% of it comes from people between the ages of 30 and 50. The survey also indicated that men especially old ones are more informative of traditional knowledge of medicinal plants than women in the area. Key words: Ethnobotany, poonch, Himalayan region, fodder species, fuel wood species, enumeration.

An ethno-medicobotanical investigation among Rava tribe of Jalpaiguri district

This work deals with the ethnomedicobotanical use of various plant species by Rava community residing in Jalpaiguri district. This kind of approach is rather sporadic not only in this region but also to other parts of the India. Here ethnomedicinal uses of 41 selected plant species, which are generally used by the Rava people, have been described. This study reveals some interesting information about the mode of the use ot these plants which may form the basis of primary health care system of Rava community. This knowledge would be an excellent addition to the current knowledge of folk medicine and may opens a new horizon in the field of ethnobotany and ethnomedicine.

Antifungal screening of six Ficus species native to Zambia

The genus Ficus (Moraceae) is well known for antioxidant, anticancer, antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, antiulcer and gastroprotective activities [1]. In Zambia, the milky latex of some Ficus species is traditionally used against ringworms, while other plant parts are used to treat wounds, chest infections, stomach problems and fevers [2,3]. The folk medicinal knowledge in Zambia is poorly documented and the potential of the medicinal plants has remained unexplored. In this study, we collected the milky latex, as well as the leaves and stem barks of six Ficus species (F. sycomorus, F. sansibarica, F. ovata, F. wakefieldii, F. lutea and F. natalensis) that are native to the Zambezi valley of Zambia. The in vitro antifungal activity of the latex (used directly) and the crude MeOH extracts of the leaves and stem barks were assayed against clinical cultures of two fungi causing ringworm infections (Trichophyton tonsurans and T. interdigitale), as well as a yeast (Candida albicans) and a mould (Aspergillus fumigatus). The agar plate disc and well diffusion techniques were employed by using miconazole and MeOH as positive and negative controls, respectively. Except for the milky latex of F. sansibarica, all other latices and the crude extracts were inactive at 100µg/ml concentration. Previous studies have however, reported significant activity for the crude MeOH extract of F. ovata against a clinical isolate of C. albicans [1], and the activity was attributed to the presence of terpenoids, isoflavonoids and phenolic acids. This is the first antifungal screening study evaluating the antifungal activity of native Zambian Ficus species against various fungi.

Antifungal screening of six Ficus species native to Zambia

The genus Ficus (Moraceae) is well documented for antioxidant, anticancer, antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, antiulcer and gastroprotective activities [1]. In Zambia, the milky latex of some Ficus sp. are traditionally used against ringworms, while other plant parts are used to wash wounds, decoctions are also used for chest infections, stomach problems and fevers [2,3]. The folk-medicinal knowledge in Zambia has really not being collected and the potential of the plants not investigated. In this study, we collected the milky latex as well as the leaves and stem barks of six Ficus sp. (F. sycomorus, F. sansibarica, F. ovata, F. wakefieldii, F. lutea and F. natalensis) that are native to Zambia. The in vitro antifungal activity of the latex (used directly) and the crude MeOH extracts of the leaves and stem barks were assayed against clinical cultures of two fungi causing ringworm infections, Trichophyton tonsurans, T. interdigitale, as well as a yeast -Candida albicans and a mould -Aspergillus fumigatus. The Sabouraud agar plate disc and well diffusion techniques were used with miconazole as the positive control and MeOH the negative control. Except for the milky latex of F. sansibarica, all other latexes and the crude extracts were inactive at 100mg/ml. Relevant studies by other reseachers have however, reported significant activity of the crude MeOH extract of F. ovata against a clinical isolate of C. albicans [1]. This activity is attributed to the presence of terpenoids, isoflavonoids and phenolic acids. This is the first antifungal screening study evaluating the antifungal activity of native Zambian Ficus sp. against fungi.

Medicinal knowledge and plant utilization in an Amazonian coastal community of Marudá, Pará State (Brazil)

Ethnopharmacological relevance It shows the local medicinal uses of biodiversity in Brazil's Amazonian littoral, promoting the value of folk knowledge, and its applicability in future studies. Aim of the study To demonstrate the importance of the knowledge of medicinal plants in the Amazonian coastal community of Marudá, located in Pará State, Brazil. Materials and methods Fieldwork was conducted between 1996 and 1998, using the methods of participant observation, semi-structured interviews and informal discussions to elicit information from community residents and plant specialists, in addition to collecting plant material. Results Community residents possess knowledge of 229 medicinal plants distributed in 81 botanical families and know how to manipulate them in a variety of ways, with special care taken to ensure that they are used in the safest and most efficient manner. Therapeutic indications for these plants include illness and disease recognized in the repertoire of Western medicine as well as ailments perceived from a local cultural perspective. Conclusion Results from this study attest to informants’ knowledge of medicinal flora and their ability and openness to integrate new species from diverse origins into their gamut of medicinal knowledge, including industrial therapeutic preparations and animal products. Local uses of biodiversity in Brazil's Amazonian littoral are also evinced, promoting the value of folk medicinal knowledge. Similarly, it mentions the potential of implementing local knowledge in Brazil's Unitary Health System.

Medicinal plants used by Tibetans in Shangri-la, Yunnan, China

BackgroundMedicinal plants used by the local people in Xizang (Tibet) have been investigated since the 1960s. The others out of Xizang, however, have been less understood, although they may be easily and strongly influenced by the various local herbal practices, diverse environments, local religious beliefs and different prevalent types of diseases. In 2006, two ethnobotanical surveys were organized in the county of Shangri-la, Yunnan Province, SW China, to document the traditional medicinal plants used by the Tibetan people.MethodsAfter literature surveying, four local townships were selected to carry out the field investigation. Three local healers were interviewed as key informants. The methods of ethnobotany, anthropology and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) were used in the field surveys. Plant taxonomic approach was adopted for voucher specimen identification.ResultsSixty-eight medicinal plant species in 64 genera of 40 families were recorded and collected. Among them, 23 species were found to have medicinal values that have not been recorded in any existing Tibetan literatures before, and 31 species were recorded to have traditional prescriptions. Moreover, the traditional preparations of each species and some folk medicinal knowledge were recorded and analyzed. These traditional prescriptions, preparations, new medicinal plants and folk medicinal knowledge and principles were discovered and summarized by local traditional Tibetan healers through times of treatment practices, and were passed down from generation to generation.ConclusionAs a part of the cultural diversity of Tibetan community, these traditional medicinal knowledge and experiences may provide data and information basis for the sustainable utilization and development of Tibetan medicine, and may contribute to the local economic development. However, for many reasons, they are disappearing gradually as time goes by. Our study showed that there were abundant traditional Tibetan medicinal prescriptions and using methods. It implies that more Tibetan medicinal plants and traditional knowledge can be discovered. Further research should be done to save the wealth of these traditional medicinal knowledge and experiences before they are dying out.