Highest Informant Consensus Factor Research Articles

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by tribal and native people of Madhupur forest area, Bangladesh

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMadhupur forest area, Tangail is one of early human settlements in Bangladesh. Having abode in the vicinity of the forest, a strong ethnobotanical practice has prevailed in this area since ancient time. Due to the rapid deforestation during the last few decades, many plants have already disappeared or are facing extinction. Thus we attempted to document the medicinal plant use of Madhupur forest area with a view to preserve the ethnobotanical knowledge and in order to protect the biodiversity of this area. Materials and methodsThe fieldwork was conducted during a period of 1 year. Data was collected by interview, questionnaire, and group discussion with randomly selected informants including indigenous, tribal people, and Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) living in the study area. Recorded plants are listed along with their indication, part used, form of preparation and use value (UV). Results were also analysed to determine informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL) of the plants on the basis of their use under various ailment categories. ResultsThe present study has documented 78 medicinal plant species from 45 families used for the treatment of at least 77 different major and minor ailments and conditions. Medicinal plant species were categorised as tree, shrub, tuber, herb, and climber. Leaves were found to be the most frequently used plant part while decoction is the major form of preparation. In most cases preparations are either administered orally or applied topically. ConclusionThe present study revealed that some of the well-known medicinal plants are used extensively demonstrating an effective ethnobotanical practice in the study area. Plants with high ICF and FL values can be subjected to bioassay guided investigation while plants which scored low UVs require bioactivity screening to justify their use for the reported ailment.

Botanical ethnoveterinary therapies in three districts of the Lesser Himalayas of Pakistan

BackgroundEthnoveterinary knowledge is highly significant for persistence of traditional community-based approaches to veterinary care. This is of particular importance in the context of developing and emerging countries, where animal health (that of livestock, especially) is crucial to local economies and food security. The current survey documents the traditional veterinary uses of medicinal plants in the Lesser Himalayas-Pakistan.MethodsData were collected through interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and by administering questionnaires. A total of 105 informants aged between 20–75 years old who were familiar with livestock health issues (i.e. farmers, shepherds, housewives and herbalists) participated in the study.ResultsA total of 89 botanical taxa, belonging to 46 families, were reported to have ethnoveterinary applications. The most quoted families were Poaceae (6 taxa), Fabaceae (6), Asteraceae (5), and Polygonaceae (5). Adhatoda vasica was the most cited species (43%), followed by Trachyspermum ammi (37%), and Zanthoxylum armatum var. armatum (36%). About 126 medications were recorded against more than 50 veterinary conditions grouped into seven categories. The highest cultural index values were recorded for Trachyspermum ammi, Curcuma longa, Melia azedarach, Zanthoxylum armatum var. armatum and Adhatoda vasica. The highest informant consensus factor was found for pathologies related to respiratory and reproductive disorders. Comparison with the local plant-based remedies used in human folk medicine revealed that many of remedies were used in similar ways in local human phytotherapy. Comparison with other field surveys conducted in surrounding areas demonstrated that approximately one-half of the recorded plants uses are novel to the ethnoveterinary literature of the Himalayas.ConclusionThe current survey shows a remarkable resilience of ethnoveterinary botanical knowledge in the study area. Most of the species reported for ethnoveterinary applications are wild and under threat. Thus, not only is it imperative to conserve traditional local knowledge of folk veterinary therapies for bio-cultural conservation motives, but also to assist with in-situ and ex-situ environmental conservation initiatives, which are urgently needed. Future studies that focus on the validation of efficacy of these ethnoveterinary remedies can help to substantiate emic concepts regarding the management of animal health care and for rural development programs.

Ethnopharmaceutical Study of Medicinal Plants of Metekel Zone, Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, Mid-West Ethiopia

Traditional medicine (TM) has been an important source of healthcare in Ethiopia, as in most developing countries around the world, and the TM practice is mainly based on medicinal plants. This cross-sectional, community-based survey was aimed at documenting the knowledge associated with the use of medicinal plants in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region. Six hundred households (HHs) were interviewed using semistructured questionnaires and six focused group discussions (FGDs) were conducted. Prevalence of illness episodes was 5.2%, in two weeks recall period and the overall action taken for the perceived illness was 95.7%; out of which 41.6% used TM. TM was a more frequent choice of care for females than males and for the Gumuz people than the other ethnic groups. Low cost, efficacy and geographical accessibility were the reasons for choosing TM. Fifty-one plant species belonging to 29 families were reported, each with local and scientific names, parts used, and methods of preparation and administration. Malaria and headache, and respiratory complaints have the highest informant consensus factor (ICF) values. The major proportion of plants was collected from wild sources and leaf and root parts were commonly used. The formulations were made in the form of liquids, raw herbs and pastes in order of frequency. The dominant route of administration was oral, followed by topical application. This study demonstrated that TM is still an important component of the public healthcare in the study community. Keywords : ethnopharmacy, medicinal plants, traditional medicine, house-hold, focus group discussion

Traditional use of medicinal plants by the ethnic groups of Gondar Zuria district, North-western Ethiopia.

The aim of the study was to document information on medicinal plants and to describe the traditional health care practices of Gondar Zuria district, North-West Ethiopia. Field trip was made in each village of the district to collect ethnomedicinal information from the traditional healers by using semi-structured questionnaire and field observation. Forty-two plant species representing forty-one genera and thirty-one families were encountered during the study. Results of the study were analysed using two quantitative tools: informant consensus factor for the analysis of general use of medicinal plants and fidelity level for calculating the most frequently occurring diseases for the categories with the highest informant consensus factor. The result of the informant consensus factor showed that the general health category had the greatest agreement followed by the respiratory, malarial, and gastrointestinal categories. The present study has documented curious ethno medicinal facts on the plant therapies currently utilised in Gondar Zuria district. Evaluation of the pharmacological activity for the promising medicinal plant is suggested.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used for the treatment of malaria in plateau of Allada, Benin (West Africa)

BackgroundMalaria remains one of the most important illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa. In Benin, it constitutes a major public health preoccupation particularly for children and pregnant women. Until now, population still mostly relies on herbal medicine for malaria healing. Hence this study was carried out to document the medicinal plants used in the plateau of Allada in Benin and to assess local knowledge on traditional medicine in the management of malaria and related symptoms. Materials and methodsData were collected from 53 informants composed of 23 traditional healers and 30 medicinal plants sellers using a structured questionnaire. ResultsA total of 82 plants species belonging to 78 genera in 43 plant families were recorded as antimalarial in the study area. The families of Rubiaceae and Caesalpiniaceae were the most represented with seven species each. High informant consensus factor (ICF) was recorded in the treatment of malaria (ICF=0.90). High fidelity level (FL=100%) was also recorded for 45.67% of the species used as antimalarial. Dichapetalum madagascariense was the species of high relative frequency of citation (RFC=0.81). The dominant plant parts used in the preparation of remedies were leaves (68%). The decoction (79%) was the main mode of preparation, while oral route (92%) was the principal route of remedies administration. ConclusionThis study provides plant species used in the plateau of Allada for malaria and related symptoms treatment. We hope that this study could be important for the conservation of traditional knowledge on the antimalarial plants and the improvement of malaria management. However, several plant species used as antimalarial by the traditional medicine practitioners in the study area need to be screened in order to identify the species having antiplasmodial activity.

Ethnoveterinary knowledge and practices at Colares island, Pará state, eastern Amazon, Brazil

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe lack of ethnoveterinary surveys in Brazil, especially in the Amazon region, results in losses in the veterinary phytopharmacology field and in scientific documentation of the cultural traditions of plant use in the treatment of animal diseases. Aim of the studyTo catalog, analyze and disseminate the ethnoveterinary knowledge of the inhabitants of Colares Island, Pará state, eastern Amazon, Brazil. Materials and methodsA total of 72 interviews were conducted, and semi-structured questionnaires were answered by 18 men and 54 women. The data obtained were quantitatively analyzed using the informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value (UV). The plants with a reported medicinal use for domestic animals were harvested, herbalized and botanically identified. ResultsFifty-six plants, distributed in 49 genera and 35 families, were indicated to have 23 different medicinal uses, divided into six categories of use. The highest ICF (0.80) was obtained for the antiparasitic class. The Euphorbiaceae family exhibited the highest number of citations, and the species with the highest UVs were Caladium cf. bicolor, Bixa orellana, Carapa guianensis, Jatropha curcas and Cymbopogon citratus. The parts of the 56 plants that were most frequently used to prepare ethnoveterinary medications were the leaves (46%), bark (15%), roots and fruit (10%). The use of the macerated leaves was the most common method of application, used by 43% of the interviewees, and the majority of the preparations (87.3%) used a single plant. In addition to medicinal plants, the interviewees reported the use of products of animal and mineral origin. ConclusionThe present study contributed to the establishment of an inventory of plants used in ethnoveterinary practices in this region of the Brazilian eastern Amazon. Future phytochemical and pharmacological studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the identified plants, enabling communities to use them in a more economic, effective and safe manner.

Ethnoveterinary remedies of diseases among milk yielding animals in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, India

The triangle of relationship between human beings, animals and plants has existed for ages, and has given rise to intense-relationships and consequently rich traditions of ethnoveterinary knowledge throughout the world. The predominantly rural population and the strong agricultural base have provided unique situation for rich ethnoveterinary practices in the study area. Aim of the studyThe present study was conducted in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir between 2007 and 2009 to provide list of the important plants of the region for further phytochemical and pharmacological studies, and to prepare inventory of the ethnoveterinary practices for the future generations. Material and methodsDirect interview of 78 informants was conducted and the information gathered was analyzed for two quantitative methods viz. informant consensus factor (ICF) and use-value (UV). The characteristics of ethnoveterinary plants and practices were also documented. ResultsA total of 72 plants were used to cure 33 common ailments of milk yielding animals of Kathua district. Fabaceae (7 species) was the most represented family, along with Poaceae (6 species). Leaves (27.2%) were the most frequently used plant parts, herbs (48.6%) the most frequently used life-form and wild flora (58.3%) the most used source for the ethnoveterinary practices. The highest ICF was reported for urological disorders (0.95) and lowest for nutritional diseases (0.80). The values of ICF were generally on the higher side which shows that the informants share the knowledge about the ailment among themselves. The important ethnoveterinary plant species on the basis of use-values were: Brassica campestris, Saccharun officinarum, Emblica officinalis, Trachyspermum ammi, Asparagus adscendens, Musa paradisica, Oryza sativa, Curcuma longa, Azadirachta indica, Tinospora cordifolia and Tamarindus indica. ConclusionHigh diversity of ethnoveterinary plants were found to cure the common milk yielding animals of Kathua district. Further phytochemical and pharmacological studies are required to ascertain their chemical nature for the betterment of the locals and farmers, and commercial utilization of this knowledge.

Traditional Medico-Botanical Knowledge of Local Communities in Hosanagara Taluk of Shimoga District in Karnataka, India

Ethno-medico-botanical knowledge was documented in Hosanagara taluk in Shimoga districtof Karnataka, India using a questionnaire. The data of 86 plant species for treating 47 human and 16 veterinary ailments were analyzed by informant consensus factor (ICF), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL). The wound category received high ICF of 0.86. Vallaris solanacea (UV=0.61) for bone fracture and wound and Tabernaemontana alternifolia (UV=0.54) for snakebite were preferred by healers. The FLs for a specific disease was maximum (100%) for Aristolochia indica, Calycopteris floribunda, Thottea siliquosa, Tridax procumbens, and Tabernaemontana divaricata. In this study, 14 hitherto unknown ethnomedicinal formulations are reported.

Ethno-veterinary uses and informants consensus factor of medicinal plants of Sariska region, Rajasthan, India

The study was conducted in Sariska region of Rajasthan, India to identify the important species used for ethno-veterinary medicine; finding out methods for various ethno-veterinary medicine preparations, and calculate the informant consensus factor (ICF) in relation to medicinal plant use. An ethno-veterinary survey was carried out in the Sariska region of Rajasthan, India. A total of 490 informants (287 men, 203 women) belonging mainly to families which had strong links with animal keeping activities of the area were interviewed using 'specimen display' method and forest walk method. The highest ICF (0.61) was scored for the digestive problems including ailments stomachache, indigestion, liver expansion, diarrhea, intestinal worms, and stomach disorder. Citrullus colocynthis is used for fever and general sickness, with a highest use value (UV) of 0.62. While Pedalium murex, and Ziziphus nummularia used for diarrhea (UV=0.57) and Azadirachta indica, used as antiseptic, in foot and mouth disease and prevention from diseases were reported with a UV 0.51. The documentation of this inherited rich traditional ethno-medicinal knowledge has provided novel information and this will not only provide recognition of this undocumented knowledge but will also help in conservation of such rare, gradually vanishing important ethno-veterinary species. It will also provide new pharmacological dimensions for better health care of the human being regarding many ailments.

MS299 PLANTS ARE POPULARLY USED BY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINAL PRACTITIONERS OF KISHOREGANJ DISTRICT, BANGLADESH TO TREAT VARIOUS BODY PAINS INCLUDING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

The study was conducted in Sariska region of Rajasthan, India to identify the important species used for ethno-veterinary medicine; finding out methods for various ethno-veterinary medicine preparations, and calculate the informant consensus factor (ICF) in relation to medicinal plant use.An ethno-veterinary survey was carried out in the Sariska region of Rajasthan, India. A total of 490 informants (287 men, 203 women) belonging mainly to families which had strong links with animal keeping activities of the area were interviewed using ‘specimen display’ method and forest walk method.The highest ICF (0.61) was scored for the digestive problems including ailments stomachache, indigestion, liver expansion, diarrhea, intestinal worms, and stomach disorder. Citrullus colocynthis is used for fever and general sickness, with a highest use value (UV) of 0.62. While Pedalium murex, and Ziziphus nummularia used for diarrhea (UV = 0.57) and Azadirachta indica, used as antiseptic, in foot and mouth disease and prevention from diseases were reported with a UV 0.51.The documentation of this inherited rich traditional ethno-medicinal knowledge has provided novel information and this will not only provide recognition of this undocumented knowledge but will also help in conservation of such rare, gradually vanishing important ethno-veterinary species. It will also provide new pharmacological dimensions for better health care of the human being regarding many ailments.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants from the Humla district of western Nepal

Aim of the study The present paper documents the uses of plants in traditional herbal medicine for treatment of human and veterinary ailments in four village development committees in the Humla district of western Nepal. It also determines the homogeneity of informant's knowledge on medicinal plants suitable for different ailment categories and the most preferred plant species used to treat each ailment category in the study areas. Materials and methods The ethnobotanical information was collected through semi-structured interviews and key informant discussion. The data were analyzed through informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL) and use value (UV). Results We documented 161 plant species belonging to 61 families and 106 genera used for treating 73 human and 7 veterinary ailments. We also documented culinary uses and additional uses for 67 and 33 species of medicinal plant species respectively. Most medicines were prepared in the form of powder and used orally. Roots were most frequently used plant parts. The uses of 93 medicinal plants were not mentioned in any previous studies. Gastro-intestinal ailments have the highest ICF (0.40) whereas opthalmological uses have the lowest (zero) ICF. Mentha spicata and Rumex hastatus has the highest FL (100% each) both being used for gastro-intestinal ailments and Delphinium himalayai has the lowest (47.4%) for veterinary uses. Conclusions ICF values indicated that there was high agreement in the use of plants in gastro-intestinal ailment category among the users. FL or UV values indicated the most preferred plant species used in study areas. These preferred plant species could be prioritized for conservation and subjected to further studies related to chemical screening for their authenticity. Most of the medicinal plants of the region are collected in the wild and are often harvested for trade. Sustainable harvesting methods and domestication of the highly traded species is thus needed in the study areas.

Ethno-Medico-Botanical Knowledge of Khare-vokkaliga Community in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka, India

Khare-vokkaliga is one of the small ethnic communities inhabiting four village hamlets in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, which is located in the heart of the Western Ghats in India. They used traditional medicines for the treatment of diseases and disorders that affected the community. A survey of ethnomedicinal practices followed by the community was conducted during 2003-04 which indicated that Khare-vokkaliga used 57 plant species of 56 genera and 38 families for the treatment of 39 diseases and disorders in human beings. Among them, 20 species of 19 genera of 16 families are being used to treat 6 infectious diseases and 44 species of 43 genera of 33 families are used to treat 33 non-infectious diseases. The high informant consensus factor (ICF=1.0) was assigned to jaundice category followed by moderate ICF (0.37) to the poisonous bite category and lowest (ICF=0.00) to the treatment of skin and eye related problems. This study reports 11 new claims for the treatment of human diseases and disorders.

Ethno-medicinal application of plants in the eastern region of Shimoga district, Karnataka, India

Aim of the study The present paper aimed to document and study the role of traditional herbal drugs in the treatment of human and veterinary ailments by communities residing in the eastern part of Shimoga district of Karnataka in India and to determine the consensus of informant's knowledge on different category of ailments and fidelity level of plant species in treating particular disease. Methodology The ethno-medico-botanical information was collected from herbal healers and knowledgeable elder people residing in 15 randomly selected villages using semi-structured interviews. The data were subjected to informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL) analyses. Results Eighty-five plant species of 41 families used to treat 31 human and 10 veterinary ailments were documented. Those medicinal plants which are effective in the treatment of liver complaints category had high ICF (0.77) and the skin diseases and disorders category attracted low ICF (0.12). Certain medicinal plants like Cyclea peltata, Justicia adhatoda, Memecylon umbellatum, Phyllanthus amarus and Tabernaemontana alternifolia were assigned with high degree of FL (100%) value and certain species like Cassia fistula was assigned with very low FL (25%). Some of the noteworthy medicinal uses of plant species in the study area were not reported for such purposes in the previously published literature on ethnobotany. Conclusion The local communities residing in eastern part of Shimoga district depended on herbal formulations for the treatment of diseases and disorders that affected them and their animals, as well. A high ICF and FL values indicated the possible occurrence of valuable bioactive compounds in certain plants and such of these plants need scientific evaluation for their pharmacological activities.

Diversity, Utilization and Management of Medicinal Plants in Baitadi and Darchula Districts, Far West Nepal

As in other districts of Nepal, medicinal plants have played a significant role in the life of local people of Baitadi and Darchula districts by providing products for trade, subsistence and traditional therapies. Present study analyzed the pharmacological activities of the species which had the highest informant consensus factor. The use of Asparagus racemosus as galactogogue with consensus factor 0.97, Berberis asiatica for eye troubles with 1.0, Cordyceps sinensis as tonic and longevity with 0.97, Curculigo orchoides as tonic and aphrodisiac with 0.96, Nardostachya grandiflora for epilepsy with 0.97 and Phyllanthus emblica as diuretic with 0.97 possessed the highest consensus factors and greatest affinity to the Ayurveda and phytochemical findings. Phytochemical screening and validity assessments of the medicinal plant widely used in traditional therapies are worthwhile. The findings with the maximum affinity of informant consensus factors and phyto-chemical validations provide the potential to identify which plants are most likely to be useful in the treatment of diseases. Key Words: Medicinal plants, Ethno-medicine, Informant consent factor (ICF), Phyto-chemical validation, West Himalaya DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2538 The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp157-164