Number Of Medicinal Plant Species Research Articles

An Ethnobotanical Survey of Indigenous Knowledge on Medicinal Plants Used by Communities to Treat Various Diseases around Ensaro District, North Shewa Zone of Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to investigate and document medicinal plants and associated knowledge on the utilization, management, preparation, and way of administration of the medicinal plant resources in Ensaro district, north Shewa zone, Ethiopia. A total of 100 informants were sampled from four study sites, and questionnaire surveys, semistructured interviews, ranking, and transect walk techniques were employed for data collection in midland, lowland, and highland agroecology and natural forests, riverine forests, and farmlands. Vast sources of the traditional healing knowledge of plant species conveyed from one generation to the next by word of mouth were from a family. A total of 101 medicinal plant species were identified from the study site, which belong to 95 genera and 49 families. These medicinal plants are used to treat about 35 types of human ailments. Families Fabaceae and Poaceae were represented by the highest number of medicinal plant species, followed by the Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae species. Out of the total medicinal plants’ species, 46.53% were herbs and 33.66% were shrubs. Most of them have medicinal properties in their leaf, root, seed, bark, stem, latex, sap seed, and fruits. Medicine from these plant parts is prepared in fresh, dried, and both fresh and dried states. The highest informant consensus was documented for the plant Ocimum lamiifolium used by 75% of informants for its medicinal value in treating fibril illness. Cucumis ficifolius and Eucalyptus globules are used by 41% and 39% of informants ranking second and third, respectively, for their medicinal value. This study revealed that indigenous knowledge of traditional medicine is still popular among local communities in the study area. The conservation strategy practiced by local people is not enough to tackle the erosion of plant species from their habitats. Thus, the conservation of these plants and the associated knowledge base is very essential.

Zasługi Karola Linneusza dla postępu nauk farmaceutycznych w XVIII w.

The importance of Linnaeus’ taxonomy for the progress of pharmaceutical science in the 18th century Fundamentals of Linnaean taxonomy were established from the late 1730s and had a gradual ordering impact on all plant knowledge of the time. Pharmaceutical botany was enlivened by the following assertions, ideas or publications issued by Linnaeus: 1) the sexual system as a tool for practical identifi cation of genera; 2) the genera were newly defi ned or corrected to build a clear system; 3) botanists were encouraged to construct and study a natural system of genera which was expected to reveal similarities in pharmacological actions (as analogous to morphological similarities of allied species); 4) a critical and minimalist review of medicinal species and their therapeutical uses was published; 5) the synonymy of species was rectifi ed by selecting only good and suffi ciently descriptive polynomials; and fi nally 6) it became the new scientifi c standard to typify the name and description of a species on a proof sample, the role of which began to be played by a herbarium specimen of a plant, called a type. The practice of assigning binominal names to known or newly described species enabled botanists to place them immediately in the sexual system (by assigning a generic name, the genus was ranked in terms of fl ower structure). The increase in the number of medicinal plant species at the end of the 18th century was the result of a desire to make the knowledge complete and modern, and to add new facts about related species in a wellorganized form. Canons for the experimental and clinical study of effects of known and new medicinal plants on healthy and sick patients were being developed. The introduction of many new species into practical therapy took pharmacy by surprise, as the pharmacist had to learn to recognise medicinal plants previously unknown to pharmacy, which was not without its mistakes. Misrecognised plants that became drug ingredients could exert unintended effects in therapy, undermining the authority of physicians, hindering the evaluation of drugs and threatening to fl ood scientifi c pharmacy with a stream of erroneous knowledge. Continued practical self-education of pharmacists in the fi eld of plant taxonomy was therefore claimed.

Diversity of herbal medicine in Mamasa District, West Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract. Tambaru E, Ura’ R, Tuwo M. 2023. Diversity of herbal medicine in Mamasa District, West Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 2013-2022. This study aimed to identify the species of traditional medicinal plants, the parts processed as medicine and the processing methods of the plants used in traditional medicine. This research was conducted in Mellangkenapadang Village and Paladan Village, Sesenapadang District, Mamasa Regency. This research method was descriptive exploratory. Qualitative data collection was carried out using the cruising method. Sampling of medicinal plants in the site was carried out using the Participatory Rural Appraisal method, an assessment process involving active roles of the community. The results showed that the number of medicinal plants growing in Mellangkenapadang Village and Paladan Village, Sesenapadang District, Mamasa Regency were 49 species belonging to, 30 families, the most widely used being Asteraceae, and 22 orders, the most widely used being Solanales. The number of medicinal plant species used in Mellangkenapadang Village was 46 species. The most frequently used plant was guava (93.33%) and the lowest pumpkin, pineapple, spoon leaf, and airplant (3.33%). Meanwhile, in Paladan Village, 43 species were used; the most frequently used was painted nettle (96.67%) and the least were airplant and galangal (3.33%). The most widely used plant part as traditional medicine was leaf (59.18%) and the least used were stems (2.04%) and seeds (2.04%). The processing of medicinal plants was mostly boiling (55.10%) and the least burning (2.04%). Medicinal plant knowledge needs to be preserved for the younger generation so that it can be used sustainably in the future. This can be done by conserving biodiversity and preserving the plant's genetic material for pharmaceutical development.

Ethnobotanical study and conservation strategy of medicinal plants in the ecotourism area of Kedah Rainforest Lodges in Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract. Ridwan, Zahrah M, Rahmawaty. 2022. Ethnobotanical study and conservation strategy of medicinal plants in the ecotourism area of Kedah Rainforest Lodges in Aceh, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 6227-6237. Medicinal plants have long been used by indigenous communities, including Gayo people in Aceh, Indonesia. The conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants can be integrated with ecotourism activities. Kedah Rainforest Lodges is an ecotourism area in the Protected Forest area of Forest Management Unit (FMU) Region V Aceh, Indonesia, which is an important source of medicinal plants, clean water and nature tourism. However, biodiversity in the area is threatened by excessive human activity, including the long-standing tradition of Gayo people using medicinal plants. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate medicinal plants used by the local community living around Kedah Rainforest Lodges using an ethnobotanical approach and to identify a strategy for the conservation of medicinal plants using strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. A combination of field observations, interviews, documentation and focus group discussions were employed for data collection. The result of the ethnobotanical study identified 44 species belonging to 31 families of medicinal plants used by Gayo people in the studied area. Asteraceae is the family with the largest number of medicinal plant species, while herbs are the most common habitus of the medicinal plants and leaves are the most used plant part. Based on SWOT analysis, there are several strategies to conserve medicinal plants in Kedah Rainforest Lodges, including (i) the rehabilitation of degraded areas through the enrichment of medicinal plants to create living pharmacies; (i) the development of facilities to support medicinal plants ecotourism; and (iii) partnerships with related stakeholders to obtain funding and enhance the capacity of the area manager and staff.

Utilization of Traditional Medicinal Plants by Bidayuh Communities in Sarawak, Malaysia

ABSTRACT This study was undertaken in Bidayuh communities in the Padawan, Bau, and Siburan districts in Malaysia to (1) compare the medicinal plant utilization, (2) compare the number of medicinal plants collected annually and total number of medicinal plant species collected, and (3) assess the influence of key socio-demographic factors on the pattern of annual collection and preferred species. Surveys were conducted on 226 households, based on stratified random sampling. Key informant in-depth investigation and group meetings were used to gather further information. A total of 44 medicinal plant species that were used to treat 25 ailments were recorded from all districts. Five primary ailments for which the plants were used were fever (11 plant species), wound (10 plant species), post-partum care (eight plant species), hypertension (seven plant species), and diseases of the skin (seven plant species). There was a difference in the number of medicinal plants collected annually (X 2(2) = 8.55, p = .01) with the highest mean difference between Kuching (Mean rank = 125.65) and Siburan (Mean rank = 97.78) districts. There was a difference in total medicinal plant species collected among household heads due to education levels (X 2(5) = 21.87, p = .00) with the highest mean difference between primary school (Mean rank = 138.07) and college (Mean rank = 69.00) education.

Medicinal plants used for the management of respiratory diseases in Zimbabwe: Review and perspectives potential management of COVID-19

Respiratory diseases have in the recent past become a health concern globally. More than 523 million cases of coronavirus disease (COVID19), a recent respiratory diseases have been reported, leaving more than 6 million deaths worldwide since the start of the pandemic. In Zimbabwe, respiratory infections have largely been managed using traditional (herbal) medicines, due to their low cost and ease of accessibility. This review highlights the plants’ toxicological and pharmacological evaluation studies explored. It seeks to document plants that have been traditionally used in Zimbabwe to treat respiratory ailments within and beyond the past four decades. Extensive literature review based on published papers and abstracts retrieved from the online bibliographic databases, books, book chapters, scientific reports and theses available at Universities in Zimbabwe, were used in this study. From the study, there were at least 58 plant families comprising 160 medicinal plants widely distributed throughout the country. The Fabaceae family had the highest number of medicinal plant species, with a total of 21 species. A total of 12 respiratory ailments were reportedly treatable using the identified plants. From a total of 160 plants, colds were reportedly treatable with 56, pneumonia 53, coughs 34, chest pain and related conditions 29, asthma 25, tuberculosis and spots in lungs 22, unspecified respiratory conditions 20, influenza 13, bronchial problems 12, dyspnoea 7, sore throat and infections 5 and sinus clearing 1 plant. The study identified potential medicinal plants that can be utilised in future to manage respiratory infections.

Characterization of Essential Oil, Estimation of Phenolic and Flavonod Content and Biological Activities of Ephedra pachyclada BOISS

The northern areas of Nepal are rich in biodiversity and contain a large number of medicinal plant species including the Genus Ephedra of evergreen gymnosperm, belonging to the family Ephedraceae. The plants have been used by the peoples of the Himalayan region for the treatment of asthma, blood pressure, and gastritis for many years. This study was aimed for the evaluation of phytochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of methanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and n-hexane extracts, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) profiling of the essential oil of the aerial parts of Ephedra pachyclada Boiss from Mustang district of Nepal. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-dipheny-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and antimicrobial activity by the agar well diffusion method. Total phenolics and total flavonoid content were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. The methanol extract contained the highest total phenolic content of 54.42 ± 1.40 mg GAE/g followed by the ethyl acetate (46.84 ± 0.62 mg GAE/g), DCM extract (19.58 ± 0.24 mg GAE/g), and the lowest TPC was shown for n-hexane extract (5.21 ± 1.40 mg GAE/g) of the dry weight. The methanol extract showed the maximum TFC of 33.28 ± 0.48 mg QE/g, followed by ethyl acetate extract (31.73 ± 0.52 mg QE/g), DCM extract (31.64 ± 0.56 mg QE/g), and the least value was obtained for the n-hexane extract (21.44 ± 2.91 mg QE/g). The methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 37.81 ± 2.24 μg/mL. The methanol extract showed potent activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) with zones of inhibition of 13 mm and 12 mm respectively. Ethyl acetate extract showed a slight potency against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) with a zone of inhibition of 9 mm. The essential oil contained diisooctyl phthalate (46.90%), dodecane, 2,6,11-trimethyl-(16.35%), dodecane, 4,6-dimethyl- (11.59%), tetrapentacontane (11.56%), and myrtenol (4.37) as the major compounds. The plant exhibited significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities which could be used as the source to isolate the active natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent as the drug candidate in the future drug discovery process.

Ethnomedicinal landscape: distribution of used medicinal plant species in Nepal

BackgroundThe risk of losing traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and their use and conservation is very high. Documenting knowledge on distribution and use of medicinal plants by different ethnic groups and at spatial scale on a single platform is important from a conservation planning and management perspective. The sustainable use, continuous practice, and safeguarding of traditional knowledge are essential. Communication of such knowledge among scientists and policy makers at local and global level is equally important, as the available information at present is limited and scattered in Nepal.MethodsIn this paper, we aimed to address these shortcomings by cataloguing medicinal plants used by indigenous ethnic groups in Nepal through a systematic review of over 275 pertinent publications published between 1975 and July 2021. The review was complemented by field visits made in 21 districts. We determined the ethnomedicinal plants hotspots across the country and depicted them in heatmaps.ResultsThe heatmaps show spatial hotspots and sites of poor ethnomedicinal plant use documentation, which is useful for evaluating the interaction of geographical and ethnobotanical variables. Mid-hills and mountainous areas of Nepal hold the highest number of medicinal plant species in use, which could be possibly associated with the presence of higher human population and diverse ethnic groups in these areas.ConclusionGiven the increasing concern about losing medicinal plants due to changing ecological, social, and climatic conditions, the results of this paper may be important for better understanding of how medicinal plants in use are distributed across the country and often linked to specific ethnic groups.

Biodiversity and Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants of the Small Songo City, Angola

This study is the first ethnobotanical survey investigating the biodiversity of medicinal plants in the small Songo city (Northern Angola), as well as the indigenous knowledge related to the use of plant resources in healthcare by the local population. The study aims to document and help preserve and pass on this invaluable heritage to future generations. A field study was conducted between March 2020 and September 2021. A total of 522 informants were interviewed using the semi-structured method and random sampling technique. Demographic characteristics of the participants, local names of plants, parts used, and plant preparation methods were investigated and recorded. The database was analyzed using Relative Citation Frequency. The majority (71%) of the medicinal plants in Songo are of exotic origin compared to 29% of the native plants. Of the 62 species identified and considered medicinal according to popular use in the small Songo city, 53 spp. (85.5%) are dicots and 9 spp (14.5%) are monocots. The study recorded 62 plant species belonging to 57 genera and 30 families used as medicines for the treatment of various human diseases in Songo city. The most common families were Fabaceae (7 spp., 11.5%), Solanaceae (6 spp., 9.8%), Asteraceae (4 spp., 6.6%), Malvaceae (4 spp., 6.6%), Poaceae (4 spp., 6.6%), Anacardiaceae (3 spp., 4.9%), and Euphorbiaceae (3 spp., 4.9%). The main morphological forms are shrubs (36.0%), tree (26.1%), and herbs (23.6%). Leaves are the most commonly used organ (69.9%). Decoction (44.4%) and oral intake (60.4%) are the most common modes of remedy preparation and administration (47%), respectively. The main human diseases recorded are cough (10.3%), anaemia (7.9%), malaria (6.9%), diarrhea (6.1%), and yellow fever (5.7%). This high number of medicinal plant species documented shows that herbal remedies are highly utilized to treat various diseases among the local community living in the small city of Songo. Therefore, efforts are needed to improve the level of conservation of these species, and also to preserve traditional knowledge of remedies. We conclude that pharmacological and biological studies are necessary to scientifically support the medical potential of these species in the laboratory since they are constantly used in small city of Songo.

Status and Role of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) in Nepalese Livelihood

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), a principal sub-component of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), are undoubtedly an important source of revenue and rural employment. This review paper explores the current ecological and prioritized status of MAPs by the Government and the practical significance of MAPs in bodily health, lucrative employment to the Nepalese population, and revenue opportunities to the government based on 72 published articles from 1995 to 2021. The Department of Plant Resources (DPR) reported that the number of medicinal plant species has increased from 701 in 2007 to 819 in 2016 with 285 endemic plant species from 43 families, and 238 chemically tested MAPs species for medicinal significance. MAPs are highly prevalent within the 1000-2500m elevation gradient in Nepal. GoN has categorized 30 species for economic development, 12 species for cultivation and research, 12 species for protection, and 237 species for collecting royalties. Around 100 Nepalese NTFPs/MAPs are traded, but only 20 species accounts for 80% of the total trade in terms of volume and value. Nepal ranks 42nd with a value of $7.4 million and 62nd with a value of $3.3 million in exports of MAPs and essential oils, respectively, in 2017. About 80% of the Nepalese population relies on traditional medicine for basic health needs. The NTFPs/MAPs Business Promotion Strategy specifies 20 species for product promotion across Nepal. As current data are still lacking on different uses of MAPs in Nepalese society, this comprehensive review will facilitate herbal specialists, policymakers, scientific researchers, botanists, and various key stakeholders to assure better research and increase the export of MAPs in Nepal. Therefore, this study recommends public, private, and government- agencies to contribute to the infrastructure development through competitive "field-to-market" incentives and funding for the increment of the export of MAPs that directly improve the socio-economic status of the Nepalese people.

Valuable wisdom in the Himalayas: ITKs in bullock rearing

Rural community has been utilising natural herbs for treatment of health disorders since time immemorial. The indigenous wisdom possessed by them is of immense importance that must be documented and conserved for future use unless it gets lost or endangered with time. Himalayan region is home to a number of medicinal plant species that are used for treatment of humans as well as the domestic animals. Present study was carried out in the state of Uttarakhand to document various ethno veterinary practices followed in the treatment of bullocks which form the backbone of hill agriculture. Data was collected in 2017-18 from 240 farmers randomly selected from four districts through a semi structured schedule. Study revealed that the respondents were using 36 plant species (mainly herbs 52.77%) in combination with household items and other resources in different formulations (decoction, drink, balls, powder, chutney, etc.) to treat their bullocks. The study revealed that carom seeds, Nettle and Cumin had the highest use value (UV) of 1.00, 0.99 and 0.98 respectively. Identified ethno veterinary practices were being used for different health issues mainly, injury (external and internal), stomach disorders, poisoning, muscular pain, FMD, fever, infection, burns, etc

Medicinal Plants of Arid and Semiarid Biomes of Russia

The article analyzes a set of medicinal-plant species in arid and semiarid biomes of Russia. The species diversity of medicinal plants in general, as well as those used to treat diseases of various classes, is determined. A statistical analysis of the relationships between the number of species of medicinal plants in regional biomes and climatic indices is carried out; the corresponding thematic schematic maps are constructed and analyzed. It is shown that the number of medicinal-plant species is related to the total biome species number. This, in turn, is determined by the geographic location, which determines the average annual temperature and precipitation in the regions. The closest established relationship was between the number of medicinal-plant species and the average annual air temperatures. A relatively high relationship was found between the species number and the average annual precipitation. In the analysis of the relationship between the number of medicinal-plant species used to treat certain classes of diseases and the climatic factors, the picture turned out to be similar.

Medicinal Plant Diversity in Gariyaband District of Chhattisgarh

Gariyaband districtis in the state of Chhattisgarh in India with a population of 111,614.The famous Udanti wildlife sanctuary is also located in Gariyaband district. A total area of 1547.93 sq km in Gariyaband is covered with dense forest .The type of forest found in this area is tropical deciduous. Medicinal plants in India have been known for their essential role in the development of the Indian culture and tradition, for example they have been used in religious ceremonies which are part of our traditional Indian culture. Plants in themselves are natural industries as they provide good quality food, raw materials for pharmaceuticals, perfumeries and cosmetics industries without causing damage to the environmental. The main aim of the present study is to understand the diversity of medicinal plants in this district. An attempt has been made to study the medicinal plants commonly used in Gariyaband district for the treatment of different diseases. A plant diversity was analyzed during October-December after studying the vegetation of Gariyaband district. The botanical name, family, habit and uses were listed. The total number of medicinal plant species identified was 51 that belonged to10 different families.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Sheka Zone of Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, Ethiopia

BackgroundPeople’s classification, management, and use of plants represent attempt to attracting people from different academic disciplines. Many countries use traditional medicine for their primary healthcare system. Medicinal plants have been important components of healthcare systems since the time immemorial. The objective of this research was to document and analyze traditional medicinal plants used by the Sheka people and associated ethnobotanical knowledge.MethodsData was collected by administering pre-prepared semi-structured interview items to 414 informants. Market surveys, group discussion, and guided field walk were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; determination of informant consensus factor, fidelity level, as well as ranking and scoring.ResultsA total of 266 plant species belonging to 192 genera and 74 families were identified. About 204 (77%) of the medicinal plants were used to treat human health problems. Only ten (4%) were used to treat livestock health problems and 52 (19%) of them were used to treat both human and livestock health problems. Croton macrostachyus, Prunus africana, Peperomia retusa, Lobelia giberroa, and Celosia schweinfurthiana were found to be high ranking medicinal plants against gastrointestinal problems based on simple preference ranking.ConclusionVery high number of medicinal plant species recorded from the study area indicates that vegetation of Sheka is reservoir of medicinal plants. Hence, the area needs attention for medicinal plant conservation priorities. Plant parts used as medicines also play vital role in the entire medicinal plant life cycle. Therefore, it is useful to consider harvesting impacts. Except well-experienced traditional healers, people of the study area use the medicinal plants haphazardly. There may be high risk of being victims of dosage and improper usage. High ranking medicinal plants are candidates for further phytochemical profiling, drug research, and development.

Diversity of medicinal plants at Phia Oac – Phia Den nature reserve, Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province

A total number of medicinal plant species found in the surveyed area was 472 species, belonging to 323 genera, 128 families and 5 phyla. There were 110 species (85.94%) of Magnoliophyta, 9 species of Polypodiophyta (7.03%), 6 species of Pinophyta (4.9%), 2 species of Lycopodiophyta (1.56%) and 1 species of Equisetophyta. Nine largest families included 168 species (35.59% of total species) and 103 genera (31.90% of total genera). Medicinal plants in Phia Oac – Phia Den nature reserve were in two main life-forms: Phanerophytes with 267 species (56.57%) and Hemicryptophytes with 78 species (16.52%). Many parts of plants had been used for medicine such as leaves – 71.82%; roots and tubers – 40.25%; sap and essential oil – 40.04%. Medicinal plants were mainly distributed in the grassland and shrubland ecosystem (200 species – 42.37%); in the primary forest ecosystem (182 species – 38.56%). Medicinal plants had also been used to treat different types of diseases.

Meta-analysis Number of Plants Drugs Used by Characteristics Socioeconomic Factors, Environmental and Geographic

Ethnobotany is the study of public relations with the use of plants. Use of plants by people influenced by several factors, such as social, cultural, socioeconomic, and geographic. Most of the ethnicities in Indonesia has a high dependence on plants medicine for survival. However, the factors that influence the use of medicinal plants by people in Indonesia have not been studied, so that research is needed to optimize the use of medicinal plants to sustainability benefits. The purpose of this study is to analyze the number of species of plants medicine used by the influence of socio-economic, environmental, and geographic factors using principal component analysis and analyzing patterns of use of plants medicine. The results showed that the economy and infrastructure components (access to electricity, means of education, income level, health facilities, distance from the highway, remoteness, and the fastest time toward the road) and the number of people graduating from elementary school affect the number of medicinal plant species used. Based on the results of the study of literature and field observations, the pattern of use of plants medicine in addition to be used as medicine, the plant is used for food, building materials, plant ornamental, ceremonial, wood, wicker and crafts, coloring agents, animal feed, ingredients aromatic, and pesticide. The usage patterns in each region or village has the distinction of which is influenced by the remoteness factor due to the differences in the social, economic, environmental, and geographic. Keywords: ethnobotany, plants medicine, principal component analysis

Alkaloid-Poor Plant Families, Poaceae and Cyperaceae, Are Over-Utilized for Medicine in Hawaiian Pharmacopoeia

The theory of non-random medicinal plant selection predicts that the number of medicinal plant species in a given family is related to the total number of species in that family. As a consequence of such a strong relationship, some plant families are over-utilized for medicinal purposes while others are not. Medicinal plant families that are often over-utilized share evolutionary traits such as the presence of secondary plant compounds which are known to have medicinal values. Consistent with this model, several studies have shown that alkaloid-poor plant families such as Poaceae and Cyperaceae, two families known more for their physical defenses rather than their chemical defenses, are medicinally under-utilized across the world. In this study, we demonstrate that contrary to expectation, Poaceae and Cyperaceae are over-utilized in the Hawaiian ethnopharmacopoeia. One reason for this over-utilization is a result of the Hawaiian cultural practice of converting plants in the Poaceae and Cyperaceae families into ash for direct medicinal use or as a component in other medicinal preparations. The over-utilization of Poaceae and Cyperaceae is also potentially due to their versatility and greater availability in parts of the land divisions where most humans are allowed to visit. Knowledge of how to use ash is taught through mo‘olelo, Hawaiian history, and represents a Native Hawaiian understanding of and relationship to chemical knowledge. Our study provides new evidence for the theory of non-random medicinal plant selection and shows, contrary to expectation, that unique patterns of plant family over-utilization could arise in unique cultural and geographical contexts.

Ethnobiological treatments of neurological conditions in the Chota Nagpur Plateau, India

Ethnopharmacological relevanceWorld Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the contribution of traditional medicine in the primary health care system. WHO also considers neurological disorders as one of the prime concern to the public health. Inadequate and inaccessible health facilities in the rural and underprivileged areas have forced the various tribal and non-tribal communities to use ethno-phyto and ethno-zoo therapeutics against different ailments. Chota Nagpur Plateau, India is one of the richest in India in terms of plant and animal diversity, and houses a number of indigenous communities often practising their own ethnobiological medicines. These undocumented indigenous treasure must be preserved and could be utilized in discovering lead compounds against human ailments including neuroprotective and psychoactive disorders. Materials and methodsA number of ethnobiological surveys were carried out during 2012–2015 in the three districts of the Bengal part of Manbhum region, Chota Nagpur Plateau via conducting open and semi-structured interviews among the traditional medicine men (65:59 males and 6 females aged between 22 and 85 years). This dataset was statistically analysed by calculating seven quantitative indexes such as use value (UV), informants' consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), relative importance (RI), cultural importance index (CII), index of agreement on remedies (IAR) and cultural agreement index (CAI). ResultsSixty five traditional medicine men (TMM) reported 47 traditional formulations involving 58 plant species and 17 animal species used against 13 neurological and psychological disorders and as pro-cognitives. Fabaceae was represented by the highest number of medicinal plant species (9 species) whereas herbs (48%) and roots (28%) represented the most common plant habit and plant part, respectively. Quantitative ethnobiology revealed the frequency and coherence of ethnomedicinal reports. The plant Piper nigrum (1.35) and the animal, Spilostethus hospes (0.50) showed the highest UV. Among the ethnobotanicals, maximum RI value was noted for Hemidesmus indicus (0.91) and IAR was found to be maximum (1.00) for 8 plant species. Among the ethnozoologicals, Spilostethus hospes (0.67) displayed maximum RI value whereas Axis axis (2.32) displayed maximum CAI value. ConclusionTMM possessed knowledge on preparations, dose dependence, administration, safety, possible toxicity and side effects of using traditional formulations. TMM practising age old traditional therapeutics serve as alternative medical option for the underprivileged rural ethnic people in these remote areas of the country.

Certain ethno-medicinal plants of Sivasagar district, Assam and their uses

Ethno-medicinal plants play an important role in day to day life of rural people. Now-a-days Ayurveda gets more importance than allopathic medicines. Local inhabitants of Sivasagar district also give more attention in application of such medicinal plant resources which are available in different reserve forests, the district is one of the biodiversity rich hot spot of Assam. 11 per cent area of Sivasagar district is covered by reserve forests. During the study total 35 number of medicinal plant species were recorded with local name and uses. Moreover, it was informed that tribal and non-tribal peoples of the area maximum used plants belongs to family Zingiberaceae. Due to anthropogenic activities the forest is degrading slowly and a decline medicinal plant diversity. Therefore, conservation of this type of forests are essential for feature uses.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the environs of Tara-gedam and Amba remnant forests of Libo Kemkem District, northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundRemnant forests found in areas that have long been converted to agricultural landscapes are refuges of wild useful plants; and societies inhabiting them are custodians of rich indigenous botanical knowledge. This study was undertaken to document the medicinal plants used by the people living in and around Tara-gedam and Amba remnant forests, northwestern Ethiopia, together with the associated ethnomedicinal knowledge.MethodsData were collected from 105 informants through semi-structured interviews, guided field walk, market survey; and analyzed using standard ethnobotanical analytical tools including ranking and comparison.ResultsA total of 163 medicinal plant species in 145 genera and 67 families were recorded among which Zehneria scabra drew the highest community consensus. Seventy-one percent of the medicinal plants were those used for treating human ailments only, 21% for both human and livestock and 8% for livestock only. Asteraceae, with 14 species, had the highest number of medicinal plant species. The medicinal plants mainly (79.1%) belong to the shrub and herb categories and most of them were sourced from the wild habitats. Leaves and fresh plant materials were more frequently used for medicine preparation than other parts. Protected government and church forests as well as tree propagation in nurseries followed by planting them and local practices constitute the major forest conservation efforts that indirectly protect the medicinal plants in the area. Elders and healers knew more about the medicinal plants, their distribution, the local ethnomedicinal practices and knowledge transfer patterns. Though important for the local healthcare system and with potentials for modern drug discovery, both the plants and the knowledge pool are under threat.ConclusionThe diversity of medicinal plants and the associated indigenous knowledge of Tara-gedam and its environs are of a considerable value to the local community and beyond. There is, therefore, a need for conservation of the vegetation and the medicinal plants along with preservation of the wealth of the indigenous knowledge.