Ethnobotany Research Research Articles

Haitian women in New York City use global food plants for women’s health

BackgroundDespite the availability of mainstream biomedical healthcare in New York City (NYC), community-based ethnomedicine practices remain a low-cost, culturally relevant treatment for many immigrants. Previous urban ethnobotany research in NYC has established that several Caribbean communities continue using medicinal plants for women’s health after immigration. This study sought to address to what extent: (1) NYC Haitian women continue using medicinal plants for women’s health after migration; (2) their plants and the conditions treated were similar to those identified in an earlier survey with NYC immigrants from the Dominican Republic.MethodsThrough an ethnobotanical survey, 100 Haitian women living in NYC and born in Haiti were interviewed about their knowledge of medicinal plants for women’s health conditions. Reported species were purchased based on local names in NYC Haitian stores and markets, vouchered, and identified.ResultsNearly all Haitian women (97%) reported using medicinal plants while living in Haiti. Most Haitian women continued using medicinal plants after coming to the USA (83%). The 14% decrease, although significant (z = 3.3; p = 0.001), was mainly due to logistical difficulties with sourcing plants after recent immigration. Popular medicinal plant species reported were primarily global food plants, re-emphasizing the intertwined food-medicine relationship in Caribbean diasporas. Comparison with data from NYC Dominicans identified childbirth and puerperium, gynecological infections, and vaginal cleansing as priority Haitian women’s health concerns treated with plants.ConclusionOur findings support the global nature of Caribbean migrant plant pharmacopeia, predominantly centered around food plants and adapted to transnational urban settings. They underscore cultural diversity, dispelling the notion of one uniform traditional knowledge system labeled “Caribbean.” The importance of preventative medicine for women’s health, particularly the regular consumption of “healthy” foods or teas highlights the role food plants play in maintaining health without seeking treatment for a particular condition. Cross-cultural comparisons with other NYC Caribbean immigrants emphasize the importance of conducting ethnobotanical surveys to ground-truth plant use in the community. Such surveys can also identify culture-specific health priorities treated with these plants. Healthcare providers can leverage these insights to formulate culturally relevant and community-tailored healthcare strategies aligned with Haitian women’s health beliefs and needs.

The Genus Dacryodes Vahl.: Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities.

Dacryodes Vahl. species, belonging to the Burseraceae family, are widely used in traditional medicine in tropical regions to treat a range of ailments including malaria, wounds, tonsillitis, and ringworms. This review discusses the distribution, ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry, and bioactivities of Dacryodes species. The intent is to spur future research into isolating and identifying key active principles, secondary metabolites, and crude extracts, and evaluating their pharmacological and toxicological effects, as well as the mechanism of actions to understand their medicinal benefits. A systematic review of scientific electronic databases from 1963 to 2022 including Scifinder, Scopus, Pubmed, Springer Link, ResearchGate, Ethnobotany Research and Applications, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect was conducted with a focus on Dacryodes edulis (G.Don) H.J. Lam and Dacryodes rostrata (Blume) H.J. Lam. Pharmacological data revealed that D. edulis isolates contain secondary metabolites and other phytochemical groups belonging to the terpenoids class with anti-microbial, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory and hepatoprotective activities, highlighting its pharmacological potential in the therapy or management of diverse cancers, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases. Thus, phytochemicals and standardized extracts from D. edulis could offer safer and cost-effective chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic health benefits/regimen, or as alternative therapeutic remedy for several human diseases. Nevertheless, the therapeutic potential of most of the plants in the genus have not been exhaustively explored with regard to phytochemistry and pharmacology, but mostly complementary approaches lacking rigorous, scientific research-based knowledge. Therefore, the therapeutic potentials of the Dacryodes genus remain largely untapped, and comprehensive research is necessary to fully harness their medicinal properties.

Ethnobotanical study of the wild edible and healthy functional plant resources of the Gelao people in northern Guizhou, China

IntroductionThe Gelao people are a unique minority in Southwest China with a unique culture for the utilization of edible plants, including a large number of medicinal plants. They believe that at least 61 species are edible and have medicinal value. Ethnobotany research can reveal the local knowledge of the Gelao people regarding the traditional use of plants and the relationship between this minority and their living environment to help retain and pass on this traditional knowledge forever.MethodsEdible wild plants and their applied ethnic knowledge were investigated in three counties in northern Guizhou. Gelao residents were the main informants, and literature search, village interviews, participatory observation and quantitative ethnobotany evaluation were used.ResultsA total of 151 species of wild plants in 67 families are collected and eaten by Gelao residents, among which 61 species were considered to have medicinal value, accounting for 40.4% of the total, and 43 were listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. There were 57 plant species with fruits as their edible parts, which are consumed as snacks, followed by 54 species whose young seedlings and leaves are the edible parts, most of which are consumed cold or stir-fried. Other edible parts included roots or rhizomes (bulbs), flowers, whole plants, seeds, fruiting bodies and stems. There were two consumption modes: raw and cooked. Raw foods were mainly consumed as snacks, which mainly comprise fruits. Cooked foods were mainly vegetables consumed cold or stir-fried. Some plants were used as seasonings, infused wines, condiments and grains. The main medicinal functions were nourishing and reducing heatiness. Nourishing plants were mainly “shen” plants and Liliaceae, while plants able to reduce heatiness were mainly Asteraceae. Others functions included anti-hangover, anticancer and insecticidal. There were 38 species of important edible wild plants (CFSI > 500) in northern Guizhou, which had a high utilization rate. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. and Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. were the most representative edible wild plants in this area. The species, edible parts, edible categories, consumption modes and medicinal functions of edible wild plants in this area are diverse, and the traditional knowledge on their uses is rich. However, the number of wild plant species eaten by the informants and their related knowledge were positively correlated with age, which indicates that the rich traditional knowledge in this area is gradually disappearing with urbanization.ConclusionsThe Gelao have a rich history of consuming wild plants. With the development of the social economy, the traditional knowledge passed from older generations is gradually being lost and its inheritance is facing great risks. This study collects, sorts and spreads this precious traditional knowledge, which is of great value to its protection and inheritance and fully demonstrates the value and importance of our work.

Ethnobotanical and Ethnopharmacological Study in the Bulgarian Rhodopes Mountains—Part _I

Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses has been well documented in Bulgaria in the past. However, we know little about the contemporary traditional application of medicinal plants. Rhodopes Mountain is an ethnobotanically poorly studied region. This region is suitable for conducting field research in ethnobotany for several reasons: (i) our preliminary observation in a number of settlements revealed that the local population, in particular, relies solely on previously collected medicinal plants in winter months even in modern times; (ii) due to the relative isolation of the area, considerable authenticity of traditional methods of medicinal plant use is retained there. The aim of this study is ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical research among the population of the Rhodopes to evaluate the contemporary use of medicinal plants. The field ethnobotanical data were collected through the in-depth method in combination with a semi-structured face-to-face interviews, adapted with modifications to the objectives of this study. The quantitative ethnobotanical index Use Value (UV) was calculated. Here we suggested a new approach in ethnobotanical research. We used nomograms to present a large volume of medicinal plants’ application data, classified by the degree of their UV. This allows for a much broader view of collected and processed data. Data analyses from our filed research showed that the 92 informants mentioned utilization of a total of 114 plant species belonging to 52 families and 110 genera. The most common plants were from the families Asteraceae (16.7%), Lamiaceae (12.3%), Rosaceae (9.6%) and Amrillydaceae (3.5%), followed by Crassulaceae, Plantaginacea, Oleaceae and Solanaceae. The data presented in six nomograms revealed the most popular plants, the way of application and the corresponding medical indications in the Central and East Rhodopes, and the differences between the two sub-regions. Sempervivum tectorum, Tussilago farfara and Plantago major are the most often reported plants in the Central Rhodopes while these are Cotinus coggygria, Prunus spinosa and Teucrium polium in the East Rhodopes. The results of the study show that in the Rhodopes, the contemporary application of traditional medicinal plants is pretty much vivid. The locals in the Rhodopes still use the traditional knowledge and rely on plants to treat various health problems. They use common plants in a sustainable manner and are open to the cultivation of Sideritis scardica—a species which became rare after overexploitation.

Time, Mediated through Plant Versatility, Is a Better Predictor of Medicinal Status of Alien Plants

Ethnobotany has been, for too long, a descriptive discipline. However, ethnobotanists are increasingly calling for a paradigm shift towards the formulation of unifying theories and hypothesis-driven research in ethnobotany. Here, we formulated a theory, termed time-since-introduction theory, to explain the integration of alien plants into local pharmacopoeias in their recipient environment. This theory suggests that the factor time is paramount in determining which alien plants are more likely to be included in the medicinal flora of the areas they are introduced in. The theory relies on three hypotheses, the availability and versatility hypotheses alongside the residence time hypothesis newly proposed in the present study. We tested this theory by fitting a structural equation model to ethnobotanical data collected on South Africa’s alien woody flora. Although residence time is a direct predictor of the medicinal status of alien plants, it is a better predictor when mediated through plant versatility. These findings are in support of the theory, and we consequently proposed a framework that can be used to understand different paths linking all three hypotheses. Collectively, our study shows the value of time in the development of ethnobotanical knowledge and fully responds to the pressing call for a paradigm shift in ethnobotany.

Ethnobotanical Study of Zingiberaceae Rhizomes as Traditional Medicine Ingredients by Medicinal Plant Traders in the Pancur Batu Traditional Market, North Sumatera, Indonesia

Traditional markets are places for buying and selling medicinal plants and are a source of ethnobotany research data. This study aims to determine the uses and characteristics of Zingiberaceae rhizomes have been used as traditional medicine and traded in the traditional market of Pancur Batu, North Sumatra. This research was conducted with an ethnobotany approach through surveys, interviews and observation participatory. The respondents are all medicinal plants traders in the Pancur Batu traditional market. The things that were asked of the traders included local names, special characters, benefits, and how to recognize the rhizome. The medicinal plant traders in the Pancur batu traditional market have been utilized and traded as many as 10 species of Zingiberaceae rhizome, most of them belonging Curcuma and Zingiber genera. The characteristics of rhizomes are recognized by traders through their size, color, and aroma. The cross-section of the rhizomes of each species is different in structure and color which is used as the main marker for each species. Rhizoma Zingiberaceae is used as the main ingredient for tawar (semi-solid medicinal herbs consumed by brewing), parem (solid medicinal ingredients), and oukup (traditional Karo sauna). The rhizome aroma of each species belonging Zingiberaceae is very distinctive which is related to the content of essential oils. The use of Zingiberaceae rhizomes as tawar and parem ingredients needs to be studied further so that they are developed into standardized herbs.

Ethnobotany study of medicinal plants in Bengkulu as a medium of student learning: The Euphorbiaceae family

Ethnobotany study is a way to uncover the diversity of plants that are used in an ethnic or region. Although ethnobotany research has been done in Bengkulu, there are still a lot of data that has not been revealed and the results are still not well documented. From the results of the exploration of medicinal plants that have been done by Euphorbiaceae is one of the largest families reported utilization, and the types used are different between regions, so the utilization information has not been recorded as a whole. On the other hand, this family is one of the selected families to be studied by students. This study aims to inventory the medicinal plants of the Euphorbiaceae family that are utilized by Bengkulu society which can be used as media for student learning. Research methodology by conducting field surveys (by means of exploration, observation, interviews with informants chosen by purposive sampling) and literature studies. Data analysis was carried out descriptively. From the results of research on the family Euphorbiaceae found 18 types of medicinal plants including: candlenut (Aleurites moluccina), earrings (Acalypha australis) bone wood (Euphorbia tirucalli), Jatropha curcas and others. The use of these plants for the treatment of tonsils, headaches, wound medicine, malaria, jaundice, magh, itching, colds, warts, heart disease and so forth. Jatropha curcas is a commonly used plant and the benefits are varied. The data of 18 types of plants are then documented in a Bengkulu medicinal plant dictionary along with other plant species, so that they can be used as student learning media.

Mapping ethnobotany research in India

Background: Ethnobotany is the study of the plants used by aboriginal people. It has significant contributions in bioprospecting, drug development and management of natural resources and cultural diversity. Diversity of plants and tribes makes India an ideal place for ethnobotanical research. Therefore, mapping of scholarly publication was conducted on various scientometric indicators to identify the research trends on ethnobotany in India. Methods: Data for this study were retrieved from Web of Science Core collection database of Clarivate analytics (erstwhile Thomson Reuters), Philadelphia, USA up to year 2018. Results: The first research paper in SCI journal was published in 1974, and during 1974 to 2018, a total of 2123 papers have been published. The publication trends may be divided in between three phases: first phase was 22 years long (1974–1996) with yearly publications in single digit; second phase was for 10 years (1997– 2006) demarked by publications in double digits; third phase was initiated in 2007 producing yearly publications in three digits. These 2123 papers have been contributed by 5458 authors, affiliated to 1927 organizations. Of these, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (207 records, 3960 citations) is leading in the list of contributing organizations and S. Ignacimuthu (30 records and 1,163 citations) is the most productive author. Analysis of international collaboration revealed that Indian researchers are in collaboration with 79 different countries among which USA (4.8% papers) was major collaborating country. A total of 105 tribes of India have been studied and maximum records were available for Adi tribe (17 publications). The most preferred journal was Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge and the top cited article was on antidiabetic plants published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2002. Conclusions: The ethnobotany research in India is increasing despite of emergence of new research areas and depletion of traditional knowledge. The present study will provide a platform for future studies and strengthening the ethnobotanical research in India. Keywords: Bibliometrics, Ethnobotany, Scientific output, Research trends

Pemanfaatan Kecibeling (Strobilanthes crispa) Sebagai Obat Tradisional dan Bioaktivitasnya

Kecibeling or Strobilanthes crispa (SC) has long been used by local people as traditional medicine. This study aims to explain the relationship between the use of SC as a traditional medicine with its bioactivity so that its side effects can be minimized. The method used is a literature study published online on Google Scholar using the keywords such as: Strobilanthes crispa and bioactivities of Strobilanthes crispa. The obtained literature is synthesized so that it can explain the utilization and bioactivity of SC. The SC has beautiful flowers, so its easy to find in home yards that are used as ornamental plants or living fences. The results of ethnobotany research found that SC as a drug for wounds, treat kidney stone, treat urine system disorders, treat of appendicitis and treat of diabetes mellitus. The SC has bioactivity as anti-cancer, antidiabetic mellitus, anti-cholesterol, anti-kidney stone and anti-microbial. The bioactivity SC as an anti-cancer is more prominent and is cytotoxic against breast cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, liver cancer and corrective cancer, therefore it can be developed as an alternative medicine in dealing with cancer.

The use of antimalarial plants as traditional treatment in Papua Island, Indonesia

sThe residents of the Eastern part of Indonesia, specifically, Papua and West Papua provinces, are dependent on traditional medicines with the use of plants, which includes treating malaria. However, there are limited information on the diversity of medicinal plants in Papua Island. Hence, the Indonesian Ministry of Health put together a database of all the natural plant-based raw materials in Indonesia, to address part of the issues encountered as a result of the limited information on the diversity of plants. Based on this background, the aim of the research was to analyze the information on medicinal plants used by the traditional healers in Papua Island based on the results of research on medicinal plants and Jamu (RISTOJA), especially in treating malaria. Data were obtained through ethnomedicine research conducted in 2012 and 2017 involving 54 ethnicities in Papua. Based on the results, 72 species of medicinal plants from 67 genera and 40 families were used traditionally in treating malaria on Papua Island. The most common medicinal plants used as traditional antimalarial concoction are Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., Carica papaya L., Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees, and Physalis minima L. Similar to other ethnobotany research, the leaves were the most used plant parts in preparing the various traditional concoctions.

Keragaman Familia Tumbuhan Obat Masyarakat Kota Parepare Sulawesi Selatan

Abstract. The research is Diversity of Medicinal Plants Families in the Community of Parepare City, South Sulawesi was conducted in Parepare city on September-October 2020. The ethnobotany research of the Parepare’s people to uncover the local knowledge of the community in utilizing the diversity of plants as medicinal plants. The method used in this research is interview, observation and documentation. Data was collected in four subdistricts in Parepare City, namely Ujung subdistrict, Soreang subdistrict, Bacukiki subdistrict and West Bacukiki subdistrict. The number of informants in this study were 100 people. Ethnobotany data collected in the form of community knowledge about natural resources of plants used as traditional medicinal ingredients. The Parepare’s people use 86 species of plants consisted of 40 families as medicinal materials. Zingiberaceae is the most widely uses species. Parepare’s people used 10 species medicinal plants from Zingiberaceae.Keywords: Diversity, Familia, medicinal plants, inventory, Parepare City, South Sulawesi.

Ethnobotany for Beginners - a review

Ethnobotany for Beginners . Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque, Marcelo Alves Ramos, Washington Soares Ferreira Junior, Patricia Muniz de Medeiros. Springer, Cham, Switzerland 2017. xii + 71 pp. (paperback). Price: € 57.19, ISBN 978-3-319-52871-7. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-52872-4 Are you a beginner of Ethnobotany Research? If ‘YES’, I want to recommend to you a very useful, reliable, and a valuable guide for the research in this discipline and that is a booklet “ Ethnobotany for Beginners” by Albuquerque et al (2017) . This booklet is a part of book series, Springer Briefs in Plant Science (Volume 16). Twenty-five volumes of this book series have been published since 2012 till now (September 2020). The book under review ( Ethnobotany for Beginners) is the translation from the Portuguese language edition: Introducao a Etnobotânica (Introduction to Ethnobotany) by Ulysses Paulino de Albuquerque that was published in 2005. With just 71 pages, written by the authors well recognized in the field of ethnobotany and forwarded by Prof. Julio Alberto Hurrell of National University of La Plata (UNLP) Argentina, the booklet is especially designed for the beginners that features a quick and easy-to-read discussion of ethnobotany along with its major developments. In the foreword, Prof. Hurrell says, “the accessible language of this book brings ethnobotany closer to a broad and diverse audience consisting of academics as well as the layman and acts as an effective incentive for students who see in this science an interesting opportunity for their future professional development”. As the title ( Ethnobotany for Beginners) suggests, the book has been prepared especially for the those who are learners, beginners and/or new to the field of ethnobotany and interested in a quick and pleasant read containing an overview of ethnobotany and its major developments. The booklet fills the gap of an introductory text that aims to prepare the reader for denser and complex readings of the topic.

STUDI ETNOBOTANI TUMBUHAN OBAT BERBASIS PENGETAHUAN LOKAL DI DESA SELOLIMAN KECAMATAN TRAWAS KABUPATEN MOJOKERTO JAWA TIMUR

Indonesia is the country with the second largest biodiversity after Brazil, where 20,000 species of medicinal plants in which 1,000 species have been documented and 300 species have been used as traditional medicine. Seloliman is a village located on the slopes of Mount Penanggungan, Trawas District, Mojokerto Regency, East Java. The people of Seloliman village still depend on nature, most people still use natural materials for treatment and daily needs. Therefore in this research ethnobotany study and identification of medicinal plants based on local knowledge will be conducted in Seloliman Village, Trawas District, Mojokerto Regency, East Java. The study was conducted by exploring the potential of the community as a place of ethnobotany research with open observation and interview methods. The technique for selecting informants is based on information from local residents or village heads who are most aware of medicinal plants. Collecting data on medicinal plants used for traditional medicine through structured interviews. Data recorded are local names, Latin names, family names, ways of obtaining, parts of plants used, diseases treated, and how they are used. Furthermore, each type of plant used is documented. Based on the results of research conducted is the type of plant used for treatment varies greatly, the plant parts used are mostly the leaves (57%), flowers (10%), and the rest are the stem, bark, rhizome, roots, flowers, fruit and seeds. Sources of plants used are mostly cultivated plants (46%), wild (30%), wild and cultivated (17%) and bought on the market (7%). While the way to use it is mostly boiled. Most of the Seloliman village community, Trawas Subdistrict, Mojokerto Regency, East Java have been influenced by outside cultures, so that their local knowledge about plants used in medicine needs to be further explored in order to be preserved. There are only two speakers (traditional healers) in the village of Seloliman who still hold the tradition related to treatment using natural materials.

Diversity of Medicinal Plants in Yard in Several Villages in Indonesia

In Indonesia, yard or home garden as one of the processed land has not received full attention. One of the roles of the yard is as a “living pharmacy”. Research and inventory of plants grown in the yard of 11 villages in Indonesia recorded no less than 120 plant species were used as medicinal herbs. Some were also used as traditional cosmetics and spices. Zingiberaceae family are the most commonly used and cultivated plants. Information on the results of this ethnobotany research is expected to provide input to improve yard development.

Biodiversity study of several peatland types in Papua

Research on biodiversity study of several peatland types in Papua had been carried out in Merauke and Mappi. The plot method was used for ecological research and interviews method for ethnobotany research. The results showed that the most important species which have the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) were Beilschmiedia sp., Carallia brachiate (Lour.) Merr., and Kibara coriacea (Blume) Hook. f. & A. Thomps. in Kaliki Village, whereas it was Melaleuca leucadendra (L.) L only in Marga Mulia Village, Merauke. The most important species which have the highest IVI were Semecarpus forstenii Blume, Archidendron clypearia (Jack) I.C. Nielsen, and Campnosperma auriculatum (Blume) Hook.f. in Khanami Village, while they were Calophyllum euryphyllum Lauterb, Diospyros toposiodes King & Gamble, and Syzygium effusum (A.Gray) Müll. Stuttg in Yame Village, Mappi. The plants are used for building materials and ships, medicinal materials, food ingredients, animal feed, energy-producing materials/firewood, and material in traditional rituals.

Ethnobotanical Study on Plants Used by Local People in Dusun Beleq, Gumantar Village, North Lombok Regency

The traditional use of plants by people in Indonesia has been done since centuries ago. However, there are still many regions that do not already have proper documentation on this matter. This ethnobotany research aimed to analyze the forms of plant utilization and local wisdom in plant management by the indigenous people of Dusun Beleq, Gumantar Village, Kayangan District, North Lombok Regency. This research is a descriptive exploratory survey. Data collection was done by means of observation, interviews, documentation and literature study. Selection of informants was using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed descriptively based on observations, interviews and ICS (Index of Cultural Significance) calculations.There were 10 kinds of plant utilization involving 86 species from 36 families. The plants were used as food, medicine, ritual plants, firewood, fodder plants, construction materials, handicrafts, aromatic plants, dyes and natural pesticides. Most of the plant species was used as food (41 species) with rice ( Oryza sativa ) as a plant with the highest ICS value among all plants in all categories (74 species). Local wisdom in term of natural resources utilization was reflected in community efforts in forest preservation, plants conservation, plants cultivation and harvesting. The novelty of this study is the revealment of local knowledge in plants utilization possessed by people in traditional village. This results of this study are expected to support the preservation of biological and cultural resources .

Ethnobotany study of invasive alien plant species 'Passiflora edulis' and its economic role for the local community of Sarongge Village, Cianjur Regency, West Java

Abstract. Setiawan M, Rahayu M, Susiarti S. 2020. Ethnobotany study of invasive alien plant species Passiflora edulis and its economic role for the local community of Sarongge Village, Cianjur Regency, West Java. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 6: 527-531. Passiflora edulis is an invasive alien plant species whose distribution in Indonesia is found in Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi. In the area of Mount Gede Pangrango National Park. This species is easy and fast to breed, so it often damages or changes the location it inhabits. The ethnobotany research in Sarongge village, Cianjur, West Java was carried out to reveal the utilization, socio-economic role, and interaction of the inhabitants of the community around the forest area. Research using ethnobotany method. The results obtained using of konyal fruit as medicine, alternative food, and mixtures for animal feed. Its socio-economic role supports the life of the community around the area, and the interaction of the inhabitants of the area helps to protect the conservation area while utilizing it.

Utilization of plants as dyes and natural color binder in Traditional Pringgasela Woven Fabric, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract. Rahayu M, Kuncari ES, Rustiami H, Susan D. 2020. Utilization of plants as dyes and natural color binder in traditional Pringgasela woven fabric, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 636-641. Since earlier times, dye has an important role in human life, especially related to the ritual practice. Mineral material was first used as natural dyes. In order to inventory the uses of plants as a dye and natural color binder by the local community of Pringgasela, ethnobotany research was done. This research had been done by interviewing the "penyisik" of traditional woven fabric craftsmen and direct observation in the field. The results showed 13 plant species used as a dye and nine species as color binder. Parts of less utilized plants were used. It is hoped that this research can prevent synthetic dyes that have been circulating widely, which has a potential hazard and cause environmental pollution.

민속식물의 개념과 식물민속 연구의 방향성 검토

민속식물의 개념과 식물민속 연구의 방향성 검토

From the colonialist to the “autobotanical” approach: the evolution of the subject-object relationship in ethnobotanical research

ABSTRACT This article explores the evolution of the subject-object relationship in ethnobotanical research. Discussion of the main tendencies of each time period revealed a great distance between subject and object during the beginning of ethnobotany, which decreased in subsequent phases, and only became absent in some contemporary works. Furthermore, paradigmatic transitions in ethnobotany were found to be incomplete and multiple paradigms were found to coexist simultaneously in present time, despite important epistemological ruptures. Analysis of presentations at the last Congress of the International Society of Ethnobiology revealed not only an expressive participation of traditional communities, but also a considerable amount of work based on the autobotanical approach; a recent trend that expresses a greater symmetry in the consideration of different ways of thinking, knowing and performing research in ethnobotany. Finally, this article discusses the profile of the new ethnobotanists, who often occupy spaces of mediation among different knowledge systems and social groups due to their capacity for intercultural communication, as well as their preference for action in contexts related to social and environmental justice.