Sacred Plants Research Articles

Tracing the Digital Plant Humanities: Narratives of Botanical Life and Human‐Flora Relations

AbstractIn this paper, we trace the emergence of what we term the digital plant humanities (DPH) as an evolution of burgeoning botanical interest among environmental and digital humanists. We argue that DPH coalesces the theoretical and methodological frameworks of the three research areas of plant humanities, environmental humanities, and digital humanities. After conceptualising DPH, we analyse three projects representative of the emergent field—the Native American Ethnobotany Database; Herbaria 3.0; and Microcosms: A Homage to Sacred Plants of America—while referring to a broader range of formative projects including the Plant Humanities Lab.

Review of: "Sacred Plants and Their Miraculous or Healing Properties"

Review of: "Sacred Plants and Their Miraculous or Healing Properties"

Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain): A Sacred plant with High Medicinal and Therapeutic potential

Medicinal plants have many secondary metabolites, making them a good source of medication or therapeutic agents. Medicinal plants or their parts can be the only source of treatment or effective management for various life-threatening infections. Phytomedicines are safer than chemical-based therapeutic agents due to their lower risk of side effects. Medicinal plant-based therapeutics therapy is rapid, sensitive, specific, economical, and readily available for all; therefore, ethnomedicine is gaining more interest worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 4000 million people regularly utilize medicinal plants to treat various illnesses. Allopathic drugs are accessible throughout the World. Medicinal herbs are still widely used, attributable to public trust in their therapeutic usefulness in many regions of the World. Almost 2000 ethnic groups have their traditional medical systems across the World. Ayurveda is one of India's most well-known ancient medical systems that has persevered and flourished over the centuries. Herbal products have been successfully employed in health treatment since ancient times. Trachyspermum ammi L. (Ajwain) is one of the famous medicinal plants belonging to the family Apiaceae. Trachyspermum ammi is a native plant to Egypt. Trachyspermum ammi is a popular seed spice crop in India. Trachyspermum ammi contains various bioactive components that have long been recognized for their medicinal and antimicrobial products. The present review describes the botanical, phytochemical, ethnomedicinal, and pharmacological information related to Trachyspermum ammi.

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used in magico-religious practices in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Background: Local inhabitants of Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh, use various sacred plants for pleasing and worshipping local ‘devats’, in various religious ceremonies, but we are losing the sacred valuable knowledge at a rapid pace, hence the need to document and preserve this knowledge. Method: Ethno-botanical survey, field visits were conducted in different parts of Kullu district. Indigenous people, shamans, tantric, and local elderly members of society were consulted to collect the data. Informal discussions and interviews were done for data collection. Different use categories, the basic variables like frequency of citation (FC), use reports (UR), the number of uses (NU) and the ethno-botanical indices like relative frequency of citations (RFC), relative importance index (RI), cultural importance index (CI), and cultural value index (CV) were determined and compared. Result: The paper includes the list of 75 species under 46 families, used for Magico-religious beliefs along with their medicinal value. Most utilized parts were flowers, whole plant, leaves, seeds, followed by fruits. Ficus religiosa L. showed highest value in all the indices (CI =2, RFC=1, RI= 0.75), with highest number of citation (FC=25), Use report (UR=50), followed by Ocimum sanctum L. Conclusion: To maintain the age-old faiths, people of these areas, harvest plants sustainably and economically, these practices contribute in the ex-situ conservation of plants while fulfilling their values in magico-religious beliefs, as well as sustainable development of the area. Study also reveals the status of 21 rare plant species which need conservation. Keywords: Sacred Plants, Religious Ceremonies, Ex-situ Conservation, Magico-religious beliefs, Sustainable Development

Terminalia arjuna (Arjun Tree): A Sacred plant with high Medicinal and Therapeutic Potential

It is believed from ancient times that more than 80-85% of drugs used to treat harmful diseases are obtained from plants. Synthetic medicines are increasing presently, but they have a lot of side effects and are costly. Therefore, people are looking towards medicinal plants. The present review is on Terminalia arjuna, popularly known as the Arjun tree or 'God of Heart' due to its high utility in treating the heart. The morphology, phytochemicals, and biogenic properties of the T. arjuna are explained. It contains tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids secondary metabolites, which show therapeutic potential. T. arjuna has antimutagenic, cardioprotective, hyper-cholesterolaemic, hypolipidemic, anticoagulant, antithrombotic, antiviral, antimalarial, antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.

Study on some Medico-Religious Plants of Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh)

Abstract: Himachal Pradesh, the mountains state of India is famous for its religious culture, traditions and its unique flora. People of this state are highly religious and variety of rituals related to deities is performed in various ways by local -people. These rituals not only show humans relations with plant but also help in conserving these plants. The present study is carried out in various villages of district Kinnaur of Himachal Pradesh, regarding the medico-religious plant used by the locals in our own socio-culture and religious activities. The information regarding the utilization of medico-religious plants in socio-cultural and religious activities was collected through the personal observation understand how tribal’s of Kinnaur district are dependent on medicinal and religious plants to safeguard their inherent socio-cultural and religious activities. Keyword: Medico-religious, Kinnaur, Himachal, Tribes, Flowers, Sacred plants

Phytochemical and ethnomedicinal study of Huperzia species used in the traditional medicine of Saraguros in Southern Ecuador; AChE and MAO inhibitory activity

Ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal relevanceThis study concerns seven Huperzia species (Lycopodiaceae), namely H. brevifolia, H. columnaris, H. compacta, H. crassa, H. espinosana, H. tetragona, H. weberbaueri, which are considered sacred plants by the Saraguro community, living in the Southern Andes of Ecuador; these plants are widely used in traditional medicine and ritual ceremonies. Material and methodsThe plants were selected on the basis of written interviews with 10 visionary healers (yachak) (2 women, 8 men), indicated as the most credible by the Saraguro Healers Council. The Informant Consensus Factor (Fic) was determined. The first phytochemical study of the plants was performed by standard procedures, while the AChE and MAO-A inhibition by fractions enriched in high MW alkaloids, was measured in vitro. Aims of the studyi) to investigate the uses of some Huperzia plants in healing and magical-religious practices of Saraguros; ii) to identify the main components of plant hydromethanolic extracts; iiì) to test the effects of alkaloidal fractions on the activity of two enzymes linked to mental health. ResultsAll the interviewed Saraguro yachak showed a high consensus about the uses of the seven Huperzia plants as purgatives and against supernatural diseases, such as the “espanto” (startle). In admixtures with other plants, some species also induce a state of trance or hallucinations in participants in magical-religious rituals. GC–MS of the volatile alkaloid fractions allowed the identification of some lycodine-type and lycopodine-type alkaloids (1-5) in H. compacta, H. columnaris, and H. tetragona. The flavones selgin) (6) and tricin (7) were isolated from H. brevifolia and H. espinosana. Tricin (7) was also detected in the other five species. The rare serratene triterpenes serratenediol (8) serratenediol-3-O-acetate (9), 21-episerratenediol (10), and 21-episerratenediol-3-O-acetate (11) were isolated from H. crassa. In addition, the presence of an unprecedented group of high molecular weight alkaloids has been determined. Alkaloid fractions of H. brevifolia, H. compacta, H. espinosana, and H. tetragona significantly inhibited AChE and MAO-A activities in vitro. ConclusionsThe first phytochemical and ethnopharmacological study of seven Huperzia plants, widely used by Saraguro healers, led to the identification of several alkaloids and triterpenoids with different remarkable biological activities. In addition, alkaloid fractions exhibited a significant AChE and MAO-A inhibitory activity. These results may support the use of these plants in brews prepared for inducing psychoactive effects in participants in magical-religious ceremonies. This study confirms the rich traditional medical knowledge of Saraguro healers which must be documented and preserved for future generations.

Conflict between morphological and molecular data: A case study of Ficus krishnae (Moraceae)

Ficus krishnae, considered as highly sacred plant species in India, is well known for its peculiar nature of cup-shaped leaves. The species distinctly differs from its allied species F. benghalensis not only in the cup formation in leaves but also in the height of plants, aerial roots, stipules, petiole and its leafy appendages, ostiolar bracts of the receptacle and pollinator wasps, in addition to slight differences in the karyotype, DNA contents, stomatal and parenchymatous cells and nodal anatomy. In spite of having several morphological differences, F. krishnae is considered by some authors as a synonym of F. benghalensis, which does not seem to be convincing. Contrary to the morphological differences, the sequence analysis of nuclear and plastid regions of both the species conducted in the present study does not reveal any significant variations and thus infers no differentiation between the species at molecular level. This may be due to mutations at one or few coding loci or differences in gene expression associated with morphogenesis with significant phenotypic appearance.

Religion and Conservation: A Review of Use and Protection of Sacred Plants and Animals in Nepal

The objective of this paper is to examine the socio-cultural and spiritual values of plants and animals. It focuses on how religious beliefs and practices affect the way these species are understood, utilized and managed. Large number of plant and animal species with religious importance has been found to be conserved and protected in Nepal. Religious prospect has played a significant role in conservation of plants and animals.Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2015, 20(2): 61-66

Use of an Extract of Indian Sacred Plant Ocimum sanctum as an Anticariogenic Agent: An in vitro Study.

ABSTRACTAim: To analyze the efficacy of three different concentrations of Ocimum sanctum extract against various microorganisms, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguis, Lactobacillus acidophilus.Materials and methods: Ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum was prepared by the hot extraction method. The extract was diluted with an inert solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide to obtain 3 different concentrations (2.5, 5 and 10%) of the extract. 0.2% chlorhexidine was used as a positive control and dimethyl sul-foxide was used as a negative control. The extract, along with the controls, was then subjected to microbiological investigation to determine which concentration among the 3 different concentrations of extract gave a wider inhibition zone against S. mutans, S. mitis, S. sanguis, L. acidophilus. The zones of inhibition were measured in millimeters.Results: Ocimum sanctum leaf extract demonstrated maximum antimicrobial activity against microorganisms responsible for dental caries at the 10% concentration level although 5 and 2.5% were also effective. Maximum activity was seen against S. mutans and S. sanguis with 10% extract.Conclusion: Ocimum sanctum leaf extract was effective against all the microorganisms.How to cite this article: Pai RK, Bhat SS, Salman A, Chandra J. Use of an Extract of Indian Sacred Plant Ocimum Sanctum as an Anticariogenic Agent: An in vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8(2):99-101.

In vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Various Crude Leaf Extracts of Indian Sacred Plant, Ocimum sanctum L.

The medical world is on an immense requirement to discover novel antibiotics due to widespread emergence of resistance among microbial pathogens against currently available antibiotics. Traditional plants have been proved to be better source in the search for novel antimicrobial compounds. In such effort, we accessed the susceptibilities of some clinically significant bacterial species against various extracts made up from leaves of Ocimum sanctum L. (family: Lamiaceae). Antibacterial activity of crude extracts was found to be reliant on the nature of extract and the bacterial strains evaluated. Methanol extract was found to have comparatively higher activity than other organic and aqueous extracts. Grampositive bacteria showed variable susceptibilities while Gram-negative Salmonella typhi has shown to be completely resistance to all the tested extracts. Minimum inhibitory concentration data showed hopeful results as some of the extracts exhibited significant inhibitions of bacteria even at low concentrations. This study indicated that leaves of Ocimum sanctum L. have significant antibacterial activity and it could be very useful in the discovery of novel antibacterial/antimicrobial agents.

Why is Maize a Sacred Plant? Social History and Agrarian Change on Sumba

Why has maize, a plant with origins in the New World, become ritually important in an indigenous Southeast Asian religion? While environmental conditions and agricultural economics are key determinants of everyday resource management practices in insular Southeast Asia, it is necessary to consider ethnic identity, political economy, and social structure in order to understand the religious significance of natural resources in contemporary society. Linguistic, cosmological, and horticultural data are combined with an analysis of local perceptions of culture and environment. This information is used to explain the transformation of an introduced plant into an indigenous sacrament. Ethnographic data, including a brief case study of the role of maize in marapu ‘ancestor worship’ and the cultural history of the Kodi people who live on the Indonesian island of Sumba, are the basis for a discussion of agrarian change and social history in Kodi. The data are also used to explore the possibility of using information about contemporary Sumbanese society to gain a better understanding of historical processes in eastern Indonesia.

Why is Maize a Sacred Plant? Social History and Agrarian Change on Sumba

Why has maize, a plant with origins in the New World, become ritually important in an indigenous Southeast Asian religion? While environmental conditions and agricultural economics are key determinants of everyday resource management practices in insular Southeast Asia, it is necessary to consider ethnic identity, political economy, and social structure in order to understand the religious significance of natural resources in contemporary society. Linguistic, cosmological, and horticultural data are combined with an analysis of local perceptions of culture and environment. This information is used to explain the transformation of an introduced plant into an indigenous sacrament. Ethnographic data, including a brief case study of the role of maize in marapu ‘ancestor worship’ and the cultural history of the Kodi people who live on the Indonesian island of Sumba, are the basis for a discussion of agrarian change and social history in Kodi. The data are also used to explore the possibility of using information about contemporary Sumbanese society to gain a better understanding of historical processes in eastern Indonesia.

The Use of a Multidisciplinary, Culturally Rich Web Site by Youth and Formal and Informal Educators to Increase Appreciation and Awareness of Plants and Other Cultures

Throughout history, people have forged an intricate relationship with plants. As a result, ethnobotany, the study of this association between people and plants, has begun to receive great attention. Like ethnobotany, horticulture is a field of study that humans depend on to enhance and beautify their living and working environments. In order to promote the fields of horticulture and ethnobotany, a multidisciplinary, “plant-centered” web site about Asian Indian ethnobotany was assembled. Novel or unique plants were used to promote exploration of multicultural experiences that reflected the increasing diversity in today's formal and non-formal classrooms. The web site contained pictures, video and audio clips, experimental activities, links to other web sites, places to visit these plant specimens, and supplemental materials for individuals interested in conducting further scientific investigations. Seven ethnobotany units were developed: Vegetable Diversity, Healing Plants, Indian Staples, Sacred Plants, the Easel of Indian Textiles, Tastes of India, and Ceremonial Plants. Outreach programs were conducted in Ithaca-area schools and 4-H clubs to evaluate youth interest in the topics presented in the web site. This educational program allowed middle school students the unique opportunity to conduct a self-guided exploration of important Indian ethnobotanical plants, while gaining important and valuable horticultural experience in plant classification, structure, growth substances, propagation, and diseases. This program also provided important exposure for both youth interested in pursuing ethnobotany or horticulture as a future career and for those with no previous horticultural or ethnobotanical experience. In conclusion, this web site used a novel multicultural approach to allow youth to develop an awareness for plants in other cultures while cultivating appreciation of plants important in their own cultures.'

The Gateway to Inner Space: Sacred Plants, Mysticism and Psychotherapy

The Gateway to Inner Space: Sacred Plants, Mysticism and Psychotherapy. Festschrift in Honor of Albert Hofmann. edited by Christian Rätsch, Bridport and Dorset, England: Prism Press. 1989. 258 pp. ISBN 1‐85327‐037‐7. $10.95 (paper).