Medicinal Plant Trade Research Articles

The feasibility of bridge-grafting to restore the flow of sucrose in girdled Ocotea bullata and Curtisia dentata medicinal trees

Ocotea bullata (Burch.) Baill. (Lauraceae) and Curtisia dentata (Burm.f.) C.A.Sm. (Curtisiaceae) are two South African indigenous medicinal tree species of which the bark is overexploited due to its high demand in the local medicinal plant trade. The bark of O. bullata is used for headaches, as an emetic for both nervous and urinary disorders, and for diarrhea, whereas the bark of C. dentata is taken for stomach ailments, diarrhea and sexually transmitted diseases. Curtisia dentata bark is further applied as an aphrodisiac, and to “purify the blood”. Due to uncontrolled harvesting of bark by informal commercial harvesters, these trees are often found girdled in natural areas. The removal of bark from a tree affects its foliage, flowering, fruiting, seeding, basal sprouting and rooting since the removal of phloem tissue during girdling affects both the basipetal flow of carbohydrates from the canopy of the tree to the root system and the acropetal flow of amino acids, sugars and hormones from the roots to the canopy. This study investigated whether the flow of sucrose can be restored in girdled O. bullata and C. dentata trees using the technique of bridge-grafting. A total of 300 bark samples were collected bi-monthly over a 12-month period to perform targeted 1H NMR based metabolomic analyses to determine the sucrose concentration of each sample. Fluctuations in sucrose concentrations occurred at every sampling date, however, sucrose dynamics in the bridge-grafted trees appeared to be restored after one year.

Regional trade of medicinal plants has facilitated the retention of traditional knowledge: case study in Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan

BackgroundThe ethnic groups in Gilgit-Baltistan have been utilizing local resources in their centuries-old traditional healing system. Most tribes within these ethnic groups still rely on traditional healing systems. We aim to understand the current status, uses, and abundance of medicinal plants, associated traditional knowledge, and trade.Materials and methodsThe study incorporated over 300 local community members (70% men and 30% women) in focused group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and homework assignments for 8th to 12th grade students to document traditional knowledge (TK) in six districts in Northeast Pakistan. We calculated various indices such as informant consensus factor, use value, relative frequency of citation, and CoKriging. These indices, along with repetitively used medicinal plants, were used to analyze differences in studied locations.ResultsMost of the community members still rely on traditional medication in the study areas. However, we found the highest number of medicinal plants used in Skardu and Gilgit compared to other districts and these two districts also represent trade centers and a highly populated area regarding medicinal plants. Results indicate connection amongst the surveyed villages signifying mixing of knowledge from different sources, with certain areas more influenced by traditional Chinese medicine and others more by Ayurveda and Unani.ConclusionTK is mostly retained with elder community members; however, those directly linked with market value chain retain rich knowledge on traditional use of the medicinal plants from the region. Major trade centers in the region also coincide with a high density of medicinal plant occurrence, knowledge, and higher utilization. Therefore, with the increasing trade in medicinal plant in the region, there is potential for rejuvenation of this knowledge and of plant use in the region.

Utjecaj radne brzine berača i kombajna na kvalitetu berbe kamilice

The areas under aromatic, herb and medicinal plants in Croatia are constantly increasing, and natural geographical conditions are extremely favorable for organic cultivation of medicinal plants in all parts of the Croatia. Chamomile has a great economic value in worldwide medicinal plants trade and it is one of the most important medicinal crops. Harvested in May and early June, optimally when 70% of flower heads are physiologically mature. To reduce the cost of harvesting, it is mostly carried out by special combine harvester with a large capacity. This paper analyzes the impact of the working speed of towed pickers and combine harvesters (combine harvester Deutz-Fahr M 1322, combine harvester Zmaj 142 RM, towed pickers Herbas KVH-2000 powered with tractors John Deere 6300 and Torpedo 4806) on the effect and quality of chamomile harvesting. It was found that the best results are achieved at working speeds of 3 to 3.7 km/h, and combine harvesters have higher income per hour of work compared to towed pickers. The best-ranked working machine is Zmaj 142 RM combine, which earns 60% more revenue per hour than a towed picker powered with both analyzed tractors.

Marketing information system and strategies for sustainable and competitive medicinal and aromatic plants trade

Realizing the sustainability and competitiveness in the trade of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) resources of north India is challenging due to lack of participation from the primary producers (growers and harvesters). This is credited to their unawareness of sustainable resources management practices caused by the lack of a marketing information system (MIS) in the trade. The introduction of a MIS can supplement sustainability in the sector, while improving competitiveness. Through a qualitative research approach, this study investigates the need for marketing information among the primary producers of medicinal and aromatic plants of Uttarakhand, and offers a comprehensive framework for a provincial MIS and strategies for the MAP trade. The proposed MIS would be helpful in linking the MAP trade with sustainability and competitiveness.

Trade of wild-harvested medicinal plant species in local markets of Tanzania and its implications for conservation

In Tanzania, about 10% of the reported 12,000 species of higher plants are estimated to be used as medicine for treating different human health problems. Most of the medicinal plants are collected from wild populations, but their trade and quantities are not properly recorded. Monitoring of trade in wild-harvested medicinal plants is challenging as most materials are traded in various processed forms and most vendors practice informal trade. Yet, monitoring is important for conservation and sustainability. This study aims to assess the trade of wild-harvested medicinal plant species in local markets of Tanzania and its implications for conservation. Semi-structured interviews were used to record frequency, volume of trade and uses of wild-harvested medicinal plants in Arusha, Dodoma, Mbeya, Morogoro and Mwanza regions. Relative frequency of citation and informant consensus factor were calculated for each species and mentioned use category. Forty vendors were interviewed, and 400 out of 522 collected market samples were identified to 162 species from herbarium-deposited collections. Plant parts with the largest volume of trade were roots (3818 kg), bark (1163 kg) and leaves (492 kg). The most frequently traded species were Zanthoxylum chalybaeum Engl., Albizia anthelmintica Brongn., Zanha africana (Radlk.) Exell, Warburgia stuhlmannii and Vachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H.Hurter & Mabb. The most popular medicinal plants in the markets are connected to local health problems including malaria, libido disorders or infertility. The high diversity of commercialized plants used for medicinal issues mainly relies on wild stock for local consumption and international trade, and this has significant implications for conservation concerns.

Trade and conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants in western Nepal

This paper quantifies the volume and value of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) traded from Baitadi district in western Nepal. Information related to trade, in the Fiscal Year 2014/015, was collected through pre-tested structured questionnaire. Harvesters (n = 24) and the entire population of sub-local (n = 35) and local (n = 7) traders were interviewed to quantify the value and volume of MAP trade from the district. Results showed that 15.2% households were engaged in harvesting of MAPs for trade, contributing 9.5% of the total cash income giving an impression that MAPs provide supplementary source of income. A total of 731.5 tons of MAPs, comprising 17 products (from 17 species) with total value of NRs 31.3 million (US$ 315,175) was traded from the district. Rittha (Sapindus mukorossi), tejpat (Cinnamomum tamala) and pakhanved (Bergenia ciliata) were traded in higher amounts, representing 356.5, 171.0 and 70.0 tons, respectively. The cumulative value of trade was highest for satuwa (Paris polyphylla) with NRs 7.7 million. Nepalgunj is the favoured ‘transit’ city for the export of MAPs to India accounting for more than 82% of MAPs sourced from Baitadi. Satuwa has been identified as the most vulnerable species mainly due to premature and over-harvesting in response to high price and growing regional demand coupled with slow growth and high habitat specificity that may results in impaired population growth, thus demanding a detailed bio-physical studies. The study finds that strict regulatory mechanism like ban proves to be less effective in species conservation and suggest adopting alternative management strategies.Botanica Orientalis – Journal of Plant Science (2017) 11: 27–37

Patterns of change: The dynamics of medicinal plant trade in far-western Nepal

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCombined quantitative and qualitative environmental product trade studies, undertaken in the same location over time, are instrumental in identifying plant species with commercial demand and explaining what drives temporal changes. Yet such dynamic studies are rare, including for Himalayan medicinal plants that have been large-scale traded for millennia. Aim of the studyTo (i) investigate changes in medicinal plant trade in the past 17 years, and (ii) identify the main factors driving changes, using a study of Darchula District in far-western Nepal. Materials and methodsMedicinal plant production network data were collected from March to August 2016, for the fiscal year 2014–15, for Darchula District in far-western Nepal through 167 quantitative (58 harvesters, 38 sub-local traders, 25 local traders, 25 central wholesalers, and 21 regional wholesalers), 61 qualitative (15 sub-local traders, 19 local traders, 15 central wholesalers, and 12 regional wholesalers) interviews, and four focus group discussions. Results were compared to previously unpublished similar data for Darchula District for the year 1997–98, using quantitative and qualitative interviews with 10 local traders, 20 central wholesalers, and 53 regional wholesalers. Data analysis was guided by an analytical framework derived from Global Production Network theory. Quantitative data were used to estimate changes in 12 indicators while the qualitative information allowed identification of the factors driving observed changes in the indicators. ResultsThe volume of medicinal plants traded from Darchula District in the fiscal year 2014–15 was 401 t with a harvester value of USD 5.5 million, representing a 2.3 fold increase in volume and 17.2 fold increase in value compared to 1997–98. Trade in the two observation years comprised 30 air-dried plant products (from 28 identified species as well as lichens and a mineral substance); 12 products were traded in both periods, while seven disappeared, and 11 new products entered the trade. The number of traders increased from 10 to 63, mainly due to the emergence of a single high value product yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis), a fungus-caterpillar complex which alone contributed 85% of total trade value. Over the observed time period, harvesters and traders increased their margins at the cost of central wholesalers, indicating that market changes favoured lower tier actors, eroding the previously identified passive central wholesaler oligopsony in Nepal. Important drivers of market changes are: (i) rising incomes in China and India, expressed through demand for new products and increasing per unit prices for a range of products, (ii) expanding infrastructure (roads and telecommunications) towards and into harvesting sites, reducing transport costs and increasing market efficiency, and (iii) government interventions, causing disappearance of some species from trade. These market changes also led to increased cultivation at lower altitudes, and a sharp increase in the number of processor industries in Nepal. ConclusionTrade in medicinal plant products in far-western Nepal in the past two decades has increased substantially, doubling in volume and increasing 17 fold in value. There is a backbone of constantly traded species but also species that disappear from trade and new species that enter. Changes favour harvesters and traders at the benefit of central wholesalers whose previous passive oligopsony is disappearing. The three main drivers of change are rising incomes in China and India, expanding infrastructure, and government interventions in Nepal. Commercial medicinal plant resources are a substantial asset that appears to offer opportunities for economic development in far-western Nepal. The trade, however, may pose sustainability threats that are best understood by combining species-level biophysical, trade, and consumer studies.

Plants for health: An ethnobotanical 25-year repeat survey of traditional medicine sold in a major marketplace in North-west Yunnan, China

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAlthough quantitative surveys of traditional medicine markets are widely used to gain insights into the economic value, popularity or conservation status of traditional medicinal species, there have been very few repeat surveys. This study is an exception. The research was carried out in Sanyuejie Market in North-west Yunnan Province in China for three reasons. Firstly, Sanyuejie Market is large and historically significant, having operated since the Tang Dynasty (794 CE). Secondly, Sanyuejie Market is located along the “Tea-Horse Road” and “Southern Silk Road”, and as such the trade from this market radiates widely throughout China and into neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Nepal and India. Thirdly, a comprehensive and systematic survey of the market was completed in 1987/88 and so this provided a unique opportunity to conduct a repeat quantitative survey. The findings, highlighting changes in species sold and the reasons why the changes have occurred, are highly relevant to ethnopharmacology at a time of substantial socio-economic and cultural change throughout China. Aim of the studyTo understand the changes in the medicinal plants trade at Sanyuejie Market between 1987/88 and 2012/13. Materials and methodsA quantitative ethnobotanical re-surveying involving literature review, key informant interviews and visual observations of vendor booths at the market and village investigations, was carried out in Sanyuejie. ResultsIn 1987/88, 401 types of herbal preparations derived from 505 species in 111 families and 315 genera were sold in the market. In 2012/13, 623 herbal preparations derived from 709 species in 173 families and 451 genera were being sold. There were 105 types of herbal preparations originating from 115 species that were recorded in 1987/88 but are no longer sold at the market 25 years later. In addition, 326 types of herbal medicine preparations originating from 336 species have been added to the market since the original survey. Labor divisions have also appeared in the market. ConclusionThis study validates that the diversity of herbal medicines sold at Sanyuejie Market has increased and changed greatly. The growing demands for traditional herbal medicines combined with government initiatives to develop the local economy are drivers of the observed changes.

Quantitative market survey of non-woody plants sold at Kariakoo Market in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIn Tanzania, traditional medicine plays a significant role in health care and local economies based on the harvesting, trade and sale of medicinal plant products. The majority of this plant material is said to originate from wild sources, and both traditional healers and vendors are concerned about the increasing scarcity of certain species. Aim of the studyA market survey of non-powdered, non-woody medicinal plants was conducted at Kariakoo Market in Dar es Salaam, the major hub for medicinal plant trade in Tanzania, to assess sustainability of traded herbal medicine. Materials and MethodsFor this study, fresh and dried herbs, seeds and fruits were collected and interviews were conducted to obtain information on vernacular names, preparation methods, monthly sales, uses and prices. Bundles of herbal medicine offered for sale were weighed and counted to calculate the value and volumes of daily stock at the market. ResultsA total of 71 medicinal plant products belonging to 62–67 different species from at least 41 different plant families were identified. We identified 45 plant products to species level, 20 products to genus level and four to family level. Plant species most encountered at the market were Suregada zanzibariensis, Myrothamnus flabellifolia and Sclerocarya birrea. The major use categories reported by the vendors were ritual purposes, digestive disorders and women's health. Annual sales are estimated to be in excess of 30 t and close to 200,000 USD, and trade in herbal medicine at Kariakoo Market provides subsistence income to many local vendors. ConclusionsA large diversity of wild-harvested plant species is traded as medicinal products in Tanzania, including species listed on CITES Appendices. Identifying and monitoring temporal changes in availability per season and from year to year will reveal which species are most affected by this trade, and help relevant authorities in Tanzania to find alternative sources of income for dependent stakeholders and initiate targeted efforts to protect threatened plant species.

Crossing the roof of the world: Trade in medicinal plants from Nepal to China

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTrade in medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) between Nepal and China has taken place for centuries along the Tibetan border. While there is anecdotal evidence that economic development in China over the past decades, coupled with regional infrastructure development and increasing market integration, has substantially changed this trade, there are no current published studies investigating this, e.g. in terms of species and market structure. This knowledge gap impedes the development of public interventions, e.g. in support of sustainable trade. Aim of this studyThe primary objective of this study is to provide the first informative insights into the Nepal-China trade in MAPs, with particular emphasis on the value chain in Tibet. Methods and materialsData was collected from December 2015 to August 2016 in Nepal and Tibet. The data collection included standardized questionnaires to understand and map the value chain of MAPs, including the actors involved and key governance issues. Data was collected from Katmandu-based MAPs wholesalers exporting from Nepal to China, (n = 6) and with regional wholesalers (n = 40) based in Tibet. The questionnaires contained quantitative and qualitative components focusing on key elements of the MAPs value chain, e.g. the traded species and their values. This was augmented with qualitative interviews with Lhasa-based processors (n = 4) and government officials (n = 12) working in border controls, customs, and/or drug administration. We also collected official statistics on the Nepal-China MAPs trade and conducted a workshop in Lhasa with traders and government officials to discuss the nature of the Nepal-China MAPs trade. ResultsThe Nepal-China MAPs trade boomed after 2011 when the value of traded plants increased more than nine-fold. This rapid increase reflected both a broader species composition and higher unit prices in response to increasing demand from China. The trade expansion was also driven by increasing demand in China and facilitated by improved infrastructure in Nepal and Tibet, including direct flight connections for the transport of high-value products. Official records on both sides of the border under-document both the value and the volume of the trade, implying that much of it is extra-legal. The value chain is thus governed by both legal and extra-legal mechanisms. ConclusionThis study provides the first structured overview of the current trade in commercial MAPs from Nepal to China. While the trade is thriving, growing in both volume and value to the benefit of producers in Nepal and consumers in China, there is little empirical data or research to support policy formulation on sustainable trading. This study provides informative insights into the value chain and makes public policy recommendations to increase the transparency and sustainability of trade by improving traditional border markets and removing market barriers.

Phylogenomics and barcoding of Panax: toward the identification of ginseng species

BackgroundThe economic value of ginseng in the global medicinal plant trade is estimated to be in excess of US$2.1 billion. At the same time, the evolutionary placement of ginseng (Panax ginseng) and the complex evolutionary history of the genus is poorly understood despite several molecular phylogenetic studies. In this study, we use a full plastome phylogenomic framework to resolve relationships in Panax and to identify molecular markers for species discrimination.ResultsWe used high-throughput sequencing of MBD2-Fc fractionated Panax DNA to supplement publicly available plastid genomes to create a phylogeny based on fully assembled and annotated plastid genomes from 60 accessions of 8 species. The plastome phylogeny based on a 163 kbp matrix resolves the sister relationship of Panax ginseng with P. quinquefolius. The closely related species P. vietnamensis is supported as sister of P. japonicus. The plastome matrix also shows that the markers trnC-rps16, trnS-trnG, and trnE-trnM could be used for unambiguous molecular identification of all the represented species in the genus.ConclusionsMBD2 depletion reduces the cost of plastome sequencing, which makes it a cost-effective alternative to Sanger sequencing based DNA barcoding for molecular identification. The plastome phylogeny provides a robust framework that can be used to study the evolution of morphological characters and biosynthesis pathways of ginsengosides for phylogenetic bioprospecting. Molecular identification of ginseng species is essential for authenticating ginseng in international trade and it provides an incentive for manufacturers to create authentic products with verified ingredients.

Assessing universality of DNA barcoding in geographically isolated selected desert medicinal species of Fabaceae and Poaceae.

In pursuit of developing fast and accurate species-level molecular identification methods, we tested six DNA barcodes, namely ITS2, matK, rbcLa, ITS2+matK, ITS2+rbcLa, matK+rbcLa and ITS2+matK+rbcLa, for their capacity to identify frequently consumed but geographically isolated medicinal species of Fabaceae and Poaceae indigenous to the desert of Cholistan. Data were analysed by BLASTn sequence similarity, pairwise sequence divergence in TAXONDNA, and phylogenetic (neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood trees) methods. Comparison of six barcode regions showed that ITS2 has the highest number of variable sites (209/360) for tested Fabaceae and (106/365) Poaceae species, the highest species-level identification (40%) in BLASTn procedure, distinct DNA barcoding gap, 100% correct species identification in BM and BCM functions of TAXONDNA, and clear cladding pattern with high nodal support in phylogenetic trees in both families. ITS2+matK+rbcLa followed ITS2 in its species-level identification capacity. The study was concluded with advocating the DNA barcoding as an effective tool for species identification and ITS2 as the best barcode region in identifying medicinal species of Fabaceae and Poaceae. Current research has practical implementation potential in the fields of pharmaco-vigilance, trade of medicinal plants and biodiversity conservation.

Assessment of adulteration in raw herbal trade of important medicinal plants of India using DNA barcoding.

A number of studies have shown that there could be widespread substitution and/or adulteration (hereafter referred to as substitution) in raw herbal trade of medicinal plants. Substitution could potentially endanger the health and safety of the consumers. In this study, the extent of adulteration in raw herbal trade of 30 important medicinal plants in South India was analyzed. Biological reference material (BRM) consisting of taxonomically authenticated samples of each of the 30 species along with 14 other co-occurring and congeneric allied species that are likely to be used in adulteration was established. DNA barcode signatures of 124 BRM using two candidate regions, nr-ITS and psbA-trnH were identified. A total of 203 herbal trade samples representing the 30 medicinal plant species were collected from 34 locations in South India. Using the DNA barcode sequences of the BRM as reference, the analysis indicated that the substitution ranged from 20 to 100%. Overall, approximately 12% of the market samples were adulterated. Considering the potential health hazard that such adulteration can cause, the need for a national regulatory framework that can authenticate and regulate raw herbal trade in the country is discussed.

International trade in medicinal and aromatics plants: A case study of past 18 years

The global trade in medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) is growing exponentially, and developed countries are the most favored buneficiaries. In the present study, we have analyzed international trade data of MAPs that belong to commodity group ITC (HS) 1211 for last 18 years, from 1996 to 2013. This data was compiled through COMTRADE database, (UN Statistics Division, New York) and Export Import Data Bank (DGCI&S Kolkata, India). The present study provides a detailed account of international trade pertaining to specific MAPs based commodities, among trading nations as well as India’s export-import of the same. The present report will be useful for researchers, policy makers, industries and farmers for advancing the global business of medicinal and aromatic crops.

Current Havoc of TB and its Alleviation by Green Pharmacy Discipline : Medical Biotechnology

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest diseases of humans, with a present worldwide annual mortality rate of over a million. Global resurgence of TB, and the emergence of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively-drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) in India call for the development of new anti-tubercular drugs to combat them. Medicinal plants from the rich heritage of Indian flora, a lesser-explored area as anti-TB green pharmacy till date, offer a hope for the development of alternative medicines, necessitating their potencies to be meticulously scanned and evaluated. For the effective control of MDR-strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a systematic screening of plants would be the first step in the development of a suitable phytodrug, which would also be economically viable in the medicinal plant trade. Use of such non-conventional anti-TB herbal medicines is expected to acquire brisk popularity, owing to the toxicity and overwhelming side-effects of anti-tubercular allopathic medicines. In the present review, a situation report on the on-going global efforts to discover and develop drugs from twelve selected medicinal plants have been discussed, which have ample potential as anti-TB agents, as identified from various sources in the corresponding literature reviewed.

Medicinal Plant Trade in Northern Kenya: Economic Importance, Uses, and Origin1

Despite the importance of the medicinal plant trade in Africa, little is known about the existing trade in Kenya outside major urban centers. We assessed the economic importance, uses, and origins of the plants traded in two major towns in northern Kenya. We interviewed vendors, assessed volumes and prices, and collected specimen samples for identification. We also discussed with collectors and made observations on harvesting techniques and species’ relative abundance in the wild. Thirty species were found to be traded in Marsabit and Moyale towns, of which only Myrsine africana L. was collected in a forest. The seven most frequently traded species accounted for an annual volume of 5500 kg with an annual retail value of US$25,900. Several uses mentioned by vendors had not been previously reported in the literature. Interestingly, some species high in demand in major urban centers are abundant in these montane forests. Our study highlights the substantial economic importance of the medicinal plant trade in the area and the strong effect ethnicity has on plant use. While more research is needed on the previously undocumented uses of certain plant species, it seems that the trade of certain species could be further promoted.

The Trade in African Medicinal Plants in Matonge-Ixelles, Brussels (Belgium).

(English)Maintaining cultural identity and preference to treat cultural bound ailments with herbal medicine are motivations for migrants to continue using medicinal plants from their home country after moving to Europe and the USA. As it is generally easier to import exotic food than herbal medicine, migrants often shift to using species that double as food and medicine. This paper focuses on the trade in African medicinal plants in a Congolese neighborhood in Brussels (Belgium). What African medicinal plants are sold in Matonge, where do they come from, and to which extent are they food medicines? Does vendor ethnicity influence the diversity of the herbal medicine sold? We hypothesized that most medicinal plants, traders, and clients in Matonge were of Congolese origin, most plants used medicinally were mainly food crops and that culture-bound illnesses played a prominent role in medicinal plant use. We carried out a market survey in 2014 that involved an inventory of medicinal plants in 19 shops and interviews with 10 clients of African descent, voucher collection and data gathering on vernacular names and uses. We encountered 83 medicinal plant species, of which 71% was primarily used for food. The shredded leaves of Gnetum africanum Welw., Manihot esculenta Crantz, and Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam were among the most frequently sold vegetables with medicinal uses. Cola nuts, shea butter, Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., and Mondia whitei (Hook.f.). Skeels were the main non-food medicines sold. Women’s health, aphrodisiacs, and rituals were the most important medicinal applications, but culture-bound ailments did not entirely dominate the plant uses. While most clients in Matonge were Congolese, most vendors and plant species were not. The Pakistanis dominated the food trade, and typical Congolese plants were sometimes replaced by West African species, creating confusion in vernacular names. African-managed shops had significantly more species of medicinal plants in stock than shops managed by Pakistanis. Almost all non-food herbal medicine was sold by Africans. Apart from informal shops, non-food herbal medicine was also sold from private homes and by ambulant vendors, probably to reduce costs and escape taxes and control by the authorities. We expect that in the future, increasing rent, strict regulations, and decreasing investments by the Congolese community will force the medicinal plant trade in Matonge to go even more underground.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12231-016-9365-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The trade and marketing of traditional medicines in southern and central Malawi

ABSTRACTMalawi is one of the world’s 48 least developed countries and the population are alleged to be mostly reliant on traditional medicines. Approximately 90% of Malawians are forced by circumstances of low income to depend on the natural resource base for a living and to trade-off long-term sustainable resource use for short-term consumption of stocks. A study on the trade and marketing of traditional plant medicines in the southern and central regions of Malawi was conducted to characterise the stakeholders of the regional medicinal plant trade and to identify species that are harvested and sold both locally and internationally. Thirty traders and six border post officials were interviewed in eight Malawian districts that border with the neighbouring countries of Zambia and Mozambique. Men were the predominant traders of traditional medicine in the markets, and 90% of the respondents reported that they derived more than 50% of their households’ income from selling medicinal plants. Approximately 123 plant species were recorded during the survey and, based on frequencies, the most common species sold were: Cassia abbreviata (77% of traders), Cissus cornifolia and Aristolochia hockii (47% each), Zanha africana (37%), and Afzelia quanzensis, Combretum zeyheri and Dicoma amoena (30% each). Sixty-eight percent of the identified species were sold for roots, and 44% for bark. It also emerged that at least 26 species (24%) were being exported to southern Africa, including Mondia whitei (an Endangered species in South Africa), and that at least 73% of the respondents had sold plants to South Africa. Unregulated activities with respect to the domestic and international trade are compromising the sustainability of harvesting and consequently, the provision of sufficient ethnomedicinal plant resources in the long term. It would appear that one of the biggest interventions required in Malawi is to improve the ambiguous position allegedly held by the Malawian government towards traditional medicine in order to align policies with conservation needs to effect realistic and sustainable resource management strategies.

Documenting the indigenous knowledge on medicinal flora from communities residing near Swat River (Suvastu) and in high mountainous areas in Swat-Pakistan

Aim of the studyThe present study aimed at documenting the indigenous knowledge on medicinal flora from the local communities residing near Swat River and high mountainous areas in Swat, Pakistan. Materials and methodsField study was carried out in 2013−14. The area was visited 17 times, and semi-structured and open-ended interviews were conducted in both the plain area nearby the Swat River (4 villages) and mountains (7 villages). A total of 83 erudite informants participated in the interviews with their prior consent. The collected data were analysed through quantitative indices viz., medicinal use value (MUV), relative frequency citation (RFC), family use value (FUV), informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL). ResultsA total of 78 species belonging to 45 vascular plant families were documented as medicinally important. Lamiaceae was observed the dominant medicinal plant family with 11 species, leaf was the most used part, and powder the most preferred preparation type. Maximum MUV (1) was shared by 15 species while maximum RFC (0.385) was demonstrated by both Brassica juncea and Lepidium sativum. Smaller families with mostly 1 species showed higher FUV while among the larger families Amaryllidaceae and Papaveraceae showed maximum FUV of 0.89 and 0.87, respectively. Highest FL was shown by Mentha arvensis (70%) against gastrointestinal diseases. Highest ICF was demonstrated by hepatic disorders (0.93). Furthermore, we revealed 108 indigenous herbal medicinal recipes, 6 plants added to the medicinal plant trade list, 1 species (Vincetoxicum arnottianum) reported for the first time as medicinal plant, and several new uses for 49 well known medicinal plants. ConclusionThe present survey documents diverse plant species that are utilised by local communities for treating a broad spectrum of disorders. Quantitative indices helped in marking important and most preferred plants. To conclude, we recommend the plants for pharmacological studies, documenting new uses, especially Vincetoxicum arnottianum, never screened before.

Caterpillar Mushroom, Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ascomycetes): A Potential Bioresource for Commercialization in Sikkim Himalaya, India

Ophiocordyceps sinensis has a long history of use in Tibetan traditional medicine and traditional Chinese medicine as a powerful tonic and aphrodisiac. The species is inextricably linked to the trade of medicinal and aromatic plants in East Asia. Its demand has increased substantially in the international market, and its collection and trade have significantly improved the socioeconomic status of the people in some regions. Nonetheless, in Sikkim this resource is still untapped formally, but it is traded illegally. Formal legalization and the community's involvement will ensure the conservation and sustainability of the species, as well as proper management of harvesting areas and monitoring of pressure on Yartsa Gunbu to exploit it.