Traditional Botanical Knowledge Research Articles

Study on medicinal food plants in the Gaoligongshan Biosphere Reserve, the richest biocultural diversity center in China

BackgroundTraditional knowledge associated with medicinal food plants (MFPs) plays a vital role in fighting hidden hunger and safeguarding the health of local people. MFPs resources are abundant in the Gaoligongshan area, a biosphere reserve with the richest biocultural diversity in China. Local people of different linguistic groups also have rich traditional botanical knowledge. However, there are still few comprehensive and systematic studies on MFPs there.MethodsEthnobotanical investigation including market survey, semi-structured interviews, free listing and key informant interviews was conducted in the Gaoligongshan area, Western Yunnan, Southwest China. A total of 13 local farmers’ markets were selected and information about medicinal food plants, including food categories, medicinal and edible parts, modes of consumption, medicinal effects, and distribution were collected. The relative occurrence frequency (RFO) and cultural food significance index (CFSI) were calculated to identify the culturally significant MFPs.ResultsA total of 184 species of MFPs, belonging to 83 families, were collected in the Gaoligongshan area, including vegetables (77), medicinal diets (26), fruits (25), spices (18), herbal tea (13), tea substitutes (11), substitutes for staple food (8), nuts (5), oils and fats (4), and dye material (1). The most frequently used families were Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Apiaceae, with 11, 10, and 9 species, respectively. The most frequently used plant parts were the stems, followed by fruits and leaves. Based on the evaluation results of the CFSI and RFO indices, 18 species of MFPs with magnificent local cultural importance have been screened out, such as Houttuynia cordata, Eryngium foetidum, Sechium edule, Centella asiatica and Pseudocydonia sinensis.ConclusionThese findings have guiding significance for conservation of traditional knowledge associated with MFPs and facilitation of scientific utilization of MFPs to meet local people’s needs for a healthy life.

Ethnobotanical Study of Effective Medicinal Plants as Laxative (Anti-constipation): A Case Study in Arasbaran Forests, Northwest Iran

Introduction: Constipation is recognized as a common gastrointestinal problem that many sick and healthy individuals suffer from. Laxative therapy is a reliable way to treat constipation. Several medicinal plants exert laxative potential. Hence, we decided to identify medicinal plants with laxative properties in Arasbaran Forests, East Azerbaijan Province, Northwest Iran. Methods: This ethnobotanical study was conducted in Arasbaran Forests, East Azerbaijan Province, and Northwest Iran from October 2022 to December 2022. Questionnaires were distributed among 20 traditional medicine doctors and finally, traditional information on the therapeutic effect of medicinal plants was collected through interviews. Demographic information from indigenous people who have traditional botanical knowledge was also collected. Eventually, the data were analyzed. Results: Our work revealed that thirteen medicinal herbs from 11 herbal families have potent laxative effects. The Berberidaceae, Equisetaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Celasteraceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Grossulariaceae, Polygonacea, Polypodiaceae, and Rosaceae families had laxative effects. Fruit, leaves, aerial parts, bark, root, and rhizome were the most effective parts, respectively. These medicinal plants were administrated in decoction and fresh form. Conclusion: The findings show the traditional laxative effects of medicinal plants against constipation in this region, which have traditional uses. Therefore, identifying the phytochemical constituents of these plants and understanding the mechanism of their laxative effect can be helpful.

Traditional ecological knowledge of bamboo in the Dulong community of northwestern Yunnan, China

Abstract The Dulong people have accumulated a wealth of traditional botanical knowledge (TBK) over a long period on bamboo use to adapt to their living environment, which impacts many aspects of the life, culture, and creative productivity of the Dulong people. However, research on TBK associated with bamboo in Dulong communities is still lacking. It is urgent to investigate and document the TBK related to bamboo in the context of rapid economic development and social changes in Dulong communities. Field surveys were conducted four times between 2019 and 2020. Thirty informants were selected using snowball sampling and were interviewed using free lists and semi-structured interviews. Most informants were or had been engaged in bamboo collection and weaving. The participatory observation approach has also been applied to field surveys. The use value (UV) of bamboo species and the relative frequency of citations (RFC) were used to evaluate and compare the importance of bamboo plants used by the Dulong people. Through ethnoecological investigations, 12 bamboo species belonging to seven genera traditionally used by the Dulong people and TBK associated with bamboo were recorded. Phyllostachys sulphurea, Dendrocalamus fugongensis, and Fargesia pleniculmis were the most valuable and favored species, as indicated by their relatively high RFC and UV indices. The Dulong people have accumulated a wealth of TBK associated with bamboo and are familiar with the distribution, ecology, morphology, characteristics, and purpose of bamboo species in the Dulongjiang region. These bamboo plants and their traditional knowledge have great potential for conserving the local biodiversity and sustainable development. In the future, we will increase the growth of industries related to bamboo plants, such as bamboo shoots as food, bamboo as medication, bamboo for the weaving industry, and bamboo for biocultural diversity conservation.

Traditional botanical knowledge: food plants from the Huni Kuĩ indigenous people, Acre, western Brazilian Amazon

Abstract The Kaxinawá indigenous people (auto-identified as the Huni Kuĩ) are native to the western Amazon, on the Brazilian border with Peru, and have an extensive biodiversity-related knowledge, which is parti of a coherent social-ecological system. Our study investigated native knowledge of edible forest plants, in three communities within the Kaxinawá Indigenous Land on the Lower Rio Jordão, Acre state, Brazil. The principal methods used were participant observation, open and semi-structured interviews and walk-in-the-woods. The study recorded 89 native food species. Some 60% are managed in food-production areas, with 56% of the recorded species have received little or no scientific study of their food potential. The role which natural systems play in Huni Kuĩ society is indicated by the management and use of a high diversity of native species, which contributes to food security and nutritional sovereignty. However, there is a progressive under-utilization and substitution of forest species, due to the introduction of cultivated exotic species and the increase in consumption of industrialized products. An enhancement of the value given to native food-plants is needed to encourage continuing autonomy of production, and diet diversification, as well as the conservation of sociobiodiversity of traditional peoples in the Amazon through sustainable management practices of the current social-ecological system.

Ethnobiological study of Hare, a traditional food in the Parmalim community, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Amrul HMZN, Pasaribu N, Harahap RH, Aththorick TA. 2022. Ethnobiological study of Hare, a traditional food in the Parmalim community, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 6082-6088. Indonesia has a variety of traditional foods that come from different social and cultural communities. One of the tribes in North Sumatra is the Batak. In the Toba Batak community, there is a belief or religion system called Parmalim. The Parmalim community is one of the indigenous faiths in Batak, which has grown and developed over time and is embraced by the Batak. The existence of traditional food known as Hare is one of the community's traditions. The purpose of this study is to describe how Hare was made, the ingredients included, and the nature of the benefits through an ethnobotanical study. The traditional botanical knowledge was traced through a series of field observations and semi-structured interviews with eight respondents from the religious officials and experts in Parmalim using a purposive sampling technique. Based on the interviews, Hare was prepared from herbs, honey, buffalo milk, and chicken eggs. The total ingredients used in making hare were 16 ingredients consisting of 13 species of plants and three species of animals. Hare is prepared from cultivated plants such as Cocos nucifera, Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis sativus, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Musa acuminata, Oryza sativa, Kaempferia galanga, and Curcuma domestica Valeton) and wild plants such as Saurauia bracteosa, Neptunia oleracea, Desmodium adscendens, Hibiscus mutabilis, and Chrysophyllum roxburghii. At first, hare is thought to be a nutritious diet and a pregnancy stimulant for young pregnant women. Recently, the traditional dish must be preserved, one of which is by promoting this dish on the cultural and formal agenda at Toba District, North Sumatra.

Gija Jumulu: Arboreal Ecocriticism and the Australian Boab

The idea of arboreal ecocriticism – or dendrocriticism – reflects the burgeoning interest in vegetal life within the Environmental Humanities. Concerned with arboreal texts of diverse kinds, dendrocriticism can be understood as a tree-focused mode of environmental, literary and cultural analysis. This article theorises dendrocriticism in relation to the boab (Adansonia gregorii), a large tree endemic to Northern Australia. Narrating boab subjectivity and corporeality, the arboreal texts discussed here include Alec Choate’s poem “Prison Tree, Derby” (1978), Bill Neidjie’s verse narrative Story About Feeling (1989), Tim Winton’s novel Dirt Music (2001) and Veronica Lake’s poem “Boab Tree” (2012), the latter written from the perspective of Gija Jumulu, a massive boab relocated two-thousand miles from the Kimberley to Perth. In response to global forest decline, prospective areas of dendrocritical focus include, inter alia, the traditional botanical knowledge of indigenous people, scientific studies of vegetal cognition and the limits of dendrocentrism – the privileging of trees over other plants.

Ethnopharmacobotany and Diversity of Mediterranean Endemic Plants in Marmilla Subregion, Sardinia, Italy.

Human populations in various regions across the world exploit the medicinal properties of plants to treat a wide variety of diseases. Areas with both high rates of endemic taxa and persisting traditional uses of the local botanical resources are key sites for the investigation of Traditional Botanical Knowledge (TBK). Commonly, in these areas, information regarding the medicinal properties of native plants has been transmitted orally from generation to generation, however, a rapid decline in this knowledge has been observed, which can be attributed to socio-economic changes in recent years. The Mediterranean basin is one such site, where human history is intimately entwined with nature. The unique geographical situation and unrivaled environmental heterogeneity of the area, have allowed both the development of diverse civilizations as well as providing the basis for the evolution of extraordinary biodiversity. The Mediterranean basin can therefore be considered a global hotspot of endemic vascular plants, and of traditional knowledge of medicinal and aromatic species. This study researches the historical subregion of Marmilla (central-southern Sardinia, Italy), which was chosen because of its specific cultural and demographic characteristics: i.e., prolonged isolation and extreme longevity of the inhabitants of the area. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 145 people from the region, and 137 medicinal plants belonging to 62 families were identified, of which around 57,3% were taxa exclusive to the Mediterranean Basin. Findings showed that the most used parts of the plant were the leaves (49%), while as far as preparations are concerned, decoction (50%) was the most used to prepare medicinal formulations, making this the highest number of medico-botanical taxa reported in a study carried out in Sardinia using a similar methodology. In addition, this study contributes towards preventing the loss of TBK by documenting the medicinal traditions, passed down orally for centuries, in the words of the participants, shedding new light on the traditional knowledge of the inhabitants of the island. The findings lay the foundations for future applied studies in the fields of phytotherapy and phytochemical investigation.

Ethnobotanical Study on Garcinia (Clusiaceae) in China

Abstract The genus Garcinia L. (Clusiaceae) is gaining increasing scientific attention worldwide owing to its ethnobotanical and pharmacological significance. In China, even though Garcinia plants have long been used for food, ethnomedicine, building materials, and other purposes, a comprehensive ethnobotanical study of the genus is notably limited. In the current study, the ethnobotanical importance of Garcinia plants has been extensively investigated through field surveys and literature reviews. Our studies revealed that Garcinia plants have been used in folk medicine since ancient times in China, including the Northern Song Dynasty, 960–1127 AD. Through their extensive interactions with genus, the Chinese people have gained various traditional knowledge, which is reflected in the following six aspects: food, traditional medicines, ornamental trees, construction and technology, cultural and spiritual significance, and miscellaneous uses. In particular, the four species: Garcinia hanburyi , G. paucinervis , G. xanthochymus , and G. oblongifolia , have cultural or spiritual values, among which G. paucinervis could be considered a cultural keystone species in the local communities, considering its crucial contribution to people’s cultures, spirits, and community identity. However, in general, some concerns originating from swift socio-economic changes have also been identified in the knowledge and Garcinia species. Strategies are needed to conserve traditional botanical knowledge, as well as plants.

Wild plants used by the Lhoba people in Douyu Village, characterized by high mountains and valleys, in southeastern Tibet, China

BackgroundDouyu Village, inhabited by the Lhoba people, is situated within the Eastern Himalayas, in southeastern Tibet, China. The village is located among high mountains and valleys, which feature complex terrain with cold and dry climates and distinctive vegetation types and species. The Lhoba people in this village are isolated from other groups in China. The Lhoba people have lived in this village since the 15th century and mainly depended on gathering, hunting, and swidden agriculture before the 1960s. Because they have a long history and live under extreme climatic, geographical, and ecological conditions, the Lhoba people in Douyu Village may have unique traditional knowledge about wild plants. Thus, this research aims to record the traditional botanical knowledge of the Lhoba people in Douyu.MethodsAn ethnobotanical study was conducted on the Lhoba people in Douyu Village in Longzi County, Tibet, China. Semi-structured interviews and group discussions with informed consent were used in the study. We interviewed 41 informants (14 key informants) between 18 and 75 years of age. All information was collected, organized, and compiled into “use reports” for quantitative analysis. The informant consensus factor (ICF) was used to determine the homogeneity of the informants’ knowledge of medicinal plants, while the cultural importance index (CI) was used to estimate the cultural importance of shared species.ResultsA total of 91 wild species (90 vascular plants and 1 fungus) belonging to 71 genera and 39 families utilized by the Lhoba people in Douyu were documented. Of these species, Pimpinella xizangense and Wikstroemia lungtzeensis are endemic to Longzi County, while Sinopodophyllum hexandrum and Paeonia ludlowii are endangered species in China. All habitats, from the field vegetation at the valley bottoms to the alpine shrubland and meadows, were used for plant collection, and the numbers of species of plants collected from the various vegetation types (except for fields) decreased with increasing altitude. Our study found that 55 species are edible plants and fungi, 29 species are medicinal plants, and 38 species are used for other purposes. Medicinal plants are used for 11 categories of diseases, among which diseases of blood-forming organs (ICF = 0.96) and gastrointestinal diseases (ICF = 0.95) exhibited the highest ICF values. Based on the CI values, the most important plants in this study area are Berberis xanthophloea, B. kongboensis, Sinopodophyllum hexandrum, Vicatia thibetica, and Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. gyantsensis. Moreover, a comparison of the wild plants used by Lhoba ethnic groups in three counties in China showed significant differences among these regions.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that the wild plants utilized by the Lhoba people in Douyu Village are highly diverse, at 90 plant and one fungal species, which reflects not only the number of species but also their diversified functions. The extreme climatic, geographical, and ecological conditions of Douyu within the high mountains and valleys of the Eastern Himalayas potentially affect the Lhoba people’s culture, including plant utilization practices, and contribute to the rich diversity of the wild plants used by the local people.

Traditional Practice of Medicinal Plants of Euphorbiaceae Growing in Rural Pockets of Sub- District Uklana Mandi (Hisar), Haryana, India

Background: Haryana is northern state of India with power of rural population (65.12 percent) that relies on agriculture and domestic animals for its economy and social welfare (Singh and Pal, 2018). It has hot semi-arid type climate with average temperature of 24.9° C and annual rainfall 653 mm (en.climate- data.org.). Main cultivated crops of study area are cotton, mustard, millet, vegetables, legumes etc. Methods: A field study was completed in January 2020 in two villages i.e. Parbhuwala and Budhakhera of Tehsil- Uklana Mandi of district Hisar. Ethnomedicinal information such as vernacular name, therapeutic uses, plant part used, herbal formulation, mode of application has been collected using a well-structured proforma. Findings: The study led to documentation of 9 plant species belonging to Euphorbiaceae family being used to treat 26 human ailments. Leaves were most dominantly used plant part for all reported species. From collected reports it has been concluded that euphorbiaceous plants are widely used to treat skin ailments and gastrointestinal disorders. Conclusion: Conservation and protection of declining plant species are urgent need and which is well served by documentation of hidden and existing traditional botanical knowledge. The present study will provide important information regarding medicinal description of plants and helps in sustainable maintenance of biodiversity at local level. Keywords: Ethnobotany, Herbal formulations, Rural Pockets, Traditional knowledge, Hisar, Haryana.

Sweets as traditional medicine in winter season: An ethnobotanical study in Udaipur city, India

Background Food as medicine has been part of ancient civilizations and shared among generations as dietary health practices. Sweets are one of the important constituents of meals in India. Many plants are used to prepare sweets. In Udaipur city, Rajasthan, India, some specific sweets are consumed during winter season prepared from plants. No scientific study has been carried out to document the traditional botanical knowledge associated with winter sweets in Udaipur city. Hence, the present study was undertaken.Methods Ethnobotanical surveys were carried out at 11 most popular sweet shops of Udaipur city from October to January, 2018. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with shopkeepers about ingredients, preparation technique of sweets etc. and with the consumers about reasons of purchasing winter sweets.ResultsIn total, 36 plants belonging to 21 angiosperm families were found to be used in preparation of winter sweets. The major traditional winter sweets consumed for health benefits were various kinds of Laddu, Halwa and Milk sweets. These were different from each other in shape, taste, shelf life and plant ingredients. All the consumers unanimously affirmed role of some of the winter sweets as traditional medicine.Conclusions Present study has first time documented different plant species used to prepare winter sweets in Udaipur city. Nutritional and pharmacological potential of some of the plants indirectly supports traditional wisdom behind their use in winter sweets for increasing immunity, treatment of joint pain, arthritis, asthma etc. However, clinical studies are required to recommend the winter sweets as dietary nutraceutical products for the claimed health benefits.Keywords: Health tradition, Laddu, Barfi, Nutraceutical, Jaggery, Almond

Ethnobotanical survey of plants traditionally used against hematophagous invertebrates by ethnic groups in the mountainous area of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China

Hematophagous invertebrates such as mosquitoes, leeches, mites, ticks, lice and bugs cause various problems for humans. Considering reports on insecticide resistance and requirements for improved environmental and toxicological profiles, there is a continuing need to discover and develop new insecticides and repellents. Ethnobotanical surveys of traditional plant-based repellents provide a direct method of identifying plants for potential use. During five field surveys in Bulang, Jinuo and Lahu villages between August 2018 and July 2019, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 237 informants (151 male, 86 female; mean age 63). Frequency of citation, use value, informant consensus factor and Jaccard index were employed to statistically analyze the collected data. A total of 709 use reports relating to 32 plant species and 71 remedies were collected. Similarities and differences between the three groups, as well as the Dai and Hani of Xishuangbanna, who were studied earlier, were shown through network analysis. These five ethnic groups living in the same area have a common understanding of traditional botanical knowledge against hematophagous invertebrates, but each group also possesses unique knowledge. Recording and protecting this traditional knowledge is potentially useful for protecting this cultural diversity and related biodiversity and can also have important practical applications. In this study, traditional knowledge provided us with many new potential plants for follow-up research for the development of new insecticides and repellents, among which Artemisia indica, Nicotiana tabacum and Clausena excavata are the most promising.

Ethnobotany of dye plants in Southern Italy, Mediterranean Basin: floristic catalog and two centuries of analysis of traditional botanical knowledge heritage

BackgroundSince ancient times, man has learned to use plants to obtain natural dyes, but this traditional botanical knowledge (TBK) is eroding. In the late, during, and the early 1800s, there was an increase in research related to dye species, and this allowed the development of industry and economy in rural contexts of Southern Italy. Today, dyes are mainly obtained from synthetic products, and this leads to risks for human health related to pollution.MethodsStarting from the literature, three catalogs of the dyeing species (plants, algae, fungi, and lichens) used in the Mediterranean Basin and mainly in Southern Italy have been created. Percentages of parts used and colors extracted from species have been recorded and analyzed. The plant species present in the catalogs have been verified in the territories of Southern Italy, and the data have been registered. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted, in the region of Southern Italy, to verify the erosion level of traditional botanical knowledge, linked to the ethnobotanical dyeing, over time.ResultsA total of 524 species were recorded among plants, algae, fungi, and lichens, and related parts used and extracted pigments. Most uses concern the stems and leaves, and the most frequent color is yellow. From the on-field survey operations, 283 plant species have been verified. These represent 64.31% of the species reported in the flora of the dye plants produced. The results, from the ethnobotanical survey, show that only 8.6% of TBK remained in the collective memory.ConclusionsThis catalog is among the largest in this sector and is the basis for studies related to the restoration of an eco-sustainable economy which would allow the development of marginal areas present throughout Southern Italy.

Medicinal plants used by ‘root doctors’, local traditional healers in Bié province, Angola

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThis study is one of the first post-civil war efforts to document traditional botanical knowledge in Bié province, central Angola, in a first step to bring more studies on the use of medicinal plant resources in this area so as to bring new insights into Angolan bio-cultural diversity. Aim of the studyExamine the variety of plant species used for medical purposes, as well as characterize their social and cultural values. Also, it is aimed to compare their uses in the studied region with those in Sub-Saharan Africa and report new ethnomedicinal uses. Materials and methodsWe documented traditional medicinal plant knowledge among professional herbalists in two areas in Bié province through participatory observation, semi-structured interviews and transect walks. Ethnobotanical information was quantified based on Use Reports to (1) rate traditional knowledge; and (2) determine most useful taxa. ResultsIn total, 10 traditional healers shared information on their knowledge. A total of 87 plant species distributed among 57 genera and 36 botanical families were documented with Fabaceae being the best-represented family with 18 species, followed by Phyllanthaceae (6), Apocynaceae (5), Asteraceae (5), Rubiaceae (5), Lamiaceae (4), and Ochnaceae (3). Most medicinal plants are usually gathered at a distance from human settlements because of the belief in the higher efficacy of ‘wild’ plants shared by all herbalists. Roots are the most common plant part used (79%), explaining why the consulted herbalists call themselves ‘root doctors’. ConclusionsThe culturally most important medicinal species identified in this study, i.e. Securidaca longepedunculata, Garcinia huillensis, Annona stenophylla, Afzelia quanzensis and Strychnos cocculoides, were previously reported for the same use in neighbouring countries and elsewhere in Africa. Our study also indicates that there are several locally valuable species that have not yet been studied for their medical potential, to name a few: Alvesia rosmarinifolia, Diplorhynchus condylocarpon, Eriosema affine, Paropsia brazzaeana, Rhus squalida, Sclerocroton cornutus or Xylopia tomentosa. Moreover, the ethnomedicinal use of 26 species was reported for the first time to sub-Saharan Africa. ClassificationEthnopharmacological field studies.

Plant leaves for wrapping zongzi in China: an ethnobotanical study

BackgroundZongzi, a common Chinese rice-pudding and one of the most symbolic foods in traditional Chinese festivals, is integral to both Chinese traditional culture and daily meals. Traditionally, the leaves of different plant species have been used to wrap zongzi. The variety of zongzi leaves (ZLs) can contribute to the zongzi-based cultural diversity. Given the cultural and dietary significance of zongzi, the ethnobotanical surveys were carried out, aiming to investigate the diversity of plant species and associated traditional botanical knowledge of ZLs, which could attract particular attention for their further studies.MethodBoth literature studies and field surveys were conducted in the study. The field investigations were carried out from May 2006 to June 2018 throughout China. Ethnobotanical information about ZLs was obtained by direct observation, semi-structured interviews, and key informant interviews.ResultsIn total, ZLs from 57 plant species were identified and recorded, belonging to 38 genera and 18 families. Several folk legends have been formed to explain the origin of using plant leaves to pack zongzi. Over time, Chinese people have developed diverse traditional botanical knowledge surrounding ZLs, especially regarding the zongzi flavor, antiseptic functions, and medicinal values. Based on the literature review, some species of ZLs such as the leaves of Corchorus capsularis and Vernicia fordii may even pose a potential threat to human health. Presently, in some regions of China, the traditional ZLs, such as Cocos nucifera, Tilia tuan, and Zizania latifolia, are being substituted by commercialized ZLs such as Phragmites australis and Indocalamus tessellatus.ConclusionA variety of traditional ZLs have been discovered in China. Although diverse traditional knowledge exists in China surrounding the usage of ZLs, some species may have the potential of threatening human health. Therefore, further explorations are necessary to comprehensively evaluate traditional ZLs, the results of which could help to conserve the cultural diversity of zongzi, to guarantee food safety, and to encourage the uses of plant leaves in food, medicine, and environmental management, for our human health.

Ethnoveterinary medicine in Turkey: a comprehensive review

Today, traditional societies throughout the world possess a wealth of ethnoveterinary knowledge, which they have accumulated during prolonged interaction with nature. Turkey has ample resources of ethnoveterinary medicines as evident from its rich floral diversity and traditional botanical knowledge from the past. This review aims to compile herbal remedies used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Turkey with comprehensive usage information and to compare our findings with pharmacological studies. The botanical, family, and local names; used parts; preparation methods; administration/dosage and duration of the treatment; and ailments treated/therapeutic effects were presented by screening ethnobotanical and ethnoveterinary studies. The most cited plant families, the medicinal plants, and the most common animal diseases were determined and presented in graphics. A total of 251 taxa belonging to 67 families were reported as being traditionally used to treat animal diseases in Turkey. Fabaceae (25 taxa), Asteraceae (24 taxa), Lamiaceae (19 taxa), Rosaceae (19 taxa), Apiaceae (9 taxa), Poaceae (8 taxa), and Solanaceae (7 taxa) were found as the most cited plant families. The most cited medicinal plants were Helleborus orientalis Lam. (9), Allium sativum L. (9), Juniperus oxycedrus L. subsp. oxycedrus var. oxycedrus (9), Berberis crataegina DC. (8), Pinus brutia Ten. var. brutia (7), Sambucus ebulus L. (6), Cydonia oblonga Mill. (6), and Olea europaea L. (6), respectively. These plants are frequently used to cure various animal ailments such as dermatological, gastrointestinal, and parasitic diseases. The pharmacological studies of the said plant species were also gathered and reviewed to convey the efficacy of these plants in the treatment of animal diseases. Considering the traditional usage of the reported medicinal plants, more pharmacological studies are required for confirming the effectiveness of these herbal remedies.

Traditional botanical knowledge of local people of Anantagiri and Dhamagundam forest area, Vikarabad district Telangana State

The present study deals with the documentation and evaluation of medicinal plants used by the tribal people in the primary health care in and around Anantagiri and Dhamagundam forest area, Vikarabad district. About 40 villages have been chosen for the study and yielded a valuable knowledge of plant medicine of the locals. The resource persons are mostly lambadas, chenchus and some elderly people of local villages. The study started in the month of May, 2012 and went on up to May, 2014. It revealed valuable information about the ethno medicine of the local tribals of this Dist. About 137 plant species of 36 families have been documented in this study and an itinerary is prepared according to alphabetical order of the diseases, families along with the vernacular names, botanical; names, drug formulation of drug formulation and methods of drug administration as told by the herbal practitioners. The present study is thus aimed at to understand i) To record the traditional medicinal practices of the Tribal communities of Vikarabad district. ii) The plants which are inuse for curing the diseases them. Further, a detailed data regarding the efficacy of the drugand the curing efficiency level of the plant drugs used b the local as well as tribalcommunities of the district.

English

This paper reviews the current state and future prospects of ethnobotany in Nigeria. A brief historical background is presented. Books and journals indexed by Scopus and Science Direct were reviewed. Direct search was also made on the official websites of journals specializing in ethnobotany and allied disciplines. The field of ethnobotany manifests in all facets of human activities and relates to cultural and sociological relevance of plants. Ethnobotanical data generated from historical, religious, literary, linguistic, and pharmacological viewpoints serve as useful information regarding indigenous food production, traditional agricultural systems, and source for the development of new medicines. Since the vast majority of ethnobotanical studies conducted in Nigeria center on indigenous medicines, collaborative efforts geared toward efficient health service delivery is essential. This must include accreditation or documentation of traditional healers and herbal medicine vendors as well as policies in drug regulation, quality assurance, and control. Ethical guidelines and equitable sharing of benefits gained from sale of active compounds from source locations should be instituted and implemented. Conservation of indigenous plant resources requires the integration of ethnobotanical knowledge into national development programmes. Curriculum development and inclusion of ethnobotany (as a distinct subject) in Nigerian schools will direct future investigations in this promising field.   Key words: Ethnobotany, indigenous medicine, traditional botanical knowledge, Nigeria.

Traditional botanical knowledge of medicinal plants in a “quilombola” community in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil

Plant resources are essential to the survival of the human species, and they play several important roles in maintaining the quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in the Ipiranga quilombola community on the south shore of the state of Paraiba, northeast of Brazil. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews that were performed with the head of the family for all the domestic units in the community (total of 100 individuals). Data were qualitative and quantitative (Use-Value index and informant consensus factor) analyzed. A total of 69 species belonging to 38 families were mentioned by the respondents. Only two medicinal species (Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum (Willd.) Hochr and Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos) are found in the surrounded Atlantic Forest area. All the other medicinal species are cultivated in backyards. The species with the highest Use-Values were Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt. & R.M. Sm. (colony). The medicinal species were indicated for the treatment of 66 diseases, which were classified into 14 categories of body systems. Respiratory system disorders (0.54), gastrointestinal system disorders (0.43), and a genitourinary system disorder (0.42) were the categories with the highest consensus values among the respondents. The research showed that despite having a health center close to the community, the Ipiranga community still uses medicinal plants to cure diseases, with most species being cultivated in backyards.

Preserving Traditional Botanical Knowledge: The Importance of Phytogeographic and Ethnobotanical Inventory of Peruvian Dye Plants.

Peru is a megadiverse country with native species of all kinds, including dye plants, which have been used for hundreds of years by the local population. Despite the fact that many of these natural dyes are of a superior quality compared to synthetic ones and do not have the harmful effects that the latter may cause to human health, due to the lack of documentation and dissemination, ethnobotanical knowledge is unfortunately being lost with the passing of generations. In order to preserve and spread such valuable knowledge, this study conducted a comprehensive taxonomic, phytogeographic, and ethnobotanical inventory of dye plants based on periodical botanical explorations in selected locations of Northern Peru during the span of two decades. A critical review of the specialized bibliography was then carried out and the findings were verified with the personal knowledge and experience of both the researchers and the local and regional people. The results of the inventory record 32 species of dye plants from Northern Peru distributed in 22 families, of which the following stand out due to the number of species: Fabaceae (5), Anacardiaceae (2), Annonaceae (2), Asteraceae (2), Berberidaceae (2), Rosaceae (2), and Solanaceae (2). Of the 32 dye species identified, four are considered endemic from Peru: Berberis buceronis J.F. Macbr., Caesalpinia paipai Ruiz & Pav., Coreopsis senaria S.F. Blake & Sherf., and Lomatia hirsuta (Lam.) Diels. The study also found that species such as Bixa orellana L., Indigofera suffruticosa Mill., Sambucus peruviana, and the lichen Usnea baileyi (Stirton) Zahlbr have not been commercially exploited in Peru despite the fact that they already constitute a great economic source for several countries.