Use Of Plant In Traditional Medicine Research Articles

A Comprehensive Review on Anti-obesity Potential of Medicinal Plants and their Bioactive Compounds

Background:Obesity is a complex health and global epidemic issue. It is an increasing global health challenge covering high social and economic costs. Abnormal accumulation of fat in the body may increase health risks, including diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and cancer. Synthetic drugs available in the market are reported to have several side effects. Therefore, the management of obesity needs to involve the traditional use of medicinal plants, which helps in searching for new therapeutic targets and supports the research and development of anti-obesity drugs.Objective:This review aimed to update the data and provide a comprehensive report on currently available knowledge regarding medicinal plants and phytochemicals constituents reported for their anti-obesity activity.Methodology:An electronic search of the periodical databases, like Web of Science, Scopus, Pub- Med, Scielo, Niscair, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Wiley, SciFinder, and Google Scholar with information reported during 1991-2019, was made to retrieve published data.Results:This review attempts to list the medicinal plants with anti-obesity activity. It focuses on plant extracts, isolated chemical compounds, their mechanism of action, and preclinical, experimental model, and clinical studies for further scientific research.Conclusion:This review summarizes the medicinal plants and their constituents reported for the management of obesity. The data will fascinate the researcher to initiate further research that may lead to the discovery of a drug for the management of obesity and its associated secondary complications. Several herbal plants and their respective lead constituents have been screened by preclinical in-vitro and in-vivo clinical trials and were found to be effective in treating obesity. Therefore, there is a need to develop and screen a large number of plant extracts, and this approach can surely be a driving force for discovering anti-obesity drugs from medicinal plants.

Antioxidant and Anti-Hyperglycemic Activities of Aqueous and Hydro-Ethanolic Extracts of Excoecaria grahamii (Euphorbiacea)

Background: Excoecaria grahamii is a traditional medicinal plant use in Burkina Faso and other part in the word to treat many diseases. However, its antioxydant and antidiabetic effects are not yet demonstrated. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential inhibitory effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of leaves and roots of Excoecaria grahamii on oxidative stress and hyperglycemia. Materials and Method: The antioxidant effect was investigated by FRAP, DPPH and ABTS essays while the anti-hyperglycemic effect were evaluated using α-amylase and β-galactosidase inhibitory assays. In addition, the phytochemical screening for some targeted compounds was carried out. Results: The result has shown that Excoecaria grahamii have antioxidant effect. Regarding the antidiabetic effect our data have shown only an inhibitory effect on α-amylase enzyme but not on β-galactosidase. Phytochemical study has shown the presence of gallic tannins, terpenoids and flavonoids in all the extract. Only aqueous extract have shown saponins. No catechic tannins and anthraquinones have been showed. Conclusions: This study suggests that Excoecaria grahamii contain chemicals components that can reduce oxidative stress and post prandial glucose enhance. It can be useful in the fight against antioxidant-related diseases such as those seen during ageing.

English

Erectile dysfunction is a disease that is increasingly affecting men. The study examined the traditional use of medicinal plants in the treatment of erectile dysfunction among the Baka people in the eastern region of Cameroon. The study took place over interspersed periods from January 2018 to January 2021 in 9 villages. Forty-four people were interviewed via a questionnaire. One hundred and fifty-nine citations and 71 treatments were recorded, involving 44 plant species distributed in 38 genera, and 25 families. The User Agreement Value (UAV) index and the Spatial Use Convergence index (SUC) lead to the same results highlighting the importance of some plant species used by Baka people for treating erectile dysfunction problems. The results obtained thus show the effectiveness of the methods used to detect plants confirmed for traditional use. This work would serve as a basis for more elaborate pharmacological and toxicological studies to confirm the biological activity of other species widely used by the Baka as medicines, and which have not yet been indicated elsewhere and studied; thus justifying their use in traditional medicine. Key words: Ethnobotanical study, medicinal plants, Baka people, treatment of erectile dysfunction.

PENYULUHAN DAN BAKTI SOSIAL PEMANFAATAN DAUN UBI JALAR TERHADAP PRODUKSI ASI

Some residents, sometimes use herbal plants to treat perceived health complaints, but their utilization is not optimal because so far the use of traditional medicinal plants is only based on the opinions of friends or neighbors and hereditary traditions. The use of traditional medicine that is not in accordance with the rules, is feared to reduce the efficacy of the drug itself. If the use is too much, it is feared that it will also have a toxic effect that will be dangerous for the community. For this reason, it is necessary to educate the public, so that the utilization of family herbal plants can be optimal, and the health status of the community increases. Sweet potato leaves can also increase milk production because in the sweet potato leaves there are galactagogue substances that can increase breast milk production so that they can meet the nutritional needs of babies through breast milk. The socialization activity was carried out on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 09.00 WITA, located in Tanakaraeng Village, Manuju District, Kab. Gowa. This activity aims to provide information to the public about various plants that have efficacy as herbal plants, how to use herbal plants, especially for obstetric services, which includes how to use, process and dose/dose herbs. This educational process uses a lecture method with the help of powerpoints and leaflets.

ФЛОРА ЖАНА АНЫН УЛУТТУК ОЮНДАРДА КОЛДОНУЛУШУ (ТҮШТҮК – БАТЫШ КЫРГЫЗДАРЫНЫН ТАЛАА МАТЕРИАЛДАРЫНДА)

The article provides information about some Kyrgyz national games, the traditional use of medicinal plants by the southwestern Kyrgyz (at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century) of injured players and injured animals during the national game, as well as the skillful use of flora by the Kyrgyz. It was also noted that folk games, which are part of the Kyrgyz culture, were created depending on the social status of the population, several types of national games were described, the rules of the game - ulak tartysh and wrestling. There are ways, with the help of plants, of pre-training wrestlers for wrestling, riders, and horses for equestrian games based on field materials.

Ethnobotany of traditional medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge in Dawuro Zone of Southwestern Ethiopia

BackgroundThe study aimed at documenting the indigenous and local knowledge and use of traditional medicinal plants for treating human and livestock ailments in Dawuro Zone of Ethiopia.MethodsA survey was conducted among traditional healers and native administrators through discussion, interviews, and field observations. The snowball sampling technique was used to select 384 traditional healers in purposefully selected 50 villages spanning seven districts for face-to-face individual interviews. The chi-square test was applied to establish associations between traditional healers’ demographics, the distance between the village site and the nearest natural forest and a health center, and SPSS V.20 software was used for the analysis.ResultsThe traditional healers of the study area reported the use of 274 traditional medicinal plant species belonging to 217 genera and 82 families. Asteraceae (11.68%), Fabaceae (9.49%), and Lamiaceae (9.12%) were the foremost frequently used families. Herb species (54.8%) and leaves (65%) were predominantly sourced from the wild environment. The quantity of medicinal plants used (x2 = 278.368, df = 20, P = 0.000) and years of (experience in) traditional healing using herbs (x2 = 76.358, df = 10, P = 0.000) varied with distance from the natural forests. The service charge for healing had strong positive association (x2 = 24.349, df = 5, P = 0.000) with healer’s age (x2 = 309.119, df = 184, P = 0.000) and educational level (x2 = 851.230, df = 598, P = 0.000) with distance of traditional healer's residence from the medical institution. The agricultural activities, urbanization, low or no charge for the healing service, the secrecy and oral transfer of the knowledge, and the demand for medicinal and other multiple purposes species were some of the factors threatening the resource and the associated knowledge as well as the service in the study area.ConclusionThere are diversified traditional medicinal plants applied for healthcare of the community and domestic animals of the study area. The source of remedies mostly depends on herbs of natural forests, and the leaf was the most frequently used plant part. Developing conservation intervention and sustainable systems of utilization is needed for multipurpose medicinal plants. Finally, integrating with modern system and formalizing, legalizing, and capacitating the traditional medicine practitioners are needed for access of primary healthcare systems to rural communities.

Traditional use of medicinal plants in older adults in the municipality of Arauca

ntroducción: La pérdida del conocimiento tradicional, trae consigo, entre otros, detrimento de identidad cultural y disminución de la biodiversidad. Objetivos: Identificar los conocimientos tradicionales sobre plantas medicinales con base en los saberes de los adultos mayores del municipio de Arauca. Materiales y métodos: Se aplicó una encuesta adaptada de TRAMIL, en una muestra por conveniencia, de 96 adultos mayores sabedores. Con los datos, se determinó el Índice de Valor de Uso (IVU) y el Nivel de Uso Significativo TRAMIL (UST) de las plantas medicinales que, tradicionalmente emplea esta comunidad. Resultados: Se reconocieron 109 especies con uso medicinal, de las cuales 38 (35%) se encuentran aprobadas por el INVIMA; de ellas, presentaron mayor IVU dentro de la comunidad araucana, sábila (Aloe vera) (27%), hierba buena (Mentha spicata) (14%), limón mandarino (Citrus limonia) (13%) y, manzanilla (Matricaria chamomilla) (11%). Las especies con mayor UST, correspondieron a sábila (A. vera), con 50%, pericón (Capraria biflora) (45%), limonaria (Cymbopogon citratus) (28%), hierba buena (M. spicata) (27%) y hierba mora (Solanum americanum) (22%). Discusión: Si bien el adulto mayor de Arauca presenta conocimientos importantes sobre el empleo de plantas medicinales que contribuyen a mejorar la calidad de salud en la comunidad araucana, se hace necesario la validación farmacológica, fitoquímica y toxicológica de las especies vegetales utilizadas, debido a que la mayoría no están aprobadas por el INVIMA y en las aprobadas, su forma de empleo no coincide apropiadamente con el aval del instituto de vigilancia.

Profile of Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used for the Treatment of Skin Burns.

Moroccan folk healers use medicinal plants to treat several diseases including skin burns. The traditional knowledge of wound healing is not common among the general population. Only one ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Rabat, Morocco, to track the traditional use of medicinal plants in wound healing. Therefore, our report aimed to study the medicinal plants used in Taza region to treat wound healing. In total, 218 individuals participated in this survey. More than 40 medicinal plants belonging to 30 botanical families were cited as anti-burn remedies. The most commonly used medicinal plants were Agave sisalana L., Nerium oleander L., Tetraclinis articulata Benth., Lawsonia inermis L., Artemisia herba-alba Asso., and Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Most of the used medicinal plants belong to Asteraceae family. Comparing our results with the previous survey, we noted that twelve plants were reported for the first time as wound healing agents. The ethnomedicinal use showed that plants leaves are the most commonly used parts. Pulverization was the selected method of preparation. The direct application of powder to the burns was the most common way of treatment. Our study revealed, for the first time, the importance of medicinal plants to treat skin burns in Taza region. Our results could be considered as the stepping stone for creating a database of wound healing medicinal plants to promote scientific studies on these plants revealing their constituents and side effects.

An Algerian endemic species in danger to disappear due to pandemic, Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum (Desf.) Letsw

Abstract. Adouani I, Boulaacheb N. 2022. An Algerian endemic species in danger to disappear due to pandemic, Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum (Desf.) Letsw. Biodiversitas 23: 3147-3155. Algeria is known for its rich flora, and the traditional use of medicinal plants is very ancient. The use of medicinal plants is extremely intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. To enumerate the most used species by the Algerian population, two ethnobotanical surveys have been conducted from October to December 2021. Thirty herbalists were interviewed, and 165 respondents participated in an online survey. The results showed that a total of 25 species belonging to 16 botanical families had been reported to be used in different modes of preparation to prevent or treat the infection. One of the locally used species is Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum (Desf.) letsw. Generally, Algerians internally use this species as a tea or as a powder preparation with honey or only the powder with water to treat many health problems such as diarrhea, colds, coughs, respiratory infections, rheumatism, and menstrual symptoms. Otherwise, the powder of the plant is externally used alone or with olive oil to cure several illnesses such as rheumatism, and skin irritations. Due to the extensive use of this species during the pandemic, the demand in the market has increased, as also the price. Herbalists reported that they have received between 30-300 people affected or not by COVID-19 per day. The price went from 1500-5000 DA per kg (10.33-34.42 USD). Therefore, the increase rate is expected to be 50-80% for the demand, and 50-90% for the price. This increase in demand during COVID-19 has led to an exaggerated and random collection of species at different stages of the development of the plant. Although O. vulgare subsp. glandulosum is a common species, but it can be rare or even disappear due to the extensive collection without protective measures due to COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to engage policies for the conservation and cultivation of O. vulgare subsp. glandulosum.

A Mechanistic Review on Plant-derived Natural Inhibitors of Human Coronaviruses with Emphasis on SARS-COV-1 and SARS-COV-2.

Coronaviruses have been receiving continuous attention worldwide as they have caused a serious threat to global public health. This group of viruses is named so as they exhibit characteristic crown-like spikes on their protein coat. SARS-CoV-2, a type of coronavirus that emerged in 2019, causes severe infection in the lower respiratory tract of humans and is often fatal in immunocompromised individuals. No medications have been approved so far for the direct treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the currently available treatment options rely on relieving the symptoms. The medicinal plants occurring in nature serve as a rich source of active ingredients that could be utilized for developing pharmacopeial and non-pharmacopeial/synthetic drugs with antiviral properties. Compounds obtained from certain plants have been used for directly and selectively inhibiting different coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. The present review discusses the potential natural inhibitors against the highly pathogenic human coronaviruses, with a systematic elaboration on the possible mechanisms of action of these natural compounds while acting in the different stages of the life cycle of coronaviruses. Moreover, through a comprehensive exploration of the existing literature in this regard, the importance of such compounds in the research and development of effective and safe antiviral agents is discussed. We focused on the mechanism of action of several natural compounds along with their target of action. In addition, the immunomodulatory effects of these active components in the context of human health are elucidated. Finally, it is suggested that the use of traditional medicinal plants is a novel and feasible remedial strategy against human coronaviruses.

Impact of herbal supplements nowadays: an overview

At present, people around the world are looking for more natural alternatives for treating all kinds of health conditions as well as improving the general wellbeing. As such, the consumption of herbal supplements has increased globally, generating billions in revenue. The use of these herbal products is firmly rooted in the traditional use of medicinal plants for disease prevention and treatment, practiced in several cultures. Although herbal products are recognized by the WHO as an essential component of the healthcare system, there have been increasing concerns regarding their quality and safety. Generally, herbal products are not strictly regulated as they are largely categorized under dietary supplements, thus escaping the rigorous scrutiny meted out to pharmaceuticals. Notwithstanding that many consumers generally perceive herbal products as benign and inherently safe, several reports have shown that herbal products can induce mild to acute adverse effects of clinical significance. Moreover, some herbal products on the market have been reported to be contaminated with microorganisms, environmental toxins, and adulterants. Furthermore, evidence regarding the efficacy of herbal supplements is extremely discrepant.

Millennial traditions - Exploration of ethno-medicinal knowledge among different ethnic groups of Northern part Kashmir Himalaya, India

Background: Traditional use of medicinal plants is an important aspect of Himalayan culture, and these approaches have evolved to include the primary health-care purpose and treatment of a wide range of ailments. Methods: Snowball sampling method was used to interview 300 informants using semi-structured questionnaire to document the uses of indigenous species. Principal component analysis was used to analyze the data using PAST software ver.3.14. Results: The present study reported a total of 67 medicinal plants belonging to 44 families with Asteraceae as dominant family. The majority of the species were herbaceous (81%) followed by trees (10%) and shrubs (9%). Leaves were the most commonly used plant part accounting for (16%), followed by roots (10%). The medicinal plants were used to cure various ailments, especially intestinal problems, skin diseases, stomach problems, respiratory problems, diabetes, bone and joint problems. The majority of people preferred to prepare herbal medicines on their own rather than obtaining these from traditional health practitioners. 63.11%, 55.15%, 45.61% respondents believed that the medicinal plants were highly effective from the site I, II, III respectively. Conclusions: According to the findings of the current study, local people have a profound cultural link to the flora, as the use of medicinal plants to treat various illnesses plays an important role in meeting the primary health care needs. Due to urbanization and exploitation, it has become imperative to preserve the traditional medicinal knowledge before it becomes extinct. Keywords: Health care, Knowledge, Medicinal plants, Traditional therapeutic use

Traditional use of medicinal plants among the indigenous communities in Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, India

A number of indigenous communities reside in the Himalayan belt of Baramulla, where the lack of modern health care facilities represents crucial problems to their survival. Therefore, the current study was aimed at documenting traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in the region. Ethnomedicinal data was collected during 2018–2020. Fifty‐one informants were interviewed in seventeen villages via questionnaires, semi‐structured interviews and group discussions. Data was also analyzed by various ethnobotanical indices. A total of 85 plant species distributed in 40 families was documented. Asteraceae was reported to be the dominant plant family and leaves were the most frequently utilized plant part. Musculoskeletal disorder scored the highest informant consensus factor (ICF) value (0.87). Colchicum luteum (0.61) and Verbascum thapsus (0.59) had the highest use value (UV) and Viola odorata and Ajuga integrifolia had the highest fidelity value (FL) (100%). Of the documented species, the use in this area of about 18 plants (21%) is reported here for the first time.. Medicinal plants still play an important role in the health care sector in the region and the folk knowledge attached to them is remarkable, although declining among the younger generations. Medicinal plants reported for the first time need to be studied pharmacologically.

Evaluation of the antidiarrheal activity of 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions of the leaf of Bersama abyssinica fresen (Melianthaceae) in mice

IntroductionThe use of traditional medicinal plants in the management of diarrhea has long been practiced in Ethiopia. B. abyssinica fresen is one of the plants traditionally used to treat diarrhea whereas an in vivo study had not yet been conducted. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the antidiarrheal activity of crude extract and solvent fractions of the leaf of B. abyssinica in mice.MethodsCold maceration within 80% methanol was used to extract the leaf powder and extract of the leaf was fractionated using n-hexane, chloroform, and distilled water. The in vivo antidiarrheal activity of crude extracts and solvent fractions were tested in experimental models of castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and antimotility test. Five groups each with 6 mice were used under the three antidiarrheal models. Positive controls were treated with loperamide 3 mg/kg and atropine 5 mg/kg and 2% tween 80 was used in the treatment of negative controls. The extract and solvent fractions were administered at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. Time of onset of diarrhea, number and weight of total and wet feces, the percent reduction in the number of wet feces, weight and volume of intestinal contents, and percent inhibition of intestinal motility were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.ResultDefecation of castor oil-induced diarrheal or loose stools was inhibited (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001) at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of crude extract and aqueous fraction. The crude extract and the aqueous fraction at three doses (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001), the chloroform fraction at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001), and the n-hexane fraction at 400 mg/kg (p < 0.05) reduced intraluminal fluid accumulation compared with the negative control. Castor oil-induced intestinal motility was significantly suppressed with the three-doses of aqueous fraction (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001), 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of crude extract (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01), 400 mg/kg of chloroform and n-hexane (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001) compared with negative control.ConclusionThe crude extract, aqueous, and chloroform fractions of B. abyyssinica leaves have promising anti-diarrheal effects, supporting the plant's traditional use to treat diarrhea.

Natural phenolic compounds from Satureja L. as inhibitors of COVID-19 protease (Mpro): Computational investigations

Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causes a new type of severe acute respiratory syndrome that first appeared in Wuhan in December 2019; it is a very fast-spreading and deadly virus. Therefore, urgent discovery or development of “lead compounds” against this virus is crucial. Natural compounds have always served as a great source, especially the use of traditional medicinal plants, in modern drug discovery. This study aimed to investigate the SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibition potential of the phenolic compounds in the genus Satureja L. The affinities of the chosen natural products were understood using molecular docking simulation against the SARS-CoV-2 protease enzyme. The study proved that three different phenolic compounds namely 5,6-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7,8-dimethoxy-4H-chromen-4-one, 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5,6-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-4H-chromen-4-one, and 5,6-dihydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-7,8-dimethoxy-4H-chromen-4-one obtained from Satureja L. taxa were found as promising against SARS-CoV-2 main protease.

Traditional use of medicinal plants in rural areas of Osijek-Baranja county, Republic of Croatia

In this study, the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants in the rural areas of Osijek-Baranja County, Eastern Republic of Croatia, was analyzed by conducting an ethnobotanical survey with 200 informants. Our aim was to collect and identify plant species used for therapeutic purposes and to record information on traditional herbal medicine. According to our study, 72 plant taxa belonging to 34 families were identified and their usage has been recorded. The most commonly used plants belong to the Asteraceae family followed by species from Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, Apiaceae, and Alliaceae families. Well-known medicinal plant species such as chamomile, linden, nettle, sage, calendula, houseleek, and mint were the ones most often used for medical treatment purposes. Different pharmaceutical forms were prepared, starting from infusions, juices, medicinal baths, poultices, syrups, ointments, oils, solutions, and mixtures with honey. The most common indications were various inflammations, colds, skin diseases, insomnia, nervous problems, menstrual problems, as well as digestive and urinary system related problems. Folk medicine in Osijek-Baranja County is intended mainly as a mode of primary health care in the healing of minor illnesses.

Traditional use of medicinal plants: First record of Ethno- medical plants of Azmatabad village, Thannamandi, District Rajouri (J&amp;K)

The present study was conducted to document the ethno–medicinal plants and their usage by the Pahari community of Azmatabad village, Thannamandi of District Rajouri in J&amp;K. Documentation is the first step in achieving conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants on a local, regional, and global scale. The checklist of medical plants acts as baseline data for use by the researchers, policy makers, land managers and common people interested in documentation, conservation, and sustainable use. The altitude is 1982 m above the sea level supporting sub-tropical to temperate vegetation and offering congenial climatic condition favorable for the growth of medical plants. A total of 65 medicinal plant species belonging to 44 (Table-1) families were identified which are used by the local Pahari inhabitants as medicine, they need to be documented for the preservation and conservation.

Plants and fungi in the ethnomedicine of the medieval East - a review

Background: In the history of medicinal science of the medieval East, the merits of the great tabibs-physicians Ar-Razi, Avicenna (Ibn Sinо), the scientist-encyclopedist Beruni, Yusufi and others are enormous. When treating patients, they used medicinal plants, as well as fungi, animal (ornithological) and mineral products. Such use of plants for medicinal purposes goes back centuries. In this review, we present a compilation of the most important plant species and fungi used in the traditional medicine of the medieval East. Methods: We have obtained ethnomedicinal information by searching various resources, such as scientific and popular journal papers, monographs, books written in Uzbek, Russian and English, and our materials focused on the traditional use of medicinal plants and fungi. Scientific names, both of plants and fungi were checked for potential synonyms in the databases Index Fungorum and Plants of the World Online (POWO). Results: Based on literary data on taxonomy, resource science, as well as folk and scientific medicine, we compiled a list of plant families used by healers and medicines of the Middle East. According to our results, 173 species of medicinal plants were used and described by Ar-Razi, 515 by Avicenna, 901 in Beruni, and 110 as well as a few fungal species in Yusufi. Among the medicinal plants used by Ar-Razi, Avicenna and the Beruni listed in Saidana are more than 240 species currently found in the flora of Uzbekistan. Conclusion: On the face of the fact that the centuries-old experience of traditional medicine, generalized in the works of scientists from the Middle East, has found its confirmation at the present time. Most of the medicinal plants indicated by them are now included in the Pharmacopoeias of many countries, from which both independent medicinal products were obtained, and biologically active substances were isolated that serve in the improvement of the population. Given the growing interest in medicines of natural origin, work in this direction will continue. Key words: Ethnobiology, Plants, Fungi, Folk Medicine, Scientific Medicine

Medical Plant Species: Distribution, Traditional Utilization, Conservation and Role in Tourism Development in the Forest of Taman Gumi Banten, Wanagiri Village, Buleleng, Bali

Taman Gumi Banten Forest is located in Wanagiri Village, Sukasada District, Buleleng Regency, Bali Province. This forest was previously managed by the local government. When managed by the government, illegal logging occurred and expansion of cultivated plants into the forest. The government then grants the forest for its management to the customary village. The forest that is managed by this customary village is based on local wisdom so that this forest remains sustainable until now and there is no illegal logging and expansion of cultivated plants into the middle of the forest. The purpose of this study was to determine the various species of medicinal plants and their mapping in the perspective of traditional medicinal plant use, processing methods, usage methods, designation of medicinal plants, tourism perspectives, and local wisdom-based conservation. The research population was all plant species in the forest of Taman Gumi Banten. The research sample for (1) mapping study was the entire forest area of Taman Gumi Banten. (2) Plant species samples are all plant species covered by squares with a size of 20x20 m² (for trees), 5x5 m² (for saplings), and 1x1 m² for seeds / seedlings). To find out the various types of plants that can be used as medicinal plants, deep interview methods, observation, questionnaires, and check lists are used. The informants were Balian / Shaman (2 people), Village Head and staff (5 people), Traditional Village Head staff (5 people), Stakeholders / Pastors (3 people), General Community (10 people). Total informants were 25 people. The collected data were analyzed descriptively. The results showed: (1) The overall plant species and medicinal plants in the Taman Gumi Banten forest, Wanagiri Village, Sukasada District, Buleleng Regency have been mapped. (2) The traditional use of medicinal plants by the Balinese people generally has three properties, namely tis (cold), dumelade (not cold and not hot), and anget (hot). (3) In the perspective of developing forest tourism, there are opportunities to be developed as a tourism object.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Adwa District, Central Zone of Tigray Regional State, Northern Ethiopia

BackgroundMedicinal plants have been used for ages in Ethiopia. Some 887 plant species have been documented to heal human and livestock health problems. Documenting the traditional use of medicinal plants is a vital step in obtaining information on bioactive chemicals, preserving indigenous knowledge and ultimately interesting, medicinal plant species. We conducted this study with the aim of documenting the ethnobotanical knowledge associated with medicinal plant use in Adwa District, Northern Ethiopia.MethodsThe study was conducted from September 2018 to December 2019. A total of 393 informants (242 males and 151 females) were selected. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, guided walks and group discussions. We calculated informant consensus factors (ICF) and fidelity level (FL) and performed ranking and paired comparisons. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including independent sample t test and ANOVA.ResultsOverall, we documented 127 medicinal plants belonging to 105 genera, under 54 families to be used by local people to address 43 human and 15 livestock ailments. Families Fabaceae and Solanaceae were the most important ones with 11 (8.66%) species each. Herbs were the dominant growth form (55 species), followed by shrubs (39). The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (24.27%) followed by roots (14%). The most important preparation method was crushing and pounding (42.7%) followed by fumigation (smoke and vapour) (23, 11.1%). The common route of administration was via skin application (67 or 32%) followed by oral (63, 27%). ICF showed that tonsillitis had the higher value (0.95). Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich. was the most preferred medicinal plant (36) treating abdominal pain, followed by Kalanchoe quartiniana A. Rich. for blackleg (34).ConclusionsAdwa District is relatively rich in medicinal plant diversity and traditional knowledge on use, preparation and application of the medicinal flora. However, agricultural expansion (51%), overgrazing (43%) and drought (37%) were mentioned most when informants were asked about the threats to medicinal plants in Adwa District. Hence, on-site and off-site medicinal plant conservation would help protect medicinal plants in the district.