Wealth Of Traditional Knowledge Research Articles

Important Ethnomedicinal Arboreal Flora in Nogli Watershed of Sutlej River Catchment, District Shimla, North-West Himalaya, India

India is one of the foremost countries not only in Asia, but worldwide famed as far as the wealth of traditional knowledge and floristic richness is concerned. Within India, the state of Himachal Pradesh is rich in plant diversity and in addition is also gifted with rich and diverse heritage of cultural traditions. Arboreal plants form an integral source of readily available, traditional medicines to the indigenous communities of the far-flung remote regions. This study pertains to the important woody flora in the Nogli watershed area of Sutlej River Catchment, which are being utilized by the local communities. Ethnobotanical surveys carried between the years 2020 and 2022 are based on semi-structured questionnaires and group discussions, while reconnaissance survey was carried out in all seasons to understand and analyze the vegetation of the region. Response from 50 respondents covering all age groups was recorded. As an outcome, 44 plant species (26 trees and 18 shrubs) of ethno-medicinal importance were identified from the study area. The plant species are spread across 24 families with Rosaceae being the most dominant. The outcome from this study shall form the baseline data for ethnopharmacological research in future. In addition to this a conservation and management plan can also be chalked out for the species which are heavily extracted from the forests. Such systematic and researched information will add up to an extensive database of the plants used by native communities, and this information could be dispersed to the new generation for awareness and sustainable utilization of plants.

Medicinal plants used as therapeutic medicine in the Himalayan region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir

• Medicinal plants have been playing an important role in traditional healing systems. • A total of 125 plant species used in herbal medicine were identified. • The herbaceous used life form is dominantly in herbal preparation. • The maximum ICF index value is calculated for liver and digestive problems. • Berberis lyceum and Thymus sarphylum (100% FL) are used for treating jaundice and joint pain respectively. The current research is the first quantitative ethno-botanical assessment of district Haveli in the Himalayan region, a remote and undiscovered territory of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). The people of the Himalayan region have a wealth of traditional knowledge that can be used to cure a variety of diseases. However, ethno-medicinal data must be recorded as soon as possible in order to preserve them and prevent extinction due to oral transmission, as well as to determine which remedies are still in use. Data was gathered from 70 informants (25 female and 45 male) through semi-structured interviews and group discussions. Informants were chosen at random or, in certain cases, using the snow-ball approach. To evaluate the gathered information, different ethnobotanical indices including UV, RFC, FL%, and ICF were used. Moreover, the information gathered in the current research work was contrasted with 22 different studies of aligned areas, including Pakistan. A total of 125 plant species used in herbal medicine were identified, which were distributed among 56 families and employed in 16 illness categories. Asteraceae (16 spp.) was the most used family in the area. The herbaceous life form was dominantly (66 spp., 53.65%) used in herbal preparation. The most commonly used part in herbal medicine was leaves (29.55%), and the most generally used method for preparing herbal recipes was extract (26.53%). The maximum ICF index value (0.92) was calculated for liver and digestive problems. The highest UV (0.92) was calculated for Berginia virgata. Olea ferruginea had the highest relative importance (100). Two plant species, Berberis lycium and Thymus surphylum, had 100% fidelity value. A high similarity was found with the study conducted on Devi Gali and Neelum valley with JI of 16.75 and 14.58. The plants with the highest levels of UV, RFC, RI, and FL would be examined for future pharmacological study in order to validate the findings and produce novel medications. Local residents have remained closer to nature due to their lack of communication with modern civilization. Despite the fact that they continued to employ medicinal plants in different herbal recipes, this tradition is on the verge of extinction since it is mostly retained by hakims, midwives, or the elderly people. The new generation is much less interested in traditional health practices due to advanced healthcare facilities and modern lifestyles.

Quantitative ethnobotanical study of therapeutic plants of Amarkantak hills in Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, Central India

Amarkantak is a natural heritage site with luxuriant flora on the hilly terrain of Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, Central India. The Gonds, Baigas, and other ethnic communities in the area have a wealth of traditional knowledge and practice phytotherapy as health practitioners. The study was undertaken to document the plants of ethnopharmacological significance and their quantitative analyses. The traditional knowledge was collected from informants using open interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. Including 42 health practitioners, a total of 286 respondents were interviewed. The data were analyzed through quantitative indices like Use value (UV), Family use-value (FUV), Relative Importance (RI), Fidelity level (FL), and Informant consensus factor (ICF). The findings on sociocultural demography and therapeutic utilization of plants were discussed in the context of previously published information. The report explained that 173 species belonging to 148 genera and 65 plant families were used against 17 disease categories. The highly mentioned families are Fabaceae (11.5%), Asteraceae (6.9%), Apocynaceae (5.7%), and Lamiaceae (5.7%). The most cited species are Andrographis paniculata, Ocimum sanctum, Tinospora sinensis, Holarrhena pubescens, Cyanoglossum lanceolatum, and Azadirachta indica, within 0.66–0.68 UV. Herbs (45.6%), leaves (17%), and hot infusion (22%) were the most preferred plant forms, employed parts, and recipes for the preparation of drugs. The gastrointestinal illness was the leading cause of concern in the area with 95 reports and a maximum ICF (0.71). The Hypoxidaceae family with a single highly used medicinal plant had the highest FUV (0.54). Curcuma longa (RI: 61.42) was found to be the most suitable species for treating a wide range of body systems. A. paniculata was the most chosen therapeutic plant with the highest FL (90.9). The findings look into a few key plant species with high use values that deserve special attention in drug development. The report recommends that ethnomedicinal plants be studied further for scientific validation after in vitro and in vivo investigations in disease-induced animal models, as well as safety assessments and clinical trials, to ensure safe therapy.

Plants for making wooden bowls and related traditional knowledge in the Gyirong Valley, Tibet, China

BackgroundThe wooden bowl is an important symbol of the Tibetan cultures, yet, in China, little has been documented regarding the raw materials used to make these items as well as their cultural significance in Tibet. This study explores the ethnobotanical uses of plants used to make wooden bowls to understand their sustainability, cultural significance, and current status of related traditional knowledge in Gyirong Town, which is one of the most famous places for wooden bowl making.Materials and methodsBetween 2019 and 2021, key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews, and participatory observations were used to conduct ethnobotanical field surveys in Gyirong Valley. The field work was performed with the assistance of local guides. In this study, we utilized a use-report (UR) to reflect the number of mentions of a species by locals.ResultsOur results show that 16 different plants are used during the wooden bowl making process, of which nine are used as raw materials, three for dyeing, and four for varnishing. Although communities rely heavily on these plants, good management and collection methods were observed. We also documented the use of Fallopia denticulata as a red dye and four species of Impatiens as wood varnishes for the first time.ConclusionThe wooden bowl craftsmen and their housewives have a wealth of traditional knowledge of using plants to make wooden bowls in Gyirong Town. And the wooden bowls are now also offering benefits to the locals as well. The government and local people are committed to the protection and development of traditional knowledge related to wooden bowls, and this knowledge maintains a healthy degree of vitality. This research can provide insights into the vitality of traditional handicrafts that are facing challenges and promote their protection.

Unlocking plant resources to support food security and promote sustainable agriculture

Societal Impact StatementBiodiversity is essential to food security and nutrition locally and globally. By reviewing the global state of edible plants and highlighting key neglected and underutilized species (NUS), we attempt to unlock plant food resources and explore the role of fungi, which along with the wealth of traditional knowledge about their uses and practices, could help support sustainable agriculture while ensuring better protection of the environment and the continued delivery of its ecosystem services. This work will inform a wide range of user communities, including scientists, conservation and development organizations, policymakers, and the public of the importance of biodiversity beyond mainstream crops.SummaryAs the world's population is increasing, humanity is facing both shortages (hunger) and excesses (obesity) of calorie and nutrient intakes. Biodiversity is fundamental to addressing this double challenge, which involves a far better understanding of the global state of food resources. Current estimates suggest that there are at least 7,039 edible plant species, in a broad taxonomic sense, which includes 7,014 vascular plants. This is in striking contrast to the small handful of food crops that provide the majority of humanity's calorie and nutrient intake. Most of these 7,039 edible species have additional uses, the most common being medicines (70%), materials (59%), and environmental uses (40%). Species of major food crops display centers of diversity, as previously proposed, while the rest of edible plants follow latitudinal distribution patterns similarly to the total plant diversity, with higher species richness at lower latitudes. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List includes global conservation assessments for at least 30% of edible plants, with ca. 86% of them conserved ex situ. However, at least 11% of those species recorded are threatened. We highlight multipurpose NUS of plants from different regions of the world, which could be key for a more resilient, sustainable, biodiverse, and community participation‐driven new “green revolution.” Furthermore, we explore how fungi could diversify and increase the nutritional value of our diets. NUS, along with the wealth of traditional knowledge about their uses and practices, offer a largely untapped resource to support food security and sustainable agriculture. However, for these natural resources to be unlocked, enhanced collaboration among stakeholders is vital.

Documenting Heritage at Risk: Vernacular Farm Houses in the Eastern Tibetan Cultural Region

Tibetan architecture is largely associated with the impressive monastic buildings scattered over the Tibetan Plateau and the adjoining mountain ranges. While these buildings have long attracted the interest from travellers and researches, the rural vernacular architecture has been grossly neglected. Accounting for more than 90 percent of the cultural heritage vernacular farmhouses incorporate an immeasurable wealth of traditional knowledge and local craftsmanship that is increasingly threatened by the impacts of modernisation. The article draws on a research project on vernacular architecture in the Tibetan cultural region and presents four examples of rural houses in former Kham, that is nowadays spread across Sichuan, Qinghai, Yunnan provinces and the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region. The examples show a surprising diversity in terms of style, size, layout, building materials and structural systems that are perfectly adapted to local climatic and topographic conditions as well as the resources available in a particular environment. As examples for this diversity the article presents a rammed earth building in Chatreng, a house in stone masonry from Dabpa, a house in Pome built with timber log walls, and a house from Gyalrong with a mixed stone/timber construction. The richness of vernacular farmhouse architecture in Kham deserves special recognition and support on various levels.

The role of local taboos in the management of marine fisheries resources in Tanzania

Contemporary government rules for fisheries resources management in developing countries have been challenged for their inadequacy. The search for modern management models for coastal and marine resources could be usefully informed by wealth of traditional knowledge that enabled communities to sustainably live with their environment for centuries or millennia. Local taboos, defined as implicit or explicit social rules prohibiting certain actions, have played an important part in many traditional approaches to resource use. A mixed methods approach was used to investigate how local taboos play a role in the management of fisheries resources in some rural and urban coastal communities of Tanzania. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, participant observations and questionnaire surveys were used to gather primary data. Data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The study identified a number of potential local taboos in the management of fisheries resources and their habitats in coastal Tanzania. While these taboos showed some potential for applications in modern management approaches, a majority of fishers indicated non-compliance to most of them, especially in urban areas. A number of reasons are revealed to have attributed to the non-compliance of these taboos. These findings suggest the prospect for judicious integration of traditional practices with modern strategies, to enhance compliance. More studies on traditional knowledge that has a role in fisheries resources management are recommended, as are biophysical assessments in conjunction with traditional practices to reveal their scientific benefits. Successful community-based fisheries resources management in Tanzania will draw on modern and traditional perspectives.

Protection of traditional knowledge: A perspective on Intellectual Property Law in Indonesia

Traditional knowledge (TK) has historical, cultural, scientific and economic value. Its community ownership characteristics differ from law dealing with traditional intellectual property (e.g. the TRIPS Agreement), which is characterized as individualistic, materialistic and exploitative. Such differences leave the TK possessed by developing countries, including Indonesia, unprotected. TK is often exploited by companies in developed countries to obtain an economic benefit and recognition of the knowledge as an intellectual property right (IPR) (in particular, through patents and copyright), without respect for the original community owner or considering it as within the public domain. Indonesia must protect its wealth of TK in two ways, namely: (i) starting with non‐legal protection through activities tracking, preserving, promoting, documenting and digitizing TK in a manner that is easily accessible, both nationally and internationally, and establishing cooperation with the intellectual property offices of developed countries so that the documentation and digitization of Indonesian TK can become one of the comparators in examining patent and other intellectual property petitions and (ii) legal protection of such intellectual property through new sui generis regulations (currently being discussed in the draft law on Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions).

Estudo Etnobotânico de plantas medicinais utilizadas pela Comunidade do Sisal no município de Catu, Bahia, Brasil

A utilização de plantas medicinais é instintiva nos animais, visto que alguns destes buscam raízes, cascas, folhas ou frutos na tentativa de resolver seus males. O homem, por sua vez, aprendeu a utilizar estas informações empiricamente para fazer uso destes vegetais. A medicina popular é uma importante alternativa, provavelmente, a mais usada para a cura de doenças por parte de populações indígenas, quilombolas ou rurais. A Etnobotânica, por sua vez, encarrega-se de estudar e interpretar essa relação dos homens com o mundo vegetal. Devido ao seu grande potencial biológico e cultural, o Brasil apresenta uma infinidade de conhecimentos tradicionais e espécies vegetais importantes, o que torna esse país uma grande fonte de pesquisa na área. Visando avaliar o conhecimento tradicional da população rural do Sisal, Catu/Bahia, relacionado ao uso de plantas medicinais, este trabalho iniciou-se em julho de 2009, constando de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e estruturadas, gravações, registros fotográficos, coleta do material botânico indicado nas entrevistas com os informantes, tratamento do material coletado e incorporação ao Herbário da Universidade do Estado da Bahia (HUNEB). Foram identificadas e coletadas 54 espécies distribuídas em 46 gêneros e 28 famílias, sendo Lamiacaeae e Asteraceae as mais representativas. A maioria das plantas é constituída de ervas e cultivada nos quintais dos moradores. O estudo revelou que a comunidade apresenta uma medicina popular bastante rica, com grande diversidade de espécies vegetais e usos por parte da população.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERUTILIZED PLANT SPECIES: THE ROLE OF VEGETABLES IN ASSURING FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY

ISHS II International Symposium on Underutilized Plant Species: Crops for the Future - Beyond Food Security RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERUTILIZED PLANT SPECIES: THE ROLE OF VEGETABLES IN ASSURING FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY

Trade of Animals Used in Brazilian Traditional Medicine: Trends and Implications for Conservation

Brazil's high biological and sociocultural diversity (Elisabetsky and Wannmacher 1993; MM A 2003; Alves and Rosa 2007a) translates into a wealth of traditional knowledge and practices, including the use of animals for medicinal purposes. The extensive medicinal use of animal parts and products has been documented both in rural and urban areas (Alves and Dias 2010; Alves et al. 2007a, b, 2008a, b, 2009a, b, c, d, 2010a, b, c; Alves and Santana 2008; Alves and Rosa 2006, 2007a, b, 2008a, b; Ferreira et ai 2009a, b; Confessor et ai. 2009; Almeida and Albuquerque 2002; Silva et ai 2004; Figueiredo 1994), and is sustained by a thriving trade in medicinal animals conducted by herbalists in markets throughout Brazil (Freire 1996; Costa-Neto 1999; Almeida and Albuquerque 2002; Silva et al. 2004; Alves 2008, 2009; Alves et ai. 2008a; Ferreira et ai. 2009a; Oliveira et ai. 2010). An examination of this trade is important in order to increase our understanding of how it impacts wild populations, and to explore ways through which conservation and management initiatives can work with resource users. Nonetheless, information on the commercialization of animals used for medicinal purposes is scarce worldwide, and data on the animal species traded are limited.

Herbal drugs in milieu of modern drugs

Medicinal herbs are moving from fringe to mainstream use with a greater number of people seeking remedies and health approaches free from side eff ects caused by synthetic chemicals. Most people believe that herbs are harmless plants, but when these are taken concurrently with drugs, interactions are possible. In this review article, we have discussed several popular herbs, and attempted to provide a comprehensive review that summarizes drug-herb interactions. Mustering systematic information about drug-herb interactions will be a Herculean task. Th e hurdles in evaluating herbal drugs include lack of standardization, insuffi cient quality control, overall under-reporting, etc. Th e challenges posed in evaluating and improving the safety of herbal drugs are the need for standardization and quality control, offi cial compendia, dissemination of information, additional research, pharmacovigilance and regulations. With concentric eff orts to surmount these challenges, the wealth of traditional knowledge can be put to judicious use in the form of herbal remedies and that it fi nds a rightful place in the health care system. Key words: Current status, standardization, quality control, regulations, herb-drug interactions