Ethnomedicinal knowledge of a marginal hill community of Central Himalaya: Diversity, usage pattern and conservation concerns

Ojha, S. N.; Tiwari, Deepti; Anand, Aryan; Sundriyal, R. C.

doi:10.21203/rs.2.19077/v3

Cited by 6 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Several FDA-approved drugs including artemisinin (from Artemisia annua), quinine (from Cinchona officinalis), vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine (from Vinca rosea), and etoposide (from Mayapple) primarily originate from traditional herbal medicines [4]. It has been estimated that nearly 400,000 flowering plant species exist on earth, among which only 6% have been evaluated for their biological properties, and still more than 90% remains unexplored [5]. Therefore, ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants provides valuable information for the synthesis of new drugs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethnobotany of the medicinal plants used by the ethnic communities of Kerman province, Southeast Iran

Hosseini

Bibak

Ghara

et al. 2021

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background Traditional medicine is a major component in the primary healthcare system in the southeast of Iran, which has a rich floral diversity. However, there is no comprehensive report on the use of medicinal herbs in this specific region. This traditional usage of medicinal plants by local communities could serve as a source for pharmacological and phytochemical studies. The main objective of this study was to identify ethnopharmacological knowledge on medicinal plant species and their local healing applications by the folk communities of Kerman province in the southeast of Iran. Methods In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 217 herbal healers using semi-structured questionnaires, open interviews, and field surveys. Factors including use reports (UR) for each species, frequency of citation (FC), and informant consensus factor (ICF) were used to analyze the data. Plant species were identified by botanists through standard taxonomic methods. Results A total of 402 medicinal plants were used in healing practices by the local communities of Kerman province. These species belong to 273 genera of 73 families, among which 367 species are dicotyledons, 27 are monocotyledons, 7 species are cryptogam, and one species is gymnosperm. An important implication from the current study is the identification of the traditional medicinal use of 292 plant species in this region for the first time. Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, and Fabaceae were the dominant medicinally utilized plant families, respectively. Leaf, flower, fruit, and seed were the most common plant parts used. Generally, crude drugs were used in the form of decoction, followed by poultice and infusion forms. Moreover, oral route is considered as the most common administration route followed by topical route. Endocrine (diabetes), dermatological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory problems were ranked as the most frequent ailment categories for which medicinal plants in this region were applied, respectively. Our findings suggested dominant use of Asteraceae and Apiaceae plants for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, Lamiaceae plants for respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments, and Apocynaceae plants for dermatological problems. Conclusion Our findings suggested that Asteraceae and Apiaceae plants were used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, Lamiaceae plants for respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments, and Apocynaceae and Euphorbiaceae plants for dermatological problems. Among the medicinal plants with high UR and new ethnobotanical uses, Rhazya stricta was used for wound healing, Calotropis procera, Clematis ispahanica and Euphorbia spp. for eczema, Cionura erecta for the treatment of cough, Launaea acanthodes for the treatment of gastrointestinal parasites, Berberis integrrima as an antidiabetic medicinal herb, Dracocephalum polychaetum and Rydingia persica for various types of chronic diseases, Citrus limon and Citrus aurantium for the treatment of ocular diseases and making the traditional kohl, Calendula officinalis for the treatment of pterygium and Prosopis farcta for preventing nasal bleeding. The identified medicinal plants can be further evaluated for their pharmacological activity and underlying mechanisms of action.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethnobotany of the medicinal plants used by the ethnic communities of Kerman province, Southeast Iran

Hosseini

Bibak

Ghara

et al. 2021

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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“…In the last few decades there was an increase on demand of herbal medicine globally. The previous reports were affirmed that out of 2,50,000 flowering plants in the world, only > 10% have been screened so far for their therapeutic influence, and still more than 90% remains unexplored (Rai et al 2000, Ojha et al 2020. Tribal groups store huge information on traditional herbal remedyies and this require to be properly documented (Karunamoorthi & Tsehaye 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The knowledge on conservation of medicinal plants and its use has made an interlinked between promoting the environmental conservation and native information (Cameron 2008). In order to fulfill the demand of rising population, in recent few years there is an increased interest on the use of medicinal plants to expand novel drugs and medicines (Gazzaneo et al 2005, Ojha et al 2020. So, the information on plants of their ethnomedicinal uses holds greater potential.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Ethnobotanical Study on Native Plants of Bargarh District of Western Odisha, India in Relieving Urogenital Ailments

Sahu¹,

Sahu²,

Raal

2021

Ethnobot. Res. App.

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Background: This study focused on the ethnobotanical study on native plants of Bargarh district of western Odisha, India in relieving urogenital ailments. Methods:The study area was visited regularly and close interaction were made with the senior tribal people involved with herbal medicines. During field work, interviews were conducted with local educated villagers, the herbal healer, old woman and medicinal plant vendors. A total of 42 healers form Binjhal tribes (Dravidian ethnic group) were interviewed from the10 selected blocks.Results: A total of 28 species belong to 27 genera and 17 families were focused to have ethnobotanical significance towards urogenital ailments. Among the 28 plants species, 12 (43%) trees species, eight (29%) shrubs, six (21%) herbs species and two (7) climber species were recorded. Various parts of these species were used by the natives, of these roots of highest number of species (8) were used, followed by leaves (7), barks (4), seeds and fruits of three species each; flowers, gums, corollas, and whole plants of one species each. Conclusions:The present study showing that there was an abundance of huge knowledge within the different ethnic communities that were not explored yet. Due to lack of communication and systematic transmission among the young generation the ethnobotanical knowledge may be declined. Hence it is urgent to document the ethnobotanical knowledge of old age people. Several species such as Achyranthes aspera var. indica, Bauhinia racemosa, Cassia auriculata, Celosia argentea, Gloriosa superba, Terminalia bellirica, etc. can be further studied for their pharmacological activity and active compounds.

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“…UV is a widely used statistic employed by ethnobotanists to provide a measure of the relative usefulness of plants to people [ 26 , 27 ]. To calculate the use value of each species (i), we use the formula …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…FUV provides a measure of the relative usefulness of plant families. FUV for a particular family is calculated using the formula [ 27 ]: …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Richness of non-timber forest products in Himalayan communities—diversity, distribution, use pattern and conservation status

Masoodi

Sundriyal

2020

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are important resources for sustenance of rural communities; a systematic planning to manage diverse NTFPs may immensely contribute to food and livelihood security of forest dwellers. Considering this, the present study has been undertaken in the Himachal Pradesh state in north India. It aims to provide detailed information on diversity, distribution, use pattern, and conservation status of selected NTFPs that have market potential, and suggest a possible way for their sustained management and possible role in livelihood upgradation of dependent communities. Methodology An inventory of NTFP species was prepared by collecting secondary information from published scientific studies in journals, books, and other periodicals as well as species being traded as per Forest department records. Search on various online databases were also used (Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, ISI Web of Science) using specific search terms such as “non-timber forest products,” “NTFPs,” “medicinal plants,” “wild edible plants,” and “Himachal Pradesh,” “Western Himalaya,” and “Northwest Himalaya.” A list of potential NTFPs was prepared having market value. To evaluate the relative usefulness of different species, a quantitative valuation was also used by calculating various indices, such as use value (UV), relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance index (RI), cultural importance index (CI), and cultural value (CV). Results A total of 811 species have been screened that has significant potential for the State, and categorized in 18 groups as per their use. The family use value was highest for Asteraceae (FUV = 76.75). Among plant parts used, whole plants, roots (including rhizomes and tubers), leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, stems, and barks were used by the forest dwellers. Maximum NTFPs were collected from the warm temperate zone, followed by the temperate, sub-alpine, sub-tropical, and alpine zones. Sixty-one percent of species had medicinal importance, followed by species used for food and fodder purposes. Although species richness of medicinal plants decreased with altitude, however, most plants extracted from high altitudes were high-value species fetching better income. As many as 125 NTFPs were identified under the diverse level of threats according to IUCN criteria and as per the local stakeholders’ perceptions. Conclusion High dependence on NTFPs by poor and marginal communities for domestic needs as well as market demand of selected species leads to create excessive pressure on them. Unfortunately, the state agencies are not having any robust conservation plan for NTFPs. For long-term management of NTFPs sector, a species-specific conservation strategy, proper harvesting protocol, cultivation practices, the supply of quality planting material, product development and diversification, value chain development, and ensured market is greatly desired. This will not only lead to conserving NTFPs resources in their natural habitats but also lead a sustainable livelihood generation for forest dwellers.

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Ethnomedicinal knowledge of a marginal hill community of Central Himalaya: Diversity, usage pattern and conservation concerns

Cited by 6 publications

References 30 publications

Ethnobotany of the medicinal plants used by the ethnic communities of Kerman province, Southeast Iran

Ethnobotany of the medicinal plants used by the ethnic communities of Kerman province, Southeast Iran

An Ethnobotanical Study on Native Plants of Bargarh District of Western Odisha, India in Relieving Urogenital Ailments

Richness of non-timber forest products in Himalayan communities—diversity, distribution, use pattern and conservation status

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