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Mon AM, Hein PP, Zaw M, Kyaw MT, Yang Y, Yang X, Shi Y. Ethnobotanical surveys reveal the crucial role of medicinal plants in the primary healthcare system of the Shan people in Myanmar. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 327:117875. [PMID: 38346522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Shan people of Myanmar live under conditions of longtime social instability and public medical resources inadequate, which tend to strengthen the reliance on local traditional primary healthcare system. The documentation of this kind of resource, however, was rarely and inadequate to support any kind of dynamic trend evaluation. Being an ethnobotanical study, we conducted field survey in the Southern Shan State of Myanmar and aimed to 1) document the local plant species that adopted for primary healthcare purpose, 2) clarify how these species collectively address the broad range of primary medication needs for local people, and 3) lay foundation for dynamic trend evaluation of the role of local medicinal plants under this kind of social and cultural context. MATERIAL AND METHODS Field surveys were conducted with 124 informants in eight villages. We collected 1259 use reports and documented all the plant species used for treating all the mentioned ailment types. The ailments were translated into their emic meaning and then classified into common disease categories. The top ranked and newly recorded plants or ailment types were analyzed based on historical records from the region. RESULTS Totally 156 plant species were used for treating 91 ailments belonging to 16 disease categories, with skin problems and digestive tract were the top cited diseases, and with Fabaceae and Lamiaceae were the top cited plant families. A total of 19 newly recorded plant species were suggested as new member of Myanmar medicinal plant list. Besides, we filled the gaps (for 24 species) and enriched the types (for 83 species) of applicable ailments for known Myanmar medicinal plants. CONCLUSION Our study revealed that the Shan people in Southern Shan State used rich plant species for various therapeutic purposes. Our findings indicate the crucial role of local plant resources for local people's primary healthcare needs and support further study about cultural or regional comparation or historical dynamic trend of the medicinal plants uses in areas facing longtime official or public medical resource inadequate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aye Mya Mon
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 05282, Myanmar; Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Southeast Asia Biodiversity Conservation, Kunming, 666303, China.
| | - Pyae Phyo Hein
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 05282, Myanmar; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Moe Zaw
- Forest Research Institute, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 05282, Myanmar.
| | - Myo Thiha Kyaw
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 05282, Myanmar.
| | - Yongping Yang
- Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna, 666303, China.
| | - Xuefei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 05282, Myanmar; Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Southeast Asia Biodiversity Conservation, Kunming, 666303, China.
| | - Yinxian Shi
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 05282, Myanmar; Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Southeast Asia Biodiversity Conservation, Kunming, 666303, China.
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Cheng Z, Lu X, Lin F, Naeem A, Long C. Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants used by Dulong people in northwestern Yunnan, China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2022; 18:3. [PMID: 35062974 PMCID: PMC8781162 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00501-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dulong (Drung people) are one of the ethnic minorities of China, consisting of a small population living in remote and mountainous regions with limited facilities. Over the years, the Dulong have maintained their livelihood by collecting wild medicinal and edible plants. Therefore, through their experience and understanding, they had accumulated sufficient traditional knowledge about local plant resources. Since ancient times, wild edible plants have been essential to the food security of the Dulong people. However, there is almost no comprehensive report available on WEPs consumed by the Dulong people. The objectives of this study were to: (1) make a systematic study of WEPs used by Dulong people, (2) record traditional knowledge related to WEPs, (3) analyze multiple uses of WEPs, and (4) evaluate species with significant cultural significance to Dulong people. METHODS Ethnobotanical survey including free listing, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and participatory observations was conducted in Dulongjiang Township, Gongshan County, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. A total of 127 informants were selected using the snowball method and information about WEPs, including vernacular name, food categories, parts used, mode of consumption, collection season, and other local uses were collected. The RFC and CFSI were calculated to identify the most culturally significant WEPs. One-way analysis of variance was performed to evaluate whether the four reference variables (gender, age, occupation, and education) significantly influenced the number of plant species mentioned by the respondents. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A total of 148 species of WEPs consumed by the Dulong people belonging to 58 families were collected, including wild vegetables (71), wild fruits (52), staple food substitutes (15), spices (7), nuts (4), tea substitute (2), liquor making materials (3) oils and fats (3), and culinary coagulants (1). WEPs are used in a number of different ways, including as fuelwood, feed, and medicine. Food substitute plants accounted for the majority of the top 27 wild food plants identified by RFC and CFSI. It was observed that farmers have more knowledge of WEPs, and moderate education level informants reported less WEPs used. CONCLUSION The WEPs used by the Dulong people are diverse and abundant in the Dulongjiang region. In the future, WEPs such as Maianthemum atropurpureum, Caryota obtusa, Cardiocrinum giganteum, and Angiopteris esculenta with economic potential can be developed to provide a source of income for the residents. More studies of the nutritional value, chemical composition, and biological activities of WEPs are needed. The demands and development of local communities can be realized under the premise of protecting WEPs and the associated traditional knowledge. More attention should be paid to the value of WEP and underutilized plants during future rural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Xiaoping Lu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Fengke Lin
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Abid Naeem
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006 China
| | - Chunlin Long
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100081 China
- Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 China
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Witkamp RF. Bioactive Components in Traditional Foods Aimed at Health Promotion: A Route to Novel Mechanistic Insights and Lead Molecules? Annu Rev Food Sci Technol 2022; 13:315-336. [PMID: 35041794 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-food-052720-092845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Traditional foods and diets can provide health benefits beyond their nutrient composition because of the presence of bioactive compounds. In various traditional healthcare systems, diet-based approaches have always played an important role, which has often survived until today. Therefore, investigating traditional foods aimed at health promotion could render not only novel bioactive substances but also mechanistic insights. However, compared to pharmacologically focused research on natural products, investigating such nutrition-based interventions is even more complicated owing to interacting compounds, less potent and relatively subtle effects, the food matrix, and variations in composition and intake. At the same time, technical advances in 'omics' technologies, cheminformatics, and big data analysis create new opportunities, further strengthened by increasing insights into the biology of health and homeostatic resilience. These are to be combined with state-of-the-art ethnobotanical research, which is key to obtaining reliable and reproducible data. Unfortunately, socioeconomic developments and climate change threaten traditional use and knowledge as well as biodiversity. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Food Science and Technology, Volume 13 is March 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renger F Witkamp
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands;
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Łuczaj Ł, Lamxay V, Tongchan K, Xayphakatsa K, Phimmakong K, Radavanh S, Kanyasone V, Pietras M, Karbarz M. Wild food plants and fungi sold in the markets of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2021; 17:6. [PMID: 33499871 PMCID: PMC7835671 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00423-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Open air markets hold an important position for ethnobiologists. In Southeast Asia, they are seriously understudied, in spite of their incredible biocultural diversity. In order to fill this gap we recorded plants and fungi sold in the open air markets of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. METHODS The markets were visited 38 times in four seasons: the dry season, early monsoon, mid-monsoon, and end-of-monsoon, at least 8 times per season. All items were photographed and voucher specimens were collected. Fungi were identified using DNA barcoding techniques. RESULTS We recorded 110 species of wild edible plants and 54 species of fungi, including 49 wild-collected species. The sold plants included 86 species of green vegetables, 18 species of fruits and 3 species of flowers. Products from woody species constitute around half of all taxa sold. These include the young shoots of tree leaves, which are used for salads-an interesting feature of Lao cuisine. A large number of extremely rare Russula, with no reference sequences represented in databases or even species unknown to science is present on sale in the markets. CONCLUSIONS Luang Prabang markets are some of the richest in species of wild edible plants and fungi in Asia, and indeed in the whole world. It is worth pointing out the exceptionally long list of wild edible mushrooms which are sold in Luang Prabang (and probably elsewhere in Laos). We view the Morning Market of Luang Prabang as a cultural treasure that unites the traditions of eating a large number of living species with very diverse flora and fauna. Measures should be taken to strike a balance between local foraging traditions and nature conservation priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Łuczaj
- Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, ul. Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Vichith Lamxay
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, National University of Laos, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Khamphart Tongchan
- Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden, Ban Wat That, PO Box 959, 06000 Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Kosonh Xayphakatsa
- Biotechnology and Ecology Institute, Ministry of Science and Technology, Doon Teaw Village, Km 14 Office, Thangon Road, Xaythany District PO Box 2279, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Kongchay Phimmakong
- Department of Science, Ministry of Science and Technology, Doon Teaw, Km 14, Thangon Road, Xaythany District PO Box 2279, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Somphavanh Radavanh
- Biotechnology and Ecology Institute, Ministry of Science and Technology, Doon Teaw Village, Km 14 Office, Thangon Road, Xaythany District PO Box 2279, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Villapone Kanyasone
- Department of Science and Technology, Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Marcin Pietras
- Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Parkowa 5, 62-035 Kórnik, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Karbarz
- Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, ul. Pigonia 1, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
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