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Yao R, Gao J, Heinrich M, Yu S, Xue T, Zhang B, Wei X, Qi Y, Gao W. Medicinal plants used by minority ethnic groups in China: Taxonomic diversity and conservation needs. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 334:118573. [PMID: 38996945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118573] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Indigenous communities have long relied on medicinal plants (MPs) for primary healthcare. The ethnomedicinal knowledge are different among ethnic groups since the local flora and people's health beliefs generally vary among biocultural backgrounds. China with its diverse biocultural environment is rich in culturally important plant species including MPs. They are also essential in the context of conservation of plant resources and the related traditional medical knowledge, requiring an integrated perspective on these MPs. AIM OF THE STUDY Focusing on the MPs used by the minority ethnic groups, this study assesses the diversity of MPs in China used in local indigenous traditions, as well as their conservation needs. MATERIALS AND METHODS The MPs used by the 18 selected minority ethnic groups were extracted from an ethnic MP dictionary. After standardizing, the names then were compiled as an inventory. Next, following statistics were computed: the number of species in each order and family, species used by each ethnic group, species documented in the national herbal resource dataset, species adopted in drug standards, and species at different levels of conservation lists. The overall similarity of the MPs used by the ethnic groups included was achieved using a cluster and principal component analysis. RESULTS In total 5886 vascular plant species are reported as medicines in the 18 ethnic groups, which belong to 1657 genera and 243 families. It is found that 3195 species are used exclusively by one ethnic group, indicating their cultural salience and potential restrictedness in ecological terms. Moreover, 1159 species are included in national/regional drug standards, indicating their importance in the national medical flora. However, only 3541 species of them are documented in the national herbal resource dataset, and 761 species are at different levels of threatened status, highlighting the conservation needs of Chinese MPs and the related traditional medical knowledge. CONCLUSIONS Using a quantitative approach, for the first time the present study reveals the high level of taxonomic diversity of MPs used by minority ethnic groups of China. However, of these species, 40% are still not inventoried in the national herbal resource dataset, and more than half are used exclusively by one ethnic group, and around 13% are included in the conservation lists of different levels. These together urge the conservation of MP resources and related traditional medical knowledge. Additionally, we recommend fostering the cross-cultural communication the regional ethnomedicinal knowledge, for the purpose of maximizing the benefits of regional plants to human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyu Yao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Jiejing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China; School of Life Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Michael Heinrich
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University of London, London, WC1N1AX, United Kingdom
| | - Shengxiang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing, 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tiantian Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing, 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bengang Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xueping Wei
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yaodong Qi
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Weiwei Gao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Shan F, Li L, Bi Y, Wang W, Amu G, Li M, Zhou H, Yao R. Exotic medicinal plants from the Silk Road promote the diversification of traditional Chinese medicines. Pharmacol Res 2024; 205:107243. [PMID: 38815881 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a political, economic, and cultural exchange channel between ancient China and countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa, the Silk Road has promoted political, trade, and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries in Chinese history and also promoted the development of traditional Chinese medicine. METHODS This article summarizes the introduction of medicinal materials from the Han to Qing Dynasties, spanning approximately 2000 years. RESULTS A total of 235 types of medicinal plant materials were imported. An analysis of 178 medicinal herbs of known origin, belonging to 72 families revealed their effectiveness in treating 20 diseases. The maximum number of medicinal herbs used to treat gastrointestinal and digestive disorders (GAS) was 122. The applications and origin of exotic medicinal materials, including draconis sanguis and olibanum have changed during the development of the Silk Road. Imported medicinal materials are affected by five factors, including local demand, adaptability, cultural exchange, scarcity, and medical theory. Five modes for introducing medicinal materials include the onshore Silk Road, the maritime Silk Road, diplomatic envoys and gifts, overseas Chinese, cultural exchange, and medical integration. The application of exotic medicinal materials expands the resources and application fields of traditional Chinese medicine, enriching the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. CONCLUSION Traditional Chinese medicinal compounds introduced to China through the ancient Silk Road not only promoted their integration into foreign medicine but also had long-lasting impacts to date and over a wide range, thereby considerably affecting the pharmaceutical and general healthcare industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feibiao Shan
- Inner Mongolia Traditional Chinese & Mongolian Medical Research Institute, Hohhot 010010, China; Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010059, China
| | - Ling Li
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010059, China
| | - Yaqiong Bi
- Inner Mongolia Traditional Chinese & Mongolian Medical Research Institute, Hohhot 010010, China
| | - Wenle Wang
- Inner Mongolia Traditional Chinese & Mongolian Medical Research Institute, Hohhot 010010, China
| | - Guleng Amu
- Inner Mongolia Traditional Chinese & Mongolian Medical Research Institute, Hohhot 010010, China
| | - Minhui Li
- Inner Mongolia Traditional Chinese & Mongolian Medical Research Institute, Hohhot 010010, China; Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010059, China.
| | - Hua Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Chinese Medicine Guangdong Laboratory (Hengqin Laboratory), Guangdong-Macao ln-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, 519000, China.
| | - Ruyu Yao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China.
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Yao R, Wang B, Heinrich M, Wang Q, Xiao P. Genetic diversity of food-medicinal Lycium spp. in China: Insights from chloroplast genome. CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES 2024; 16:401-411. [PMID: 39072208 PMCID: PMC11283223 DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Goji (fruits of Lycium spp.) is commonly consumed as food and medicine. The increasing market demand for goji has led to its wide cultivation and broad breeding, which might cause loss of genetic diversity. This study aims to uncover the genetic diversity of the cultivated and wild Lycium. Methods The chloroplast genome (CPG) of 34 accessions of Chinese food-medicinal Lycium spp., including the popular cultivars and their wild relatives, was re-sequenced and assembled, based on which the genetic diversity was evaluated. Results Sequence structural comparison shows that CPG is comparatively conserved within species. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that CPG is sufficient for the discrimination of Lycium species; combined with nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (Nr ITS) sequences, materials with mixed genetic backgrounds can be identified. Nucleotide diversity analysis reveals that the modern cultivars are probably with a common maternal parent, while the wild accessions are with higher level of genetic diversity. Conclusion For the first time this study reveals the intraspecies genetic diversity of Lycium spp. using CPG, highlighting the urgent conservation demand of wild genetic resources of Lycium. Our study also demonstrates that CPG provides crucial evidence for identification of Lycium species with mixed genetic backgrounds and highlights the importance of the wild relatives in genetic diversity conservation. This CPG-based technology will contribute to the sustainable development of medicinal plants broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyu Yao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
- Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources Conservation and Development of Southern Medicine, Hainan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Haikou 570311, China
| | - Michael Heinrich
- Research Group ‘Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy’, UCL School of Pharmacy, University of London, London WC1N1AX, United Kingdom
| | - Qiuling Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Peigen Xiao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
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Bi Y, Gao F, Guo J, Yao X, Wang A, Liu H, Sun Y, Yao R, Li M. An ethnobotanical survey on the medicinal and edible plants used by the Daur people in China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2024; 20:55. [PMID: 38790060 PMCID: PMC11127305 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-024-00695-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Daur people are one of the 55 minority ethnic groups in China and have lived in Northern China for 300 years. In traditional Daur medicine, medicinal and edible plants (MEPs) are utilised for health benefits and therapeutic purposes; however, related ethnobotanical knowledge is rarely reported, which is disadvantageous for the sustainable development of these MEPs. METHODS Semi-structured interviews with 122 informants, six focus group discussions, and a resource survey were conducted in a Daur minority nationality area in Inner Mongolia from 2015 to 2020, and the data statistics were analysed. In this study, we simulated a system dynamics model aimed at understanding the multiple feedback mechanisms involved in the relationships between the cultural influences and socioeconomic factors, sustainable environment, and development of MEPs. RESULTS A total of 52 species of MEPs were identified and relevant ethnobotanical knowledge was assessed using Daur medicinal species data from Inner Mongolia and the Xinjiang region, with the literature and Ewenki ethnic group data used for comparison. The most commonly used medicinal plant species by the Daur were found to be Betula pendula subsp. mandshurica, Artemisia integrifolia, Crataegus pinnatifida, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Artemisia argyi, and Jacobaea cannabifolia. The MEPs most frequently targeted the digestive and rheumatic immunity systems, as well as infectious diseases or parasitic infections and other common diseases and basic health issues. MEP knowledge was primarily limited to older generations; thus, the valuable ethnobotanical knowledge on traditional medicines must be protected from future losses. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide insights for future research aimed at exploiting the rich phytochemical diversity in traditional medicine and promote its use in modern lifestyles. Effective assessment and management of plant resources will lead to their application for the improvement of dietary diversity, nutrition, and health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqiong Bi
- Inner Mongolia Traditional Chinese & Mongolian Medical Research Institute, Hohhot, 010020, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, 010110, China
| | - Jingxia Guo
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Characteristic Geoherbs Resources Protection and Utilization, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, 014060, China
| | - Xia Yao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Aixiang Wang
- Inner Mongolia Traditional Chinese & Mongolian Medical Research Institute, Hohhot, 010020, China
| | - Haolin Liu
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, 010110, China
| | - Yahong Sun
- Inner Mongolia Traditional Chinese & Mongolian Medical Research Institute, Hohhot, 010020, China
| | - Ruyu Yao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Minhui Li
- Inner Mongolia Traditional Chinese & Mongolian Medical Research Institute, Hohhot, 010020, China.
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, 010110, China.
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Characteristic Geoherbs Resources Protection and Utilization, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, 014060, China.
- Inner Mongolia Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiankang Road 11, Hohhot, 010020, Inner Mongolia, China.
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Zhang Q, Cheng Z, Fan Y, Zhang D, Wang M, Zhang J, Sommano S, Wu X, Long C. Ethnobotanical study on edible flowers in Xishuangbanna, China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2023; 19:43. [PMID: 37777741 PMCID: PMC10542681 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00608-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Edible flowers (EFs) represent valuable sources of both food and medicinal resources, holding the promise to enhance human well-being. Unfortunately, their significance is often overlooked. Ethnobotanical studies on the EFs are lacking in comparison with their botanical and phytochemical research. The practice of consuming flowers as food has a rich culture and long history in China, especially among different linguistic groups in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. However, economic activities have led to a decline of this tradition. Consequently, preserving the traditional knowledge and culture tied to the EFs in Xishuangbanna becomes both essential and pressing. METHODS The field ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Xishuangbanna during five visits in April 2021 and May 2023, covering 48 villages and 19 local markets of all three county-level areas and 9 different linguistic groups. By conducting a comprehensive literature review and on-site field surveys, relevant information regarding the EFs of Xishuangbanna was systematically collected and documented. Additionally, the relative frequency of citation (RFC) values were calculated from the survey data. RESULTS A total of 212 taxa (including species and varieties) of EFs from 58 families and 141 genera were documented in the study area. The edible parts of flowers were classified into 13 categories including peduncle, petal, flower buds, inflorescence as a whole, and etc. They were consumed in 21 ways and as 8 types of food. The inflorescence was the most commonly consumed category, accounting for 85 species (40.1%) of the total categories. They always eat flowers as vegetables (184 species, 86.8%). The preparing form of stir-frying was the preferred food preparation method (138, 65.1%). The Xishuangbanna locals had profound knowledge of which EFs required specific processing to remove their toxicity or bitterness. The dishes can be made from either exclusively from the flowers themselves or by incorporating them alongside other plant parts like stems and leaves. Some EFs with high RFC value, such as Musa acuminata and Bauhinia variegata var. candida, showed significant cultural meanings. These edible flowers occupy specific positions in local traditional culture. CONCLUSION Traditional knowledge regarding edible flowers holds substantial significance and serves as a representative element of the flower-eating culture in Xishuangbanna. Nevertheless, this knowledge and cultural practice are currently decreasing. Serving as a bridge between tradition and modernity, the flower-eating culture, which derives from local people's practical experience, shows the potential of EFs and can be applied to the conservation of biocultural diversity, healthy food systems, and sustainable development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhuo Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yanxiao Fan
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Dezheng Zhang
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Miaomiao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, 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
| | - Jihai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, 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
| | - Sarana Sommano
- Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Xianjin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Research and Utilization of Ethnomedicinal Plant Resources of Hunan Province, College of Biological and Food Engineering, Huaihua University, Huaihua, 418000, China.
| | - Chunlin Long
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, 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.
- Institute of National Security Studies, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Yao R, Heinrich M, Zhang B, Wei X, Qi Y, Gao W. Single botanical drugs in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India-A quantitative ethnobotanical analysis. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1136446. [PMID: 37251315 PMCID: PMC10213908 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1136446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing evidence-based uses of herbal medicines and natural product-based drug discovery are two core aims of ethnopharmacology. This requires an understanding of the medicinal plants and the traditional medical knowledge associated with them which is a basis for cross-cultural comparison. The botanical drugs of traditional medical systems are still not understood well, even for well-known and widely respected traditions like Ayurveda. In this study, a quantitative ethnobotanical analysis was performed on the single botanical drugs included in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), presenting an overview on the medicinal plants of Ayurveda from perspectives of plant systematics and medical ethnobotany. Part-I of API includes 621 single botanical drugs, which are sourced from 393 species (323 genera in 115 families). Of these, 96 species yield two or more drugs, together accounting for 238 drugs. Taking the traditional concepts, biomedical uses and the pragmatic disease classification into account, therapeutic uses of these botanical drugs are sorted into 20 categories, which meet primary health demands. The therapeutic uses of the drugs sourced from the same species may differ considerably, but 30 of the 238 drugs are used in highly similar way. The comparative phylogenetic analysis identifies 172 species with high potential for specific therapeutic uses. This medical ethnobotanical assessment for the first time provides a comprehensive understanding on the single botanical drugs in API from the perspective of medical botany using an "etic" (scientist-oriented) approach. This study also highlights the importance of quantitative ethnobotanic methods in understanding traditional medical knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyu Yao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Michael Heinrich
- Research Group “Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy”, UCL School of Pharmacy, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bengang Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xueping Wei
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yaodong Qi
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwei Gao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Zhang X, Dias ACP, Lopes NP. Editorial: Edible and medicinal plants: From ethnopharmacological practices to interdisciplinary approaches and regulations. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1074511. [PMID: 36588720 PMCID: PMC9800969 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1074511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Zhang
- Qinba State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi, China,Department of Biology, Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada,*Correspondence: Xiaoying Zhang,
| | - Alberto C. P. Dias
- Department of Biology, Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Norberto Peporine Lopes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos (NPPNS), Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, RibeirãoPreto, SãoPaulo, Brazil
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The Importance of Being Diverse: The Idiosyncratic Ethnobotany of the Reka Albanian Diaspora in North Macedonia. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14110936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Cultural diversity and biodiversity are strongly intertwined through the ways in which local human communities have understood, categorized, perceived, and used nature and species for centuries. Folk nomenclature and uses of wild plants in particular are strongly linked to specific ethno-diversities and have often been considered as cultural markers. In the current study, through thirty-one interviews with elderly villagers, the ethnobotany of five Albanian villages in North Macedonia was recorded, as these villages are inhabited by descendants of Reka Albanians, whose peculiar dialect and customs have been the subject in the past of some linguistic, historical, and ethnographic works. A few folk names and utilizations of commonly used species (such as Rumex, Urtica, Tilia, Crocus, and Hypericum spp.), as well as the traditional customs of collecting tree cambium during the spring and ritually adorning home doors with Cornus mas and Salix spp. branches on St. George’s Day, partially overlap Macedonian/Bulgarian folklore, and, to a minor extent, data previously collected in NE Albania and South Kosovo. Nevertheless, some archaic uses (such as the consumption of Crocus corms) remain very idiosyncratic. While the origin of the Reka Albanians and the exact historical reasons for their peculiar ethnobotany practices cannot be exactly established, the data showed that this cultural group living at the cultural edge between the Albanian and South Balkan Slavic realms has maintained its diversity until the present. Its uniqueness should be valorized and celebrated.
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Cheng Z, Hu X, Lu X, Fang Q, Meng Y, Long C. Medicinal Plants and Fungi Traditionally Used by Dulong People in Northwest Yunnan, China. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:895129. [PMID: 35614945 PMCID: PMC9124798 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.895129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The Dulong, an ethnic group living in the isolated Northwest Yunnan of Southwest China, have directly used a wide of plants to serve their needs and have accumulated rich traditional knowledge about medicinal plants over years. Unfortunately, little has been reported about the medicinal plants used by the Dulong people. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews, guided field trips, and quantitative analysis. Prior informed consent was obtained before each interview. The surveys allowed for the collection of sociodemographic data and traditional knowledge about medicinal plants and their uses. This study used relative frequency of citation (RFC) to identify the most culturally significant medicinal plants and used informant consensus factor (FIC) to evaluate agreement among informants. A total of 105 medicinal plant species belonging to 69 families were recorded. Amongst these 69 families, Asteraceae (8 species), Polygonaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Rosaceae (4 species each) were the dominant families. The whole plants were the most frequently used part in the preparation of medicines. The most common preparation method was decoction and the most frequent application route was oral administration. Coptis teeta (0.15), Acorus calamus (0.12), Ophiocordyceps sinensis (0.11), Tanacetum tatsienense var. tanacetopsis (0.11), and Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis (0.08) were shown to be the most useful plants as indicated by their relatively high RFC values. Among the usage types of medicinal plants, the highest FIC values were recorded for the circulatory system (FIC = 0.91), the immune system (FIC = 0.89), and the nervous system (FIC = 0.85). Furthermore, sixty-two medicinal plants utilized by the Dulong for medicinal purposes also have dietary use. Traditional knowledge associated with medicinal plants has been seriously threatened in recent decades. In the future, modern approaches should be used to demystify traditional medicine. However, significant measures need to be taken to protect from loss the important traditional knowledge gained by the Dulong through their experience and inheritance. A collective effort should be made to promote and conserve the important traditional medicinal knowledge and outline a plan for sustainable use of medicinal plants and improve local economic development under the premise of protection.
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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, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xian Hu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Lu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Qiong Fang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Meng
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Chunlin Long
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
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Heinrich M, Yao R, Xiao P. ‘Food and medicine continuum’ – Why we should promote cross-cultural communication between the global East and West. CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES 2021; 14:3-4. [PMID: 36120124 PMCID: PMC9476788 DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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