scholarly journals Actualized inventory of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in Oaxaca, Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cruz-Pérez Alejandra Lucía ◽  
Barrera-Ramos Jacqueline ◽  
Bernal-Ramírez Luis Alberto ◽  
Bravo-Avilez David ◽  
Rendón-Aguilar Beatriz

Abstract Background Oaxaca is one of the most diverse states in Mexico from biological and cultural points of view. Different ethnic groups living there maintain deep and ancestral traditional knowledge of medicinal plants as well as traditional practices and beliefs about diseases/illnesses and cures. Previous ethnobotanical research in this state has helped document this knowledge, but with the addition of more studies, more records appear. We updated the inventory of medicinal knowledge between the different ethnic groups that inhabit the Oaxacan territory. Methods A database was constructed from two sources: (1) original data from a 3-year project in 84 municipalities of Oaxaca inhabited by eight ethnic groups and (2) different electronic databases. Results Records of 1032 medicinal plants were obtained; 164 families were registered, with Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Rubiaceae being the most commonly used. A total of 770 species were reported in 14 vegetation types; the most important species came from temperate forests. Only 144 species corresponded to introduced species, and 272 were listed in a risk category. Illnesses of the digestive and genitourinary systems as well as culture-bound syndromes were treated with high numbers of medicinal plants. The Mestizo, Mixe, Mixtec, and Zapotec ethnic groups exhibited the greatest number of recorded medicinal plants. The 17 species that were used among almost all ethnic groups in Oaxaca were also used to cure the highest number of diseases. Discussion Inventories of medicinal plants confirm the persistence of traditional knowledge and reflect the need to recognize and respect this cosmovision. Many species are gathered in wild environments. The most important illnesses or diseases recorded in the present inventory are also mentioned in different studies, suggesting that they are common health problems in the rural communities of Mexico. Conclusions Medicinal plants are essential for ethnic groups in Oaxaca. It is necessary to recognize and understand the complex ancestral processes involved in the human-nature interaction and the role of these processes in the conservation of biodiversity and in the survivorship of ethnic groups that have persisted for centuries. Finally, this study serves as a wake-up call to respect those worldviews.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Kujawska

The use of medicinal plants mixed with yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) has been poorly studied in the ethnopharmacological literature so far. The Paraguayan Mestizo people have the longest tradition of using the yerba mate beverage, apart from the indigenous Guarani people. This study analyses the role of yerba mate and medicinal plants in the treatment of illnesses within Paraguayan folk medicine. The research was conducted among 100 Paraguayan migrants living in Misiones, Argentina, in 2014 and 2015. Yerba mate is not considered to be a medicinal plant by its own virtues but is culturally a very important type of medicinal plant intake. Ninety-seven species are employed in hot and cold versions of the yerba mate beverage. The most important species are as follows: Allophylus edulis (highest number of citations), Aristolochia triangularis (highest relative importance value), and Achyrocline flaccida and Achyrocline tomentosa (highest score by Index of Agreement on Species). The plants are used in the treatment of 18 medicinal categories, which include illnesses traditionally treated with plants: digestive system, humoral medicine, and relatively new health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high levels of cholesterol. Newly incorporated medicinal plants, such as Moringa oleifera, are ingested predominantly or exclusively with the mate beverage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Methee Phumthum ◽  
Varangrat Nguanchoo ◽  
Henrik Balslev

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is causing many severe problems globally, and it is not known for how long it will last. The only hope we have for dealing with the problem is to produce sufficient vaccines and administer them efficiently. However, the current demand for vaccines greatly exceeds the supply, and many people will suffer from the disease for still some time. Moreover, the period for immunity obtained by the vaccines remains unknown, and we cannot predict how long the world will suffer the COVID-19 infections. Therefore, there will be a continued demand for treatments of its symptoms. An alternative solution for providing such treatment is the use of traditional medicinal plants.Aims: To document medicinal plants used by Hmong and Karen in Thailand to treat mild symptoms of COVID-19.Methods: Traditional knowledge about ethnomedicinal plants used by Hmong and Karen in Thailand for treating mild symptoms listed by WHO as associated with COVID 19, was collected in field interviews and extracted from the literature.Results: We identified 491 plant species used medicinally by both ethnic groups to treat fever, cough, diarrhea, muscle pain and ache, rash, headache, sore throat, and conjunctivitis. Of the 491 species 60 were mentioned at least five times in the literature or in our field data. Of these 60 species, we propose the most commonly used ones for treatments of mild COVID-19 symptoms. Ten of these most commonly mentioned species were used for treatments of fever, nine for treatment of cough, four for treatment of diarrhea, two for treatment of rash, and a single species was used to treat muscle pain and headache.Conclusion: This study suggests alternative treatments for mild symptoms of COVID-19 with medicinal plants that are traditionally used by the ethnic minority groups of the Hmong and Karen in Thailand. Although COVID-19 is a new disease, its mild symptoms are shared with many other diseases. Traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used by the Thai Karen and Hmong could help in the treatments of these symptoms associated with COVID-19. Many of the proposed plants were used abundantly by both ethnic groups, and other studies on biological activities support their efficacy in such treatments.


1996 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saulesh Esenova

Since achieving independence in December 1991, Kazakhstan has made cautious progress in assuring political rights and freedoms for all its citizens by stressing, among other things, the equality of the different ethnic groups in society, and the equality of individuals before the law. However, an observable outflow of the non-Kazakh population2 from the territory of Kazakhstan has caused a certain hesitation about this. It has received a fairly consistent international response in the scholarly literature and press.3 In almost all cases, the emphasis is on emerging Kazakh nationalism as the most obvious reason for the emigration of the non-native population. It has also been suggested that the Kazakhs would have little to gain from it, given the allegedly dominant economic role of Russians, in particular, within the country, and given also their external dependence on Russia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-70
Author(s):  
Yui Hashimoto ◽  
Fathul Yusro ◽  
Yeni Mariani ◽  
Farah Diba ◽  
Kazuhiro Ohtani

Study for local knowledge about ethnopharmacology especially medicinal plants used by the community is still limited. West Kalimantan possess a tropical rain forest with megabiodiversity. One of the areas where Malay and Dayak people use medicinal plants from the forest is Sekabuk village, Sadaniang Subdistrict, Mempawah District of West Kalimantan,  Indonesia. This research has two objectives: first, to summarize the local knowledge of medicinal plants in the Sekabuk village, and second to identify the the mechanisms of shared on knowledge on used the medicinal plants on each ethnic. The research was conducted by in-depth interview and survey for 45 days in the village. The research programme consisted of interviews, plant observations, and a collection of medicinal plants from five different subdistricts sites i.e. Gelombang, Malangga, Pak Nungkat, Sekabuk, and Titi Dahan. The whole plants, part(s) used, and remedy formulations were elicited from healers and voucher specimens were collected for identification and stored at Forestry Faculty, Tanjungpura University. The results showed that there are 66 plants used for medicine. The family of plants consisted of Zingiberaceae, Lamiaceae abd Mrytaceae. The leaves  were most frequently used (108), followed by roots (47), whole plant (21), top (6), stems and fruits (5), and sap (1). The methods for preparation and administration and the awareness of medicinal plants are different by ethnic groups and the living environments. The difference between the genders did not significant in terms of knowledge about medicinal plants. Meanwhile, A retention of traditional knowledge of medicinal plants was significant in rural of West Kalimantan. The plants used as medicine were clearly different by ethnic groups, Malay and Dayak. The living environments also affect the difference of used plants on basis of plants accesibility.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-58
Author(s):  
Sudarmono Sudarmono

Waigeo Island people in Warsamdin Village are remote from the West Papua mainland. But now transportation is easier after becoming a maritime tourism destination for the international community and traditional influences turn out to be modern as is the use of traditional medicine. Traditional knowledge about medicines still relies naturally on utilizing medicinal plants. This study aims to explore the potential of medicinal plants in the Warsamdin community, Waigeo Island, West Papua for generations. The method used by interviewing indigenous elders known as Old Man is either the local name of a medicinal plant, how to use it and as a traditional medicine and traced the morphology of the plant species. Local names are some commonly used species, namely Min ikanu (Morinda citryfolia), Kanaul leaves (Hibiscus sp), Deawas (Psidium guava), red fruit (Pandanus conoideus), Kokanu kaluku, Kiom ikanui, Umare ukani, Bim ikani, Wit ikani , Kokanu matalu. Kabaji and Gaviol. Knowledge of medicinal plants is a knowledge gained through the use of local customs that are descended from the origin of the tribe from Biak Island. These limitations are also influenced by the species of medicinal plants available in the area. The role of medicinal plants is still believed to be able to cure diseases and help cure pain.   Key words: etnomedicine, Warsamdin village, Waigeo island, Raja Ampat, West Papua


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
DYP Tng ◽  
DMG Apgaua ◽  
MDS Lisboa ◽  
CN El-Hani

AbstractBackgroundKnowledge of traditional plant use in rural communities is under threat from urbanization and also land use change. Hence, elucidating region-specific patterns traditional knowledge of habitat resource use is crucial for assisting policy making with regard to nature conservation, human nutrition, and human health. Using original data from northeast Bahia, Brazil, we aim to document the collective knowledge of plant use possessed by artisanal fishermen and women in fishing communities, related to medicinal, construction, technology and ritualistic/religious uses.MethodsData were collected through interviews with and opportunistic guided tours by local specialists to record the local knowledge of plant use and methods of use.ResultsThrough interviews, 116 species of plants from 104 genera and 47 botanical families were identified along with their local names, plant parts utilized, habitats, and preparation methods, and an additional 26 spp. for which only local names were available. Of these, 72 spp. are used as medicine, 48 spp. as non-conventional edibles, 31 spp. for construction and 11 for religious/mystical purposes. Female informants generally cited more food and medicinal plants than male informants. All interviewees unanimously expressed that the use of plants for medicines and fishing technology has significantly reduced or been superseded by modern materials.ConclusionThe present study demonstrates that the rich collective plant use knowledge of an artisanal fishing community in northeast Brazil. The results of this study serves as a framework for to extend ethnobotanical investigations to other traditional fishing communities in the vicinity, and also to examine more social and demographic factors influencing traditional knowledge related to uses of plants. Finally, the rich tradition of plant use in the region underpins the need to encourage measures to preserve this cultural knowledge and conserve the natural environments that are a source of these plants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olaoluwa Omoniyi Olarewaju ◽  
Olufunke Omowumi Fajinmi ◽  
Georgina Dede Arthur ◽  
Roger Murugas Coopoosamy ◽  
Kubendran Kista Naidoo

Abstract Background The traditional use of medicinal plants is an integral part of African culture and plays a major role in African societies. For centuries, plants have been used to cure diseases and till date, a vast majority of the African people especially in rural communities depend on the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of various ailments. Main body The Cucurbitaceae family has a diversity of medicinally relevant species which also play significant roles in food security in Africa. While some are underutilised and are sourced from the wild, others are domesticated and cultivated for food. This review therefore highlights the significance of Cucurbitaceae species in Eastern and Southern African countries. The use of various species in the traditional food and medicine systems of these countries is documented. The review further discusses some poisonous species with close resemblance to edible plants. The fatal effect of consuming any part of such plant species like young or old leaves and unripe fruit is highlighted. Conclusion This review is thus a documentation of the crucial role of Cucurbitaceae species in food security, treatment of a variety of diseases and its negative effect on humanity and livestock.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ľubomír Zvada

This Handbook maps the contours of an exciting and burgeoning interdisciplinary field concerned with the role of language and languages in situations of conflict. It explores conceptual approaches, sources of information that are available, and the institutions and actors that mediate language encounters. It examines case studies of the role that languages have played in specific conflicts, from colonial times through to the Middle East and Africa today. The contributors provide vibrant evidence to challenge the monolingual assumptions that have affected traditional views of war and conflict. They show that languages are woven into every aspect of the making of war and peace, and demonstrate how language shapes public policy and military strategy, setting frameworks and expectations. The Handbook's 22 chapters powerfully illustrate how the encounter between languages is integral to almost all conflicts, to every phase of military operations and to the lived experiences of those on the ground, who meet, work and fight with speakers of other languages. This comprehensive work will appeal to scholars from across the disciplines of linguistics, translation studies, history, and international relations; and provide fresh insights for a broad range of practitioners interested in understanding the role and implications of foreign languages in war.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 80-91
Author(s):  
V. G. Neiman

The main content of the work consists of certain systematization and addition of longexisting, but eventually deformed and partly lost qualitative ideas about the role of thermal and wind factors that determine the physical mechanism of the World Ocean’s General Circulation System (OGCS). It is noted that the conceptual foundations of the theory of the OGCS in one form or another are contained in the works of many well-known hydrophysicists of the last century, but the aggregate, logically coherent description of the key factors determining the physical model of the OGCS in the public literature is not so easy to find. An attempt is made to clarify and concretize some general ideas about the two key blocks that form the basis of an adequate physical model of the system of oceanic water masses motion in a climatic scale. Attention is drawn to the fact that when analyzing the OGCS it is necessary to take into account not only immediate but also indirect effects of thermal and wind factors on the ocean surface. In conclusion, it is noted that, in the end, by the uneven flow of heat to the surface of the ocean can be explained the nature of both external and almost all internal factors, in one way or another contributing to the excitation of the general, or climatic, ocean circulation.


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