scholarly journals Ethnobotany of Acorus in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Shu ◽  
Shuang Zhang ◽  
Qiyi Lei ◽  
Jiangju Zhou ◽  
Yuanyuan Ji ◽  
...  

In China, species in the genus <em>Acorus</em> are used for many different purposes, viz., in traditional medicine, for rituals, and as ornamental plants. <em>Acorus calamus</em> (sweet flag) has been a symbolic plant in Chinese culture for many centuries and is used as a ceremonial object in festivals throughout the country. For other <em>Acorus</em> species in China, ethnobotanical records are few. During field investigations from 2006 to 2017, we interviewed 573 individuals representing ethnic groups such as the Miao, Yao, Buyi, Shui, Tujia, Dong, She, Maonan, Zhuang, Yi, and Han people. Various ethnobotanical approaches were adopted in the field surveys, including key informant interviews, semistructured interviews, participatory observation, direct observation, etc. The results have revealed a rich treasure trove of traditional knowledge on <em>Acorus</em> in China. Two species (<em>A. macrospadiceus</em> and <em>A. gramineus</em>) were used by ethnic groups as spices to add flavor to meat. Through the study found that all the species of <em>Acorus</em> had medicinal value, especially <em>A. tatarinowii</em>, deafness, blindness, and digestive disorders were among the conditions commonly treated using these plants. Traditional knowledge of the cultural, ethnomedicinal, and food values of <em>Acorus</em>, based on our recent literature surveys and field investigations in China is presented here. A better understanding of <em>Acorus</em> is vital for conserving the plants and the traditional knowledge associated with them.

Author(s):  
Saroj Mahajan ◽  
Anita Gangrade

The traditional knowledge started from Vedic Time (1000-5000B.C.) Our epics Ayurveda, Rigvade, Yagurveda were reported Plants used as a medicinal plant.  These medicinal plants were used by Tribal people, villagers, Urban of India. The traditional knowledge of medicinal plants of Tribals are transferred from one gene ration to other generation. Plants have medicinal value too along with ornamental purpose. Indians have been using plants as medicines to treat many diseases like wounds healing, inflammation. The ancient science of Ayurveda and Yoga relied heavily on these plants to treat major conditions, from pain management to weight management and everything in between. The list of medicinal plants too long but some important which are present in our college campus are Aloevera, Awala, Hadjod, Tulsi, Giloy, Neem Arjun, Bel, Ashwagandha. The large numbers of plant i.e. plant vegetations enormous in the college campus which shows the biodiversity of college campus.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-63
Author(s):  
I.Yu. Bochkova ◽  
◽  
Yu.A. Khokhlacheva ◽  

This article presents the results of work on the selection of groundcover plants (both light-loving and shade-tolerant) that are promising and very promising for use on landscape architecture objects. The work was carried out during 2018 on the basis of the collection Fund of the laboratory of ornamental plants of the Main Botanical garden (MBG RAS), on two experimental sites located on the main territory of the MBG RAS, in the collection-exhibition «Shadow garden» and on the exhibition area «Decorative perennials». A total of 225 plants were selected during the study. During the growing season, field surveys of experimental samples were systematically performed and phenological observations were made. Field studies included biometric measurements of the height of the Bush and peduncle, the diameter of the Bush, the diameter/length of the flower/inflorescence, as well as refinement of the color of the flowers/inflorescences (using a special color scale of the English Royal society of flower growers (RHS color Chart)). The result of this work is a list that includes 40 names. These are very promising and promising species that we recommend for use in urban gardening.


Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Pramod Prakash ◽  
Radha ◽  
Manoj Kumar ◽  
Ashok Pundir ◽  
Sunil Puri ◽  
...  

The aim of current study is to provide a significant traditional knowledge on wild medicines used for ethnoveterinary purposes in the rural area of Maraog region in district Shimla. The medicinal plants have played a significant role in the treatment of human as well as animal’s diseases. The rural people of the Maraog region were interviewed through a questionnaire and extensive field surveys were conducted from June 2020 to July 2021. The discussion, observations and interviews were conducted in study site and included 96 informants. The information gathered from the residents is presented in a table format and includes scientific and local names, different parts used, diseases treated and mode administration. The most commonly used taxa are calculated with used value. The study revealed 100 plants in which trees (7), shrubs (26), herbs (56), ferns (5), grasses (3) and climbers (3) were identified. The most commonly documented livestock diseases were found to be hoof infections, eyes infections, poisoning and skin infections. In the current study, the Rosaceae family was reported as being the highest number (11), followed by Asteraceae (10) and then Lamiaceae (6). It was found that leaves, roots, flowers and fruits are the commonly used parts for ethnoveterinary medications. The phytochemicals present in the plant, such as alkaloids, sterols, glycosides, flavonoids, lignin, coumarins and terpenoids, etc., may be responsible for their medicinal properties. In this documentation, it was observed that the younger generation does not have good knowledge of medicinal plants as compared to the older ones. Therefore, it is necessary to preserve the traditional knowledge of these medicinal plants before their permanent loss. The documentation and conservation of medicinal plants can be a good start for novel phytopharmacological research in the veterinary field.


2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1780) ◽  
pp. 20132768 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Haris Saslis-Lagoudakis ◽  
Julie A. Hawkins ◽  
Simon J. Greenhill ◽  
Colin A. Pendry ◽  
Mark F. Watson ◽  
...  

Traditional knowledge is influenced by ancestry, inter-cultural diffusion and interaction with the natural environment. It is problematic to assess the contributions of these influences independently because closely related ethnic groups may also be geographically close, exposed to similar environments and able to exchange knowledge readily. Medicinal plant use is one of the most important components of traditional knowledge, since plants provide healthcare for up to 80% of the world's population. Here, we assess the significance of ancestry, geographical proximity of cultures and the environment in determining medicinal plant use for 12 ethnic groups in Nepal. Incorporating phylogenetic information to account for plant evolutionary relatedness, we calculate pairwise distances that describe differences in the ethnic groups' medicinal floras and floristic environments. We also determine linguistic relatedness and geographical separation for all pairs of ethnic groups. We show that medicinal uses are most similar when cultures are found in similar floristic environments. The correlation between medicinal flora and floristic environment was positive and strongly significant, in contrast to the effects of shared ancestry and geographical proximity. These findings demonstrate the importance of adaptation to local environments, even at small spatial scale, in shaping traditional knowledge during human cultural evolution.


BIBECHANA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 89-95
Author(s):  
Sumnath Khanal ◽  
Devi Prasad Bhandari ◽  
Laxman Bhandari ◽  
Achyut Adhikari

Background and Aims: Acorus calamus L. is an indigenous herb in Nepal. It belongs to family Acoraceae and grows in wet land with scented rhizomes. It is also known as Sweet flag in English and commonly as Bojho in Nepal. The present investigation reveals the chemical compositions and antioxidant activity of rhizome essential oil of A. calamus. Methods: Essential oil of rhizomes of Acorus calamus L. from Kaski district, Nepal was extracted by hydrodistillation method and volatile constituents were analyzed Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry. The antioxidant potential of essential oil was analyzed by 1,1-Diphenyl-2-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay. Results: A GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of β-asarone (22.38%), α-asarone (14.97%), 1-(4,6-dimethoxy-2,3-dimethylphenyl ethanone (14.24%), Isoelemicin (5.68%), cis-Methylisoeugenol (4.26%), α-calacorene (4.16%), and other 20 minor components. From DPPH assay, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of essential oil was found to be 108.71 µg/mL. Conclusions: These findings have strengthened the A. calamus L. is good source of compounds like β-asarone, α-asarone and can be used as potential antioxidants. BIBECHANA 17 (2020) 89-95


Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-438
Author(s):  
Lei Cai ◽  
Guiliang Zhang ◽  
Jianying Xiang ◽  
Zhiling Dao ◽  
Weibang Sun

AbstractThe rare and threatened fern Christensenia aesculifolia of South-east Asia is listed in China as a second-ranked plant for national protection and is also categorized as one of 62 plant species with extremely small populations by the Yunnan provincial government. Field investigations during 2014–2017 failed to relocate one previously known population, and revealed that the single known extant population of C. aesculifolia contains only 10 individual plants. The most urgent conservation requirement for this species is to conserve the threatened habitat of the remnant population. Further field surveys and research are also required for an improved understanding of the species’ status.


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