Review: Ethno-zoological study of animals-based medicine used by traditional healers of North-east India

Hussain JF, Tynsong H. 2021. Review: Ethno-zoological study of animals-based medicine used by traditional healers of North-east India. Asian J Ethnobiol 4: 1-22. Since ages, plants and animals have been used in human cultures as therapeutics. Animals have not only acted as a source of food for humans, but have also been commonly used in applications such as medicine, clothes, and other related services. The use of animals and animal products in traditional methods of treating diseases, and for many other reasons, dates back to the early days of civilization. Treatment of human diseases using animal-derived products is called zootherapy or ethno-zoology. Despite the worldwide utilization of ethno-zoology in the form of traditional medicines based on animals, a thorough and comprehensive study of zootherapy in comparison to plant-based medicinal research is still ignored. This study is an attempt to highlight available knowledge on ethno-zoological therapeutic applications used by different traditional healers of North-East (NE) India. With regard to the frequency of animal species, the use of mammals and mammalian products is found to be the highest in NE India as compared to other animal groups, while use of fish-based medicine in the state of Manipur is prevalent compared to other animal species. In Arunachal Pradesh, use of insects is high in traditional medicines.

Short communication: Differences in local perceptions of Osteochilus spilurus (Cyprinidae: Labeoninae) from several islands in Indonesia

Kurniawan A, Pramono DY, Indrayati A, Hermanto, Triswiyana I. 2020. Short communication: Differences in local perceptions of Osteochilus spilurus (Cyprinidae: Labeoninae) from several islands in Indonesia. Asian J Ethnobiol 3: 79-84. Osteochilus spilurus is native freshwater fish on the islands of Sundaland, Indonesia. No study has been reported on this fish utilization other than in the Belitung Islands, so another local perception of Indonesian island needs to be investigated. Local recreational fishing in Palangkaraya, Pontianak, and Pekanbaru and fishers in Palangkaraya, Eastern and western of Belitung, Southern and Central Bangka, and North Lampung were the sources of local knowledge. We obtained data using a Facebook app survey to see local recreational fishers' awareness, interviews with one fisherman in each region, and a literature review for Belitung public perception. There is a different awareness of people from East Belitung to other regions. In East Belitung, knowledge of O. spilurus has a link to the local culture. Fishermen have the most relevant fishing gear expertise for the catch of O. spilurus, based on environmental factors and fish behavior. Large-scale fishing, consuming, and trade of it only takes place in East Belitung. It has an impact on the use of non-environmentally sustainable mesh size nets that threaten their natural survival.

Evaluation of ethnobotanical knowledge in Komkar-Adi Biocultural Landscape of Eastern Himalayan Region of India

Taram M, Borah D, Mipun P, Taram V, Das A.P. 2020. Evaluation of ethnobotanical knowledge in Komkar-Adi Biocultural Landscape of Eastern Himalayan Region of India. Biodiversitas 21: 70-87. The present study was aimed to document the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge in Komkar-Adi Biocultural Landscape of Upper Siang District in Arunachal Pradesh (Eastern Himalaya), India. Data was collected from three villages of Geku circle, Upper Siang District between the year 2016-2019, covering more than 50% of the total households using semi-structured questionnaires, personal interviews, focused group discussions and transect walk with the core respondents. A total of 301 taxa falling in 203 genera and 85 families are recorded from the Komkar-Adi Biocultural Landscape (KABL), invariably used as food, medicine and cultural materials which is directly and indirectly linked with livelihood security, community survival, protection and preservation of the traditional culture and nature. Use value (UV) of all the reported species ranges between 0.017 and 0.051. A total of 48 ethnomedicinal plant species including herbs, shrubs and trees used for curing 35 different ailments were recorded. Comparison of three different indices CI, RFC and RI, indicating species ranking based on each index and the three basic values of the study, viz. FC, UR and NU for each species were also calculated. Urtica dioica, Solanum spirale, Paris polyphylla, Curcuma longa, Clerodendrum colebrookeanum, and Begonia silletensis are found to be the most important plants for treating different ailments by the community.

Students’ perceptions on snake in Northwestern Bangladesh

Jaman MF, Rabbe MF, Alam MM, Shome AR, Hossain MA, Sarker MAR. 2020. Students’ perceptions on snake in Northwestern Bangladesh. Asian J Ethnobiol 21: 62-69. Human-snake interaction has an ancestral history with different outcomes at different times. This study was done to assess the student's perceptions of snakes and current superstitions practiced in some areas of northwestern Bangladesh. We interviewed 348 students from 7 educational institutions under 3 districts from January 2019 to April 2019. We asked dichotomous (yes-no) question to know perceptions about snakes and variation among superstitions of the students. We found significant variation in responses with respect to the demographic status of the respondents. Religion and education were the most influencing factors affecting the results of students’ perceptions. Among the total respondents, 329 (94.5%) had seen snakes, 182 (52.3%) considered snake as a notorious animal, 224 (64.4%) considered snakes as an economically harmful animal, 155 (44.5%) think killing snake gives a good feeling, 313 (90%) believe that snakes attack humans, 321 (92.2%) students have seen others killing snakes and 127 (36.5%) had killed snakes themselves. Of the five superstitions, “snake can drink milk” was the topmost statement believed by 293 (84.2%) students. Due to these negative attitudes and misconceptions, we assume that snakes are regularly killed and there is a potential risk for population decline.

Ritual plants used by the Manobo tribe of Surigao del Sur, Philippines

Jamera JKAM, Manting MME, Dapar MLG. 2020. Ritual plants used by the Manobo tribe of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Asian J Ethnobiol 3: 41-50. Manobo tribe is culturally rich in traditional practices, medicinal uses, diversity, and traditional knowledge based on their community plant resources. They dwell in hinterlands and mountainous regions in the southern part of the Philippines and live an intricate life dependent on agriculture and forest plants. Traditional ecological knowledge and beliefs of indigenous peoples play an essential role in the conservation of biodiversity. This study seeks to investigate the use of ritual plants of the Manobo tribe in Hinapuyan, Carmen and Cabangahan, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur and to identify the availability of ritual plants being used. Plant information with the local name, plant parts used, methods of preparation, ritual uses, and Cultural Importance Index (CI) were quantified. This study documented a total of 12 traditional rituals associated with ritual plants. The five identified plant species are being used in tribal rituals belonging to four different families, namely Arecaceae, Piperaceae, Poaceae, and Solanaceae. Arecaceae includes two species, while one species represented each of the rest of the families. Ritual plants with the highest CI were Areca catechu L., Piper betle L., and Nicotiana tabacum L. Manobo ritual plants have a symbolic meaning and rational function. This study is the first documentation of ritual plants presenting traditional ecological knowledge and cultural beliefs that must be saved to maintain biological diversity. The tribe cultivated some ritual plants within the village in addition to their wild plant collection. These ritual plants are conserved and protected by the Manobo community. More investigations are recommended on the ritual plants used among diverse ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines and other countries.

Review: A relation between ethnobotany and bioprospecting of edible flower Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) in Indonesia

Afrianto WF, Tamnge F, Hasanah LN. 2020. Review: A relation between ethnobotany and bioprospecting of edible flower Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) in Indonesia. Asian J Ethnobiol 3: 51-61. Clitoria ternatea L., known as “bunga telang” in Indonesia, is an important medicinal plant belongs Fabaceae, which is an ornamental perennial climber. It has widely distributed throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, North and South America, Pacific (Northwestern, South-Central, and Southwestern). This review aims to study the relation between ethnobotany and bioprospecting of C. ternatea. The literature study revealed that Indonesian communities use flowers part of C. ternatea as an eye medicine, boils disease, an ornamental plant, and a symbol in traditional ceremonies. Leaf, flower, seed, and root of this species have bioprospecting for medicine, agriculture, as well as food and beverage. Ethnobiology exploration of C. ternatea in Indonesia is an initial step to observe the bioprospecting potential. Then, it can be continued to further research to produce commercial products where these products will provide an economic impact and motivate communities to take a part of conservation actions. The present study assesses the limited works that have been carried out on bioecology, ethnobotany, bioprospecting, and market potential. We hope that the study‘s output can spur further research and industry approach.

The North Borneo Iranun’s community’s ethnomedicine knowledge on marsh clam (Geloina expansa)

Hamdan DDM, Shah JMD, Gumpulan F, Foo J, Lukman KA. 2020. The North Borneo Iranun’s community’s ethnomedicine knowledge on marsh clam (Geloina expansa). Asian J Ethnobiol 21: 30-38. North Borneo is rich with natural resources that have boundless potentials for pharmaceutical product discovery that can lead to socio-economic development in rural areas as suppliers. Even though rich with cultural heritage and comprises of hundred sub-ethnic groups, detail documentation of ethnomedicinal knowledge in North Borneo from different ethnic groups is still limited and could disappear in no time. The ethnomedicinal knowledge of marsh clam (Geloina expansa) use in the Iranun community (respondents no.=28) living in Kampung Rampayan Ulu, Kota Belud in North Borneo were investigated and the concentration of iron, zinc and copper in different parts of marsh clam tissues were determined. In postnatal care of the Iranun community, many believe that marsh clam soup help boost nursing mother milk supply. Marsh clam is rich with micronutrients of iron followed by zinc and copper. The mantle organ has a higher iron concentration than other tissues. The traditional knowledge to heal blood clotting and bruises is topical application of marsh clam mantle organs onto the wound areas. Although participants have ethnomedicinal knowledge on marsh clam, they have poor knowledge of the nutritional benefits of this clam. Lifelong learning of the benefit of marsh clam is necessary from local health care.

Diversity of plants as food supplement and medicine for livestock: Local culture in cattleman communities

Diversity of plants as food supplement and medicine for livestock: Local culture in cattleman communities. Asian J Ethnobiol 3: 23-29. Various types of plants can be used as food for livestock. In addition to its function as feed, several types of plants can also be used as medicines for livestock. The research aims to record the types of plant species that were traditionally used by farmers as feed supplements and medicines for livestock. Observations were made using a survey method in three regions in West Sumatra, namely Tanah Datar, Solok, and Limapuluh Kota District. Sampling was carried out randomly (random sampling) by picking up breeders who were considered as successful breeders (having more than five cows), and familiar with traditional medicines as a sample. Interviews were conducted to obtain information on the types of plants used as supplements or medicines. Furthermore, the plant types were recorded in their location of growing. All types of plants were documented in the form of photographs. Data were displayed descriptively, i.e., images with supporting information. The observations found more than 15 types of plants commonly used by cattlemen to increase growth, reproductive capacity, and as medicine if livestock had health problems.

Medicinal trees from home gardens of urban areas in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu, Southern India

Shanmugam S, Jeyaprabakaran G, Rajendran K. 2020. Medicinal trees from home gardens of urban areas in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Asian J Ethnobiol 3: 10-15. Home gardens provide a diverse and stable supply of socio-economic products. They serve as conservation spots of many useful and rare medicinal plants. Present research work aims to elucidate the medicinally important trees growing in home gardens and their role in the health care of the inhabitants living in four urban areas of Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India. Data was collected by interviewing 20 informants (14 male and 6 female) regarding the ethnomedicinal uses of plants prescribed for the treatment of several ailments in total. We recorded a total of 63 medicinal remedies prepared from 54 tree species belonging to 52 genera and 27 families used to treat 35 illnesses. It was found that the most dominant family was Apocynaceae (5 species). Leaf was the most used plant part (28.56%) and using raw material (20.64%) was the most was treating a particular disease. Phytochemical and pharmacological values of these medicinally important trees should be tested and awareness programs should also be conducted to encourage people to grow many more useful plants in their home gardens.

Ethnobotany of food plant used by Sundanese Ethnic in Kalaparea Village, Nyangkewok Hamlet, Sukabumi District, Indonesia

Cita KD. 2019.Ethnobotany of food plant used by Sundanese Ethnic in Kalaparea Village, Nyangkewok Hamlet, Sukabumi District, Indonesia. Asian J Ethnobiol 2: 16-22. Food insecurity is an essential threat in West Java Province. Ethnobotany in Food Plant of Sundanese Ethnic can be an alternative to a food crisis. In this study, we looked for insights on how Sundanese Ethnic inhabiting around the Gede Mountain, Nyangkewok Village, interact with their environments and how they use ecological knowledge on plants for their existence. This study used exploration and in-depth interviewed method with 30 respondents which conducted in March until June 2019 and analysed with Cultural Food Cultivated Significant Index. This study recorded 101 species useful plants, 48 families, dominated by Cucurbitaceae. The highest number of Cultural Food Cultivated Index is pare (Oryza sativa). Sundanese Ethnic living in the Nyangkewok Village has been undergoing extreme changes in both social and ecological scenarios. This study recommends conservation plans that include traditional ecological knowledge, plant monitoring, and participative action with Nyangkewok communities.