Medicinal plant ecology, knowledge and conservation in Kalimantan, Indonesia

This study documents the abundance, distribution and knowledge of medicinal plant species in a Ransa Dayak village and adjoining forest in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Over 250 medicinal plant species from 165 genera and 75 families are utilized by the local healer. Late successional, primary and river bench forests contained the highest diversity of locally-utilized medicinal species and the greatest number of species restricted to a single forest type for which alternative species or remedies were unavailable. Epiphytes and trees restricted to primary forests are particularly important sources for plants used to treat unusual ailments. A 100% survey of village residents 15 years of age and older (N = 32) revealed that people older than 25 years of age, and older females in particular, possessed greater knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses than younger people and males. All residents, except the male healer, were more knowledgeable about medicinal plants found in early successional forests than those of primary forests. Commercial logging and the loss of traditional knowledge through acculturation pose twin challenges to the persistence of traditional medicinal plant use in this Ransa village and throughout much of Kalimantan.

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Résumé  Penelitian ini mengumpulkan informasi mengenai keberadaan, penyebaran dan pengetahuan tentang jenis tumbuhan obat di daerah perkampungan Daya’ Ransa dengan hutan sekitarnya di Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia. Lebih dari 250 spesies tumbuhan obat dari 165 genus dan 75 suku digunakan oleh dukun setempat. Hutan sekunder tua, hutan primer dan daerah hutan sepanjang pinggir sungai merupakan tipe hutan yang memiliki keanekaragaman dan jenis tumbuhan obat paling tinggi yang hanya tumbuh di tipe hutan tersebut serta tidak adanya jenis tumbuhan obat pengganti untuk mengobati penyakit yang sama di tipe hutan lain. Jenis epipit dan pohon yang ditemukan khusus di hutan primer mempunyai arti sangat penting bagi masyarakat karena digunakan untuk menogobati jenis penyakit yang tidak biasa. Dari survey 100% yang dilakukan terhadap penghuni desa yang usianya lebih dari 15 tahun (N = 32) diketahui bahwa penduduk yang berusia lebih dari 25 tahun, terutama perempuan berusia tua, mempunyai pengetahuan yang lebih banyak mengenai pemanfaatan tumbuhan obat dibandingkan dengan laki-laki dan perempuan yang lebih muda. Seluruh penduduk, kecuali sang dukun, lebih mengetahui pemanfaatan tumbuhan obat yang tumbuh di hutan sekunder muda dibandingkan dengan tumbuhan obat yang tumbuh di hutan primer. Kegiatan pembalakan hutan berskala besar (HPH) dan hilangnya pengetahuan tradisional lewat perubahan budaya adalah dua tantangan yang dihadapi untuk dapat mempertahankan pemakaian dan melestarikan tumbuhan obat di kampung ini khususnya dan di seluruh Kalimantan umumnya.

     

Importance of traditional protected areas for the collection of medicinal plants,Kongo‐Central (DRC)

The Mbanza‐Ngungu region (Kongo‐Central province, DRC) currently faces continued forest deterioration. Many of these forests were traditionally protected areas of which to date, only traces are left. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the importance of forest remnants and other components of the landscape for the collection of medicinal plants in the Mbanza‐Ngungu Region, DRC. Between February 2009 and May 2012, semi‐structured interviews and participatory observations were conducted in this region with 51 traditional healers selected by means of the ‘snowball method’. Local importance of medicinal plants was determined by the medicinal Use Value parameter. Statistical analyses were carried out with SPSS 20.0 and based on chi‐square test, analysis of variance and post hoc comparison of means. Our results show that the forest remnants remain the main medicinal species provider: 68 species against 62 for agro‐ecosystems. However, the total number of citations for medicinal species uses is higher for agro‐ecosystems (293) than for forest remnants (233), and this difference is significant (P < 0·05). This could be explained, among others, by the fact that some forest remnants are respected or protected by the villagers for religious and ritual purposes (Sangi). This also points to the importance of agro‐ecosystems and secondary vegetation as provider of medicinal plants around rural villages, as seen elsewhere in the tropics.     

The market medicinal plants of Monterrey,Nuevo León,México

The purpose of this study is to record the popular uses of various medicinal plants collected in the market medicinal stalls of Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. One hundred and thirty-five medicinal plants were collected from 11 hierberias (stalls) of two mercados (markets) and two additional medicinal plant sources. Included is a total of 70 species in 65 genera of 38 plant families. The plant vendors of the hierberias were interviewed to determine the folk uses of these plants. Eighty-five folk uses, of both general and specific nature, are reported for the specimens collected.     

广州市从化地区风水林药用植物资源

通过实地考察及文献查证,广州市从化地区风水林药用植物共353种,隶属于109科233属,包括蕨类植物26种,裸子植物4种,单子叶植物24种,双子叶植物299种。对药用植物物种组成、生活类型、优势科、药用功效、药用部位进行分析,结果表明,药用植物药用功效以清热解毒、疏风解表为主,种类占29.10%;药用部位以根入药的居多,占30.45%。此外,文中列出风水林药用植物资源中珍稀濒危植物生境及其功效。     

湖北药姑山自然保护区药用维管植物资源多样性研究

为深入调查、评价和保护湖北药姑山自然保护区药用维管植物资源,于2012至2014年对该地区开展了系统的调查研究。结果显示,湖北药姑山自然保护区有药用维管植物143科498属968种,其中蕨类植物10科13属13种,裸子植物5科7属7种,被子植物128科478属948种。从生长型来看,草本植物最多,其次是灌木;从药用部位来看,全草类植物最多,其次是根类;按药用功效划分,以清热类、祛风湿类和活血化瘀类居多。湖北药姑山自然保护区内珍稀濒危野生药用维管植物共有57种,占药用维管植物总种数的5.89%。此外,在湖北药姑山自然保护区还发现了瑶族民间常用药用植物58种。在调查与研究的基础上,提出了加强湖北药姑山自然保护区野生药用植物资源保护与利用的措施和建议。     

福建省福州市马尾区药用植物资源研究

依托第四次全国中药资源普查工作,摸清马尾区药用植物资源种类、分布、重点中药材品种以及药材栽培等情况。根据第四次全国中药资源普查要求,通过实地调查、走访以及栽培基地调查等方法对马尾区药用植物资源进行调查,查阅相关资料确定野生药用植物的药用部位、生活型等。马尾区野生药用植物种类共计506种,隶属于132科360属,含2～5种的寡种科占绝对优势地位;草本为主要生活型,药用部位集中在根类和全草类;有福建省重点药材50种、特色药材22种。由于长期受人为干扰,马尾区原生植被破坏严重,药用植物种类较为贫乏。因此,可考虑林下种植中药改善土壤环境,实现中药资源可持续发展。     

广东阳春重阳传统药市药用民族植物学研究

该研究自2013年开始对阳春开展了全面的中药资源普查工作,在全面了解阳春地区药用植物资源的基础上,于2013年和2014年两次对阳春重阳传统药市进行全面跟踪调查。结果表明：阳春重阳传统药市出售的药物种类丰富,共收集鉴定得出134种药用植物,隶属于60科117属,并对收集到的药用植物进行编目,包括俗名、学名、药用部位、用途和用法等。从药用植物的科、属分布上来看,其中种类较多的科有大戟科(11种)、蝶形花科(10种)、菊科(10种)、茜草科(9种)、马鞭草科(6种)、姜科(5种)、防己科(5种)。药用植物的种类广泛分布于各科和属中,而非集中于少数科、属内。此外,还对阳春重阳传统药市所形成的文化基础、植物应用特色和药材地域特色进行了分析,在药市中调查到一批具有当地特色的滋补养生类的药材,得出阳春当地具有将药用植物融入日常饮食的习惯。药市中售卖的药材功效与当地的自然环境密切联系,其中尤以治疗与岭南地区湿热的气候和瘴疠虫蛇等特点所引起的常见疾病为主。同时,对阳春药市的可持续发展提出了意见和建议。     

无量山国家级自然保护区药用维管植物资源多样性研究

以景东无量山国家级自然保护区为对象,通过样地调查、标本鉴定和查阅资料,对保护区内药用维管植物的种类和生存状况进行研究。结果显示,保护区内药用维管植物共有80科168属218种,占该区维管植物总数的57.37%。药用维管植物生长型分析表明,草本植物占绝对优势。药用部位分析表明,以根和全草入药是其主要利用形式。对药用维管植物的功效分析显示,该地区以清热类、活血化淤类和祛风湿类药物为主。对保护区内药用维管植物濒危等级的评估显示,无危种类占总数的82.11%,说明保护状况良好。保护区不同功能区内维管植物物种丰富度为:核心区缓冲区实验区,其中药用维管植物所占的比例为:核心区缓冲区实验区。对不同功能区药用维管植物相似性分析结果表明,核心区和实验区物种为极不相似;核心区和缓冲区物种为轻度相似。本研究表明保护区的建立对药用植物多样性保护起到了重要作用,明确了保护区药用维管植物的种类及生存状况,为进一步开展药用植物资源的保护和利用研究提供了参考。     

Medicinal plants of Erute county,Lira district,Uganda with particular reference to their conservation

A medicinal plant study was carried out in eighteen parishes and 54 villages of Erute county, Lira district, Uganda. Parishes and villages were selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Questionnaires, interviews and discussions with the local people were used to obtain information on the names of the plants, their medicinal uses and conservation methods. The number of the medicinal plants species used was 180 belonging to 144 genera and 57 families of flowering plants. The major families recorded for medicinal purpose included Fabaceae (37 species), Asteraceae (26 species), Euphorbiaceae (eleven species), Vitaceae (eight species), Verbenaceae (seven species), Poaceae (six species), Solanaceae (five species), and Rubiaceae (four species). There is a need for putting in place measures to conserve these plants. Unfortunately, most of the healers or users were not interested in cultivation of the plants. The situation could worsen with the social changes and demand for land for agriculture in the district.     

西藏色季拉山药用种子植物区系研究

该研究根据国家中医药管理局全国第四次中药资源普查的标准,在色季拉山设置样方63套,每套样方中设1个10 m×10 m的乔木样方,1个5 m×5 m的灌木藤本样方和4个2 m×2 m的草本样方,调查记录海拔、经纬度、坡度、坡向等地理信息以及样地内每个物种的高度、盖度、株数等生物学信息,分析该区药用种子植物区系的基本组成、地理成分以及相对应的药用植物功效。结果表明:色季拉山有药用种子植物91科335属625种(含变种),分别占西藏种子植物科、属、种的55.49%,29.26%和11.80%。分布区类型多样,科的分布区分为7个分布区及5个亚型,热带科25个(占非世界分布科数的49.02%),温带科26个(占非世界分布科数的50.98%)。属的分布区分为13个分布区及13个亚型,热带属52个(占总属数的15.52%),温带属236个(占总属数的70.45%)。种的分布区类型,以温带成分为主,在625种药用种子植物中,温带种429个,占总种数的68.64%,在该区占优势。此外,该区药用植物的古老成分缺乏。特有成分很低,无中国特有科分布,中国特有属1个,中国特有种176个(其中西藏特有种21个)。色季拉山药用种子植物资源丰富,区系分布类型多样,起源于热带—亚热带成分,现以温带性质为主,说明该区处于热带向温带的过渡地带。从各药用植物的区系分布类型来看,所含药用植物具有较多样的药用功效。     

Local use and cultural and economic value of products from trees in the Parklands of the municipality of Cinzana, Mali

This paper reports on the most important non-timber forest products (NTFPs) marketed and used during the dry season in Cinzana, near Ségou, Mali. Data was gathered from villagers through market surveys and interviews with vendors, buyers, and key informants in traditional medicine. In the Sudano-sahelian agricultural region, NTFPs are collected from parklands, comprising of fallows and croplands. Of the 20 species, five were used in handicraft production, 11 yielded human foods, and 11 had medicinal uses. In addition, many tree species have multipurpose value: six of the 20 species were recorded to be food producers in addition to having uses for handicraft production and/or medicine. The contribution of herbaceous species to the NTFPs used and harvested during the dry season is negligible. Only one of the species was non-ligneous, indicating the large significance of tree species for local communities in a region with long seasonal dry periods.     

Traditional medicinal plant knowledge and use by local healers in Sekoru District, Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

The knowledge and use of medicinal plant species by traditional healers was investigated in Sekoru District, Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia from December 2005 to November 2006. Traditional healers of the study area were selected randomly and interviewed with the help of translators to gather information on the knowledge and use of medicinal plants used as a remedy for human ailments in the study area. In the current study, it was reported that 27 plant species belonging to 27 genera and 18 families were commonly used to treat various human ailments. Most of these species (85.71%) were wild and harvested mainly for their leaves (64.52%). The most cited ethnomedicinal plant species wasAlysicarpus quartinianus A. Rich., whose roots and leaves were reported by traditional healers to be crushed in fresh and applied as a lotion on the lesions of patients ofAbiato (Shererit). No significant correlation was observed between the age of traditional healers and the number of species reported and the indigenous knowledge transfer was found to be similar. More than one medicinal plant species were used more frequently than the use of a single species for remedy preparations. Plant parts used for remedy preparations showed significant difference with medicinal plant species abundance in the study area.     

Medicinal plants used in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia: Phytochemical screening

Ethnobotanical and phytochemical studies are useful to discover new drugs. Phytochemical screening is an important step in the detection of the bioactive components existing in medicinal plants that are used in traditional medicine. Very few phytochemical studies investigating medicinal plants used in traditional medicine exist in Saudi Arabia. Eighty-five medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia are investigated here for the first time. This research aims to screen of 85 medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in Jeddah for the presence of secondary metabolites, and to answer the following question: Is the ethnomedicinal importance of medicinal plants used in Jeddah conform to their secondary metabolite content. Ethnobotanical fieldwork took place in Jeddah from August 2018 to September 2019. Eighty-five different plant species belonging to 37 families were identified. Screening of 85 medicinal plants was performed for the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and resins using standard methods. The most commonly distributed phytochemical compounds among medicinal plants used were glycosides (82%; 70 species), tannins (68%; 58 species), alkaloids (56%; 48 species), saponins (52%, 44 species) and flavonoids (35%; 30 species). On the other hand, the least commonly distributed compounds were resins (31%; 26 species). All the six groups of secondary metabolites were found in seeds of Cuminum cyminum L., Pimpinella anisum L. and Trigonella foenum-graecum L. It can be said that the ethnomedicinal importance of these 85 medicinal plants used in Jeddah conform to their secondary metabolite content. More research should be carried out on the quantitative analysis of phytochemicals in these 85 medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in Jeddah. Furthermore, there is a need to focus phytochemical screening on ethnobotanical studies to complete research into traditional medicine which leads to the discovery of new drugs.     

Small mammals of Zomba Plateau, Malawi, as assessed by their presence in pellets of the grass owl, Tyto capensis, and by live-trapping

The high altitude grasslands of Zomba Plateau (1900 m) in Malawi are inhabited by at least eleven species of small terrestrial mammals (rodents and shrews), of which nine species were found in pellets of grass owls, Tyto capensis. Dendromus nyikae and Otomys angoniensis were the most numerous species in the pellets, although three large species, O. angoniensis, Dasymys incomtus and Pelomys fallax contributed 91–93% of the biomass of prey. Each pellet contained the remains of one to five mammals, representing a prey-biomass of 33–256 g (x?= 132 g). Data from pellets were compared with data from a 10-month live-trapping programme in the same grasslands. The most commonly trapped species were Mus triton, Lophuromys ftavopunctatus, Praomys delectorum and D. nyikae, whereas O. angoniensis, D. incomtus and P. fallax were very rarely trapped and appear to be extremely trap-shy. Two species: L. flavopunctatus (which is common) and Thamnomys dolichurus (which is uncommon) in the grasslands, were trapped but not found in the pellets. The diet of grass owls from Zomba Plateau was compared with the diets of grass owls from ten localities in South Africa. the comparison suggests that Otomys spp. are the staple prey of grass-owls throughout much of their geographical range in Africa. The diet of the grass owls was also compared with diets of the closely related barn owl (Tyto alba) from two localities in Malawi. The two species of owls prefer habitats at different altitudes, and they prey largely upon different species of small mammals. Résumé Les prairies de haute altitude du Plateau de Zombia (1900m) au Malawi sont habitées par au moins onze espèces de petits mammifères terrestres (rongeurs et insectivores), desquelles neuf espèces furent trouvées dans les pelotes de réjections de la chouette du Cap, Tyto capensis. Dendromus nyikae et Otomys angoniensis sont les espèces les plus représentées dans les pelotes, alors que trois grandes espéces, O, angoniensis, Dasymys incomtus et Pelomys fallax contribuent pour 91 à 93% de la biomasse des proies. Chaque pelote contient les restes de un à cinq mammifèces, ce qui représente une biomasse de proies de 32 à 256 g. (x?= 132 g). Ces données fournies par les pelotes furent comparées avec des données fournies par un programme de capture dans les mêmes prairies. Les espèces les plus communément piégées sont Lophuromys flavopunctatus, Praomys delectorum et D. nyikae, alors que O. angoniensis, D. incomtus et P. fallax sont très rarement piégées et semblent être trés difficiles à capturer. Deux espèces, L. flavopunctatus, quiest commune et Thamnomys dolichurus, qui est peu fréquente dans ces prairies, furent piégées mais pas retrouvées dans les pelotes. Le régime alimentaire de la chouette du Cap sur le Plateau de Zombia fut comparé avec celui de la même espèce dans dix localités différentes d'Afrique du Sud. La comparaison suggère que les Otomys spp. sont les proies favorites de la chouette du Cap sur tout le territoire de sa distribution géographique en Afrique. Ce régime alimentaire fut aussicomparéà celui d'une espèce proche, la chouette effraie (Tyto alba) dans deux localités au Malawi. Les deux chouettes présentent des préférences d'habitats à des altitudes diffèrentes et leurs proies sont constituées par des espéces différentes de petits mammifères.     

湖南蓝山县端午药市的瑶药调查

中国南方一些少数民族地区民间“端午药市”流传至今,体现了民族医药的独具特色及其深远影响。为了解瑶族端午药市交易现状和发掘民族医药传统知识,采用民族植物学等方法对湖南省蓝山县端午药市进行调查,完成包括基原、地方名、药用部位、用途和用法、出现频度等内容的药用植物编目。结果表明:蓝山县端午药市药用植物种类丰富,共收集鉴定103科 222属262种,药用植物种类广泛分布于各科和各属中,其中种类较多的科有五加科(11种)、茜草科(11种)、菊科(11种)、百合科(10种)、唇形科(9种)、蝶形花科(8种)、芸香科(7种)。药市药浴植物畅销且种类多样,达94种,占总数的35.9%,体现瑶族在治疗疾病上以预防保健为主的理念。经统计药市上均未被国家药典和地方标准收录的药用植物有131种,占总数的50.2%,成为发掘新药源、新用途的潜在资源。对端午药市售药者年龄的调查发现,售药者的年龄主要集中在50～59岁间,占总人数的67%,40岁以下的仅占总人数的3%,可见民族药用传统知识的传承存在传承人老龄化、潜在传承人数量锐减的现象。此外,还对药市交易药用植物的种类组成和民族药用特色进行分析,探讨了端午药市对药用传统知识保护与传承的影响,并对蓝山端午药市的可持续发展提出了建议。     

西藏米林县珍稀濒危药用植物优先保护评价

通过设置样方和路线踏查,对米林县的野生药用植物资源进行调查,并利用多个指标定量计算各濒危植物的优先保护值,确定其珍稀濒危物种优先保护序列,对珍稀濒危药用植物的种类、药效和入药部位多样性进行了分析。结果表明:米林县共有药用保护植物37科72属97种,分别占药用植物总科数、总属数、总种数的48.05%、32.00%、30.70%。其中,被子植物有35科69属95种,裸子植物有2科2属2种。97种珍稀濒危药用植物中,处于Ⅰ级保护的药用植物有9科11属11种,处于Ⅱ级保护的药用植物有18科25属27种,处于Ⅲ级保护的药用植物有28科46属59种。从珍稀濒危药用植物的药效来看,清热功效和补虚功效的药用植物较多,分别有32种和20种,各占濒危药用植物总种数的32.99%、20.62%;从药用部位统计,根与根茎类和全草类的药用植物分别有34种和26种,占珍稀濒危药用植物总数比例较大,分别为35.05%、26.80%。该区评估的优先保护等级和濒危等级与保护植物名录有一定差异,桃儿七在本区的保护等级由Ⅲ级升为Ⅰ级,另外有7种植物的濒危程度在本区加强。基于调查和研究结果分析了米林县珍稀濒危药用植物的致濒原因,并就此提出了一些具体的保护建议和措施。     

Prioritization of medicinal plants on the basis of available knowledge, existing practices and use value status in Uttaranchal, India

In order to understand the pattern of indigenous uses of medicinal plants available in the Uttaranchal state of the Indian Himalaya, this study was undertaken through literature survey and fieldwork in various parts of the state. A list of all the major and most of the lesser categories of ailments was prepared and categorized with the help of medical practitioners. A total of 300 plant species used in curing 114 ailments prevailing in various ethnic and non-ethnic communities of Uttaranchal were documented. These 114 ailments were further grouped into 12 broad classes of diseases in order to project the indigenous uses of medicinal plants for various ailments. It was found that herbs contributed the highest number of medicinal plants (65%), followed by shrubs (19%) and trees (16%). The maximum number of plant species were used to cure generalized body aches and colic, followed by gastrointestinal and dermatological problems. Vitex negundo was the most important species, used for the treatment of more than 48 ailments. Azadirachta indica, Woodfordia fruticosa, Centella asiatica, Aegle marmelos, Cuscuta reflexa, Butea monosperma, Phyllanthus emblica, and Euphorbia hirta were among other important medicinal plants based on their high use values. The underground parts of the plant were used in the majority of cases. Of 300 medicinal plants, 35 were rare and endangered species, of which about 80% was restricted to the high altitude alpine region of Uttaranchal Himalaya. A priority list of 17 medicinal plant species was prepared on the basis of endemism, use value, mode of harvesting and rarity status. Strategies for long-term conservation of these valuable medicinal plants are discussed.     

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by local people in the lowlands of Konta Special Woreda, southern nations, nationalities and peoples regional state, Ethiopia

Background

Research was carried out in Konta Special Woreda (District); it is a remote area with lack of infrastructure like road to make any research activities in the area. Therefore, this research was conducted to investigate medicinal plants of the Konta people and to document the local knowledge before environmental and cultural changes deplete the resources.

Methods

The information was collected between October 2006 and February 2007. Interview-based field study constituted the main data collection method in which the gathering, preparation, use, previous and current status and cultivation practices were systematically investigated. The abundance, taxonomic diversity and distribution of medicinal plants were studied using ecological approach.

Results

A total of 120 species, grouped within 100 genera and 47 families that are used in traditional medical practices were identified and studied. The Fabaceae and Lamiaceae were the most commonly reported medicinal plants with 16 (13.3%) and 14 (12%) species, respectively. 25.4% of the total medicinal plants are collected from homegardens and the rest (74.6%) are collected from wild habitats. Of the total number of medicinal plants, 108 species (90%) were used to treat human ailments, 6 (5%) for livestock diseases and the remaining 6 (5%) were used to treat both human and livestock health problems. The major threats to medicinal plants reported include harvesting medicinal plants for firewood (24.8%) followed by fire (22.3%) and construction (19%). Of the four plant communities identified in the wild, more medicinal plant species (34) were found in community type-4 (Hyparrhenia cymbaria-Erythrina abyssinica community), which accounted for 61.8%.

Conclusion

Konta Special Woreda is an important area for medicinal plants and associated local knowledge; the natural vegetation being the most important reservoir for the majority of the medicinal plants. Environmental and cultural changes are in the process of threatening the resources and this signals the need for serious efforts to create public awareness so that measures are taken to conserve the medicinal plants in the natural ecosystems and other suitable environments.     

The Ethnomedicine of the Haya people of Bugabo ward, Kagera Region, north western Tanzania

Background

This paper is based on ethnomedicinal investigation conducted from 1999–2002 in Chuxiong, central Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The Yi medicine has made a great contribution to the ethnomedicinal field in China. Neither case studies nor integrated inventories have previously been conducted to investigate the traditional Yi plants. This paper aims to argue the status and features of medicinal plants used in traditional Yi societies through a case study.

Methods

The approaches of ethnobotany, anthropology, and participatory rural appraisal were used in the field surveys. Twenty-two informants in four counties were interviewed during eight field trips. Medicinal plant specimens were identified according to taxonomic methods.

Results

One hundred sixteen medicinal plant species were found to be useful by the local people in the treatment of various diseases or disorders, especially those relating to trauma, gastrointestinal disorders and the common cold. Among these 116 species, 25 species (21.55%) were found to have new curative effects and 40 species (34.48%) were recorded for their new preparation methods; 55 different species were used in treating wounds and fractures, and 47 were used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Traditional Yi herbal medicines are characterized by their numerous quantities of herbaceous plants and their common preparation with alcohol.

Conclusion

Totally 116 species in 58 families of medicinal plants traditionally used by the Yi people were inventoried and documented. The characteristics of medicinal plants were analyzed. Some new findings (such as new curative effects and new preparation methods) were recorded These newly gathered ethnobotanical and medicinal data are precious sources for the future development of new drugs, and for further phytochemical, pharmacological and clinical studies.