Search Results (371)

Medicinal plants remain vital in the Phu Tai community in Amnat Charoen in Thailand. Traditional healers’ knowledge is largely undocumented in the literature. Our objective was to document their medicinal plant practices to preserve this valuable knowledge. Our informants were 15 Phu Tai healers. We calculated use values (UV), family importance values (FIV), and informant agreement ratios (IAR) to gauge the significance of the 211 medicinal plants used by the healers. The most important plant families were Fabaceae and Zingiberaceae (FIV = 93). Kha min (Curcuma longa) was the most important medicinal species (UV = 0.66). The decoction was the most common preparation method (85%). Skin/subcutaneous cellular tissue disorders had the highest informant agreement ratio (IAR = 0.73). Shrubs were the most common life form (36%) among the medicinal plants; the majority were collected from community forests (51%) and were native to Thailand (86%). The most frequently used plant part for medicine was the leaf (27%). Medicinal plants that can be purchased were Ueang mai na (Hellenia speciosa), Thep tharo (Cinnamomum parthenoxylon), and Som khon (Talinum paniculatum). Interestingly, monks served as traditional healers. The healer’s age and education were not correlated with the number of medicinal plants they knew. The Amnat Charoen healers possess a rich traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. The information reported here is invaluable for further research in the field of cross-cultural ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology. Full article

(1) Background. Although Arum spp. are toxic in their raw state, they are sometimes used as food within their native ranges. (2) Methods. We review the available literature in order to provide an overview of its use and detoxification procedures worldwide. (3) Results. The food use of lords-and-ladies was already mentioned by Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Matthioli, Durante, Gerard, and Sirennius. In the references concerning 19th–21st-century use, seven species were identified: A. cyrenaicum, A. discoridis, A. italicum, A. maculatum, A. orientale, A. palaestinum, and A. rupicola. Past or current culinary use of the plant has been recorded in Morocco, Libya, the United Kingdom, the Scilly Islands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Romania, Ukraine (including Crimea), Czechia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Georgia, Türkiye, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, and Iran. (4) In Europe, rhizomes were used, mainly as a famine food. In SW Asia, the aerial parts remain an important element of local cuisine. Several detoxification procedures are used before consumption, such as prolonged boiling, often involving straining the boiled water and lowering the pH with lemon juice, sumac, citric acid, sorrel leaves, or pomegranate juice. (5) Conclusions. Further studies are needed to assess the safety of Arum use and record traditional local recipes in SW Asia. Full article

Lantana camara L., commonly known as pigeon berry, is a herbaceous plant of growing scientific interest due to the high medicinal value. In fact, despite being categorized as an invasive species, it has been used for a long time to treat different diseases thanks to the many biological activities. Triterpenes, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and iridoid glycosides are the bioactive compounds naturally occurring in L. camara that have demonstrated anticancer, antifilarial, nematocidal, antibacterial, insecticidal, antileishmanial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The aim of this review is to update the information concerning the chemistry and biological activity of L. camara extracts and their constituents, including semisynthetic derivatives, revising the literature until June 2024. We believe that the data reported in this review clearly demonstrate the importance of the plant as a promising source of medicines and will therefore stimulate further investigations. Full article

This study investigates the phylogenetic and geographical distribution of wild food plants (WFPs) across 30 Mediterranean and North African (MENA) regions, focusing on the intersection of evolutionary lineage, ecological adaptation, and cultural utilization. A phylogenetic analysis of 111 genera of WFPs used in traditional diets reveals clusters reflecting shared ancestry, functional adaptations, and ecological resilience. Key regions such as Lebanon and Ikaria stand out as potential centers for the diversity of wild food plant use, suggesting that the Eastern Mediterranean may be a primary origin area, especially for species adapted to semi-arid climates. Major plant families including Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, and Fabaceae form distinct clusters that underscore their common ancestry and adaptability, making them foundational to traditional diets and medicinal applications across various environments. Geographical analysis indicates historical connections, such as those between Malta and Egypt, supporting the hypothesis that ancient trade routes influenced the spread and cultural exchange of wild food plant use across the Mediterranean. The study emphasizes the integration of phylogenetic and ethnobotanical perspectives, shedding light on how biodiversity, ecological adaptation, and cultural practices intersect in these regions. This research demonstrates that WFPs serve as both ecological and cultural assets, crucial for preserving traditional diets and supporting biodiversity conservation amid environmental changes. Integrating evolutionary and cultural knowledge can enrich ecological understanding and contribute to the sustainable use of plant resources in the MENA regions. Full article

This study examines changes in medicinal and wild food plant knowledge in the Alpine Southern Occitan area, focusing on temporal and cultural shifts. Drawing from ethnobotanical data from the Maira Valley (1970, 2022), Stura Valley (2004), and Grana Valley (2011), we explore dynamics in plant use and how they may have been generated by ecological, socio-economic, and cultural changes. A total of 308 plant taxa were recorded, with notable declines in Asteraceae and Lamiaceae utilizations by 2022, suggesting a remarkable erosion of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Conversely, the use of families like Brassicaceae and Amaranthaceae increased, possibly due to socio-economic factors. This study also found in recent years a decrease in medicinal plant uses and a greater reliance on food system-related plants. Logistic regression models highlighted altitude (600–1600 masl) as a key factor in plant diversity use, with older participants showing more diverse ethnobotanical knowledge. This study underscores the resilience and transformation of plant knowledge in response to socio-economic and environmental changes in the Alpine area. Full article

The long-term stability of orally transmitted ethnopharmacopoeias is of interest, but difficult to study for lack of information on plants used by a specific past culture. Similarities between modern Italian ethnopharmacopoeias and Dioscorides’ classical text have been proposed to derive from modern replacement of traditional practices with those from published translations of Dioscorides. Ibn al-Baytar produced the best compendium of medicinal substances in medieval Islamic science. He gave “Berber” common names for some plants, which were presumptively used by North African Amazigh people. Since Amazigh traditional knowledge was largely transmitted orally, with little access to medieval literature, this allows comparison of historic (>750 years ago) practices and modern practices that are unlikely to be causally derived. Presumptive identities for Ibn al-Baytar’s plants with Berber names were obtained from key references. Recent ethnomedicinal publications from Amazigh-populated areas in North Africa were surveyed for reports of those species and homologous common names. Of 46 historically used plants, an estimated 60.9% are still used in Amazigh regions, 78.6% with homologous common names. This is likely to underestimate persistence of species use across the entire local pharmacopoeia. Second, emulating a published analysis of Dioscorides, plants reported by three large recent studies in Amazigh regions were compared with plants recorded by Ibn al-Baytar and in a comprehensive modern Moroccan reference. Between 58.2% and 73.8% of species included in individual studies were recorded by Ibn al-Baytar; of the 46 shared among all three, 82.6% were recorded by Ibn al-Baytar and 100% by the modern reference. An historical compilation may be more likely to mention plants that are widely used today simply because a thorough author could document most plants that were widely used at the time; use of such data to assess causality should take that effect into consideration. Full article

Finnish North Karelia is a region with a rich cultural history of ethnomedicinal plant use, shaped by centuries of interactions among various ethnic groups. This study identified both similarities and divergences between local Finns, Karelians war refugees, and individuals of mixed origin compared to historical records. Based on 67 semi-structured interviews, we documented the use of 43 medicinal plant taxa from 25 families, of which 31 remain in use. Notably, the number of medicinal plants continuously used in North Karelia is considerably lower than in other parts of Europe, with less than 25% of historically utilised species still in practice, which reflects the fragile state of this knowledge. Factors such as forced relocation, the loss of traditional lands, and the need to adapt to new environments might have contributed to this decline. Another influencing factor is official healthcare attitudes, which have prompted Finnish residents to shift from traditional herbal remedies to modern medical practices. Understanding the circulation of ethnomedicinal knowledge and its transformation over time is essential for identifying pathways to revitalise these practices within the framework of modern healthcare systems and cultural revitalisation efforts. Full article

The Enterobacteriaceae family poses health risks due to its role in gastrointestinal diseases like acute diarrhea. With rising antibiotic resistance, plants offer promising antibacterial compounds with low toxicity. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and toxicity of ethanolic (EE) and aqueous (AE) extracts from five Mexican medicinal plants traditionally used in Chiapas for treating acute diarrheal diseases (ADD). Antibacterial activity was assessed using disk diffusion assays and MIC determined by macrodilution. Toxicity tests were performed using Artemia salina. As a result, EE extracts exhibited higher antibacterial activity than AE extracts. Byrsonima crassifolia effectively inhibited Salmonella enteritidis (78.26%, MIC 50 mg/mL) and Shigella dysenteriae (76.19%, MIC 25 mg/mL). Solanum torvum showed efficacy against Escherichia coli (55.55%, MIC 12.5 mg/mL) and Salmonella enteritidis (73.91%, MIC 25 mg/mL). Euphorbia maculata inhibited Shigella dysenteriae (104.76%, MIC 25 mg/mL), while Guazuma ulmifolia and Bursera simaruba exhibited no antibacterial effects. All extracts were non-toxic (LD₅₀ > 1000 μg/mL), indicating potential as natural alternatives for ADD treatment. Full article

This ethnobotanical study examines the traditional knowledge and usage patterns of wild plants in the western Alps, specifically within the Ubaye and Bellino Valleys, through a comparative analysis of data collected from 1983 (published in 1990) to 2024. Our study aims to assess the change in plant usage, species diversity, and the changing roles of plants in local traditions in the western Alpine mountain ecosystems. While the 1983 survey documented medicinal uses centered around pastoralist practices, the 2024 data highlight a notable increase in the use of synanthropic plants, now utilized both medicinally and as food. Several species such as Allium sativum, Artemisia absinthium, and Urtica dioica have shown resilience and continuity in local cultural practices, maintaining medicinal, culinary, and ritual significance across the four decades. The 1983 survey documented the greatest variety of species (101), a number that decreased in subsequent studies. The 2009 survey identified 36 species not previously recorded in 1983, and the 2024 field study noted an additional 20 species. The study highlights the economic potential of several wild species in these alpine areas, such as Achillea, Artemisia, Verbascum, Veronica, Viola, Polygonum, Bunium, and Sorbus spp., which could be utilized for creating new herbal teas, artisanal beers, liqueurs, ice creams, sweets, and seasoned food products. Expanding the uses of these plants could not only preserve ethnobotanical knowledge but also stimulate local economies and support sustainable development in alpine communities. The documented temporal shifts in plant usage reflect broader cultural, ecological, and socio-economic changes, underscoring the importance of preserving biodiversity and traditional knowledge amidst ongoing environmental and societal shifts. This study underlines the need to conserve ethnobotanical heritage while adapting to the evolving landscape of the region. Future research could focus on exploring the role of these species in broader sustainability initiatives, including conservation strategies, ecosystem services, and community-based tourism while continuing to document the cultural dynamics influencing plant usage. Full article

Disporopsis aspersa (Hua) Engl. ex K. Krause, locally known as kucai (bitter greens) or yexiahua, is a widely consumed wild vegetable and traditional herbal medicine in western Yunnan. Despite its local significance, its nutrient composition and bioactive properties have not been investigated. This study aims to determine the nutritional content and evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the aerial parts extracts of D. aspersa. The levels of protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals were measured and compared to those of common vegetables. The results showed that D. aspersa contains 16 amino acids, with a total content of up to 19.13 g/100 g, including 3.0 g/100 g of lysine. In vitro evaluations of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities demonstrated that the ethanolic extract exhibited low cytotoxicity against mouse RAW 264.7 murine macrophages cell line at concentrations of 0–120 μg/mL. The IC₅₀ for nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity was 72.7 ± 7.43 μg/mL, showing dose dependence. Additionally, the ethanolic extract also exhibited ABTS⁺· scavenging capacity and total antioxidant capacity. These findings suggest that D. aspersa is rich in carbohydrates, fat, dietary fiber, and amino acids. It also contains various bioactive substances, supporting its traditional practices for both medicinal and dietary purposes by local people. D. aspersa has the potential to be developed into a novel anti-hypertensive food, nutraceutical, or dietary supplement in western Yunnan and neighboring regions, promoting local development. Full article

This study offers considerable information on plant wealth of therapeutic importance used traditionally by the residents of 11 villages under three subdivisions of Kurseong, Darjeeling Sadar, and Mirik in the Darjeeling District, West Bengal. For the acquisition of ethnomedicinal information, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 47 informants, of whom 11 persons were herbalists and 36 were knowledgeable persons. Free prior informed consent was obtained from each participant prior to the collection of field data. A total of 115 species were documented, which spread over 65 families and 104 genera. From the informants, a total of 101 monoherbal and 21 polyherbal formulations were recorded for treating 50 types of health conditions. The collected ethnobotanical data have been evaluated to measure the utilitarian significance of remedies using three quantitative tools, informant consensus factor (F_ic), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL%). A statistical analysis revealed that among 11 disease categories, the highest F_ic value was estimated for the category of digestive diseases. The plant Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta scored the highest use value among all the recorded plant species. In the case of the FL% analysis, the highest score (97%) was observed in Betula alnoides Buch-Ham. ex D.Don, which is used for snake bites, among the recorded 115 plant species. In addition, the present study embodies the quantitative estimation of phenolics and flavonoids, along with an HPLC analysis of the B. alnoides bark to endorse this most important and underexplored plant as a potential source of therapeutically important chemical compounds. The bark extract contains significant amounts of phenolics (87.8 mg GAE/g dry tissue) and flavonoids (30.1 mg CE/g dry tissue). An HPLC analysis unveiled a captivating ensemble of six phenolic compounds, namely, chlorogenic acid, sinapic acid, caffeic acid, coumarin, p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid. Among the identified phenolics, chlorogenic acid scored the highest amount of 117.5 mg/g of dry tissue. The present study also explored the moderate cytotoxic nature of the bark extract through an in vitro cytotoxicity assay on the L929 mouse fibroblast cell line. Our study not only documents the statistically analyzed information about ethnomedicinal practices that prevailed in the rural communities of the Darjeeling District but also highlights the profound therapeutic capabilities and non-toxic nature of B. alnoides bark. Full article

This study investigates the ethnobotanical diversity of wild plant teas across various populations in the Balkan mountain regions, focusing on cultural and ecological influences. Data were collected through ethnobotanical field surveys conducted in thirteen distinct areas, encompassing approximately 900 interviews with local populations, including Albanians, Bosniaks, North Macedonians, Goranis, and Serbs. The study identifies 143 genera used in traditional teas, with species frequency and distribution patterns analysed concerning elevation and cultural factors. Statistical analyses using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis revealed clear grouping patterns between populations based on ecological zones. The results show a clear correlation between altitude and the herbal use of plant genera, with higher elevations (above 700 m) supporting a greater variety of local species. Cultural practices, such as tea consumption during communal gatherings, also significantly shaped the selection of plants across different populations. For instance, Sideritis species were most prevalent among Albanian and North Macedonian communities, while Thymus and Mentha species were widely used across all groups. Moreover, cultural exchanges can explain the similarity of wild teas reported by Bosniaks (in Bosnia) and North Albanians, located far away from each other but showing similar traits due to possible common origins or the effect of centuries of pastoralism, which may have generated a constant exchange of local plant practices. The study concludes that ecological conditions and cultural exchanges significantly influence the choice, use, and resilience of wild plant herbal traditions in the Balkans. However, modern pressures such as urbanisation and market-driven consumption are increasingly threatening these practices. This highlights the need for conservation strategies that integrate ecological preservation and cultural heritage safeguarding. Full article

Mozambique possesses great biological diversity, with approximately 5500 plant species. Around 90% of its population uses natural resources for food and traditional medicine, being miombo forests serving as key providers for rural communities. The trade of medicinal plants also constitutes a significant economic activity for both rural and urban households. This study aims to review ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological studies on medicinal plants in Mozambique and explore their agricultural and conservation potential. Articles published between 2010 and 2024 were included and identified 472 medicinal plant species, 400 of which were classified to species or genus level, spanning 277 genera and 93 botanical families. The most cited families include Leguminosae (61 species), Euphorbiaceae (20), and Combretaceae (17). Notable species are Momordica balsamina, Sclerocarya birrea, Annona senegalensis, and Cassia abbreviata. Sixteen in vitro studies explored medicinal plants’ antibacterial, antimycobacterial, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antimalarial properties. Prominent results were shown by Maerua edulis (tuberculosis), Tabernaemontana elegans (malaria), and Momordica balsamina (cancer). This work underscores the critical role of natural resources in Mozambique’s primary healthcare system and highlights their agricultural and economic potential. As the first comprehensive compilation of commonly used medicinal plants in the country, it calls for sustainable cultivation practices and further research to enhance their use and benefits. Full article

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extracts is an eco-friendly method with potential for biomedical and environmental applications. This study aims to synthesize silver nanoparticles (SO-AgNPs) using Salvia officinalis L. extract and evaluate their antioxidant and antibacterial properties, positioning them as candidates for applications in sustainable biomedicine and wastewater treatment. S. officinalis L. extract was used to synthesize AgNPs under optimized conditions, with a 10% extract/AgNO₃ ratio and a reaction time of 180 min. The SO-AgNPs were characterized using ATR-FTIR, XRD, SEM, DLS, and Zeta potential analysis. The antioxidant activity of the extract and SO-AgNPs was evaluated using ABTS^+• and DPPH^• radical scavenging assays. Antibacterial activity was tested against 11 bacterial strains and bacteria isolated from industrial effluent, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined for both the extract and SO-AgNPs. The SO-AgNPs demonstrated potent antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.233 mg/mL and 0.305 mg/mL in the ABTS^+• assay, and 0.173 mg/mL and 0.185 mg/mL in the DPPH^• assay for the extract and SO-AgNPs, respectively. Antibacterial testing showed MIC values of 0.25 mg/mL for SO-AgNPs and between 3.12 and 6.25 mg/mL for S. officinalis L. extract against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, MRSA, B. cereus, and S. epidermidis. For bacteria isolated from industrial effluent, the MIC values were 0.125 mg/mL for SO-AgNPs and 0.5 mg/mL for the extract. This study highlights the dual antioxidant and antibacterial capabilities of S. officinalis L. extract and SO-AgNPs, demonstrating their potential for use in both biomedical and environmental applications, including wastewater treatment. Full article

Wild greens (WGs) play a significant role in Mediterranean diets (MDs), reflecting botanical and cultural diversities, mainly influenced by a complex conglomerate of local human ecologies. This study investigates local ecological knowledge (LEK) linked to traditional gathering and consumption of WGs in the Lasithi Plateau of eastern Crete, where human genetic studies one decade ago showed very peculiar patterns, hypothesising that the Minoan civilisation took refuge there before it disappeared. A field ethnobotanical study was conducted to document the diversity of WGs and their detailed local culinary uses in the Lasithi area by interviewing 31 study participants. Fifty-nine folk taxa (species and subspecies) were recorded, corresponding to fifty-eight botanical taxa. A quotation index was measured to assess the cultural significance of WGs in the study areas; logistic regression analysis was adopted to understand the impact of sensory classifications of WGs and their local cooking methods. Lasithi’s foraging showed a notable prevalence of bitter-tasting WGs, which play a central role in local cognition and culinary practices. This bitterness aspect of WGs, potentially influenced by cultural preferences and genetic factors, probably suggests a connection to the ancient Lasithi’s inhabitants, i.e., Minoan dietary habits. We found that bitterness is the predominant sensory attribute in Lasithi, characterising 45.76% of the WGs. These findings underscore the complex interplay between local ecologies and biodiversity, LEK, and dietary traditions, highlighting the importance of WGs in understanding the evolution of foraging and plant culinary diversities across the Mediterranean. Full article