R W Bussmann
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 9776 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | R W Bussmann |
| NOMBRES | R W |
| APELLIDO | Bussmann |
| FIRMA | BUSSMANN R W |
| AFILIACIONES | Ilia State University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3524-5273 |
| VERIFICADO | Sí |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 219 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 624 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 219 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2004 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 14 |
Traditional uses, ethnobotanical significance, and resource potential of Ephedra equisetina Bunge in the Kurshab River Basin, Kyrgyzstan
Background: The Kurshab River Basin (Osh Region, Kyrgyzstan) is an area where traditional knowledge related to the use of wild plants has been preserved for generations. Among the species of particular cultural importance is Ephedra equisetina Bunge, which is widely known and used by local communities. However, information on local harvesting practices, processing methods, and traditional applications of this species remains insufficiently docume…
A comprehensive review of regional distribution and traditional uses of Rhododendron campanulatum in the Indian Himalayas
Background: The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), one of the world’s most prominent biodiversity hotspots, harbors rich alpine and sub-alpine flora that are vital for ecological stability and local livelihoods. Rhododendron campanulatum is a key species of significant ecological and cultural importance, widely distributed across temperate and sub-alpine zones at altitudes ranging from 2800 to 4800 m above sea level. Despite its critical role in slop…
Botanical diversity as a reservoir of resilience
Agro‐pastoralist communities in Karamoja, Uganda, face food insecurity driven by climate variability, declining livestock numbers and crop failures. In this context, local ethnobotanical knowledge systems play a central role in subsistence and adaptation. This study examines how new uses of wild edible plants emerge under food shortages and the mechanisms underlying their emergence, transmission and establishment in Karamoja. We conducted focus g…
Open letter
Despite growing investment in restoration, weak accountability and poor biodiversity monitoring mean many projects fail to achieve ecological recovery. The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) offers a practical way to ensure that restoration finance delivers measurable gains for nature. By providing independent, site-based verification and engaging local experts, TGBS builds trust, transparency and equity in restoration practice. Its adoption cou…
Ecological aspects, introduction, comparative anatomical and ethnobotanical assessment of two species of the genus Artemisia L.
Background: Species of the genus Artemisia L. are of considerable ethnobotanical, medicinal, and ecological importance in the flora of Uzbekistan. Artemisia dracunculus L. and Artemisia vulgaris L. are widely used in traditional medicine and are of interest for studying their distribution, adaptive potential, and structural characteristics under introduction conditions. The aim of the present study was to assess the ethnobotanical significance, e…
Ethnobotany and the Productivity-Endurability Trade-off
Ethnobotanical and biophysical properties of wood species used in the traditional Uzbek cradle (beshik)
Ethnomycological relevance, ecology, and bioactive potential of Stereum hirsutum
Background: Stereum hirsutum is a widespread wood-inhabiting fungus whose ethnomycological significance remains fragmented and insufficiently synthesized, particularly in relation to Central Asia. Although the species is visually conspicuous and ecologically common, direct documentation of its traditional medicinal relevance remains limited compared with the expanding literature on its chemistry, bioactivity, and applied potential. Methods: Publi…
Comparative ethnobotanical analysis of medicinal plants in the Western Tien Shan Transboundary Region using an integrated approach
Traditional medicinal plant knowledge under anthropogenic pressure
Taxonomic diversity and ethnobotanical importance of adventive medicinal plants in the urban flora of Andijan city (Uzbekistan)
Traditional knowledge and utilization of wild edible plants in Swat district, Pakistan
Wild edible plants in Swat Valley provide essential nutrition, support local livelihoods, and sustain cultural traditions. Quantitative indices demonstrate the most culturally significant species and highlight gaps for conservation. Sustainable management, cultivation, and policy interventions are recommended to preserve these vital resources, ensuring biodiversity conservation and continued food security in mountainous regions
Iranian herbal distillates (Hydrosols)
Background: Iranian herbal distillates are traditional aqueous products of hydro-distillation with centuries of use in Persian medicine, culinary practices, and cultural rituals. They are documented in historical texts such as those by Avicenna and remain widely employed as beverages, folk remedies, and flavoring agents. This study aims to comprehensively document the botanical sources, traditional uses, production methods, and industrial potenti…
Ethnobotanical profile of plant resources utilized by local communities in the Trans-Himalayan Region
Background: Plant resources are important sources of livelihood needs, especially for low-income populations living in remote isolated mountain areas, which rely on these plants for food, fuel wood, medicine and building materials. However, traditional knowledge about plant resources is site-specific and passed down orally through generations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to document the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge of these isolate…
Initial introduction of selected promising foreign medicinal species for establishing a collection of essential-oil plants
Background: The article presents the results of the initial introduction of several promising foreign medicinal plants aimed at establishing a collection of essential-oil species at the Tashkent Botanical Garden. The obtained data can be used to expand the assortment of medicinal and essential-oil plants, as well as to develop specialized collections and implement new crops in agricultural practice. Methods: Phenological observations and biometri…
Integrating Spatial Availability into ethnobotanical research
Background: Ethnobotanical research has traditionally emphasized the documentation of cultural importance and patterns of plant use through indices such as the Relative Frequency of Citation and Use Value. While these metrics effectively capture cultural relevance within specific knowledge systems, they overlook an important dimension: the spatial availability of plant species beyond their original ethnobotanical context. Consequently, species wi…
Ethnomedicinal use and biological properties of Biebersteinia multifida DC. in Uzbekistan
Background: This article presents data on the biological and morphological features, chemical composition, and traditional medicinal use of the valuable medicinal plant Biebersteinia multifida DC. in Uzbekistan. Methods: Standard methods of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography were used to study the chemical composition of the vegetative organs of Biebersteinia multifida DC. The nitrogen content was determined by the Kjeldahl method. Ethnobotan…
Gendered ethnobotanical practices and their influence on livelihoods
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are acknowledged for supporting rural livelihoods and forest conservation. Identifying potential species with commercial value and establishing sustainable management practices for NTFPs require an analysis of their use patterns by local communities and trends on a regional scale. We analyzed traditional use patterns, trends, and economic value of NTFPs around the fringe three villages around the Ayubia National…
Adaptation in ethnobotanical knowledge of Prunus cerasoides among different ethnic groups, religions and culture in Nepal
Societies, ecosystems and species, including medicinal plants worldwide, are increasingly impacted by the changing context of ecology, land use, socio-economy and climate. All these groups have been adapting to these adversaries. However, conventional adaptation strategies to these changes may not always be effective at helping people or ecosystems to reduce their vulnerabilities. We conducted this study to understand and bolster the ethnobotanic…
Distribution of the endemic species Astragalus babatagi Popov and growth characteristics of the plant in the Conditions of Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
Background: Astragalus plants, due to their medicinal properties, are widely used in traditional medicine across various cultures. Endemic and rare species represent a particularly vulnerable category due to intensive and unsustainable harvesting of raw materials. Among them is Astragalus babatagi Popov, a member of the genus Astragalus in the family Fabaceae. Like other species of this genus, it is a rich source of biologically active compounds …
Occurrence and use of tree species in the Hardtwald forest stands close to the city of Karlsruhe compared to the early 19th century
Background: Forest use in Central Europe has changed significantly in the last centuries. This is particularly the case near settlements, where, apart from wood production, forest use has changed from agricultural use to recreational use. The aim of the study was to compare the differences in tree species composition resulting from the changes in forest use in an urban forest close to the city of Karlsruhe, Germany. Additionally, this study aims …
Ethnobotanical Investigation of Ferula tadshikorum Pimenov in Surkhandarya Region, Uzbekistan
Background: This article presents the results of an ethnobotanical study of Ferula tadshikorum Pimenov, a plant widely used by the inhabitants of the Surkhandarya region as a green vegetable and medicinal herb. It has been established that F. tadshikorum plays a positive role in the socio-economic life of the population in the mountainous and foothill villages of Surkhandarya region, with its aerial parts being widely consumed as both medicine an…
Results of the introduction of the promising ethnomedicinal plant Ferula tadshikorum in the Tashkent Botanical Garden and technology of resin production under different conditions
Background: The article presents the results of F. tadshikorum Pimenov introduction in Tashkent Botanical Garden and the technology of obtaining gum resin of roots from different growing conditions. Methods: To study ontogenesis and to distinguish age states of F. tadshikorum, generally accepted methods were used. Field studies in natural conditions were carried out by route methods based on observation. The timing of resin collection, technical …
Documentation of medicinal plant use in Karaj, Iran
Background: Urban ethnobotany provides critical insights into how traditional plant knowledge adapts within modern societies. Despite Iran’s rich ethnomedicinal heritage, little attention has been paid to cities such as Karaj, where traditional and modern herbal markets coexist. Methods: Between 2018 and 2024, we surveyed 25 herbal outlets across 12 districts of Karaj. A total of 186 medicinal plant samples were collected, identified, and deposit…
From field to the edge of memory
Background: Wheat is the third most produced crop and provides roughly 20% of the world’s calories. Georgia preserves one of the world’s oldest and richest traditions of wheat cultivation with over 15 Triticum species historically cultivated, including some dating back to 8000 years ago. But many species, varieties, and practices are either under threat or lost. Early botanical studies identified two distinct centers of indigenous wheat diversity…
Traditional medicinal plant use in Northern Peru
This paper examines the traditional use of medicinal plants in Northern Peru, with special focus on the Departments of Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Cajamarca, and San Martin. Northern Peru represents the center of the old Central Andean "Health Axis," stretching from Ecuador to Bolivia. The roots of traditional healing practices in this region go at least as far back as the Moche period (AC 100-800). Although about 50% of the plants in use rep…
Ecological status and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary of Garhwal Himalaya, India
BackgroundHimalayan forests are the most important source of medicinal plants and with useful species for the local people. Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) is situated in the interior part of the Garhwal Himalayan region. The presented study was carried out in Madhmeshwar area of KWLS for the ecological status of medicinal plants and further focused on the ethnomedicinal uses of these plants in the study area.MethodsEcological information abo…
Ethnomedicine in Himalaya
Traditional plant use in Nepal has been documented for millennia. The importance of plants as medicine has not diminished in any way in recent times, and traditional medicines are still the most important health care source for the vast majority of the population. This paper examines the ethnobotany and traditional use of plants extracted from the vulnerable alpine zone in the Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Mustang districts of Nepal. The results of thi…
Traditional knowledge hiding in plain sight - twenty-first century ethnobotany of the Chácobo in Beni, Bolivia
BACKGROUND: The Chácobo are a Panoan speaking tribe of about 1000 members (300+ adults) in Beni, Bolivia. Originally nomadic, the Chácabo were relocated to their current main location in the 1960s. Researchers have visited the Chácabo since 1911. A first more detailed anthropological report exists from the late 1960s, and ecological-ethnobotanical studies were conducted in the 1980s and 1990s. The presented work represents a complete ethnobotanic…
Local knowledge
Think globally, act locally Local Knowledge Systems (LKS) consist of the knowledge, beliefs, traditions, practices, institutions, and worldviews developed and sustained by indigenous and local communities, and are believed to represent an adaptive strategy to the environment in which these communities live. The value of LKS has been contested by some scholars as being restricted to local issues [1], and local knowledge holders have alternative be…
Health for sale
Traditional methods of healing have been beneficial in many countries with or without access to conventional allopathic medicine. In the United States, these traditional practices are increasingly being sought after for illnesses that cannot be easily treated by allopathic medicine. More and more people are becoming interested in the knowledge maintained by traditional healers and in the diversity of medicinal plants that flourish in areas like N…
The influence of socioeconomic factors on traditional knowledge
Paniagua-Zambrana, N. Y., R. Camara-Lerét, R. W. Bussmann, and M. J. Macía. 2014. The influence of socioeconomic factors on traditional knowledge: a cross scale comparison of palm use in northwestern South America. Ecology and Society 19(4): 9. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-06934-190409
Plant use of the Maasai of Sekenani Valley, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Traditional plant use is of tremendous importance in many societies, including most rural African communities. This knowledge is however, rapidly dwindling due to changes towards a more Western lifestyle, and the influence of modern tourism.In case of the Sekenani Maasai, the recent change from a nomadic to a more sedentary lifestyle has not, thus far lead to a dramatic loss of traditional plant knowledge, when compared to other Maasai communitie…
Recognizing Indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ rights and agency in the post-2020 Biodiversity Agenda
The Convention on Biological Diversity is defining the goals that will frame future global biodiversity policy in a context of rapid biodiversity decline and under pressure to make transformative change. Drawing on the work of Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars, we argue that transformative change requires the foregrounding of Indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ rights and agency in biodiversity policy. We support this argument with fo…
Taming the pandemic? The importance of homemade plant-based foods and beverages as community responses to Covid-19
Household responses to COVID-19 in different corners of the world represent the primary health care that communities have relied on for preventing and mitigating symptoms. During a very complex and confusing time, in which public health services in multiple countries have been completely overwhelmed, and in some cases even collapsed, these first-line household responses have been quintessential for building physical, mental, and social resilience…
The Use of “Use Value”
Medicinal plants, traditional medicine, markets and management in far-west Nepal
BackgroundModern therapeutic medicine is historically based on indigenous therapies and ethnopharmacological uses, which have become recognized tools in the search for new sources of pharmaceuticals. Globalization of herbal medicine along with uncontrolled exploitative practices and lack of concerted conservation efforts, have pushed many of Nepal's medicinal plants to the verge of extinction. Sustainable utilization and management of medicinal p…
Traditional medicinal plant use in Loja province, Southern Ecuador
This paper examines the traditional use of medicinal plants in Loja province, Southern Ecuador.Two hundred fifteen plant species were collected, identified and their vernacular names and traditional uses recorded. This number of species indicates that the healers, market vendors and members of the public interviewed still have a very high knowledge of plants in their surroundings, which can be seen as a reflection of the knowledge of the populati…
Ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal flora of Harighal, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
Background The present study is the first quantitative ethnobotanical evaluation of Harighal, an inaccessible and unexplored area of District Bagh Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). The exploration, quantification, and comparison of ethnobotanical knowledge among different rural communities of the study area were mainly focused during field survey. Methodology In total, 79 informants (49 men and 34 women) were selected randomly to collect data using a s…
A comparative ethnobotany of Khevsureti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Tusheti, Svaneti, and Racha-Lechkhumi, Republic of Georgia (Sakartvelo), Caucasus
Plant species, and uses, found in our study, both for Georgia in general, as well as for its regions, showed clear relations to the wider Caucasus - Asia Minor - Balkans cultural complex. However, plant use in Georgia was much more diverse than reported in other studies from Eurasia
Ethnobotany in the Nepal Himalaya
BACKGROUND: Indigenous knowledge has become recognized worldwide not only because of its intrinsic value but also because it has a potential instrumental value to science and conservation. In Nepal, the indigenous knowledge of useful and medicinal plants has roots in the remote past. METHODS: The present study reviews the indigenous knowledge and use of plant resources of the Nepal Himalayas along the altitudinal and longitudinal gradient. A tota…
Ethnobotany of the Samburu of Mt. Nyiru, South Turkana, Kenya
Traditional plant use is of extremely high importance in many societies, and prevalent in African communities. This knowledge is however dwindling rapidly due to changes towards a more Western lifestyle. The influence of modern tourism cannot be neglected in this context. This paper examines the plant use of the Samburu of the Mt. Nyiru area in Northern Kenya. The Samburu pastoralists of Kenya are still amongst the most traditional communities of…
Cross-cultural comparison of plant use knowledge in Baitadi and Darchula districts, Nepal Himalaya
BACKGROUND: This study seeks to better understand the human-nature interface and to measure the variability of plant use knowledge among cultures, through inter- and intracultural analyses. We compared plant collection, use, and management of two culturally distinct groups (Baitadi and Darchula) of the Nepal Himalaya. They inhabit different physiographic regions, yet share the same ecological landscape, environmental resources, and livelihood cha…
Ready for phase 5 - current status of ethnobiology in Southeast Asia
BACKGROUND: Southeast Asia is known for its rich linguistic, cultural and biological diversity. While ethnobiology in the west has benefitted greatly from intellectual and methodological advances over the last decades, the status of Southeast Asian ethnobiology is largely unknown. This study aims to provide an analysis of the current status of ethnobiology in Southeast Asia and outlines possibilities for future advancements. METHODS: We accessed …
Medicinal plants used by women from Agnalazaha littoral forest (Southeastern Madagascar)
Background The country of Madagascar is renowned for its high level of biodiversity and endemism, as well as the overwhelming pressures and threats placed on the natural resources by a growing population and climate change. Traditional medicine plays an important role in the daily lives of the Malagasy for various reasons including limited access to healthcare, limited markets and traditional values. The objective of this study was to assess the …
Medicinal plants sold in the markets of Antananarivo, Madagascar
The markets of Antananarivo have always played a vital cultural role in the lives of urban Malagasy, but our study shows they also play an economic role not only for urban residents but rural harvesters as well. Continued research and monitoring of the non-timber forest products trade in Antananarivo is needed to better understand the impact of trade on the wild plant populations
Herbal mixtures in traditional medicine in Northern Peru
The investigation of plant mixtures used in traditional medicine in Northern Peru yielded a total of 974 herbal preparations used to treat 164 different afflictions. Psychosomatic disorders were, with almost 30% of all recipes applied, the most important afflictions treated. In most cases, healers used only one or two mixtures to treat an illness. However, up to 49 different preparations were used to treat the same disease. This indicates a high …
Medicinal plants used in Northern Peru for reproductive problems and female health
Infections of the reproductive tract, complications after childbirth, and reproductive problems continue to be a major health challenge worldwide. An impressive number of plant species is traditionally used to remedy such afflictions, and some have been investigated for their efficacy with positive results. A total of 105 plant species belonging to 91 genera and 62 families were documented and identified as herbal remedies for reproductive proble…
Shadows of the colonial past - diverging plant use in Northern Peru and Southern Ecuador
This paper examines the traditional use of medicinal plants in Northern Peru and Southern Ecuador, with special focus on the Departments of Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Cajamarca, and San Martin, and in Loja province, with special focus on the development since the early colonial period. Northern Peru represents the locus of the old Central Andean "Health Axis." The roots of traditional healing practices in this region go as far back as the Cu…
Knowledge Loss and Change Between 2002 and 2017—a Revisit of Plant Use of the Maasai of Sekenani Valley, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Ein Schatz von Masdevallia . Eine Monographie der Gattung Masdevallia A Treasury of Masdevallia . A Monograph of the Genus Masdevallia
Icones Pleurothallidinarum XXII. Systematics of Masdevallia Part Three
Herbal usage and informant consensus in ethnoveterinary management of cattle diseases among the Kikuyus (Central Kenya)
Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Conservation in Northern Mexico
Anadenanthera. Visionary Plant of Ancient South America
Plant Conservation. An Ecosystem Approach
Traditional medicinal plant use in Northern Peru
This paper examines the traditional use of medicinal plants in Northern Peru, with special focus on the Departments of Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Cajamarca, and San Martin. Northern Peru represents the center of the old Central Andean "Health Axis," stretching from Ecuador to Bolivia. The roots of traditional healing practices in this region go at least as far back as the Moche period (AC 100-800). Although about 50% of the plants in use rep…
Traditional management of ear, nose and throat (ENT) diseases in Central Kenya
Diseases of ear, nose and throat (ENT) often have serious consequences including hearing impairment, and emotional strain that lower the quality of life of patients. In Kenya, upper respiratory infections are among the most common infections encountered in outpatient facilities. Some of these infections are becoming difficult to control because some of the causing microorganisms have acquired antibiotic resistance and hence the need to develop ne…
Diversity and utilization of antimalarial ethnophytotherapeutic remedies among the Kikuyus (Central Kenya)
Plants in Kenya are becoming increasingly important as sources of traditional medicines. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that malaria kills about 2.7 million people every year, 90% of who are from Africa. Malaria continues to be a national concern in Kenya as it plays a major role in the high mortality rates being experienced currently. The use and miss-use of chloroquine to prevent and treat falciparium malaria has led to wides…
Ethnobotany of the Samburu of Mt. Nyiru, South Turkana, Kenya
Traditional plant use is of extremely high importance in many societies, and prevalent in African communities. This knowledge is however dwindling rapidly due to changes towards a more Western lifestyle. The influence of modern tourism cannot be neglected in this context. This paper examines the plant use of the Samburu of the Mt. Nyiru area in Northern Kenya. The Samburu pastoralists of Kenya are still amongst the most traditional communities of…
Ethnomedicine in Himalaya
Traditional plant use in Nepal has been documented for millennia. The importance of plants as medicine has not diminished in any way in recent times, and traditional medicines are still the most important health care source for the vast majority of the population. This paper examines the ethnobotany and traditional use of plants extracted from the vulnerable alpine zone in the Dolpa, Humla, Jumla and Mustang districts of Nepal. The results of thi…
Traditional medicinal plant use in Loja province, Southern Ecuador
This paper examines the traditional use of medicinal plants in Loja province, Southern Ecuador.Two hundred fifteen plant species were collected, identified and their vernacular names and traditional uses recorded. This number of species indicates that the healers, market vendors and members of the public interviewed still have a very high knowledge of plants in their surroundings, which can be seen as a reflection of the knowledge of the populati…
Plant use of the Maasai of Sekenani Valley, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Traditional plant use is of tremendous importance in many societies, including most rural African communities. This knowledge is however, rapidly dwindling due to changes towards a more Western lifestyle, and the influence of modern tourism.In case of the Sekenani Maasai, the recent change from a nomadic to a more sedentary lifestyle has not, thus far lead to a dramatic loss of traditional plant knowledge, when compared to other Maasai communitie…
Blending Traditional and Western Medicine
Medicinal plants have been used in Peru for millennia for a variety of uses, but, over the last century, modern technology has deterred the increased growth of this valuable knowledge. The present study attempts to look at a clinic in El Porvenir, on the north coast of Peru to discover what kind of medicines are preferred and the factors determining choices made. Previous studies have shown that medicinal plants still play an important role in tr…
Ethnotherapeautic management of skin diseases among the Kikuyus of Central Kenya
Medicinal plants in an urban environment
Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world, and one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites. Despite this importance, very little information exits on the cities flora in general, and medicinal species found within its limit in particular. Traditional medicine plays a large role in Indian society. The presented study attempted to investigate if traditional plant use and availability of important common medicinal…
Health for sale
Traditional methods of healing have been beneficial in many countries with or without access to conventional allopathic medicine. In the United States, these traditional practices are increasingly being sought after for illnesses that cannot be easily treated by allopathic medicine. More and more people are becoming interested in the knowledge maintained by traditional healers and in the diversity of medicinal plants that flourish in areas like N…
From Sierra to Coast
Northern Peru represents the center of the Andean “health axis”, where the continuous use of more than 500 medicinal plants has been documented. Local healers as well as patients purchase a large part of their plants in local markets. While limited data exist with regard to market inventories, no information has been available on how the plants get to the markets, if they are cultivated or collected in the wild, and what kind of income the collec…
From Garden to Market? The cultivation of native and introduced medicinal plant species in Cajamarca, Peru and implications for habitat conservation
Large amounts of medicinal plants are sold in the markets of Trujillo and Chiclayo, two cities on the north coast of Peru. However, a large percentage of this material comes from the Peruvian highlands, most notably from the Department of Cajamarca. Although prior studies indicate that at least some material, mostly introduced species, is grown in home-gardens on the coast, the origin of the vast bulk of the plants was unclear. The present study …
Household Energy Demand and its Challenges for Forest Management in the Kakamega Area, Western Kenya
The presented study investigated the energy demand of a sample of 201 households adjacent to Kakamega Forest. The aim of the study focused on the evaluation of possible threats to the forest under the scenario that the local population continues to heavily use Kakamega Forest, disregarding the restrictions posed by national law. The data collected serves as a base for an estimate of the potential demand on forest resources and as a resource for d…
Ethnobotany in the Nepal Himalaya
BACKGROUND: Indigenous knowledge has become recognized worldwide not only because of its intrinsic value but also because it has a potential instrumental value to science and conservation. In Nepal, the indigenous knowledge of useful and medicinal plants has roots in the remote past. METHODS: The present study reviews the indigenous knowledge and use of plant resources of the Nepal Himalayas along the altitudinal and longitudinal gradient. A tota…
From Chamomile to Aspirin? Medicinal plant use among clients at laboratorios Beal in Trujillo, Peru
Medicinal plant use in Peru can be tracked back for millennia, and although westernized medicine has become an important factor in the treatment of illnesses, many patients still frequent herbalist shops and retain some herbal knowledge of their own. The present study, undertaken at “Laboratorios Beal,” a herbalist practice in Trujillo, Peru, was conducted as a comparison to previous research at Clinica Anticona, a Western style clinic in the sam…
Indigenous Use and Ethnopharmacology of Medicinal Plants in Far-West Nepal
Ethnopharmacological knowledge is common and import among tribal populations but much of the information is empirical at best lacking scientific validation. Despite widespread use of plant resources in traditional medicines, bioassay analysis of very few plant species have been conducted to investigate their medicinal properties, and to ascertain safety and efficacy of traditional remedies. The present study analyses indigenous uses of medicinal …
Markets, Healers, Vendors, Collectors
Northern Peru is the center of the so-called Andean “health axis,” where the continuous use of more than 500 medicinal plants has been documented. Local healers as well as patients purchase a large portion of their plants at local markets. While scientific studies of medicinal plants are under way, concern has arisen over the preservation of both the large diversity of medicinal plants and the traditional knowledge of healing methods that accompa…
Naming a phantom – the quest to find the identity of Ulluchu, an unidentified ceremonial plant of the Moche culture in Northern Peru
The botanical identification of Ulluchu, an iconic fruit frequently depicted in the art of the pre-Columbian Moche culture that flourished from A.D. 100-800 on the Peruvian north coast, has eluded scientists since its documentation in ceramics in the 1930s. Moche fine-line drawings of Ulluchu normally depict seed-pods or seeds floating in the air in sacrificial scenes, associated with runners and messengers or intoxicated priests. It is a grooved…
Geography (156 obras) · Biology (154 obras) · Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies (140 obras) · Medicinal plants (135 obras) · Ecology (126 obras) · Ethnobotany (121 obras) · Medicine (104 obras) · Traditional medicine (102 obras) · Traditional knowledge (64 obras) · Agroforestry (55 obras)