Indigenous knowledge and nutritional and morphological characterization of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moecnh) varieties in Western Ethiopia.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moecnh) is a versatile crop that is widely grown in western Ethiopia, despite that it is less researched. This study, therefore, investigates the traditional knowledge, nutritional, and morphological characteristics of two commonly grown okra varieties (Kenketse and Sharma) in west Ethiopia. A semi-structured questionnaire, checklist, and observations were used to collect primary data from households, key informants, and farms. In addition, proximate composition parameters like moisture content, total ash, crude fat, crude protein, crude fiber, utilizable carbohydrates, and gross energy fruits were measured through laboratory analysis. Fruit morphological traits, including fruit dimensions such as length and width, were determined using a digital Vernier caliper. For data analysis, SPSS software was used. The results revealed that the entire plant is used for both food and ethnomedicinal purposes. Curing ailments such as stomach pain, constipation, wound/cut, heart discomfort, back pain, malaria, diarrhea, and amoebae were among the medical benefits of okra. The proximate composition (%) on a dry matter basis of okra fruits differed significantly (p < .05) by cultivar type and drying method. Moisture (3.69%-5.24%), total ash (6.60%-8.01%), crude fat (4.87%-8.58%), crude protein (4.06%-5.23%), crude fiber (12.85%-15.26%), utilizable carbohydrate (56.42%-67.63%), and gross energy contents (326-341 kcal) were the ranges of the various proximate and energy levels. Morphological characteristics of fruit and leaf length, width, and length-to-width ratio varied with cultivar type, where Sharma had more than double the length of Kenketse (70.1 vs. 187.1 mm). Despite being an undervalued native vegetable crop in Ethiopia, the study's findings show that okra is a multipurpose vegetable for promoting human health and ensuring food and nutritional security. Therefore, stepping up its production, marketing, and consumption could help alleviate the food shortage and improve human nutrition and health in the study areas.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants used to Treat Cardiovascular Disorders in Ghasemloo Valley of Urmia City.

AIMS: Many pharmaceutical plants belonging to this region are used as the traditional drug by traditional physicians of the Urmia city in order to treat signs of disorders and cardiovascular system diseases. BACKGROUND: The Ghasemloo valley located in Urmia city is one of the typical areas in northwestern Iran and includes many pharmaceutical and plant species. OBJECTIVE: Many pharmaceutical plants belonging to this region are used as the traditional drug by traditional physicians of the Urmia city in order to treat several symptoms of disorders and cardiovascular system diseases. METHOD: A study was performed among 35 grocers in Urmia city to identify effective and famous pharmaceutical plants in the treatment of cardiovascular and related diseases. Firstly, a complete list of Urmia grocers was prepared by the Food and Drug Administrator of the Urmia University of Medical Sciences. The direct observation and interview, alongside collecting herbarium samples of usual and effective indigenous medicinal plants, were used to identify disorders and different signs of cardiovascular diseases. Questionnaires included personal information of grocers, and completed indigenous plants list containing information, including the plant's local name, the used organ, method of use, and the traditional therapeutic effect. Herbarium samples mentioned in the questionnaire were collected from the region and sent to the Jahad-e-Keshavarzi Research Centers and the Agriculture Faculty of Urmia university to determine the genus and species. After identifying and confirming the plant species, data related to the plant and results of cardiovascular research conducted on them were collected and recorded with reference to valid scientific sites. Data were entered into the Excel 2010 program and then analyzed. RESULT: 60 medicinal plants of 26 families in Urmia were identified as effective in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases from interviews and questionnaires; some plants mentioned in this study had known traditional therapeutic effects on cardiovascular disorders in the literature and some were identified with new effects. Results showed that the most therapeutic effects in cardiovascular diseases belonged to families Rosaceae (15%), Fabaceae (13%), Asteraceae (13%), and Apiaceae (10%). The most used organs of plants were the leave (23%) and fruit (19%). Plants were used mainly as an infusion (68%) in the traditional method. Most plants of this study were used to treat the blood cholesterol (29%), hypertension (9%), blood coagulation, prevention of bleeding (9%), and decrease in abdominal fat (9%). CONCLUSION: Some herbs introduced in this study have new therapeutic effects introduced for the first time. It is necessary to study the therapeutic effects of indigenous plants presented in this research in order to prove studied and mentioned therapeutic effects and provide a study field for researchers in relation to identifying effective substances and studying claimed clinical effects of these plants on different cardiovascular diseases.

Estudo etnofarmacológico sobre Lafoensia replicata Pohl. no leste do Maranhão, Brasil: uma promissora espécie para bioprospecção / Ethno-pharmacological study about Lafoensia replicata Pohl. in East Maranhão, Brazil: a promising species for bioprospection

Esta pesquisa objetivou realizar estudo sobre os usos terapêuticos da mangabeira (Lafoensia replicata Pohl.), uma importante planta do cerrado nordestino. Foram realizadas 32 entrevistas com informantes da comunidade Manga, Barão de Grajaú, interior do Maranhão. Os entrevistados, 18 mulheres e 14 homens, informaram oito usos diferentes para a planta. Quanto ao número de indicações de uso, não houve diferenças significativas entre os gêneros: oito indicações descritas pelas mulheres e sete pelos homens. Com relação a distinções no conhecimento entre as classes de idade propostas para análise, também não houve distinções estatísticas. A parte mais indicada como usada foram as cascas do caule. Todos os informantes indicaram consensualmente que o remédio preparado a partir da planta deve ser administrado por via oral, e mais da metade dos informantes mencionou que a planta não apresenta restrições ao consumo (53%). Contudo, 17 entrevistados afirmaram que o tratamento é contraindicado durante a gravidez e, ainda, cinco pessoas não recomendaram o uso para crianças. Diante de tudo isso, não foi possível, com as informações etnofarmacológicas deste estudo, alicerçar a literatura especializada, já que há insuficiência de pesquisas com a espécie estudada. Há alguns estudos enfocando usos e atividades de L. pacari A. St.-Hil. Dessa forma, esse estudo recomenda também L. replicata Pohl. como uma potencial espécie terapêutica.(AU)

This work aimed at carrying out a study on the local therapeutic uses of mangabeira (Lafoensia replicata Pohl.), an important plant in the northeastern cerrado. 32 interviews were conducted with informants from the community Manga, Barão do Grajaú, Maranhão. Respondents, 18 women and 14 men, reported eight different uses for the plant. Regarding the number of instructions for use, there were no significant differences between genders, eight nominations described by women and seven by men. Regarding the distinctions of knowledge among the age group proposed for the analysis, there were no statistical differences. The plant part 208 SOBRINHO, F. C. B. et al. Estudo etnofarmacológico sobre Lafoensia replicata Pohl. no leste do Maranhão, Brasil... most indicated for use was the stem bark. All informants indicated consensually that the medicine prepared from the plant should be administered orally and over half of the respondents mentioned that the plant had no restrictions on consumption (53%). However, 17 respondents said that the treatment is contraindicated during pregnancy, and even five people did not recommend the use on children. It was not possible to substantiate the ethno-pharmacological information in this study with the literature since there is insufficient research on this species. There is some research focusing on uses and activities of Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil, therefore, this study also recommends L. replicata Pohl. as a potential therapeutic species.(AU)

'The child that tiire doesn't give you, God won't give you either.' The role of Rotheca myricoides in Somali fertility practices.

The paper introduces the Baanashada Dumarka, a Somali fertility therapy carried out by a spirit medium, known locally as 'Alaqad. Baanashada is aimed at women whose fertility issues are believed to be caused by spirits. The study also explores a component of the Baanashada, namely, the use of tiire (Rotheca myricoides), or the butterfly bush. Although Rotheca myricoides is known to possess a number of medicinal components as confirmed by studies of modern science, so far, there exist no studies on its potential (or lack of) fertility effects. Hence, the alleged fertility benefits of the butterfly bush need examining. In 2008 a British Somali woman died of herbs placed in her cervix by a traditional healer in Somaliland. This piece of information indicated not only the role of herbal medicine in fertility practices, but also the popularity of traditional reproductive medicine beyond border, class or educational background. Yet, current research into Somali women's health focuses mainly on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), examined often without the context of wider cultural practices. This paper, however, suggests that rituals, beliefs and material culture play a paramount role in women's practices. For example, as explored elsewhere, the wagar, a wooden and sacred object made of the African olive, is critical for fertility practices. The current paper illuminates further the significance of reproduction practices in Somali society and the potential continuity of traditions associated with the perpetuation of kinship. It concludes that fertility rituals are part of a wider context of interaction with sacred landscapes, objects and archaeological sites, often associated with past legends in the Horn of Africa.

Therapeutic potential of Benincasa cerifera: A review.

Benincasa cerifera (Savi.), belonging to Cucurbitaceae, is an annual creepy wine that posses highm edicinal value and istraditionally used as fruit and medicine throughout India. In Indian system of medicine, its fruit is used as nutritive, tonic, diuretic, aphrodisiac, styptic, vermifuge and in various diseases and disorders like asthma, bronchitis, insanity, epilepsy, dry cough, fever, urethrorrhea, syphilis, hyperdipsia and vitiated conditions of pitta, etc. Phytochemically the plant is found to contain lupeol, ß-sitosterol, cucurbitacin B, iso-vitexin, etc. It has been demonstrated to posses numerous pharmacological activities such as antiepileptic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, analgesic, immunopotentiator and anxiolytic, etc. In the present review there is a detailed description of its botany, phytochemistry, ethno-botany and pharmacological activities.

Utilização das plantas medicinais por diabéticos do município de Colorado (PR) / Medicinal herbs used by diabetic people in Colorado, Brazil

O Diabetes mellitus é uma doença crônica caracterizada pela elevação da glicose no sangue (hiperglicemia), sendo considerado um distúrbio do metabolismo dos carboidratos, lipídios e proteínas, devido à ausência de insulina produzida pelo pâncreas e/ou pela diminuição de sua ação, não permitindo que o corpo possa utilizá-la eficazmente. Os fatores de risco do diabetes podem ser encontrados no meio ambiente ou podem ser hereditários. As mudanças provocadas no meio ambiente pelo próprio homem, os hábitos e estilos de vida podem determinar o tipo de diabetes. Pesquisas sobre o diabetes têm avançado rapidamente nas últimas décadas, com isso vem sendo descobertas novas formas de tratamentos, no entanto a população diabética continua a fazer uso de plantas, como terapia alternativa que pode ser somada aos tratamentos convencionais. Através de questionários aplicados à pacientes com diabetes no município de Colorado-Paraná, resgatamos o conhecimento que essa população tem sobre as plantas medicinais. A maioria da população diabética não faz uso de plantas medicinais, no entanto esse estudo é válido, pois acrescenta informações sobre o uso das mesmas no controle do diabetes, além disso, é fundamental que os profissionais da saúde, tenham conhecimento sobre a utilização destas plantas, para que informem a população quanto às formas de preparo mais comumente utilizadas, e os riscos que as mesmas podem apresentar, afim de que o uso proporcione os benefícios desejados à saúde.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by high glucose levels in the blood (hyperglycemia). It is a metabolic disorder due to the lack of insulin produced by the pancreas or by decrease of its activities which impair its efficiency. Risk factors are extant in the environment and may be hereditary. Man-made changes in the environment, habits and life style determine the type of diabetes. Research on diabetes have progressed during the last decades and new forms of treatment have been discovered, even though several people suffering from the disease still ingest plants as an alternative therapy together with conventional treatments. Current paper is a survey of patients suffering from diabetes and attended to by the Health Office of the municipality of Colorado PR Brazil. It also evaluates their knowledge on medicinal plants. One hundred patients suffering from diabetes were interviewed at their own homes and a bibliographical survey was undertaken to see whether the plants have any scientific basis against diabetes. Most of the interviewed people did not use medicinal plants; they were females, with primary schooling; diagnosed between one and five years and between four and seven for treatment; with no cases of diabetes in the family; and use drugs for treatment. Patients who used medicinal plants against diabetes mentioned 22 different types of plants which they used in infusions, twice a day, and believe that they decrease blood glucose. Despite the few people using the plants, current study is valid since it adds information on their use in the control of diabetes. It is important that health professionals are aware of these plants to inform people on their preparation and the risks they may have so that their use provides the desired benefits.

A review on biological and chemical diversity in Berberis (Berberidaceae).

Berberis is an important genus and well known in the Indian as well as European systems of traditional medicine. It is used since ancient times for curing eye disease, fever, jaundice, rheumatism, vomiting during pregnancy, kidney and gall balder stones and various other ailments due to the presence of biologically active alkaloid berberine. Action of the root extracts of few species are believed to be as powerful as quinine in the treatment of malarial fever. A plethora of literature pertaining to the taxonomy, biology, chemistry, traditional and ethnic uses of Berberis in different countries and indigenous cultures was collected by both offline (library, journals, textbooks etc.) and online mode (electronic search of available databases). In addition to this, books on traditional medicine and ethno pharmacological knowledge were also referred to extract ancient uses of Berberis in different traditional medicine systems. Most of the folklore, traditional and ethno botanical claims about Berberis species were validated by broad spectrum in vitro and vivo pharmacological studies. The present article summarizes its usage in eye and liver disorder, fever, kidney and gall stones along with anticancer activity. This comprehensive review will not only help researchers for further evaluation but also provide substantial information for future exploitation of species to develop novel herbal formulations.

Plantas medicinais utilizadas para analgesia em famílias descendentes de pomeranos no Sul do Brasil / Plantas medicinales utilizadas para la analgesia en familias descendientes de pomeranias en el Sur de Brasil / Medicinal plants used for analgesia in families descendants of pomeranians in Southern Brazil

Objective: the aim of this study was to identify the medicinal plants used as analgesic by families descendant from Pomeranians in Southern Brazil. Method: this was a qualitative study with five families of farmers. The place of the study was the home of families, located in the countryside, with data collected between January and May 2011. The instruments used were the imposition of a semi-structured interview and ethno-botany of medicinal plants used as analgesic, which were later identified taxonomically. Results: there were mentioned 105 medicinal plants, from which 20 are used as analgesic. Conclusion: it is observed that most of the analgesic medicinal plants such as the families mentioned have not proven this effect; on the other hand, such plants have other therapeutic effects capable of causing changes in the body. Thus, it is for health professionals to be aware about the measures of care adopted by the people.

Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as plantas medicinais utilizadas como analgésicas por famílias descendentes de pomeranos no Sul do Brasil. Método: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, realizado com cinco famílias de agricultores. O local do estudo foi o domicílio das famílias, localizadas na zona rural, sendo os dados coletados entre janeiro e maio de 2011. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a aplicação de uma entrevista semi-estruturada e levantamento etnobotânico das plantas medicinais utilizadas como analgésicas, que posteriormente foram identificadas taxonomicamente. Resultados: foram citadas 105 plantas medicinais, das quais 20 são utilizadas como analgésicas. Conclusão: observa-se que grande parte das plantas medicinais citadas como analgésicas pelas famílias não possuem este efeito comprovado, por outro lado, estas mesmas plantas possuem outros efeitos terapêuticos capazes de provocar alterações no organismo. Com isso, cabe aos profissionais de saúde estar atentos sobre as medidas de cuidado adotadas pelas pessoas.

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las plantas medicinales utilizadas como analgésico por las familias descendientes de Pomeranianos en el sur de Brasil. Método: se realizó un estudio cualitativo con cinco familias de agricultores. El sitio de estudio fue el hogar de las familias, que se encuentra en el campo, con los datos recogidos entre enero y mayo de 2011. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron la imposición de una entrevista semi-estructurada y la encuesta etnobotánica de plantas medicinales utilizadas como analgésico, que más tarde fueron identificadas taxonómicamente. Resultados: fueron citadas 105 plantas medicinales, de las cuales 20 se utilizada como analgésicos. Conclusión: se observó que la mayoría de las plantas medicinales mencionadas como analgésicas por las familias no han probado este efecto, por otro lado, estas dichas plantas tienen otros efectos terapéuticos capaces de causar cambios en el cuerpo. Por lo tanto, es para los profesionales de la salud estar conscientes sobre las medidas de cuidado adoptadas por las personas.

Identification of medicinal plants of Urmia for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders

The gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important organs of the human body and is vulnerable to different diseases. Available drugs often have low efficacy or are associated with many adverse effects. Therefore, alternative drugs are necessary to treat gastrointestinal complications. This study intended to identify medicinal plants in Urmia, Iran, that can affect common gastrointestinal disorders and diseases. Data was collected from public resources via interviews and questionnaires applied from April to June 2013. Herbarium specimens were collected from the region and authenticated by a botanist. A total of 41 indigenous medicinal plants from the Urmia region, belonging to twenty families, have a traditional medicinal role in the treatment of parasitic and infectious diseases, diarrhea, reflux, gastroenteritis, peptic ulcer, constipation, bloating, among other gastrointestinal tract disorders. Analysis showed that most plants affecting the gastrointestinal tract belonged in the Asteraceae family (24%). The most used part of the plants was the seed at 17%. Decoction at 65% was the most popular form of treatment used. Some of the medicinal plants discussed in this article have new implications presented for the first time. Pharmacological studies on the therapeutic effects of the indigenous plants mentioned in this study are necessary in order to investigate their claimed clinical effects and the use of their effective compounds to produce natural and useful drugs. Currently, there is no data on the herbal plants used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in northwestern Iran. Therefore, these findings are important for the management of gastrointestinal disorders and to conduct future studies on traditional medicine for drug development.

Local knowledge, use pattern and geographical distribution of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) in Nigeria.

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: All parts of Moringa oleifera are medicinally valuable with overlapping uses in treating myriads of ailments and diseases including body pains and weakness, fever, asthma, cough, blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, epilepsy, wound, and skin infection. Moringa also has robust ability to challenge terminal diseases such as HIV/AIDs infections, chronic anemia, cancer, malaria and hemorrhage. The present study was to obtain ethnobotanical information on the use and local knowledge variation, geographical distribution, and to collect different landraces of Moringa oleifera from the different agro-ecological regions in Nigeria, for further studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethnobotanical data were collected through face to face interviews, semi structured questionnaires and discussions with selected people who had knowledge about the plant. The fidelity level (FL %) and use value for different use categories of Moringa oleifera and its parts were estimated. The variation in ethnobotanical knowledge was evaluated by comparing the mean use value among ethnic, gender and age groups using sample T test. Garmi GPS was used to determine the locations (latitude and longitude) and height in different areas to assess the geographical spread of the species. RESULTS: Seven (7) categories of use (Food, medicine, fodder, fencing, firewood, gum and coagulant) were recorded for Moringa oleifera. Food and medicinal uses showed highest fidelity level while the leaves and the seeds were the plant parts most utilized for the same purposes. There were significant differences among the ethnic, gender and age groups regarding the ethno-botanical use value. The geographical distribution pattern shows that the Moringa oleifera is well distributed in all ecological zones of Nigeria, well adapted to the varied climatic conditions and gaining unprecedented awareness among the people. CONCLUSION: Though considered an introduced species, Moringa oleifera has found wide acceptance, recognition and usefulness among the various ethnicities in the studied areas. The sources of introduction, domestication and ethnic differentiation influenced the distribution pattern across the geographical areas.

Estudio de plantas medicinales usadas en la comunidad indígena Tikuna del alto Amazonas, Macedonia / Study of medicinal plants used by the Tikunas indigenous community of the upper Amazon (Macedonia)

Entre Febrero del 2008 y Octubre del 2009, se realizó una investigación de plantas asociadas a las enfermedades más frecuentes en la Comunidad TIKUNA de Macedonia ubicada a 57 km de Leticia. Para realizar este estudio se aplicaron tres tipos de encuestas basadas en las "TRAMIL". A a partir de estas, se establece como resultado el reporte de 115 plantas de valor de uso medicinal dentro de la Comunidad, y 308 remedios aplicados para la cura de diferentes enfermedades. Se presentó un listado que incluye: 109 géneros y 99 especies. Para cada una de las plantas medicinales se reporta el nombre vernáculo, nombre Tikuna, numero de colección, familia taxonómica, usos tradicionales referidos, parte usada, propiedad medicinal, forma de preparación, administración, si la preparación en caso de ser combinada se hace con una planta o animal y si debe tener "dieta"2 o no. Cada planta reportada fue: fotografiada en campo, recolectada e identificada previamente en el SINCHI3 de Leticia, se calculó el nivel de uso significativo TRAMIL, valor de uso general, fitoetnoaloctoneidad y Fitoetnoendemicidad. Se concluye que las familias Arecaceae, Bignoniaceae y Rubiaceae y especies como el Yarumo (Cecropia sciadophylla) el Carambolo (Averrhoa carambola), la una de gato (Uncaria tomentosa), el Acapu (Minquartia guianensis), la Lancetilla (Alternanthera brasiliana), y el Amacizo (Erythrina fusca) tienen un gran valor cultural dentro de la Comunidad. Asimismo, que el uso y aplicación de diferentes plantas que alivien dolencias es compartido por las etnias del Trapecio, pero la validez u orden de importancia de las plantas depende de la cosmología y cosmogonía particular de cada comunidad.

A study of the plants associated with most common diseases in the TIKUNA community of Macedonia (located 57 km from Leticia, Colombia) were carried out from February 2008 to October 2009. Three types of surveys based on the "TRAMIL were applied. Total 115 plants with medicinal use and 308 remedies applied to cure various diseases were determined comprising 109 genera and 99 species. For each plant the vernacular name, Tikunas name, collection number, taxonomic family, traditional uses, part used, medicinal properties, method of preparation and administration, how was prepared (combined with a plant or animal) and whether it should be "diet" or not were documented. Each plant was documented: photographed on the field, collected and identified previously in SINCHI Leticia. The level of TRAMIL significant use value was calculated as well as phytoendemicity and fitoetnoaloctoneidad. Families Arecaceae, Bignoniaceae and species such as the Rubiaceae and Yarumo (Cecropia sciadophylla) the Carambolo (carambola), cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa), the Acapu (Minquartia guianensis), the Lancetilla (Alternanthera brasiliana) and the Amacizo (Erythrina fusca) have great cultural value within the community. Additionally the use and application of different plants to relieve ailments were found shared by trapezium ethnic, although the validity or importance of plants depends on the cosmology and cosmogony of each community.