ETHNOBOTANICAL DOCUMENTATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

Abstract

Ethnobotanical knowledge serves as a vital element for indigenous healthcare systems which operate in areas that lack access to contemporary medical facilities. The research demonstrates how indigenous communities utilize various medicinal plants together with their methods of plant preparation and practical applications. The research demonstrates that these plants possess therapeutic properties which can effectively address various medical conditions including respiratory illnesses and digestive disorders and inflammatory diseases and chronic medical conditions. Traditional practices were documented through fieldwork which included both interviews and participatory observation and plant identification activities. We conducted research to assess the reliability of plant species through two quantitative ethnobotanical measures which included Informant Consensus Factor ICF and Use Value UV and Relative Frequency of Citation RFC. The efficacy of specific medical interventions for digestive and respiratory ailments is widely acknowledged by specialists, a consensus bolstered by their extensive historical application. The plants Azadirachta indica and Curcuma longa hold significant importance within traditional medical practices, thereby underscoring their value in the context of ethnomedicine.
Conversely, the long-term viability of these approaches is threatened by two key elements: the decline of biodiversity and the loss of indigenous knowledge. Given these challenges, this study suggests that drug development should include thorough documentation, plant conservation efforts, and ethnobotanical research. This integrated approach is expected to promote lasting improvements in healthcare.