ETHNOBOTANY

NAZISH JAVAID

66-BH-BOT-07

NABILA BASHIR

69-BH-BOT-07

Introduction>Ethno+botany>Ethno from ethnology – study of culture >Botany- study of plant>Study of relationship that exist between people and plants>Basic aim is to document, describe and explain complex relationshipps between cultures and uses of plants

History:>In A. D. 77 a greek surgeon Dioscorides published “De Materia Medica”- a catalog of 600 plants in Mediterranean.>In 1542 Leonhart Fuchs, a renaissance artist published “De Historia Stripium”- cataloged 400 plants native to Germany and Austria.>In 1686-1704 John Ray provided the first definition of “species” in his “Historia Plantarum”.>In 1753 Carl. Linnaeus wrote “Species Plantarum” which included information on about 5,900 plants.>In 1860s to 1890s Edward Palmer collected botanical specimens from people in the North American West and Mexico.

Aboriginal Botany: it is the study of all form of the vegetable world which aboriginal people use for food, medicine, textiles, ornaments etc.>In 19th century Leopold Glueck published work on traditional medicinal uses of plants by rural people in Bosnia. This was considered to be the first modern ethnobotanical work.The term “Ethnobotany” was first used by botanist named John W. harshberger in 1895.Modern Ethnobotany:>Ethnobotany is a shift from raw compilation of data to a methodological and conceptual reorientation.>Richard Evans Schultes is considered to b a “father” of this discipline. >It requires a variety of skills.>Human are very dependent upon plant life; without it, all would perish.>Plants are used for food, clothing, paper, shelter, fuel, medicine

Description of some useful plants

Amaranthaceae: Achyranthes aspera L.

Common Names: Puth Kanda, Chaff PlantEthnobotanical uses: >whole plant: Pneumonia, Bronchial infection, Cough, Toothache>Leaves: Pile, boil, stomache, skin eruption, Early stages of diarrhoea and dysentery, Syphilitic sores, Cough.>Roots: Stomachic and digestive, Leprosy>Flower: Snakes and reptiles bites Other Uses:>Useful for reclamation of wastelands. >Leaf is consumed as potherb.>Seeds rich in protein, cooked and eaten.>Used in religious ceremonies in India

Arecaceae: Phoenix dactylifera L.Common Names: Khajur, DateEthnobotanical uses: >Seeds are soaked and ground up for animal feed>Oil is suitable for use in soap and cosmetics.>Processed chemically as a source of oxalic acid. >Alternative of coffee beans, or as an additive to coffee.>Stripped fruit clusters are used as brooms.>coating for leather bags and pipes to prevent leaking.Traditional medicinal uses>have a high tannin content and are used medicinal importance.

 Mimosaceae: Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile.Common Names: Kekar, Gum ArabicEthnobotanical Uses:>Forage and fodder>Hedges>Medicinal>Leaves>Root>Wood

Cannabaceae: Cannabis sativa L.Common Names: Bhang, Indian HempEthnomedicinal uses: >Used to reduce general body inflammation, intoxication, loss of appetite.>Seed, chiefly used as caged-bird feed>Flowers contain psychoactive and physiologically active chemical compounds known as cannabinoids that are consumed for recreational, medicinal, and spiritual purposes. When so used, preparations of flowers (marijuana) and leaves and preparations derived from resinous extract (hashish) are consumed by smoking, vaporizing and oral ingestion. Historically, tinctures, teas, and ointments have also been common preparations.

Anacardiaceae: Mangifera indica L.Common Names: Aam, MangoEthnobotanical uses:>used in cuisine as in chutneys pickles, or side dishes, or may be eaten raw with salt, chili, or soy sauce.>cooling summer drink>Mango is used to make juices, ice cream, fruit bars and sweet chili sauce.>Nutrients and phytochemicals

 Chenopodiaceae: Chenopodium album L.Common Names: Bathu, Goose FootEthnobotanical uses:> Leaf vegetable and have high levels of oxalic acid. > Seeds are high in protein, vitamin A ,calcium , phosphorus, and potassium. >As a walking stick>Animal Feed

Mimosaceae: Cassia fistula L.Common Names: Amaltas, Golden ShowerEthnobotanical Uses:>firewood source in Mexico. >The reddish wood, hard and heavy, strong and durable, is suited for wheels, mortars, etc. >The drug "cassia fistula", a mild laxative, is obtained from the sweetish pulp around the seed.

Mimosaceae: Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.Common Names: Tali, RosewoodEthnobotanical Uses:>Young branches and foliage eaten by livestock. >the most important cultivated timber tree in India>planted on roadsides, and as a shade tree for tea plantations.>first class cabinetry and furniture. It is used for plywood, agricultural, and musical instruments, carvings, boats, floorings, etc. >The leaves are used for fodder. >In the U.S. (Arizona, Florida) it is said to be one of the most desirable shade trees for streets and backyards.

Asclepiadaceae: Calotropis procera (Aiton)W.T. AitonCommon Names: Ak, Sodom’s AppleEthnobotanical Uses:>The root skin, latex, flowers, leaves and the ksara of ak are used for medicinal purpose.>Ak is useful both, internally as well as externally.>The topical sprinkle of dried leaves powder hastens the wound healing.>In glandular swellings the topical application of latex reduces the inflammation. >The fermentation with its leaves, slightly warmed with thin coat of castor oil, is beneficial to relieve the abdominal pain. >The local application of latex is recommended in hairfall and dental aches.

Asphodelaceae: Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f.Common Names: Kwargandal, Ethnomedicinal uses:>Used as moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, body weakness and in the treatment of pimples or acne,  cosmetic, as an ingredient in commercially available lotion, yogurt, beverages, and some desserts. >aloe vera is used in products such as tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, incense, shaving cream, and shampoos makeup.>Aloe vera is now widely used on face tissues, where it is promoted as a moisturiser and/or anti-irritant to reduce chafing of the nose of users suffering hay-fever or cold.

Moraceae: Ficus benghalensis L.Common Names: Boher, BanyanEthnobotanical uses :>It is astringent to bowels.>useful in treatment of ulcers, vomiting,, fever, inflammations, leprosy. According to Unani system of medicine, its latex is tonic,lessens inflammations, useful in nose-diseases etc. >The aerial root is used in dysentery, inflammation of liver etc.Other Uses>It is planted for soil conservation>Timber is used for furniture etc.>Suitable for paper pulp.>Leaf lopped for fodder>Fruits are used to prepare Shurbut traditionally in India.

Moraceae: Ficus religiosa L.Common Names: Pipal, Sacred FigEthnobotanical Uses : >Bark is cooling and astringent and is useful in inflammations and glandular swellings of neck.>Root bark is good for cleaning ulcers and it is astringent. >The roots were chewed to prevent gum disease.>The fruit is laxative, promotes digestion, vomiting and are good for thirst and heart disease. >The powdered fruit is taken for asthma. >The seeds are cooling, laxative and refrigerant.