Medicinal plants used by the Yi ethnic group: a case study in central Yunnan
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper is based on ethnomedicinal investigation conducted from 1999–2002 in Chuxiong, central Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The Yi medicine has made a great contribution to the ethnomedicinal field in China. Neither case stud...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2009-04-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
| Online Access: | http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/5/1/13 |
| _version_ | 1818551670895804416 |
|---|---|
| author | Li Sumei Long Chunlin Long Bo Shi Yana Liu Benxi |
| author_facet | Li Sumei Long Chunlin Long Bo Shi Yana Liu Benxi |
| author_sort | Li Sumei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper is based on ethnomedicinal investigation conducted from 1999–2002 in Chuxiong, central Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The Yi medicine has made a great contribution to the ethnomedicinal field in China. Neither case studies nor integrated inventories have previously been conducted to investigate the traditional Yi plants. This paper aims to argue the status and features of medicinal plants used in traditional Yi societies through a case study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The approaches of ethnobotany, anthropology, and participatory rural appraisal were used in the field surveys. Twenty-two informants in four counties were interviewed during eight field trips. Medicinal plant specimens were identified according to taxonomic methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One hundred sixteen medicinal plant species were found to be useful by the local people in the treatment of various diseases or disorders, especially those relating to trauma, gastrointestinal disorders and the common cold. Among these 116 species, 25 species (21.55%) were found to have new curative effects and 40 species (34.48%) were recorded for their new preparation methods; 55 different species were used in treating wounds and fractures, and 47 were used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Traditional Yi herbal medicines are characterized by their numerous quantities of herbaceous plants and their common preparation with alcohol.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Totally 116 species in 58 families of medicinal plants traditionally used by the Yi people were inventoried and documented. The characteristics of medicinal plants were analyzed. Some new findings (such as new curative effects and new preparation methods) were recorded These newly gathered ethnobotanical and medicinal data are precious sources for the future development of new drugs, and for further phytochemical, pharmacological and clinical studies.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T09:03:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bc6ccb44647a4fe5b0097a63811ca1bb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-4269 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T09:03:00Z |
| publishDate | 2009-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-bc6ccb44647a4fe5b0097a63811ca1bb2022-12-22T00:29:47ZengBMCJournal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine1746-42692009-04-01511310.1186/1746-4269-5-13Medicinal plants used by the Yi ethnic group: a case study in central YunnanLi SumeiLong ChunlinLong BoShi YanaLiu Benxi<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper is based on ethnomedicinal investigation conducted from 1999–2002 in Chuxiong, central Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The Yi medicine has made a great contribution to the ethnomedicinal field in China. Neither case studies nor integrated inventories have previously been conducted to investigate the traditional Yi plants. This paper aims to argue the status and features of medicinal plants used in traditional Yi societies through a case study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The approaches of ethnobotany, anthropology, and participatory rural appraisal were used in the field surveys. Twenty-two informants in four counties were interviewed during eight field trips. Medicinal plant specimens were identified according to taxonomic methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One hundred sixteen medicinal plant species were found to be useful by the local people in the treatment of various diseases or disorders, especially those relating to trauma, gastrointestinal disorders and the common cold. Among these 116 species, 25 species (21.55%) were found to have new curative effects and 40 species (34.48%) were recorded for their new preparation methods; 55 different species were used in treating wounds and fractures, and 47 were used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Traditional Yi herbal medicines are characterized by their numerous quantities of herbaceous plants and their common preparation with alcohol.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Totally 116 species in 58 families of medicinal plants traditionally used by the Yi people were inventoried and documented. The characteristics of medicinal plants were analyzed. Some new findings (such as new curative effects and new preparation methods) were recorded These newly gathered ethnobotanical and medicinal data are precious sources for the future development of new drugs, and for further phytochemical, pharmacological and clinical studies.</p>http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/5/1/13 |
| spellingShingle | Li Sumei Long Chunlin Long Bo Shi Yana Liu Benxi Medicinal plants used by the Yi ethnic group: a case study in central Yunnan Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
| title | Medicinal plants used by the Yi ethnic group: a case study in central Yunnan |
| title_full | Medicinal plants used by the Yi ethnic group: a case study in central Yunnan |
| title_fullStr | Medicinal plants used by the Yi ethnic group: a case study in central Yunnan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Medicinal plants used by the Yi ethnic group: a case study in central Yunnan |
| title_short | Medicinal plants used by the Yi ethnic group: a case study in central Yunnan |
| title_sort | medicinal plants used by the yi ethnic group a case study in central yunnan |
| url | http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/5/1/13 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lisumei medicinalplantsusedbytheyiethnicgroupacasestudyincentralyunnan AT longchunlin medicinalplantsusedbytheyiethnicgroupacasestudyincentralyunnan AT longbo medicinalplantsusedbytheyiethnicgroupacasestudyincentralyunnan AT shiyana medicinalplantsusedbytheyiethnicgroupacasestudyincentralyunnan AT liubenxi medicinalplantsusedbytheyiethnicgroupacasestudyincentralyunnan |