Traditional uses, ethnobotanical significance, and resource potential of Ephedra equisetina Bunge in the Kurshab River Basin, Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

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 documented.

Methods: Field studies were conducted during 2023–2025 in the villages of Bulolu, Askaly-Chaty, and Kyzyl-Korgon within the Kurshab River Basin. Botanical surveys, herbarium collection, and ethnobotanical investigations were carried out. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 57 informants to document local knowledge regarding the harvesting, processing, and use of Ephedra equisetina. Historical sources, including the works of Theophrastus and Ibn Sina’s Canon of Medicine, were used for comparative analysis.

Results: A total of 57 informants (32 women and 25 men) participated in the study. Fifty-two respondents were familiar with Ephedra equisetina, whereas five younger informants reported no knowledge of the species. The most common forms of use included the traditional fruit jam “shirne”, mixtures of fruits with clarified butter, and preparations made from young shoots. Harvesting practices showed clear seasonality, with shoots collected mainly in spring and fruits harvested during late summer and autumn. Comparison with historical sources revealed similarities between contemporary and historical perceptions of the genus Ephedra. Resource assessments indicated that E. equisetina occupies approximately 450–500 ha within the study area, with a biological stock estimated at about 125 t.

Conclusions: Ephedra equisetina remains an important component of traditional plant use in the Kurshab River Basin. Differences in knowledge among age groups suggest a gradual decline in the transmission of traditional ethnobotanical knowledge. Documentation of local practices contributes to the preservation of biocultural heritage and provides a basis for the sustainable use and conservation of plant resources in Eastern Alay.

Keywords: Ephedra equisetina, ethnobotany, traditional knowledge, medicinal plants, biocultural heritage, Eastern Alay.