Ethnobotany Research and Applications

Documentation of medicinal plant use in Karaj, Iran: An urban ethnobotanical study of herbal markets and shops

Sahar Jalali — 2026-01-01

Background: Urban ethnobotany provides critical insights into how traditional plant knowledge adapts within modern societies. Despite Iran’s rich ethnomedicinal heritage, little attention has been paid to cities such as Karaj, where traditional and modern herbal markets coexist.

Methods: Between 2018 and 2024, we surveyed 25 herbal outlets across 12 districts of Karaj. A total of 186 medicinal plant samples were collected, identified, and deposited as herbarium vouchers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with herbalists and customers to document vernacular names, plant parts used, preparation forms, and therapeutic applications. Quantitative indices, including frequency and relative frequency of citation, were calculated to reveal use patterns.

Results: The study recorded 186 species belonging to 144 genera and 68 families. The most represented families were Asteraceae (10%), Lamiaceae (9%), Apiaceae (8%), and Fabaceae (7%). Fruits (24.9%) and seeds (16.9%) were the most frequently traded parts. The dominant therapeutic categories included digestive (21.4%), immune/general tonic (17.7%), respiratory (10.1%), and nervous system (8.1%) uses. Native species constituted 57% of the recorded flora, while 33% were cultivated or imported.

Conclusions: The herbal markets of Karaj demonstrate both continuity and transformation of traditional medicinal plant knowledge in an urban context. While long-established attari shops preserve vernacular expertise, modern outlets introduce packaged and imported products, reflecting shifts in consumer behavior and trade networks. These findings contribute to understanding urban ethnobotanical systems and emphasize the importance of documenting and safeguarding traditional medicinal knowledge within rapidly changing metropolitan environments.

Keywords. Ethnobotany; medicinal plants; urban markets; Iran; Karaj; traditional knowledge

Ethnobotanical knowledge and quantitative evaluation of medicinal plants in the Dahra Region, Northwestern Algeria

Houria Krelifi Otsmane — 2026-01-01

Background: This ethnobotanical investigation documents and analyzes traditional medicinal knowledge in the Dahra region of northwestern Algeria.

Methods: Data were collected from 420 informants across 11 municipalities using semi-structured interviews. Sociodemographic analysis revealed that traditional medicine remains widely practiced across educational and urban–rural boundaries, with women serving as principal custodians of household phytotherapeutic knowledge. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), and Fidelity Level (FL %), were applied to assess the cultural importance and reliability of recorded species.

Results: A total of 45 medicinal plants belonging to 23 botanical families were identified. The Lamiaceae family predominated (28.9%), followed by Apiaceae (11.1%) and Asteraceae (8.9%), reflecting a preference for aromatic taxa rich in essential oils, terpenoids, and flavonoids. Leaves were the most frequently used organs (≈ 50%), while decoction and infusion were the dominant preparation methods. High ICF values for respiratory (0.87), digestive (0.83), and immunity-related (0.81) disorders. Among individual taxa, Origanum vulgare (UV = 0.51; RFC = 30.2%), Mentha spicata (UV = 0.35), and Foeniculum vulgare (UV = 0.07) emerged as cultural keystone species, illustrating both pharmacological relevance and symbolic significance. Several species exhibited perfect fidelity (FL = 100%), notably Citrullus colocynthis, Arbutus unedo, and Melissa officinalis, confirming their recognized specificity and therapeutic reliability.

Conclusions: Overall, the Dahra ethnopharmacopoeia represents a dynamic, adaptive knowledge system in which ecological adaptation, cultural continuity, and empirical efficacy converge.

Keywords: Ethnobotany; Traditional medicine; Valorization; Quantitative indices; Dahra region; Algeria

Urban ethnobotany and phytochemical profiles of plants cultivated by Chinese migrants in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Jeremias Puentes — 2026-01-01

Background: In the Area Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, Chinese farmers grow fresh plants that supply Buenos Aires' Chinatown. These crops can be considered Neglected and Underutilized Species since they are little known to the majority of the urban population, who are unaware of their uses and nutritional value. The main objective of this work is to update the ethnobotanical data on plants grown organically and conventionally by Chinese farmers and to determine their phytochemical profile.

Methods: Fieldwork was conducted at two sites in Buenos Aires where two Chinese producers grow plants linked to the traditions of their country. The methodology used consisted of ethnobotanical walks, free listings, and open and semi-structured interviews with farmers and community members. The phytochemical profiles were analyzed using UHPLC-MS/MS, and the data were processed using multivariate analysis to evaluate the differences between the cultivation systems.

Results: Brassica juncea and B. rapa var. chinensis are the most common species in Chinatown and are sold year-round. They are grown conventionally and organically, are linked to Asian culinary traditions, and are produced from imported seeds. Organic crops showed higher concentrations of kaempferol and isorhamnetin derivatives (compounds associated with antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties), which differentiates them from conventional samples.

Conclusions: Urban ethnobotany highlights the role of migrant communities in increasing local agrobiodiversity. Organic farming not only promotes sustainable agriculture, but also improves the biochemical quality of crops.

Keywords: Biocultural diversity, Botanical Knowledge, Organic agriculture, Pearson correlation, PCA, PLS-DA, UHPLC-PDA.

Biological characteristics of Megacarpaea gigantea Regel fruits and their use in traditional medicine of Uzbekistan

Dilovar T. Khamraeva — 2026-01-01

Background: This article presents data on some biological, morphological, and anatomical features of the fruits of the valuable medicinal and honey plant Megacarpaea gigantea and their use in traditional medicine in Uzbekistan.

Methods: Standard methods were used to study the germination of Megacarpaea gigantea seeds in laboratory conditions. A written questionnaire was used to collect ethnobotanical data. The local population was surveyed with the consent of the respondents. Interviews were conducted in accordance with the Code of Ethics established by the International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE Code of Ethics, 2006).

Results: Due to the presence of fatty acids and other biologically active substances, Megacarpaea gigantea seeds are used internally as a medicinal remedy for kidney and gallbladder ailments, a fact that has been observed by local populations and tabibs over a long period of historical use. An analysis of herbarium specimens included in the electronic database of the National Herbarium of Uzbekistan, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, has identified the distribution areas of Megacarpaea gigantea in Uzbekistan (mountainous areas of Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Samarkand, Jizzakh, and Tashkent regions). The species is most found in the Samarkand and Kashkadarya regions, where the fruits are primarily collected by locals for ethnobotanical purposes. Three Megacarpaea gigantea seed samples, tested in laboratory conditions, failed to germinate due to pericarp sclerifications and high temperatures. A germination analysis of seeds in small containers sown in autumn and spring revealed significantly higher germination rates (up to 82-87%) in autumn, especially in clean sand. This is because the seeds sown in the autumn were subjected to natural stratification, their germination was at a satisfactory level, and with subsequent introduction work, Megacarpaea gigantea can be successfully grown based on the identified biological characteristics of the seeds.

Conclusions: The medicinal properties of Megacarpaea gigantea have been identified, and a seed germination experiment was conducted in laboratory conditions and small containers with a closed root system. The mucilaginous layer of the exotesta of the spermoderm plays a role in seed adhesion to the soil and accumulates moisture for embryo germination. The fatty oils in the myrosin cells of the embryo are adaptive features for its full growth and development in arid conditions and have medicinal properties when consumed orally for gallstones and kidney stones due to their content of various beneficial fatty acids.

Keywords: Megacarpaea gigantea, fruit, seed, seed germination, morpho-anatomical structure, traditional medicine.

Medicinal plants used in traditional management of breast cancer: An ethnobotanical survey in Sidi Bel Abbès and Saïda, Northwestern Algeria

Abdelfettah Benyamina — 2026-01-06

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide and represents a major public health challenge in Algeria. Despite advances in modern therapies, their limited accessibility and potential side effects lead many communities to continue relying on herbal remedies. Documenting this traditional knowledge is essential for preserving cultural heritage and identifying promising candidates for future pharmacological research. This study aimed to document the traditional use of medicinal plants for breast cancer management in northwestern Algeria, focusing on the wilayas of Sidi Bel Abbès and Saïda

Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted between 2023 and 2024 among 300 informants, using semi-structured interviews and free-listing techniques. Data were collected on plant species, parts used, and preparation methods. Botanical identification was confirmed using reference floras and specialized databases, and validated by taxonomic experts. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Use Value (UV), were applied to assess the cultural significance of the recorded species.

Results: A total of 59 species belonging to 55 genera and 34 families were recorded. Herbs predominated (81%), with Lamiaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Apiaceae as the most represented families. Leaves (29%) and seeds (20%) were the most frequently used plant parts, while infusion (36%) and decoction (27%) were the dominant preparation methods. The most cited species included Ephedra alata Decne., Nigella sativa L., Allium sativum L., Curcuma longa L., and Berberis vulgaris L., alongside therapeutic uses of several less-documented taxa in the context of breast cancer treatment, such as Euphorbia officinarum L., Annona muricata L., and Hammada articulata (Moq.).

Conclusion: This study provides the first comprehensive ethnobotanical documentation of medicinal plants used for breast cancer in northwestern Algeria. The results reveal both widely recognized and previously underreported species, highlighting the potential of local knowledge to inspire the discovery of novel therapeutic agents.

Keywords: Ethnobotany; Breast cancer; Herbal medicine; Traditional knowledge; Lamiaceae; Northwestern Algeria.

Interpreting flora motif in the Karmawibhangga relief: A Buddhist iconography of Borobudur

Fauziah Fauziah — 2026-01-06

Background: Borobudur Temple in Indonesia is one of the world's UNESCO World Heritage sites, known for its beautiful architecture, with reliefs, sculptures, and carved stone. The Karmawibhangga reliefs, hidden at the temple’s foot, uniquely illustrate the law of karma through cause-and-effect vignettes. Despite their fragmented preservation, these reliefs reveal flora as active narrative elements, though their species and symbolic roles remain understudied.

Methods: This study employed a multidisciplinary approach to analyse the flora motifs in the 160-panel Karmawibhangga. Flora identification was conducted through a morphological approach, comparing the habitus, roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits, and analysing relief as a discourse that combines social and ecological dimensions in an interpretive manner. Narrative structure was examined through intratextual, intertextual, and extratextual.

Results: This study identifies 39 plant species—dominantly Mangifera indica (mango), Calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu), and sacred composites such as the Kalpataru—through morphological analysis and cross-referencing with the Javanese flora and Buddhist texts. Results reveal intentional species selection: mango groves reflect abundance and meditation sites, while tamanu’s riverbank habitat symbolises karmic dissemination. Spatial analysis shows that the flora is arranged hierarchically (middle > left > middle > right panels) and viewed from distinct angles (frontal, aerial, and ground-level), reinforcing narrative themes. The Kalpataru, blending Ficus religiosa (Bodhi tree), Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen), and Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus), exemplifies sacred hybridity, strategically placed in the north-east panels associated with heavenly realms (svargga). Agricultural depictions (taro, rice, millet) further intertwine subsistence with cosmology, as millet’s north-facing panels align with Buddhist celestial symbolism. The study underscores flora as semiotic devices that encode karmic principles through ecological realism and artistic convention.

Conclusion: The Karmawibhangga reliefs depict flora as a dynamic semiotic system. By integrating naturalistic details with doctrinal symbolism, these reliefs can articulate a holistic vision of life's meaning.

Keywords: Borobudur, Buddhist iconography, Flora symbolism, Javanese ecology, Karmawibhangga reliefs

Bridging culture and nature: An ethnobotanical exploration of the Dayak Ga’ai in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan

Ulfah Karmila Sari — 2026-01-06

Background: Dayak Ga'ai, who lived in Berau, East Kalimantan, has rich ethnobotanical knowledge reflecting their deep connection with nature. Ethnobotanical knowledge in Dayak Ga'ai communities does not exist in the form of comprehensive documentation; it is only passed down orally, so it is at high risk of being lost. Documenting and preserving this knowledge is crucial for cultural and environmental conservation.

Methods: This study employs interview methodologies utilizing purposive sampling. We conducted interviews with 70 respondents from five villages. The questions encompass respondent characteristics and ethnobotanical aspects of local wisdom knowledge. We additionally investigated and cataloged the plant. The Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), and Cultural Significance Index (ICS) are ethnobotanical indexes employed for data analysis.

Results: The results show that 169 species belonging to 56 families are known and utilized in the live of Dayak Ga’ay community. Categorized into revealed that 13 species are used for cultural purposes, 15 species for handicrafts, 114 species for traditional medicine, 67 species for food, and 38 species for traditional tools and equipment. There are 7 species in each index, namely Calamus sp. (RFC = 0.61; UV = 2.46; ICS = 36), Goniothalamus macrophyllus (RFC = 0.56; UV = 2.78; ICS = 46), Eusideroxylon zwageri (RFC = 0.46; UV = 1.37; ICS = 15), Vitex pinnata (RFC = 0.41; UV = 0.83; ICS = 15), Shorea sp. (RFC = 0.37; UV = 1.48; ICS = 17), Licuala spinosa (RFC = 0.31; UV = 1.57; ICS = 40), and Curcuma longa (RFC = 0.30; UV = 0.60; ICS = 18). They found plants in forests, gardens, and yards.

Conclusions: The Ga'ai Dayak utilize diverse plants. Nevertheless, the ethnobotanical knowledge of these plants is decreasing due to modernization, migration, and deforestation. It is necessary to conserve natural resources and incorporate ancient knowledge into contemporary conservation and educational initiatives.

Keywords: Ethnobotany; Dayak Ga’ai; Traditional knowledge, Cultural heritage, Berau

Current issues in the preservation of wild plant resources in the Tashkent Region (Uzbekistan)

Olim K. Khojimatov — 2026-01-01

Background: The article provides research on the biological resources of the natural medicinal flora of Tashkent region (Uzbekistan), which have started to decrease sharply in recent years due to anthropogenic factors.

Methods: The assessment of the distribution ranges of medicinal plants was carried out using the route-reconnaissance method widely applied in resource surveys. Field observations were conducted across all foothill and mountain regions of the Tashkent Province. To ensure data comparability, the standard methodology for evaluating the stocks of medicinal and technical plant raw materials (Borisova 1966; Khojimatov 2021) was employed, which includes delineation of population boundaries, characterization of habitats, estimation of projective cover, and assessment of resource potential.

Results: Annually harvested species of medicinal plants of the Tashkent region with a volume of more than 30 tons are such species as Crataegus turkestanica Pojark., Ephedra equisetina Bunge, Ferula tenuisecta Korovin, etc. Limited reserves, less than 1 ton are: Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp. cilicica (Klinge) H.Sund., Helichrysum maracandicum Popov ex Kirp., Tussilago farfara L. The main reasons for the ecological tragedy of the region and the reduction of the area of medicinal plants are the expansion of residential areas, the construction of industrial enterprises, cattle grazing, and the uncontrolled collection of plant raw materials, among others. In addition, the taxonomic analysis of the medicinal flora of the Tashkent region in recent decades and information on the dynamics of the decline of some medicinal plant resources in this region are presented.

Conclusions: Based on the results obtained, we have given recommendations on the collection of plant raw materials and their use on an industrial scale only for the mountainous part of the Tashkent region, since the foothills and plains are largely subject to anthropogenic pressure, that is, there is active urbanization of the territories, industrial enterprises are being built and lands are being developed for agricultural purposes.

Keywords: harvesting; medicinal plants; resources; Tashkent region; sustainable using, plant introduction.

Species composition and ethnobotanical values of karst plants: implications for conservation in Padang Bindu, South Sumatra

Yulizah Yulizah — 2026-01-01

Background: Karst ecosystems have high biodiversity with important cultural value, but floristic and ethnobotanical studies are limited, including in the Sumatran Karst. Therefore, this research documents plants diversity and utilization used by The Ogan community in the Padang Bindu Karst.

Methods: Data were collected using flora inventory and semi-structured interviews. Analysis included Important Value Index (IVI), distribution, conservation status (IUCN), Invasive Alien Species (IAS), ethnobotanical value (Number of Uses [NUs] and Cultural Importance Index [CI]) using R studio software.

Results: Padang Bindu Karst has important ecological and socio-economic values. The high biodiversity and community’s dependence on key species emphasizes the urgency of community-based conservation through the protection of economically and culturally valuable species, restoration of native species, and participatory control of IAS. Thus, this research provides an integrative contribution among data floristic, conservation status, invasion, and ethnobotany as a model for community-based conservation in South Sumatra.

Conclusions: The communities of the Rwenzori region depend a lot on herbal medicine to treat various diseases irrespective of the availability of modern health care.

Keywords: Padang Bindu Karst; Ethnobotany, Use value; Cultural importance index, Community-based conservation

Ethnobotanical knowledge of wild edible and medicinal plants in Southern Morocco: The case of Guelmim Province

Soumaya Atouife — 2026-01-06

Background: In Morocco, Wild edible plants (WEPs) constitute an essential element of traditional knowledge, contributing to food security, healthcare, and cultural heritage. However, their use is declining due to modernization, agricultural intensification, and the loss of local knowledge, highlighting the need for documentation.

Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted from August 2024 to August 2025 in Guelmim Province, Southern Morocco. The study covered Guelmim city and three rural communes: Timoulay, Laqsabi Tagoust, and Tighmert. Ethnobotanical Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with local informants and analyzed using descriptive statistics and quantitative ethnobotanical indices, namely the Fidelity Level (FL), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF).

Results: A total of 36 wild edible plant species were recorded. The most dominant families are Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Lamiaceae (8% each). The study revealed a diversity of uses, with leaves (29.09%) predominating for medicinal purposes, followed by fruits (7.27%) and seeds (5.45%). Decoction was identified as the most common preparation method (38.1%). FL ranged from 18.45% to 96.67%, and RFC values varied from 0.21 to 0.86, indicating variable use importance across species, while the ICF values showed overall high informant consensus.

Conclusions: The present study highlighted that the people of Guelmim Province possess valuable traditional knowledge Documentation of this heritage can support biodiversity conservation, dietary diversification, and food security. Moreover, providing a foundation for sustainable agricultural practices, notably organic farming.

Keywords: Wild edible plants; Ethnobotany; Traditional knowledge; Food security; Guelmim Province; Morocco.

Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don: A bibliometric analysis of an alpine medicinal herb

Meera Rai — 2026-01-06

Background: Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don is a high-value alpine medicinal herb endemic to the Himalayan region, valued in traditional Asian medicine for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and respiratory benefits. Its bulbs command high market prices, leading to unsustainable harvesting, ecological threats, and endangered status (IUCN Vulnerable). Despite its ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological significance, research trends and gaps remain underexplored, necessitating a bibliometric analysis to map scientific output, collaborations, and future directions for conservation and sustainable use.

Methods: This bibliometric study analyzed publications on F. cirrhosa from 1939 to June 2025, retrieved from the SCOPUS database using search strings targeting "Fritillaria cirrhosa" and synonyms like "Fritillaria roylei." Data were processed with VOSviewer for network visualization (co-authorship, co-occurrence) and R Studio (Bibliometrix) for trends, citations, and thematic mapping.

Results: A total of 128 documents were analyzed, revealing China's dominance (89 documents, 1538 citations), followed by India (24 documents, 250 citations) and Hong Kong (17 documents, 368 citations). Top institutions included Sichuan University (53 articles) and Chengdu University (51 articles), with key authors like Wang S (h-index 7, 266 citations), Li, P (h-index 6, 270 citations). Citation analysis showed recent publications gaining rapid impact, while keyword clusters emphasized traditional medicine, alkaloids, and pharmacology. However, from 2020 onwards, the publication and citation record or research output of the Fritillaria cirrhosa drastically increases, which signifies that the species globally is gaining attention among researchers.

Conclusions: This first bibliometric analysis highlights research imbalances, with negligible contributions from other Asian countries like India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Despite the rich species’ distribution in the countries, the publication and citation trends were still restricted. This would largely impact the species' global attention and scientific evidence at the international level.

Keywords: Fritillaria cirrhosa, Medicinal properties, R Studio, Forest product, NTFP, Ethnobotany.