Literature DB >> 25925830

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by Maonan people in China.

Liya Hong1, Zhiyong Guo2, Kunhui Huang3, Shanjun Wei4, Bo Liu5, Shaowu Meng6, Chunlin Long7,8.   

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This paper is based on an ethnobotanical investigation that focused on the traditional medicinal plants used by local Maonan people to treat human diseases in Maonan concentration regions. The Maonan people have relied on traditional medicine since ancient times, especially medicinal plants. The aim of this study is to document medicinal plants used by the Maonans and to report the status of medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge.
METHODS: Ethnobotanical data were collected from June 2012 to September 2014 in Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County, northern Guangxi, southwest China. In total, 118 knowledgeable informants were interviewed. Following statistically sampling method, eighteen villages from 5 townships were selected to conduct field investigations. Information was collected through the approache of participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, ranking exercises, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory rural appraisals.
RESULTS: A total of 368 medicinal plant species were investigated and documented together with their medicinal uses by the Maonans, most of which were obtained from the wild ecosystems. The plants were used to treat 95 human diseases. Grinding was a widely used method to prepare traditional herbal medicines. There were significant relationships between gender and age, and between gender and informants' knowledge of medicinal plant use. Deforestation for agricultural purposes was identified as the most destructive factor of medicinal plants, followed by drought and over-harvest.
CONCLUSIONS: The species diversity of medicinal plants used by the Maonans in the study area was very rich. Medicinal plants played a significant role in healing various human disorders in the Maonan communities. However, the conflicts between traditional inheriting system and recent socio-economic changes (and other factors) resulted in the reduction or loss of both medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Thus, conservation efforts and policies, and innovation of inheriting system are necessary for protecting the medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Awareness is also needed to be raised among local Maonans focusing on sustainable utilization and management of both medicinal plants and traditional knowledge.

Entities:  

Mesh:

Year:  2015        PMID: 25925830      PMCID: PMC4449599          DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0019-1

Source DB:  PubMed          Journal:  J Ethnobiol Ethnomed        ISSN: 1746-4269            Impact factor:   2.733


Background

Traditional medicine is used to maintain people’s health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illnesses all over the world [1,2]. Medicinal plants are believed to be with healing powers, and people have used them for many centuries. Aimed to modern drug discovery, traditional medicinal plants have been studied and developed which is followed the ethnobotanical lead of indigenous cures used by traditional medical systems [3-5]. Traditional medicinal knowledge, especially using medicinal plants in the developing countries, has been in existence and use, and has been a part of therapeutic practices [6]. Therefore, the investigation of plants and their uses (especially medicinal purposes) is one of the most primary human concerns and has been practiced in the world [7-12]. The traditional use of medicinal plants in China is widely accepted. The population of 55 minorities is 11.2 millions occupying 8% of China’s population, and these minorities distribute in 65% of the country’s territory. Each minority has its own medicinal characteristic, and has various experiences of medicinal knowledge [13]. Traditional medicinal plants play an important role of protecting people’s lives and health in minority regions, especially in remote and poor area [14,15]. Because of unique natural conditions and customs in the ethnic minority areas, long-term practices of using medicinal plants have formed various systems of treating diseases [16-18]. For example, Tibetan medicine is famous for treating digestive disorders, rheumatic diseases and wounds [19,20]. The Mongolians have a long history of horse riding, and their medicine is effective to deal with bone fracture and brain concussion. Yao medicine has special advantages in cancers and skin problems [21]. North Guangxi has been recognized as a rich biodiversity and world-famous karst area. With the elevation between 700–1500 m, it is obviously affected by plateau terrain and subtropical monsoon climate. Thus, the temperature difference of four seasons is small but the vertical climate changes significantly. There are more than 10 ethnic groups living in north Guangxi and formed colorful ethnic characteristic. As one of the indigenous minorities, Maonan is mainly living in Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southwest China. The exceptional altitudinal range, topography and climatic variability in this region have fostered a center of plant species endemism. Here the majority of Maonan people rely on medicinal plants for self-medication. The Maonan medicine has made a great contribution to protect the health of local people. This is due to free access to medicinal herbs, cultural traditions and high cost of hospital treatments in the town nearby. Local people widely utilize endemic species, and they have developed their own traditional medicinal knowledge. Without writing language, Maonan people pass on their indigenous knowledge from generation to generation orally. Nowadays, the Maonan children spend most of their time in schools, where they are taught in Han language. This decreases their chances to learn about the uses of the medicinal plants from the old people. Therefore, important information about medicinal plants is easily lost in the transfer process of indigenous knowledge. With the impact of increasing modern health facilities and modern civilization in Maonan area, indigenous knowledge is depleting rapidly. Although a number of ethnobotanical documentations about several ethnic groups have been published during the past decades in China, few field ethnobotanical studies have been conducted in Maonan society. It is therefore necessary to carry out a survey to document the medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge in Maonan region. Thus, the purposes of the present work were as follows: (i) to document and analyze the knowledge and use of medicinal plants by Maonan people at the study area; (ii) to circulate the results within the scientific community in order to open a door for research in other disciplines; (iii) to document the medicinal plants that could be valuable in future’s phytochemical and pharmacological discoveries, and (iv) to contribute to the knowledge and conservational possibilities of plant biodiversity, bearing in mind that biological diversity is also related to the use and applications of natural resources.

Materials and methods

Study area and the people

The study area covered 18 villages of Huanjiang County (the only Maonan autonomous County in China) in the northern part of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southwest China (Figure 1). The villages are located in 5 townships, which were selected based on Maonan traditional settlements, namely: Chengnan, Chengbei, Luoyang, Shuiyuan, Shangnan, Youdong, Mulun, Xia’nan, Pochuan, Fengyi, Zhongnan, Tangba, Xiatang, Yuhuan, Caimen, Guzhou, Xiyuan, and Jingyang villages. Huanjiang County is situated in the subtropical zone, located between 24°83′ and 25°06′ east longitude and between 107°92′ and 108°26′ north latitude, with the annual average temperature of 20°C and annual rain fall of 1500 mm. The vegetation of the county belongs to the subtropical evergreen montane forest. It is humid in summer and relatively dry in winter. The most Maonan villages are seated on the small strips of flat land or slopes in the rocky mountainous area at 500–1000 meters above sea level. The sinkholes and underground caverns in the area have well developed because of karst landform. Despite abundant rainfall, there are no big rivers but only a small number of streams. Water shortage has been a major obstacle to economic and social development in the Maonan areas.
Figure 1

Sketch map of the study area.

Sketch map of the study area. The Maonan minority, with a total population of about 107,200, is one of the 55 officially recognized ethnic groups in China. With no written language [22], the Maonans’ stories and traditions are remembered and passed down orally from generation to generation, but these are becoming less and less. The Maonan language belongs to the Dong-Shui branch of the Zhuang-Dong language group in the Chinese-Tibetan language family. The Maonan language is widely spoken in Maonan communities. Almost all of the Maonans know both Han and Zhuang languages, because they need to communicate with the Zhuang and Han people, the majorities in Guangxi. About 60% of the Maonan people live in Huanjiang County, which is the only Maonan autonomous county in China. The Maonans are polytheistic, and they pay homage to dozens of deities or immortals on various occasions. These icons include figures from myths, legends, celebrities of historical events, divinities from Taoism or Buddhism, ancestors of the family and so on [22]. Due to remote mountainous regions and poor economic environment, traditional remedies of medicinal plants are the most important and sometimes the only source of therapeutics in the Maonan villages. The long utilization history and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants had supported their livelihoods. The Maonan healers and farmers have developed their own ethnomedicinal knowledge.

Field works and ethnobotanical data collection

A total of 118 (106 males and 12 females) informants were interviewed in the study area, in which 80 were selected using snowball technique and 38 key informants were selected purposively and systematically based on the recommendations of knowledgeable elders, local authorities and development agents. All of the informants were local inhabitants aged between 21 and 85 years. Local Maonan healers were surely identified as key informants, because they were important custodians and participants of indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants. Interestingly, all these traditional healers were males. A few women were also interviewed to examine their medicinal knowledge and opinions. Ethnobotanical investigations were carried out to collect data on medicinal plants used to treat human ailments following standard methods in Maonan area. The methodological approaches were semi-structured interviews, field observations, group discussions and guided field walks. The data were collected from June 2012 to September 2014. Interviews and discussions were undertaken based on a checklist of questions prepared in Chinese and translated into Maonan language. Information was carefully recorded during interviews with each informant. Field observations were performed with traditional healers guided on the morphological features and habitats of each medicinal plant species. Voucher specimens of cited medicinal plants were collected and their local identity was re-confirmed by other informants. The information obtained was cross-checked with the other informants. The information such as the local name, habit, wild/cultivated, availability of medicinal plants, need of conservation and efforts made by inhabitants, and traditional medicinal uses of plants were recorded. Group discussions were conducted on multipurpose, conservation, threats of the medicinal plants, and transferability of knowledge with the healers and local people in the villages. Also, the key informants were selected for preference ranking exercise.

Specimen collection and identification

The listed medicinal plants were collected from field and gardens, and the habits of these plants were recorded. The voucher specimens were made and deposited in the Herbarium, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China, for future references. The botanical identities of collected specimens were confirmed by the authors and other taxonomists at Minzu University of China. Plant names were checked with Flora of China and botanical websites (e.g. http://www.tropicos.org/).

Data analysis

The data were summarized using Microsoft Office Excel sheet. Descriptive statistical methods were applied to analyze and summarize the ethnobotanical data such as frequency and percentage. Preference ranking exercise [23,24] was conducted by 8 key informants on 7 medicinal plants used to treat traumatic injury in the study area. The highest number of medicinal plants was prescribed by informants to fight traumatic injury. The plants in this exercise were short-listed by the key informants, and then their importance to manage traumatic injury was discussed. The plants were given to the informants and were ranked based on their efficacy. Medicinal plant that was believed to be the most effective was given the highest value 7, and the one with the least effectiveness a value of 1. Rank was determined based on the total score of each species. A total rank of preference exercise was obtained by summing the number of informant given. The reported ailments were grouped into 21 categories based on the information gathered from the interviewees. Factor of informant consensus (FIC) was calculated for each category to test the agreements of the informants on the reported cures for the group of diseases. The FIC was calculated as follows: number of use citations in each category (Nur) minus the number of species used (Nt), and divided by the numbers of use citations in each category minus one [25,26]. The formula was listed as below:

Results

Medicinal plants reported

The study recorded 368 medicinal plant species (see Table 1). Ethnomedicinal information for each species, including scientific name, Chinese name, local name, family name, life form, habitat, plant parts used, preparation and uses, was listed in Table 1. The species belonged to 295 genera and 115 families were used by Maonan people to treat various human ailments. Among the families that contributed more medicinal species were Asteraceae, represented by 24 species (6.52%), Fabaceae with 19 (5.16%) species, and Rosaceae with 16 (4.35%), while other 292 families contributed 309 (83.97%) species were mostly represented by 1 or 2 species (Table 2).
Table 1

Inventory of Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used by Maonan People

No. Scientific name Chinese name Maonan name Family Life form Habit Parts used Preparation and uses
1 Abelmoschus sagittifolius (Kurz) Merr.Jianyeqiukui箭叶秋葵--MalvaceaeHerbWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for furuncle
2 Abrus cantoniensis HanceGuangdong xiangsizi广州相思子rouŋ2ra2təp7 FabaceaeShrubWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute and chronic hepatitis, stomachache, rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury, liver cirrhosis and common cold
3 Abutilon indicum (L.) SweetMopancao磨盘草ruoŋ2ŋaŋ³luiŋ5 MalvaceaeHerbWildWhole plantBoiled with meat; Taken orally soup, treating for fever due to common cold, bronchitis, epidemic parotitis and tuberculosis
4 Acanthopanax gracilistylus W. W. Smith.Wujia五加mba³tshi2an2lau4 AraliaceaeShrubBothRoot, BarkGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, carminative, bone fracture and pain of limbs
5 Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr.Baile白簕mba³tshi6man2ndi5 AraliaceaeShrubBothStem, RootMedicinal liquor for treating rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, waist and legs pain, ostealgia and sciatica; Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for eczema, ulcer and furuncle
6 Achillea wilsoniana Heimerl ex Hand. -Mazz.Yunnanshi云南蓍--AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for ulcer
7 Achyranthes bidentata BlumeNiuxi牛膝ma6wei5gou2ɣou¹AmaranthaceaeHerbWildRootGrinding and drink with wine for traumatic injury, removing blood stasis
8 Aconitum carmichaeli Debx.Wutou乌头taŋ5gou²ʔno²RanunculaceaeHerbBothTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for scrofula, perineum ache
9 Acorus calamus L.Shuichangpu水菖蒲baːŋ5sjɛm2rəm³AcoraceaeHerbWildRootPowder; Taken orally for diarrhea
10 Acorus tatarinowii SchottShichangpu石菖蒲ruoŋ2jɛŋ³vu2 AcoraceaeHerbWildRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for epilepsy and convulsion
11 Adenophora tetraphylla (Thunb.) Fisch.Lunyeshashen轮叶沙参mua²ʨiɔ³gʔai²CampanulaceaeHerbWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for complications after measles
12 Adiantum capillus-junonis Rupr.tuanyutiexianjue团羽铁线蕨ya2bou³AdiantaceaeHerbWildWhole plant, RhizomeBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for piles
13 Aeginetia indica L.Yegu野菰--OrobanchaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for swelling, clearing away heat and toxic materials
14 Ageratum conyzoides L.Huoxiangji藿香蓟--AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever due to common cold, empyrosis and abscess
15 Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb.Longyacao龙芽草ruoŋ2hiu¹cia³RosaceaeHerbWildRootBoiled with meat or wine and drunk the soup, treating for piles, enteritis, diarrhea, hemafecia, hematuria
16 Ainsliaea bonatii BeauverdXinyetu'erfeng心叶兔儿风ma6ka6ʑai2 AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, asthma with throat itching
17 Akebia quinata (Houtt.) Decne.Mutong木通--LardizabalaceaeLianaWildStem, Root, FruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, diuresis, promoting lactation
18 Alangium chinense (Lour.) HarmsBajiaofeng八角枫mei4da2 AlangiaceaeTreeBothFibrous rootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, lumbar muscle degeneration, asthma and bleeding
19 Allium fistulosum L.Cong葱soŋ³xien³nien2 LiliaceaeHerbHomegardenWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, pains, rheumatic headache, numbness of limbs and replenishing the liver
20 Allium sativum L.Suan蒜kɔŋ¹do2 LiliaceaeHerbHomegardenBulbGrinding, dispersed in water and drunk for pertussis cough, enteritis, tuberculosis, poor appetite, indigestion, diarrhea
21 Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng.Jiu韭mba³kən5 LiliaceaeHerbHomegardenWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for toothache, piles, traumatic injury and insect bite
22 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. DonReyahaiyu热亚海芋--AraceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite and innominate inflanunatory of unknown origin
23 Alpinia katsumadai HayataCaodoukou草豆蔻--ZingiberaceaeHerbHomegardenFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for indigestion
24 Alpinia oxyphylla Miq.Yizhi益智--ZingiberaceaeHerbWildFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for warming the spleen, kidney deficiency, diarrhea and spermatorrhea
25 Alternanthera sessilis (L.) DC.Lianzicao莲子草--AmaranthaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for reducing fever and causing diuresis
26 Amomum tsaoko Crevost et LemarieCaoguo草果--ZingiberaceaeHerbHomegardenFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for eliminating phlegm, indigestion, diarrhea and malaria
27 Amomum villosum Lour.Sharen砂仁--ZingiberaceaeHerbHomegardenFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for indigestion
28 Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) NeesChuanxinlian穿心莲--AcanthaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials
29 Androsace umbellata (Lour.) Merr.Diandimei点地梅--PrimulaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for inflammation and traumatic injury
30 Anemone hupehensis Lem.Dapowanhuahua打破碗花花ma2miŋ55 RanunculaceaeHerbWildRoot, Whole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for biliary tract ascariasis
31 Aralia chinensis L.Songmu楤木--AraliaceaeTreeWildSeedGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for snake bite
32 Aralia undulata Hand.-Mazz.Boyuansongmu波缘楤木mei5ȵun4 AraliaceaeShrubWildRootBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for cough
33 Arctium lappa L.Niubang牛蒡maː6kaː6wei5 AsteraceaeHerbHomegardenFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile fever and cough
34 Ardisia gigantifolia StapfZoumatai走马胎ruoŋ2loŋ2mia4 MyrsinaceaeShrubWildRhizome, Whole plantMedicinal liquor for treating rheumatism, rheumatic arthritis, waist and legs pain, paralysis, hemiplegia and traumatic injury
35 Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) BlumeZijinniu紫金牛wa5ʨiɛm²wei³MyrsinaceaeShrubWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis, cough, traumatic injury and preventing phlegm
36 Arisaema erubescens (Wall.) SchottYibasannanxing一把伞南星ma¹gəp8tai5 AraceaeHerbWildTuberPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite
37 Arisaema heterophyllum BlumeTiannanxing天南星jɛk7khω6dɔŋ2 AraceaeHerbWildTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, cough, hypertension, acute inflammation and abdomen pain
38 Arisaema rhizomatum C. E. C. FischerXuelijian雪里见kɣou²ŋau4 AraceaeHerbWildTuberMedicinal liquor for treating scrofula and perineum ache
39 Aristolochia fangchi Y. C. Wu ex L. D. Chow et S. M. HwangGuangfangji广防己ruoŋ2dak8loŋ²AristolochiaceaeLianaWildTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute nephritis, urinary tract infection, hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, edema
40 Aristolochia kwangsiensis Chun et How ex C. F. LiangGuangximadouling广西马兜铃--AristolochiaceaeLianaWildTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for snake bite, stomachache, diarrhea, strep throat, epidemic parotitis, lymphnoditis
41 Aristolochia versicolor S. M. HwangBiansemadouling变色马兜铃--AristolochiaceaeLianaWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for snake bite
42 Armeniaca vulgaris Lam.Xing杏dəŋ¹vɔŋ5ʑa2 RosaceaeTreeHomegardenSeedGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for chronic trachitis, cough
43 Artemisia annua L.Huanghuahao黄花蒿ruoŋ2nŋai6min³AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for malaria, fever, indigestion, tuberculosis hot flashes and night sweat; washing for scab, pruritus and mosquito bite
44 Artemisia capillaris Thunb.Yinchenhao茵陈蒿ma6ʔai³AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hepatitis and jaundice
45 Artemisia japonica Thunb.Muhao牡蒿--AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials, inflammation and blood stasis
46 Asarum longerhizomatosum C. F. Liang et C. S. YangXijingjin'erhuan长茎金耳环--AristolochiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for headache, toothache, cough, diarrhea, acute enteritis
47 Asarum sieboldii Miq.Xixin细辛ruoŋ2ndeŋ5kha³AristolochiaceaeHerbWildWhole plant, RootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, relieving pain
48 Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr.Tianmendong天门冬lak5mən2tuŋ¹AsparagaceaeHerbWildTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for tuberculosis, cough, constipation, diabetes and sore throat after rash
49 Azolla imbricata (Roxb.) NakaiManjianghong满江红--AzollaceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for measles
50 Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek.Banlan板蓝ruoŋ2wom¹AcanthaceaeHerbHomegardenWhole plantGrinding, decoction drunk for common cold, sore throat, parotitis and epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis
51 Bauhinia brachycarpa Wall.Anyeyangtijia鞍叶羊蹄甲yaŋm³gəm³duo5 FabaceaeTreeBothRoot, LeafBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for cough, hemoptysis
52 Bauhinia championii (Benth.) Benth.Longxuteng龙须藤bjeu³in5 FabaceaeLianaBothStemGrinding, decoction drunk for rheumatism, traumatic injury, stomachache, waist and legs pain
53 Belamcanda chinensis (L.) RedouteShegan射干mei5van³biɛn²IridaceaeHerbBothRootGrinding, decoction drunk for sore throat
54 Berberis julianae SchneidHaozhuci豪猪刺taːŋm2mɛn5sem5 BerberidaceaeShrubWildRootGrinding, boiled with water and washed the affected area for clearing away heat and toxic materials, inflammation
55 Bidens pilosa L.Guizhencao鬼针草wɔk7cut7na5 AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis, jaundice, rheumatism, ostealgia, diarrhea, throat ache, kidney deficiency and waist pain
56 Bischofia javanica Bl.Qiufeng秋枫--EuphorbiaceaeTreeBothStem, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orallyfor removing blood stasis, carminative, improving indigestion
57 Bletilla striata (Thunb. ex A. Murray) Rchb. f.Baiji白及kɔŋ¹nat7 OrchidaceaeHerbBothBulbPowder swallowed for tuberculosis and empyrosis
58 Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC.Ainaxiang艾纳香ruoŋ2nŋai6lau4 AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, dysmenorrhea and afterpains
59 Boehmeria nivea(L.) Gaudich. Zhuma苎麻mba³ŋan³UrticaceaeShrubWildRoot Bark, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for miscarriage prevention, hematuria, traumatic injury, bone fracture, diuresis, measles, joint sprain
60 Bombax malabaricum DC.Mumian木棉wai5mei4 BombacaceaeTreeBothFlower, Root bark, RootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally; Flower is treating for enteritis, stomach ulcer; Root bark is treating for rheumatism, traumatic injury; Root is treating for chronic nephritis gastricism, stomach ulcer, tuberculosis of cervical lymph nodes
61 Botrychium ternatum (Thunb.) Sw.Yindijue阴地蕨do5gʔom2daːŋ³BotrychiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough
62 Brucea javanica (L.) Merr.Yadanzi鸦胆子--SimaroubaceaeShrubWildSeedGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, malaria and chromic diarrhea
63 Bryophyllum pinnatum (L. f.) OkenLuoyeshenggen落地生根ruoŋ2ra2pu³CrassulaceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for detumescence by detoxification, promoting blood circulation to arrest pain, draw out pus and toxin
64 Buddleja officinalis Maxim.Mimenghua密蒙花wa³kuŋ³ruo²LoganiaceaeShrubWildFlowerGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for swelling and pain of eye, hyperdacryosis and cloudness of cornea
65 Caesalpinia sappan Linn.Sumu苏木mei4sam³mɔk8 FabaceaeTreeWildHeartwoodGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, rheumatism, ostealgia, bleeding
66 Caesalpinia sepiaria Roxb.Yunshi云实ʔŋən5ʔniao2 FabaceaeTreeWildRoot, SeedMedicinal liquor for treating contraception in the menstrual period
67 Callicarpa macrophylla VahlDayezizhu大叶紫珠ruoŋ2lak8phau5 VerbenaceaeShrubWildRoot, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hemafecia and hemoptysis
68 Campanumoea javanica Bl.Jianqianbao金钱豹bieu³thωp8jou¹CampanulaceaeHerbWildRootPowdered and swallowed for tuberculosis, enteritis, diarrhea, appendicitis, traumatic injury and piles
69 Camptotheca acuminata Decne.Xishu喜树--NyssaceaeTreeBothFruit, RootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cancer and schistosome
70 Canscora lucidissima (Levl. et Vaniot) Hand.-MazzChuanxincao穿心草ma6chuan2 GentianaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for stranguria, snake bite, stomachache, cough and jaundiced hepatitis
71 Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik.Ji荠mba³kɔŋ¹pia³CruciferaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for catching common cold, fever, nephritis, edema, hypertension, enteritis
72 Cassia tora Linn.Jueming决明thou6maŋ³xiзŋ³FabaceaeHerbBothSeedGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hyperlipidemia, hepatitis, stomachache, acute conjunctivitis, habitual constipation, dental ulcer
73 Cassytha filiformis L.Wugenteng无根藤bieu³chim6cieu¹LauraceaeHerbWildStemGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for vitiligo, jaundice, constipation, waist and knees pain, impotence and spermatorrhea
74 Cayratia japonica (Thunb.) Gagnep.Wulianmei乌蔹莓--VitaceaeHerbWildWhole plant, RootMedicinal liquor for paralysis
75 Celosia argentea L.Qingxiang青葙mba³pωm³pa5 AmaranthaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for trachitis, gastricism
76 Cerastium glomeratum Thuill.Qiuxujuan'er球序卷耳maː6ʔan4ʑau2 CaryophyllaceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for febrile convulsion
77 Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) KoehneMugua木瓜--RosaceaeShrubHomegardenFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for smooth the liver and stomach
78 Chirita eburnea HanceNiu'erduo牛耳朵ma5ba5 GesneriaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bronchitis
79 Chloranthus holostegius (Handel-Mazzetti) Pei & ShanQuanyuanjinlilan全缘金栗兰tei³kuai5wa5 ChloranthaceaeHerbWildRootBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for weakness
80 Cinnamomum camphora (L.) PreslXiangzhang香樟mei4kau¹LauraceaeTreeHomegardenBarkGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute gastroenteritis, rheumatism, ostealgia, emesis, diarrhea and bone fracture
81 Cinnamomum cassia PreslRougui肉桂--LauraceaeTreeHomegardenStemGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, dysmenorrhea and sweating
82 Cinnamomum subavenium Miq.Xianggui香桂--LauraceaeTreeBothBarkGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for antiseptic
83 Cirsium japonicum Fisch. ex DC.Daji大蓟mba³tin³tsuok7lau4 AsteraceaeHerbWildRoot, Whole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundice, scabies, hemafecia, muscle swelling and gastroduodenal ulcer
84 Clematis chinensis Osbeck.Weilingxian威灵仙ruoŋ2pek7mi6saŋ³RanunculaceaeLianaWildRoot, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for tonsillitis, jaundice, migraine and rheumatism
85 Clerodendrum chinense (Osbeck) Mabb.Choumoli臭茉莉ruoŋ2phuŋ6hi6 VerbenaceaeShrubWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, rheumatism and detumescence
86 Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz.Daqing大青--VerbenaceaeShrubWildLeafGround, decoction; Taken orally for fever due to common cold, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, parotitis, enteritis and diarrhea
87 Coix lacryma-jobi L.Yiyi薏苡ɣhou6gaŋ54 GramineaeHerbBothRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute nephritis
88 Colocasia antiquorum SchottYeyu野芋phi²niəŋ6 AraceaeHerbWildTuberPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, furuncle, empyrosis and snake bite
89 Commelina communis L.Yazhicao鸭趾草mba³ciap7 CommelinaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, influenza, acute tonsillitis, edema, enteritis, urinary tract infection, empyrosis and bleeding
90 Crataegus pinnatifida BungeShanzha山楂dɛŋ¹miɛ5²yə2 RosaceaeTreeHomegardenFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for poor appetite, blood stasis
91 Croton tiglium L.Badou巴豆ruoŋ2mei4miət7 EuphorbiaceaeTreeHomegardenRoot Bark, LeafPound fresh leaf applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, herpes zoster; Pound root bark applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite
92 Cucumis sativus L.Huanggua黄瓜--CucurbitaceaeHerbHomegardenFruitPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding and skin whitening
93 Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.Xianmao仙茅ruoŋ2saŋ³thɔk8 AmaryllidaceaeHerbHomegardenWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for headache due to common cold, rheumatic arthritis, neurasthenia, chronic nephritis, erectile dysfunction and seminal leakage
94 Curcuma aromatica Salisb.Yujin郁金--ZingiberaceaeHerbWildTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bleeding, jaundice and cooling blood
95 Curcuma longa L.Jianghuang姜黄ruoŋ2cɛŋ³woŋ²ZingiberaceaeHerbHomegardenRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for abnormal menstruation, amenorrhea, flatulence and blood stasis
96 Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) RoscoeE'zhu莪术pi6cɛŋ³nəm³ZingiberaceaeHerbHomegardenRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury, abdomen pain
97 Cuscuta chinensis Lam.Tusizi菟丝子--ConvolvulaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hepatitis
98 Cyclea hypoglauca (Schauer) DielsFenyelunhuanteng粉叶轮环藤--MenispermaceaeLianaWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for toothache, urinary tract infection, rheumatism, diphtheria, ostealgia; Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for carbuncle, snake bite
99 Cynanchum atratum BungeBaiwei白薇lau2ʨiŋ5xi5 AsclepiadaceaeHerbWildRootMedicinal liquor for treating rheumatic arthritis
100 Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex WightNiupixiao牛皮消gʔɛ2lin5xiao5 AsclepiadaceaeShrubWildRootBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for infantile dry-sickness and malnutrition
101 Cynanchum officinale (Hemsl.) Tsiang & H.D.ZhangZhushateng朱砂藤--AsclepiadaceaeShrubWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for pain killer and weakness
102 Cynanchum paniculatum (Bunge) Kitag.Xuchangqing徐长卿ta6ʔnu2 AsclepiadaceaeHerbBothRoot, Whole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for enteritis and diarrhea
103 Cyperus rotundus L.Xiangfuzi香附子lak8rut8 CyperaceaeHerbWildTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing and activating the channels and collaterals, common cold, abnormal menstruation
104 Cyrtomium fortunei J. Sm.Guanzhong贯众rin³tsiɛk7lau4 Dryopteridaceae--WildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, parotitis, gastrorrhagia, hematuria, postpartum lochiorrhea and body deficiency disease
105 Datura metel L.Yangjinhua洋金花--SolanaceaeHerbWildFlowerPound and applied on the affected area for ulcer and pains
106 Datura stramonium L.Mantuoluo曼陀罗ruoŋ2chou6dun³SolanaceaeHerbWildLeafPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle and traumatic injury
107 Davallia mariesii T. Moore ex BakerGusuibu骨碎补xiŋ5bɔa5 Davalliaceae--WildRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bone fracture and fructus psoraleae
108 Desmodium heterocarpon (L.) DC.Jiadidou假地豆thou6ti5pa5 FabaceaeShrubWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for preventing mumps, epidemic encephalitis B, kidney and vesical stone
109 Dichondra repens J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.Matijin马蹄金ruoŋ²tin³mia4 ConvolvulaceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, urinary stone and jaundiced hepatitis
110 Dicliptera chinensis (L.) Juss.Gougancai狗肝菜ruoŋ2təp7ma³AcanthaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever due to common cold, epidemic hepatitis B, rheumatic arthritis, conjunctivitis, diuresis and measles
111 Dimocarpus longan Lour.Longyan龙眼ruoŋ2kuei4juon²SapindaceaeTreeHomegardenArilMedicinal liquor for cosmetic, insomnia, forgetfulness, replenishing heart, tonic and blood deficiency
112 Dioscorea bulbifera L.Huangdu黄独lak8phuo2 DioscoreaceaeLianaHomegardenTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, hemoptysis and epistaxis
113 Dioscorea cirrhosa Lour.Shuliang薯莨daŋ5gʔui5pɛ²DioscoreaceaeLianaHomegardenTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for gastroduodenal ulcer
114 Dioscorea opposita Thunb.Shuyu薯蓣--DioscoreaceaeLianaHomegardenTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for weakness, cough and frequent urination
115 Diospyros kaki Thunb.Shi柿den³mian5 EbenaceaeTreeHomegardenFruit, Persistent calyxPound fresh part mixing the rice wine applied on the affected area, treating for lymphadenectasis
116 Dipsacus asperoides C.Y. Cheng & AiChuanxuduan川续断noŋ²bu²yɛ5 DipsacaceaeHerbWildSeed, RootBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for leucorrhoea and bone fracture
117 Disporum cantoniense (Lour.) Merr.Wanshouzhu万寿竹ma6mei5vɛn³LiliaceaeHerbWildRoot, RhizomeBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for cough
118 Drynaria propinqua (Wall. ex Mett.) J. Sm.Shilianjianghujue石莲姜槲蕨--Drynariaceae--WildRhizomeMedicinal liquor for treating rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, bone fracture and blood stasis
119 Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Teschem.Shemei蛇莓taːŋm²bei²zeŋ¹RosaceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for empyrosis, snake bite, furuncle
120 Dysosma versipellis (Hance) M. Cheng ex T.S. YingBajiaolian八角莲va5piat7lim6 BerberidaceaeHerbBothRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for mumps, traumatic injury, lymphnoditis, snake bite, breast carcinoma
121 Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.Lichang鳢肠wɔk7mək8 AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile diarrhea, enteritis, hemafecia, hematuria, hemoptysis and bleeding
122 Elephantopus scaber L.Didancao地胆草ruoŋ²təp7do6 AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, acute tonsillitis, acute jaundiced hepatitis, ascites due to cirrhosis, chronic gastricism and furuncle
123 Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.Niujincao牛筋草ruoŋ²su5chin6 GramineaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, rheumatism, ostealgia, infantile indigestion
124 Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC.Yidianhong一点红mba³kha³tu5 AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for inflammation, sore throat, cough, fever due to common cold, urticaria, herpes zoster
125 Epimedium brevicornu Maximowicz Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk.Yinyanghuo淫羊藿ma5gan²duo³BerberidaceaeHerbBothStem, LeafMedicinal liquor for treating rheumatism, tonic
126 Epimeredi indica (L.) Rothm.Guangfangfen广防风ruoŋ²woŋ²LamiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, acute gastroenteritis; boiled with water and washed the affected area for snake bite, furuncle, eczema
127 Equisetum arvense L.Wenjing问荆gɔŋ²dau5 Equisetaceae--WildWhole plantPowder swallowed for headache
128 Equisetum hyemale L.Bitongcao笔筒草--Equisetaceae--WildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bleeding, diuresis
129 Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.Pipa枇杷va³bi²ba5 RosaceaeTreeHomegardenLeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for pertussis cough
130 Eucalyptus robusta Sm.An桉mei4cau5xui4 MyrtaceaeTreeHomegardenLeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for influenza, diarrhea
131 Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.Duzhong杜仲thu6tsuŋ5 EucommiaceaeTreeBothBarkGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hypertension, kidney deficiency, lumbago
132 Eupatorium chinense L.Duoxugong多须公--AsteraceaeHerbWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials, blood stasis, traumatic injury
133 Euphorbia antiquorum L.Huoyangle火殃勒ruoŋ²ko³loŋ²EuphorbiaceaeShrubWildWhole plantPound fresh part and fried with wine, applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle, innominate inflanunatory of unknown origin
134 Euphorbia chrysocoma H. Lév. & VaniotShuihuanghua水黄花maː³nom²ʔan²EuphorbiaceaeHerbWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for infectious hepatitis
135 Euphorbia hirta L.Feiyangcao飞扬草ruoŋ²jɛŋ³thuŋ6thin6 EuphorbiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bacillary diarrhea, enteritis, bronchitis, nephritis
136 Euphorbia humifusa WilldenowDijin地锦--EuphorbiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for malaria, diuresis
137 Euphorbia milii Des Moul.Tiehaitang铁海棠ruoŋ²ndunŋ³waŋ³EuphorbiaceaeShrubBothWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for carbuncle
138 Euphorbia thymifolia L.Qian'gencao千根草--EuphorbiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bacillary diarrhea, enteritis, diarrhea, piles, bleeding
139 Evodia lepta (Spreng.) Merr.Sanyaku三桠苦ruoŋ²sam³tsha³RutaceaeTreeWildRoot, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for epidemic meningitis, influenza, fever, epidemic encephalitis B
140 Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth.Wuzhuyu吴茱萸tsha6la6 RutaceaeShrubWildFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, abnormal menstruation, diseases of liver stasis, emesis
141 Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.Kuqiao苦荞--PolygonaceaeHerbWildFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for stomachache, indigestion
142 Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.) HaraldsonHeshouwu何首乌mən6daŋ³yɛ5 PolygonaceaeHerbBothTuber, StemGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for weakness
143 Fibraurea recisa PierreTianxianteng天仙藤--MenispermaceaeLianaWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for headache, fever, acute tonsillitis, strep throat, diarrhea, jaundiced hepatitis, gastricism, enteritis
144 Ficus microcarpa L. f.Rongshu榕树ruoŋ²mei4joŋ²MoraceaeTreeHomegardenLeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for flu, malaria, bronchitis, acute enteritis, bacillary diarrhea, pertussis cough, tonsillitis
145 Ficus tikoua BureauDiguo地果--MoraceaeLianaWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundice, diarrhea and internal injury
146 Flemingia prostrata Roxb.Qianjinba千斤拔ruoŋ²sωt7khui²FabaceaeShrubWildRootGrinding, decoction or medicinal liquor drunk for lumbar muscle degeneration, traumatic injury, rheumatic arthritis and tonsillitis
147 Gardenia jasminoides J. EllisZhizi栀子lak8kei³RubiaceaeShrubBothFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis, fever, diarrhea, nephritis and edema
148 Gastrodia elata BlumeTianma天麻ŋoŋ5bu4noŋ²OrchidaceaeHerbWildRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for headache and stomachache
149 Gaultheria leucocarpa var. yunnanensis (Franch.) T.Z. Hsu & R.C. FangBaiguobaizhu白果白珠mei5ʔa5 EricaceaeShrubWildWhole plant, RootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis and traumatic injury
150 Gelsemium elegans (Gardner & Champ.) Benth.Gouwen钩吻ruoŋ²sai³mu5 LoganiaceaeLianaWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle, carbuncle
151 Gentiana rhodantha Franch.Honghualongdan红花龙胆ya5ma²mənp8 GentianaceaeHerbWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for furuncle
152 Geranium nepalense SweetNibo'er'laoguancao尼泊尔老鹳草ma6ʑaŋ5nan5 GeraniaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for pertussis cough
153 Gerbera piloselloides (L.) Cass.Maodadingcao毛大丁草ruoŋ²təp7thi6 AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials, fever due to common cold, cough, diarrhea, infantile indigestion
154 Geum aleppicum Jacq.Lubianqing路边青mba³men²RosaceaeHerbWildWhole plantBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for deficiency of dizziness
155 Ginkgo biloba L.Yinxing银杏--Ginkgoaceae EnglerTreeHomegardenFruit, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for moistening lung, cough
156 Gleditsia sinensis Lam.Zaojia皂荚--FabaceaeTreeBothPodGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for apocenosis, detumescence
157 Glochidion puberum (Linnaeus) HutchinsonSuanpanzi算盘子mei4thω6teŋ5 EuphorbiaceaeShrubWildRoot, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bacillary diarrhea, infantile indigestion, diarrhea, abdomen pain, proctoptosis, migraine , lymphnoditis
158 Gomphrena globosa L.Qianrihong千日红xien³vən³lan¹AmaranthaceaeHerbWildFlowerGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for asthma, bronchitis, pertussis cough, tuberculosis, diarrhea and hemoptysis
159 Gonostegia hirta (Blume ex Hassk.) Miq.Nuomituan糯米团--UrticaceaeHerbWildWhole plant, RootGrinding, decoction or boiled with meat and drunk for clearing away heat and removing dampness, innominate inflanunatory of unknown origin
160 Gymnotheca chinensis Decne.Luoshuo裸蒴maŋ5wɛŋ³bɔa5 SaururaceaeHerbHomegardenWhole plantBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for weakness and cough
161 Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) MakinoJiaogulan绞股蓝--CucurbitaceaeLianaWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, bronchitis and stomachache
162 Hedyotis diffusa Willd.Baihuasheshecao白花蛇舌草ruoŋ²ma²rui²sɛ5 RubiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hepatitis, cough, bronchitis, tonsillitis
163 Hemsleya sphaerocarpa Kuang & A. M. LuShelian蛇莲tei5ʔŋaːn²CucurbitaceaeLianaWildTuberPowdered; Taken orally for appendicitis
164 Homalomena occulta (Lour.) SchottQiannianjian千年健ma6moŋ³ʨɛ5 AraceaeHerbWildRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, numbness of limbs, traumatic injury, bone fracture
165 Houttuynia cordata Thunb.Yuxingcao鱼腥草mba³wət8 SaururaceaeHerbHomegardenWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for edema, bronchopneumonia, nephritis, enteritis, diarrhea, cough
166 Hydrocotyle nepalensis HookHongmaticao红马蹄草--UmbelliferaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part mixing with hot liquor and applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury
167 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.Tianhusui天胡荽na5ʨiao²nɛm³UmbelliferaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for headache due to common cold
168 Hypericum japonicum Thunb.Tianjihuang田基黄ruoŋ²kha³kai5 GuttiferaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hepatitis, acute conjunctivitis, tonsillitis and forepart hepatocirrhosis
169 Hypericum sampsonii HanceYuanbaocao元宝草wa³ciɛn³GuttiferaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, pain, indigestion, chest congestion
170 Illicium difengpi B.N. ChangDifengpi地枫皮--MagnoliaceaeShrubWildStem, BarkGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, rheumatic arthralgia and lumbar muscle degeneration
171 Impatiens balsamina L.Fengxianhua凤仙花wa³dip7sim¹BalsaminaceaeHerbHomegardenWhole plant, SeedPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle, carbuncle
172 Impatiens pinfanensis Hook. f.Kuaijiefengxianhua块节凤仙花fan45ma²BalsaminaceaeHerbHomegardenTuberPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for scrofula
173 Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv.Baimao白茅taŋ5ya³guaŋ4 GramineaeHerbWildRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis, edema, bleeding
174 Ipomoea cairica (L.) SweetWuzhaojinlong五爪金龙ruoŋ²lak85 ConvolvulaceaeHerbBothLeaf, TuberPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for carbuncle, clearing away heat and toxic materials
175 Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq.Qizhualong七爪龙miau²ren³sen5 ConvolvulaceaeLianaBothTuber, LeafBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for nephritis
176 Ipomoea pescaprae (L.) R. Br.Houteng厚藤ruoŋ²an³mia4 ConvolvulaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic lumbocrural pain and lumbar muscle degeneration
177 Iris tectorum MaximYuanwei鸢尾ʑo5waːŋ¹IridaceaeHerbBothRhizomePound fresh part with water is taken as a drink for improving indigestion
178 Juglans regia L.Hutao胡桃den³van5kɔŋ²JuglandaceaeTreeBothFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for tonic, back pain
179 Juncus effusus L.Dengxincao灯心草ȵan6daːŋ5 JuncaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis
180 Justicia gendarussa Burm. f.Xiaobogu小驳骨ruoŋ²tiək7dak85 AcanthaceaeShrubWildStem, LeafPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bone fracture, traumatic injury, 2rheumatic arthritis, ulcer
181 Justicia ventricosa Wall. ex Hook. f.Heiyexiaobogu黑叶小驳骨--AcanthaceaeShrubWildStem, LeafPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bone fracture, traumatic injury, rheumatic arthritis, waist pain, bleeding
182 Kadsura heteroclita (Roxb.) CraibYixingnanwuweizi异形南五味子ruoŋ²li5rωp8 MagnoliaceaeLianaWildStemGrinding, decoction or infusion with wine drunk for bone fracture, ostealgia, chronic gastricism, acute gastroenteritis
183 Kadsura longipedunculata Finet & Gagnep.Nanwuweizi南五味子--MagnoliaceaeLianaWildFruitDecoctionn; Taken orally for cough, insomnia
184 Kalimeris indica (L.) Sch. Bip.Malan马兰ruoŋ²xien³sɔk7 AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for pneumonia, bronchitis
185 Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb.Duanyeshuiwugong短叶水蜈蚣--CyperaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile malnutrition, helminth
186 Laggera alata (D. Don) Sch. Bip. ex Oliv.Liulengju六棱菊ruoŋ²jɛn³nəm¹AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, nephritis, edema
187 Laportea cuspidata (Wedd.) FriisAima艾麻tuɔm²rɛn5 UrticaceaeHerbWildWhole plant, RootMedicinal liquor for rheumatic arthritis
188 Leonurus artemisia (Lour.) S.Y. HuYimucao益母草ra²loŋ²cit7vən6 LamiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for edema, nephritis, abnormal menstruation, promoting blood circulation due to menstruation
189 Ligusticum chuanxiong S.H. Qiu, Y.Q. Zeng, K.Y. Pan, Y.C. Tang & J.M. XuChuanxiong川芎ta5chuan²wɔŋ5 UmbelliferaeHerbBothRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for carminative, activate blood for acesodyne
190 Ligusticum sinense Oliv.Gaoben藁本--UmbelliferaeHerbWildWhole plantMedicinal liquor for waist pain, kidney deficiency
191 Ligustrum lucidum W.T. AitonNüzhen女贞--OleaceaeTreeHomegardenFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for tonifying kieney and liver
192 Ligustrum robustum subsp. chinense P.S. GreenCuzhuangnüzhen粗壮女贞va³zhɛ5gaŋm²OleaceaeTreeHomegardenLeafDrink like the tea for dizziness
193 Lilium brownii F.E. Brown ex MiellezYebaihe野百合kɔŋ¹dɔ²pa5 LiliaceaeHerbBothBulbGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for tuberculosis, edema, insomnia, neurasthenia and palpitation
194 Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm.Wuyao乌药--LauraceaeShrubWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for stomachache, abdomon pain
195 Litchi chinensis Sonn.Lizhi荔枝--SapindaceaeTreeHomegardenStone fruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, pain and removing moping
196 Lithospermum erythrorhizon Siebold & Zucc.Zicao紫草gaŋ5pat8 BoraginaceaeHerbWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for measles
197 Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers.Shanjijiao山鸡椒--LauraceaeShrubBothFruitPound fresh/dry fruit, decoction; Taken orally for cough, diarrhea, stomachache, toothache, bleeding
198 Litsea pungens Hemsl.Mujiangzi木姜子ruoŋ²mei4saŋ¹LauraceaeTreeBothRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for gastricism
199 Livistona chinensis (Jacq.) R. Br. ex Mart.Pukui蒲葵ruoŋ²xien5phu²PalmaeTreeHomegardenSeedGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cancer
200 Lobelia chinensis Lour.Banbianlian半边莲nun³mua²ʔnɛm4 CampanulaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, boiled with water and washed the affected area for snake bite
201 Lobelia sequinii Levl. et Vant.Xi'nanshan'gengcai西南山梗菜ruoŋ²thai6tsɛŋ¹cuωn³CampanulaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, boiled with water and washed the affected area for rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, ulcer
202 Lonicera japonica Thunb.Rendong忍冬wa³cim³mən²CaprifoliaceaeLianaBothStem, FlowerGrinding and decoction; Taken orally; Stem is for jaundice, clearing away heat and toxic materials, headache and fever; flower is for enteritis, diarrhea, pneumonia, influenza
203 Lophatherum gracile Brongn.Danzhuye淡竹叶mei4tim¹sɛ5 GramineaeHerbBothLeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for urinary tract infection, aphthous stomatitis, swelling, aching of gum
204 Loropetalum chinense (R. Br.) Oliv.Jimu檵木ruoŋ²mei4ci5 HamamelidaceaeShrubWildLeaf, Flower, RootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally; Leaf is for abdomen pain, metrorrhagia; Flower is for bleeding; Root is for traumatic injury, chronic arthritis, amenorrhea, bleeding
205 Lycopodium japonicum Thunb.Shisong石松mʔau²muan4 Lycopodiaceae--WildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, arthralgia, leg cramp, hand and foot numbness
206 Lycopus lucidus Turcz. ex Benth.Disun地笋--LamiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for abnormal menstruation, amenorrhea, traumatic injury, bone fracture
207 Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw.Haijinsha海金沙ma²goŋ²bou³Lygodiaceae--WildWhole plant, SporangiumPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for chronic ulcer, skin infection, furuncle, foot rot
208 Lysimachia christinae HanceGuoluhuang过路黄ma6gʔou²ʔan²PrimulaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for urinary tract infection, jaundice, hepatitis
209 Lysimachia paridiformis Franch.Luodimei落地梅--PrimulaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile convulsions
210 Lysionotus pauciflorus Maxim.Diaoshijutai吊石苣苔ba5dau³ma4 GesneriaceaeShrubWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bronchitis, asthma
211 Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H. WilsonHoupo厚朴--MagnoliaceaeTreeBothBarkGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for emesis, diarrhea
212 Mahonia bealei (Fortune) CarrièreKuoyeshidagonglao阔叶十大功劳ruoŋ²waŋ6lien4 BerberidaceaeShrubWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for pneumonia, tuberculosis, infectious hepatitis, acute gastroenteritis, bronchitis
213 Mallotus apelta (Lour.) Müll. Arg.Baibeiye白背叶mei4phiau6sei¹EuphorbiaceaeShrubWildRoot, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally; Root is for chronic hepatitis, hepatosplenomegaly, gestational edema, enteritis, diarrhea; Leaf is for traumatic injury, otitis media, furuncle, bleeding, thrush
214 Mallotus barbatus Müll. Arg.Maotong毛桐--EuphorbiaceaeShrubWildLeafPound fresh part and applied on the affected area, treating for clearing away heat and toxic materials, bed ulcer, eczema
215 Marsilea quadrifolia L.Ping苹phuŋ6phieu²lau4 Marsileaceae--WildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis, asthma, edema, hepatic ascites, fever due to common cold
216 Melastoma candidum D. DonYemudan野牡丹ruoŋ²lak8ma5ndi5 MelastomataceaeShrubWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hemafecia, watery diarrhea
217 Melastoma dodecandrum Lour.Dinie地菍lak8nin¹MelastomataceaeShrubWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for removing blood stasis, traumatic injury, diarrhea, lithangiuria, urinary obstruction
218 Melia azedarach L.Lian楝ruoŋ²ku¹lien4 MeliaceaeTreeBothFruit, LeafGrinding, boiled with water and washed the affected area for scabies, tinea capitis and rice paddies dermatitis
219 Mimosa pudica L.Hanxiucao含羞草ruoŋ²ra²nŋei³FabaceaeHerbBothWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for insomnia
220 Mirabilis jalapa L.Zimoli紫茉莉ruoŋ²jɛn³wa³NyctaginaceaeHerbBothRootBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for leucorrhoea, abnormal menstruation, prostatitis, metrorrhagia
221 Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng.Mubiezi木鳖子tiŋ5ndiŋ5ka³CucurbitaceaeLianaWildSeed, Leaf, StemGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for innominate inflanunatory of unknown origin, carbuncle, lymphnoditis
222 Morus alba L.Sang桑ruoŋ²tshaŋ¹MoraceaeTreeBothLeaf, BarkGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for lung heat panting and cough, hypertension, edema
223 Munronia henryi HarmsAituotuo矮陀陀--MeliaceaeShrubWildWhole plantMedicinal liquor for traumatic injury
224 Murraya exotica L.Jiulixiang九里香ruoŋ²mei4ndaŋ³RutaceaeTreeBothRoot, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury, toothache and stomachache
225 Mussaenda pubescens W.T. AitonYuyejinhua玉叶金花ruoŋ²phiɛ³va5phuok8 RubiaceaeShrubBothStem, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hyperthermia, influenza, tonsillitis, enteritis, diarrhea and sphagitis
226 Myrica rubra (Lour.) Siebold & Zucc.Yangmei杨梅lak8se5 MyricaceaeTreeHomegardenRoot BarkGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, bone fracture, diarrhea, stomach and duodenal ulcer
227 Nandina domestica Thunb.Nantianzhu南天竹waŋ6liɛn45 BerberidaceaeShrubWildRoot, Stem, FruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally; Root and stem are for cough, fever, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, jaundice, hepatitis, traumatic injury. Fruit is for cough, asthma, pertussis
228 Nepeta cataria L.Jingjie荆芥--LamiaceaeHerbHomegardenWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold
229 Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. PreslShenjue肾蕨lak8ȵən4 Davalliaceae--WildRhizome, Leaf, Whole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever due to common cold, cough, diarrhea, acute enteritis, jaundiced hepatitis
230 Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC.Shuiqin水芹maː6ʨip7ʑam5 UmbelliferaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hypertension
231 Ophioglossum reticulatum L.Xinyeping'erxiaocao心叶瓶尔小草ruoŋ²ma²rui²Ophioglossaceae--WildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle, snake bite and acute conjunctivitis
232 Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker Gawl.Maidong麦冬ruoŋ²lak8ju³LiliaceaeHerbBothTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for chronic bronchitis, cough
233 Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. var. dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) BensonXianrenzhang仙人掌ma²mωm4 CactaceaeShrubBothStemPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for parotitis, carbuncle, empyrosis
234 Oroxylum indicum (L. ) KurzMuhudie木蝴蝶mei4ən³eu5 BignoniaceaeTreeHomegardenBark, SeedGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute bronchitis, tuberculosis, jaundiced hepatitis, sore throat
235 Osbeckia opipara C.Y. Wu & C. ChenChaotianguan朝天罐--MelastomataceaeShrubWildRootBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for tonic, bleeding, diarrhea
236 Oxalis corniculata L.Cujiangcao酢浆草mba³thωm6sou¹OxalidaceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for febrile convulsion, enteritis, diarrhea, parotitis
237 Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr.Jishiteng鸡矢藤bieu³tωt7ma³RubiaceaeLianaWildWhole plant, RootMedicinal liquor for treating flu, cough, pertussis cough, diarrhea, stomachache, chest stuffiness
238 Paeonia lactiflora Pall.Shaoyao芍药--RanunculaceaeHerbHomegardenRootPowder tied for pain and blood stasis
239 Paeonia suffruticosa AndrewMudan牡丹ma5muan4 RanunculaceaeShrubHomegardenRoot BarkGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for lobar pneumonia
240 Palhinhaea cernua (L.) Vasc. & FrancoChuisuishisong垂穗石松--Lycopodiaceae--WildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for relaxing tendons and activating collaterals, carminative, blood stasis, bleeding
241 Paris polyphylla Sm.Qiyeyizhihua七叶一枝花wa6ten5va¹TrilliaceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury and snake bite
242 Pentasacme championii Benth.Shiluomo石萝藦ruoŋ²saŋ³nut8 AsclepiadaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury and ascites due to cirrhosis; Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite, herpes zosters
243 Perilla frutescens (L.) BrittonZisu紫苏mba³ha5lan¹LamiaceaeHerbHomegardenWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, cough, asthma, emesis
244 Periploca forrestii Schltr.Heilonggu黑龙骨mei5ʑa²nam5 AsclepiadaceaeShrubWildWhole plantMedicinal liquor for treating rheumatic arthritis
245 Phellodendron amurense Rupr.Huangbo黄檗mei5bɛ²ʔan³RutaceaeTreeWildBarkGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for diabetes insipidus
246 Pholidota chinensis Lindl.Shixiantao石仙桃ruoŋ²xien³thui²OrchidaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, tuberculosis, scrofula, diuresis, infantile malnutrition
247 Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.Luwei芦苇gaŋ5diɛ²nau5 GramineaeHerbWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile whitish aphthae
248 Phyllanthus urinaria L.Yexiazhu叶下珠thuŋ6thin6sei¹EuphorbiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis, diarrhea, enteritis, nephritis, edema and lithangiuria
249 Phyllodium pulchellum (L.) Desv.Paiqianshu排钱树ruoŋ²vak8rjen²FabaceaeShrubWildLeaf, RootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever, diarrhea, malaria, hepatitis, rheumatic ostealgia, traumatic injury, schistosome
250 Physalis angulata L.Kuzhi苦蘵--SolanaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for epidemic parotitis, cough, jaundice, hepatitis, diarrhea
251 Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.Shanglu商陆lak8phək8doŋ²PhytolaccaceaeHerbBothRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cervical erosion, digestibility ulcer, liver ascites, constipation, diuresis
252 Pilea cavaleriei H. Lév.Shiyoucai石油菜bma³ju²thui²UrticaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for lung heat panting, cough, tuberculosis, traumatic injury, empyrosis, furuncle
253 Piper hancei Maxim.Shanju山蒟tshuon5pi6fuŋ¹PiperaceaeLianaWildStem, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for lumbar muscle degeneration, chronic gastricism, cough, ostealgia, rheumatic arthritis, heatstroke, numbness of limbs
254 Pistia stratiotes Linnaeus Sp.Dapiao大漂--AraceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for removing blood stasis
255 Plantago asiatica L.Cheqian车前mba³bɔk8 PlantaginaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for urinary tract infection, urinary stone, fever and cough due to common cold, nephritis, edema, bronchitis, hypertension
256 Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC.Jiegeng桔梗--CampanulaceaeHerbBothRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for inflammation, cough
257 Plumbago zeylanica L.Baihuadan白花丹ruoŋ²ra²vɔk7 PlumbaginaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury
258 Pogonia japonica Rchb. f.Zhulan朱兰ma6ʑa4zao²OrchidaceaeHerbWildWhole plantBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for enuresis
259 Polygala japonica Houtt.Guazijin瓜子金ya¹yiŋ4ʑɛm²PolygalaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for neurasthenia
260 Polygonatum cyrtonema HuaDuohuahuangjing多花黄精xiŋ²ʑa²LiliaceaeHerbWildRhizomePound fresh part mixed with rice wine, applied on the affected area, treating for lymphadenectasis
261 Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) DruceYuzhu玉竹--LiliaceaeHerbHomegardenRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for moistening lung for rresting cough
262 Polygonatum sibiricum RedoutéHuangjing黄精ruoŋ²siŋ³mωmŋ4 LiliaceaeHerbBothRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for tuberculosis, diabetes, hypertension, weakness after ill, invigorating spleen, reinforcing stomach
263 Polygonum aviculare L.Shegan射干laŋ5lu5kun²PolygonaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for stranguria due to hematuria
264 Polygonum chinense L.Huotanmu火炭母va5mba³sωm¹PolygonaceaeHerbWildWhole plant, RhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, enteritis, indigestion, hepatitis, pharyngitis. Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury, furuncle, eczema, dermatitis, pruritus
265 Polygonum hydropiper L.Shuiliao辣蓼mba³we5 PolygonaceaeHerbBothWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, acute ulcer, common cold, typhoid, rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury. Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for eczema, centipede bite
266 Polygonum perfoliatum (L.) L.gangban'gui杠板归ruoŋ²tin³diək8 PolygonaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundice, diarrhea, malaria, nephritis, edema. Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle, eczema, carbuncle
267 Portulaca oleracea L.Machixian马齿苋ruoŋ²mba³nəm¹PortulacaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute cystitis, diarrhea, hypertension
268 Potentilla chinensis Ser.Weilingcai委陵菜ma6ʔgou²dui³RosaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials, diarrhea
269 Potentilla reyniana Bornm.Sanyeweilingcai三叶委陵菜--RosaceaeHerbWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for preventing rabies
270 Potentilla kleiniana Wight & Arn.Shehanweilingcai蛇含委陵菜ɣo6bei6rɛnm4 RosaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding the fresh part, decoction drunk for infantile fever
271 Prunella vulgaris L.Xiakucao夏枯草--LamiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials
272 Psoralea corylifolia L.Buguzhi补骨脂--FabaceaeHerbWildSeedMedicinal liquor for treating rheumatism and kidney deficiency
273 Pteris multifida Poir.Jinglanbiancao井栏边草ruoŋ²sωt7kai5 Pteridaceae--WildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, jaundiced hepatitis, hemafecia, hematuria
274 Pueraria lobata (Willd.) OhwiGe葛bieu³chai5 FabaceaeLianaWildTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever, hypertension, protecting the liver, promoting salivation
275 Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) RegelBaitouweng白头翁wɔk7fian³puok8 RanunculaceaeHerbWildRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, malaria, dysmenorrhea, uterine bleeding
276 Punica granatum L.Shiliu石榴lak8liu²PunicaceaeShrubHomegardenPericarpGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, acute enteritis, piles, proctoptosis
277 Pyrola calliantha AndresLuticao鹿蹄草--PyrolaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, weakness
278 Pyrrosia lingua (Thunb.) Farw.Shiwei石韦mba³mei4ri²Polypodiaceae--WildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for senile chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, nephritis, edema, urinary tract infection
279 Quisqualis indica L.Shijunzi使君子lak6rəm²CombretaceaeLianaWildSeedChewed for infantile malnutrition product, depriving ascarid
280 Rabdosia ternifolia (D. Don) H. HaraNiuweicao牛尾草5vɛn³ŋoŋ²LamiaceaeHerbWildWhole plant, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hepatitis, enteritis, common cold
281 Raphanus sativus L.Luobo萝卜vɛ³loŋ5bu³CruciferaeHerbHomegardenSeedGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for senile chronic bronchitis
282 Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill.Luofumu萝芙木--ApocynaceaeShrubBothRootPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, pain killer, hypertension, dispersing blood stasis
283 Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Fisch. & C.A. Mey.Dihuang地黄ma6liao²lip7 ScrophulariaceaeHerbWildTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for removing heat to promote salivation
284 Reineckia carnea (Andr.) Kunth.Jixiangcao吉祥草taŋ6kəp8 LiliaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bronchitis
285 Reynoutria japonica Houtt.Huzhang虎杖ruoŋ²waŋ6chin6 PolygonaceaeHerbWildRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, blood stasis, rheumatism, traumatic injury, jaundice, amenorrhea
286 Rhoeo discolor (L'Hér.) Hance ex Walp.Zibeiwannianqing紫背万年青ruoŋ²phuoŋ²wa³CommelinaceaeHerbWildFlowerGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, pertussis cough, diarrhea, hemoptysis, sore throat, scrofula
287 Rhus chinensis Mill.Yanfumu盐麸木mei4wωt7 AnacardiaceaeShrubBothCecidiumGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bleeding, arrest sweating, piles, pharyngitis, inflammation
288 Ricinus communis L.Bima蓖麻thuŋ6ju6 EuphorbiaceaeHerbHomegardenSeedPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for scabies
289 Rorippa indica (L.) HiernHancai蔊菜ma²you55 CruciferaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part and mixed with rapeseed oil, applied on the affected area, treating for dermatitis
290 Rosa chinensis Jacq.Yuejihua月季花ŋɛŋ4ŋɛŋ4ʑən5 RosaceaeShrubHomegardenFlowerGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for abnormal menstruation
291 Rosa laevigata Michx.Jinyingzi金樱子lak8man4 RosaceaeShrubBothRoot, FruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bone fracture, traumatic injury, appendicitis, diarrhea, enteritis, stomachache
292 Rosa multiflora Thunb.Yeqiangwei野蔷薇--RosaceaeShrubWildRoot, SeedGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing and activating the channels and collaterals, diuresis
293 Rosa roxburghii Tratt.Saosihua缫丝花taŋ5dɛnm³gaŋ4 RosaceaeShrubWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for indigestion, stomachache
294 Rubus parvifolius L.Maomei茅莓lak8thωm6pha³RosaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding the fresh part, decoction; Taken orally for jaundice, toothache, chronic hepatitis, stomachache, diarrhea, sphagitis
295 Rumex nepalensis Spreng.Nibo'er'suanmo尼泊尔酸模maː6ʔan6lou5 PolygonaceaeHerbWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis
296 Salvia miltiorrhiza BungeDanshen丹参dan5sen5 LamiaceaeHerbHomegardenRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for afterpains, removing blood stasis
297 Sambucus chinensis Lindl.Jiegucao接骨草--CaprifoliaceaeHerbWildRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, tonsillitis, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infection
298 Sambucus williamsii HanceJiegumu接骨木ruoŋ²ra²liem²CaprifoliaceaeShrubBothLeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, rheumatic arthritis, waist and legs pain, bone fracture, scapulohumeral periarthritis
299 Sanguisorba officinalis L.Diyu地榆gaŋ5gu²va³RosaceaeHerbWildRootGrinding the fresh part, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea
300 Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.Wuhuanzi无患子ruoŋ²lak8rək7 SapindaceaeTreeWildSeedGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for tuberculosis, pertussis cough
301 Sapium discolor (Champ. ex Benth.) Müll. Arg.Shanwujiu山乌桕ruoŋ²mei4ək7 EuphorbiaceaeTreeBothLeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, snake bite, constipation, carbuncle
302 Sargentodoxa cuneata (Oliv.) Rehder & E.H. WilsonDaxueteng大血藤bieu³phiat7 LardizabalaceaeLianaWildRoot, StemMedicinal liquor for treating rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, ostealgia
303 Saurauia tristyla DC.Shuidongge水东哥--ActinidiaceaeShrubHomegardenRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for carbuncle, cough, bronchitis, toothache
304 Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Baill.Sanbaicao三白草ruoŋ²sωt7mbei¹SaururaceaeHerbBothWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis, edema, lithangiuria, eczema, furuncle, carbuncle
305 Saxifraga stolonifera CurtisHu'er'cao虎耳草ruoŋ²kha³mωm4 SaxifragaceaeHerbWildLeafPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic hemorrhage, furuncle, parotitis, empyrosis
306 Schefflera heptaphylla (L.) FrodinE'zhangchai鹅掌柴mei5dian²ʔɛp8 AraliaceaeTreeBothRoot Bark, Stem Bark, LeafGrinding and decoction; Taken orally; Root and Stem bark are for fever, rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury, sore throat; Leaf is for eczema, allergic dermatitis
307 Schizocapsa plantaginea HanceLieguoshu裂果薯suei¹lo6pu4 TaccaceaeHerbWildRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, traumatic injury, pharyngitis, heart and stomach pain
308 Scutellaria barbata D. DonBanzhilian半枝莲ruoŋ²wɔk7lim65 LamiaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for cancer, appendicitis, hepatitis and hepatic ascites
309 Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron.Jiangnanjuanbai江南卷柏ʔguit7miɛ²bua5 Selaginellaceae--WildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for hematoma after contusion
310 Selaginella tamariscina (P. Beauv.) SpringJuanbai卷柏ruoŋ²sai³thui²Selaginellaceae--WildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hemafecia, epistaxis, metrorrhagia, traumatic injury, chronic hepatitis, proctoptosis
311 Semiaquilegia adoxoides (DC.) MakinoTiankui天葵ma³ɣe5ŋɔ²RanunculaceaeHerbWildTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for stomachache
312 Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham. ex D. DonQianliguang千里光wa³nuk8so5 AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever, jaundiced hepatitis, throat ache, mumps, bleeding, eczema
313 Senna occidentalis (L.) LinkWangjiangnan望江南--FabaceaeShrubBothSeedGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for habitual constipation, hypertension, headache, indigestion, epifolliculitis, oral mucosa ulcer
314 Serissa japonica (Thunb.) Thunb.Liuyuexue六月雪taŋ5ʔnui5wai³RubiaceaeShrubWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile convulsions
315 Setcreasea purpurea BoomZizhumei紫竹梅--CommelinaceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, snake bite, activating blood and herpes
316 Sida szechuensis MatsudaBadusan拔毒散--MalvaceaeShrubWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury and inflammation
317 Sigesbeckia orientalis L.Xixian豨莶wɔk7cut7btio¹AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for insomnia, hypertension, acute jaundiced hepatitis, diarrhea, malaria, numbness of limbs
318 Smilax glabra Roxb.Tufuling土茯苓lak8dəm4sei¹SmilacaceaeHerbHomegardenRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis, diarrhea, detoxication, arthralgia
319 Solanum capsicoides All.Niuqiezi牛茄子--SolanaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever due to common cold, headache, cough, abscess, chest stuffiness
320 Solanum violaceum L.Citianqie刺天茄lak8khat8se5 SolanaceaeShrubWildLeaf, FruitPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for yellow-water ulcer, fingers ulcer and ringworm
321 Solidago decurrens Lour.Yizhihuanghua一枝黄花wɔk7wa³man¹AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever, headache, jaundice, bronchitis, acute gastricism, upper respiratory infection, swelling, throat ache
322 Sophora flavescens AitonKushen苦参ruoŋ²ŋau³in5 FabaceaeHerbWildRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for piles, cutaneous pruritus
323 Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep.Yuenanhuai越南槐--FabaceaeShrubWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis, swelling and aching of gum, cough, constipation
324 Sparganium stoloniferum (Buch.-Ham. ex Graebn.) Buch.-Ham. ex Juz.Heisanleng黑三棱--SparganiaceaeHerbWildTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for blood stasis, pain killer
325 Spatholobus sinensis Chun & T.C. ChenHongxueteng红血藤ruoŋ²pu¹phiat7 FabaceaeLianaWildStemMedicinal liquor for treating traumatic injury
326 Spatholobus suberectus DunnMihuadou密花豆--FabaceaeLianaWildStemGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for stomachache, enriching blood, waist and knees pain
327 Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) AmesShoucao绶草ruoŋ²thou6neŋ4 OrchidaceaeHerbWildWhole plant, RootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for diabetes, leucorrhoea, weakness, sore throat, neurasthenia and erectile dysfunction
328 Stahlianthus involucratus (King ex Baker) CraibTutianqi土田七ruoŋ²iŋ³doŋ²ZingiberaceaeHerbBothTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, rheumatism, ostealgia
329 Stemona tuberosa Lour.Dabaibu大百部lak8ru³khui²StemonaceaeLianaWildTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for pertussis cough, tuberculosis, bronchitis
330 Stephania cepharantha HayataJinxiandiaowugui金线吊乌龟mɛi5miu²MenispermaceaeLianaWildTuberPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for carbuncle, snake bite
331 Streptocaulon juventas (Lour.) Merr.Anxiaoteng暗消藤--AsclepiadaceaeLianaWildRoot, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally; Root is for diarrhea, piles, pneumonia, vitiligo and arrhythmia; Pound fresh leaf applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite, eczema and vaginitis
332 Striga asiatica (L.) KuntzeDujiaojin独脚金ruoŋ²ra²mei³ScrophulariaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile malnutrition, dampness-heat constitution, diarrhea, jaundiced hepatitis
333 Strophanthus divaricatus (Lour.) Hook. & Arn.Yangjiaoniu羊角拗--ApocynaceaeShrubWildStem, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, snake bite, sprain
334 Tadehagi triquetrum (L.) H. OhashiHulucha葫芦茶tsha²ja¹FabaceaeShrubBothWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis, enteritis, diarrhea, hepatitis
335 Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaertn.Turenshen土人参kau5li6sωn¹PortulacaceaeHerbWildRootBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for moistening lung, health tonic
336 Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz.Pugongying蒲公英mba³kat7sei¹AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for conjunctivitis, epidemic parotitis, enteritis, gastricism, hepatitis, diarrhea, acute mastitis, sphagitis
337 Taxillus chinensis (DC.) DanserGuangjisheng广寄生--LoranthaceaeShrubWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for numbness of limbs, rheumatism, ostealgia, arthritis, lumbar muscle degeneration
338 Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K. KochTongtuomu通脱木tai5poŋ²AraliaceaeShrubHomegardenStem pithBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for promoting lactation
339 Tetrastigma planicaule (Hook. f.) Gagnep.Biandanteng扁担藤mʔau5biɛn²VitaceaeLianaBothRoot, StemFried the root or stem, fumigation for pinkeye
340 Tinospora sagittata (Oliv.) Gagnep.Qingniudan青牛胆kɔŋ¹piɛŋ5vi³MenispermaceaeLianaWildTuberPowder, dispersed in water and drunk for acute gastroenteritis, acute pharyngitis, bacillary diarrhea, appendicitis
341 Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr.Zhonghuaqingniudan中华青牛胆yuoŋ²soŋ³jin³MenispermaceaeLianaWildStemGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, traumatic injury, lumbar muscle degeneration, sciatica
342 Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam.Feilongzhangxue飞龙掌血cim³ce³vin¹RutaceaeLianaWildRoot BarkPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury, skin disease, relieving pain, detumescence
343 Trachelospermum jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem.Luoshi络石--ApocynaceaeLianaWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, rheumatism, waist pain, dispersing blood stasis
344 Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl.Zonglü棕榈wei5 PalmaeTreeHomegardenLeaf, FruitBoiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for epilepsy
345 Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.Gualou栝楼--CucurbitaceaeLianaWildRootGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for removing heat to promote salivation, expel pus and disperse swelling
346 Trichosanthes rosthornii HarmsZhonghuagualou中华栝楼gua5ʔe5ma²CucurbitaceaeLianaWildShuck, SeedGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for edema
347 Typhonium blumei Nicolson & Sivad.Litoujian犁头尖lak8chieu4dɔŋ²AraceaeHerbWildTuberPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite, scrofula, traumatic injury, hemangioma and furuncle
348 Typhonium giganteum Engl.Dujiaolian独角莲--AraceaeHerbBothTuberGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for gastroduodenal ulcer
349 Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil.Gouteng钩藤mei5gʔau²dau³RubiaceaeLianaWildHooked stemGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis, dizziness, headach, calming the liver
350 Urena lobata L.Ditaohua地桃花ruoŋ²wɔk7cut7 MalvaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever, diarrhea, enteritis, malaria; Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury, bone fracture, snake bite, mastitis
351 Valeriana jatamansi JonesZhizhuxiang蜘蛛香ma²va³ValerianaceaeHerbWildRhizomePound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle
352 Ventilago leiocarpa Benth.Yiheguo翼核果--RhamnaceaeShrubWildRootPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury, rheumatism, numbness of limbs, edema and menorrhagia
353 Verbena officinalis L.Mabiancao马鞭草ruoŋ²pien³mia4 VerbenaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for hypertension, diarrhea, malaria, nephritis, fever due to common cold, urinary tract infection
354 Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less.Yexiangniu夜香牛ruoŋ²məm5ndaŋ³AsteraceaeHerbWildWhole plantPound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite, swelling, furuncle
355 Viola inconspicua BlumeChang'e'jincai长萼堇菜va5mba³kuei³ViolaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for pharyngitis, jaundice, diarrhea, swelling, pain of eye
356 Viola philippica Cav.Zihuadiding紫花地丁ya5mɛp8li²ViolaceaeHerbWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for appendicitis, piles
357 Viscum liquidambaricolum HayataFengxianghujisheng枫香槲寄生sap7mei4hu³LoranthaceaeShrubWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for lumbar muscle degeneration, cough, traumatic injury, rheumatic arthritis
358 Vitex negundo L.Huangjing黄荆mei4ciŋ³VerbenaceaeShrubWildStem, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, malaria, enteritis, common cold, heatstroke
359 Vitex trifolia L.Manjing蔓荆mei5ʨiɛ²ʑa²VerbenaceaeShrubWildFruitPowder, swallowed for headache
360 Wikstroemia indica (L.) C.A. Mey.Liaogewang了哥王ruoŋ²ljɛŋljeu4 ThymelaeaceaeShrubWildStem, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials, traumatic injury, hepatitis, parotitis
361 Woodwardia japonica (L. f.) Sm.Gouji狗脊waŋ6cin5kou¹BlechnaceaeHerbWildRhizomeGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for neurasthenia, rheumatic arthralgia, diuresis, waist and knees pain
362 Wrightia laevis Hook. f.Lanshu蓝树--ApocynaceaeTreeHomegardenRoot, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for bleeding, traumatic injury, mumps
363 Xanthium sibiricum Patrin ex WidderCang'er苍耳wɔk7cut7lau4 AsteraceaeHerbWildFruitPound after fried and drunk with yellow wine for enteritis, rheumatic arthralgia, headache
364 Zanthoxylum armatum DC.Zhuyehuajiao竹叶花椒lak8xieu³na4 RutaceaeTreeBothFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, chronic gastricism, cough, depriving ascarid
365 Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC.Liangmianzhen两面针lak8xieu³doŋ²RutaceaeLianaWildRoot, Stem, LeafGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for duodenal ulcer, traumatic injury, rheumatism, diarrhea, malaria, chronic gastricism
366 Zea mays L.Yumi玉米nui5wei5die³GramineaeHerbHomegardenColumnPowder swallowed for diabetes
367 Zehneria indica (Lour.) KeraudrenLaoshuladonggua老鼠拉冬瓜lak8kua³no¹CucurbitaceaeLianaWildWhole plantGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for urinary tract infection, tonsillitis, acute conjunctivitis, carbuncle
368 Ziziphus jujuba Mill.Zao枣zaːo³ziː²RhamnaceaeTreeHomegardenFruitGrinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile diarrhea
Table 2

Taxonomic diversity of medicinal plants in the study area

Family Number of genera Percentage (%) Number of species Percentage of species (%)
Asteraceae227.46246.52
Fabaceae155.08195.16
Rosaceae113.73164.35
Euphorbiaceae82.71143.80
Liliaceae93.05133.53
Araceae72.37112.99
Lamiaceae93.0592.45
Polygonaceae41.3682.17
Zingiberaceae41.3682.17
Lauraceae41.3671.90
Ranunculaceae62.0371.90
Rutaceae51.6971.90
Asclepiadaceae41.3671.90
Cucurbitaceae62.0371.90
Gramineae62.0361.63
Araliaceae41.3661.63
Rubiaceae62.0361.63
Verbenaceae41.3661.63
Other families16254.9218851.09
Total295100368100
Inventory of Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used by Maonan People The distribution of informants in age, gender and education class was shown in Table 3. The majority of informants interviewed were above 40 years old in this investigation. The male informants were 89.8% and less educated. There was a significant correlation between the informant age and phytomedicinal knowledge.
Table 3

Demographic profile of informants

Indicator Description Frequency (%)
Age20-297 (5.9)
30-3923 (19.5)
40-4938 (32.2)
50-5929 (24.6)
60-6912 (10.2)
70-795 (4.2)
≥804 (3.4)
GenderMale106 (89.8)
Female12 (10.2)
EducationNone27 (22.9)
Primary72 (61.0)
Secondary13 (11.0)
Tertiary6 (5.1)
Taxonomic diversity of medicinal plants in the study area Demographic profile of informants

Life forms, plant parts used, method of collection and administration

The result of life form analysis of medicinal plants showed that herbaceous plants constituted the highest proportion represented by 203 (55.16%) species, while there were 67 (18.21%) shrubs species, 43 (11.68%) lianas and 41 (11.14%) tree species (Figure 2).
Figure 2

Life forms of medicinal plants in the study area.

Life forms of medicinal plants in the study area. Informants of the study area used different plant parts for preparation of traditional drugs (e.g. leaves, roots, seeds, barks and fruits). The informants reported that more species (153) of medicinal plants were harvested for their whole plants, and these were followed by roots (83), leaves (45), stems (30), fruits (29), tubers (29), rhizomes (27) and 51 other parts (seed, bark, flower and so on) (Figure 3). The majority of remedies were prepared from fresh materials, and some were prepared from either dried or fresh materials while a few were only used from dried materials.
Figure 3

Plant parts used for the treatment of human ailments.

Plant parts used for the treatment of human ailments. Of these 368 species of medicinal plants collected from the study area, most of them (256, 67.72%) were obtained from the wild habitats whereas 54 (14.67%) were from home gardens, and only 58 (15.76%) species were from both home gardens and wild habitats (see Table 1). The majority of plants used as medicine were freely harvested by healers from natural environment, while some exotic or difficult-accessed species were bought from medicinal materials suppliers. Generally fresh parts were wild harvest. Most medicinal plants were not available from local market, only some species were found to be sold but mainly for their uses as spice or food, such as Zanthoxylum armatum, Nepeta cataria and Houttuynia cordata.

Diseases treated in the study area

The medicinal plants were used to treat 95 human ailments in the study area. With regard to human diseases, traumatic injury was the one against which a high number of medicinal plants (67 species) were prescribed, followed by diarrhea (65 species), cough (44 species), hepatitis (37 species), enteritis (35 species), rheumatism (30 species), arthritis (27 species), bleeding (26 species), snake bite (24 species), furuncle (22 species) and nephritis (22 species). The highest number of species (139, 37.57%) was used for the treatment of internal organs like liver (hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatic ascites, hepatosplenomegaly and so on), stomach (stomachache, stomach ulcer, gastroduodenal ulcer, flatulence, gastricism, indigestion and poor appetite), enteron (enteritis, proctoptosis, appendicitis and so on), spleen and diarrhea, with 251 (20.69%) of all conditions (Table 4 Rheumatic problems (83 species used, 22.4%) were mentioned as 140 (11.54%) of all uses; 83 species (22.4%) were used to treat respiratory problems, with 112 applications (9.23%). Bone problems were treated with 72 species (19.46%), with 85 conditions (7.01%). Skin problems were mentioned in 87 uses (7.17%), with 65 species (17.57%) used for treatment. Inflammation was treated with 48 species (12.97%), and comprised 67 (5.52%) of all conditions (Table 4).
Table 4

Informant consensus factor by categories of diseases in the study area

Category Number of spp. Total of spp. (%) Number of use citation Total of use citations (%) F IC
Stomach, intestine and liver diseases (Internal Organ)13937.5723610.690.41
Respiratory system8322.431536.930.46
Rheumatic problems8322.432179.830.62
Traumatic injury and sprain7219.4627512.460.74
Skin diseases, skin cut and wound6517.571526.890.58
Urinary system4712.701054.760.56
Inflammation4812.971436.480.67
Infectious diseases4010.81783.530.49
Fever and malaria369.731325.980.73
Bleeding and hemorrhages369.73954.300.63
Pain308.11642.900.54
Animal bite (snake, centipede, mosquito and bat)308.11863.900.66
Gynecological problems297.84542. 450.47
Infantile diseases287.571104.980.75
Heart and circulatory system256.76421.900.41
Male problems256.76763.440.68
Nerves and psychosomatic problems123.24140.630.15
Hyperlipidemia and diabetes61.62130.590.58
Brain diseases51.3570.320.33
Cancer and tumors41.0860.270.40
Other Uses (edema, swelling and so on)8723.511496.750.42
Informant consensus factor by categories of diseases in the study area

Ranking, informant consensus factor and multipurpose of medicinal plants

Among all ailments in the villages surveyed, traumatic injury was the most commonly disease against which a high number of medicinal plants (67 species) were prescribed. Seven medicinal plant species were used effectively for treating traumatic injury according to key informants. The results revealed Gaultheria leucocarpa was the most preferred medicinal plant, followed by Acanthopanax trifoliatus, and Sargentodoxa cuneata (Table 5).
Table 5

Preference ranking to medicinal plants used to treat traumatic injury

List of medicinal plants Informants Total Rank
R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 R 5 R 6 R 7 R 8
Acanthopanax trifoliatus 47557545422
Bauhinia championii 34671312275
Gaultheria leucocarpa 55765663431
Justicia ventricosa 26314424266
Polygonum chinense 61122131177
Sargentodoxa cuneata 73443757403
Sambucus williamsii 12236276294

Key--R represented respondents; Scores in the table indicated ranks given to medicinal plants based on their scarcity. Highest number (7) is for the medicinal plants which informants thought most preferred in the area and the lowest number (1) for the least preferred medicinal plant.

Table 4 gave an overview of the main illness categories. The diseases that were prevalent in the study area had relatively higher FIC values. Medicinal plants to treat certain disease effectively and with reputation in Maonan communities also have higher FIC: traumatic injury and sprain (0.74), fever and malaria (0.73) and infantile diseases (0.75). Moreover, informants indicated the effectiveness of traditional medicines to get relief from certain diseases including traumatic injury, bone fracture, health problems associated with the liver disorder, snake bite, and spider poisoning. Preference ranking to medicinal plants used to treat traumatic injury Key--R represented respondents; Scores in the table indicated ranks given to medicinal plants based on their scarcity. Highest number (7) is for the medicinal plants which informants thought most preferred in the area and the lowest number (1) for the least preferred medicinal plant. The Maonans naturally relied on plants for multipurpose. Table 6 showed the most frequently inventoried medicinal plants had more functions used by the Maonans in local societies. In addition to medicinal value, most of medicinal plants were also valued for their economic, edible and ornamental values which were considered to serve an ecological role in the study sites. These plants included Acanthopanax trifoliatus, Litsea pungens, Platycodon grandiflorus, Rubus parvifolius, and Talinum paniculatum. Besides their medicinal purpose, these plants were sold in the local markets for the purposes of foods, spices and herbal teas, such as Allium fistulosum, Allium tuberosum, Cinnamomum cassia, Perilla frutescens, Oenanthe javanica, Gardenia jasminoides, Houttuynia cordata, and Juglans regia.
Table 6

Most frequently inventoried medicinal plants

Species name Medicinal value Edible value Economic value Ornamental value
Acanthopanax trifoliatus
Buddleja officinalis
Houttuynia cordata
Litsea pungens
Murraya exotica
Nephrolepis cordifolia
Paederia scandens
Platycodon grandiflorus
Rauvolfia verticillata
Rubus parvifolius
Sargentodoxa cuneata
Talinum paniculatum
Tetrapanax papyrifer
Most frequently inventoried medicinal plants

Mode of preparation, condition, dosage of application

Various plant species were collected and used immediately. Most of the medicinal formulations were administrated orally in ailment categories other than dermatological problems. In dermatological ailments, plants were administrated externally. Water and some additives were often used in the preparation of remedies, such as alcohol, oil, honey, salt, sugar, eggs, chicken, duck and meat. The additives were claimed to either increase nutrition or improve flavor. Most informants used measuring units such as cup, bowl, spoon, fingers and scale but still differed in the doses they administered. The various ways of measuring dosage were generally categorized under three major classes. One dosage was used for those medicinal plants which were expected to be highly toxic. For such medicines the measurement was undertaken by number or weight. The second was the dosage used for medicinal plants which have side effect. The dosage was measured by their hand and taken by container. The third case referred to the medicinal plants without any observable side effects. Medicines prepared were taken according to patients’ personal preference. Most of the medicinal plant preparations involved the use of single plant species or a single plant part while those mixing different plants or plant parts were less encountered in the study area excluding those for treating bone fracture, rheumatism and other difficult diseases. Suffering from common diseases (common cold, indigestion, mosquito bite and so on), the Maonans usually picked up some medicinal plants for treatments by themselves. Otherwise, they should turn to the Maonan healers for help, and the local healers usually prepared remedies by mixing various plants or plant parts. Lack of consistency regarding amount of medicines was observed among informants. There was no concise standard in measurement or unit used among the informants.

Threats to medicinal plants and conservation practices

Various factors that were considered as main threats for medicinal plants were recorded by discussion with the informants in the study area. The principal threats of medicinal plants were reported to include drought, deforestation, medicinal purpose, and firewood collection in this area. Informants ranked that the major factors were deforestation for the purpose of agricultural expansion (75%), drought (10%), collection of medicinal plant material (10%) and fire wood (5%). The Maonan people knew the benefits of conserving medicinal plants. However, the effort of conserving medicinal plants was very limited, because most medicinal plants were collected from wild. Even the local healers who frequently made use of medicinal plants for livelihood did not conserve medicinal plants very well, and they preferred to collect them from wild when using for patients.

Discussion

Medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge

On the basis of field investigation and literature studies, 368 species of medicinal plants belonged to 295 genera and 115 families were cataloged. Chinese name, scientific name, local name, family name, used parts and the treatment of diseases were listed. Asteraceae (with 24 species) occupied the highest proportion (6.52%), followed by Fabaceae, Rosaceae and Euphorbiaceae. Moerman also found that species of plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) tended to be represented in ethnobotanical usage in excess of what would be expected by their occurrence in local environments [27-29]. In contrast, Moerman identified the greater number of families across North America in general. The most widely used plant remedies by the Maonans were obtained from herbaceous species which constituted the highest category of 203 species (55.16%). Similar findings were reported by other studies throughout the world, and the authors reported that people derived their medicine from herbs partly because of the fact that forests had been degraded, and it took less time and effort to harvest plant material from medicinal herbs [6,30-32]. The special geographical environment results in the rich biodiversity of medicinal plants in the study area. The Maonans have learnt to use local medicinal plants for treatment and prevention in the course of struggling with the ailments. The number of reported medicinal plants and their uses by the Maonans indicate the depth of indigenous knowledge on the medicinal plants and their applications. The Maonans have collected their indigenous knowledge and experience of medicinal plants. Without written language, the knowledge of medicinal plants is still taught orally in the Maonan communities. There is not data record or any illustrated identification which guides for the medicinal plants of Maonan people and their uses. The Maonans have the traditional customs of disease prevention and emphasize on the function of medicinal food in ordinary life. They usually add medicinal plants into food for the purpose of enhancing the body’s immunity and disease resistance, such as Talinum paniculatum, Gymnotheca chinensis, Osbeckia opipara and so on. The Maonans have the custom of collecting the medicinal plants for cooking and bathing in dragon-boat festival, such as Acorus calamus, Curcuma longa, Paederia scandens and Leonurus artemisia. They believe that it would be beneficial for their health. This is because many plants matured in the season of dragon-boat festival [33].

Preparation, dosage and route of administration of medicinal plants

The most widely harvested part was the whole plant, followed by the roots, leaves, stems and others. The Maonan people used a lot of roots, stems, rhizomes and bark for medicinal purpose. They believed these parts were the most effective. However, such collection of the medicinal plants might kill or damage plants when harvesting. Utilization of leaves might not cause detrimental effect on the plants compared with plant species that root was utilized. Most of medicinal plants were claimed to be prepared from a single species or plant part in the present study, and the different parts of medicinal plant were used to treat disparate diseases. Although Maonan people preferred to treat illnesses with single species, it was observed that the healers mostly used multiple species or plant parts in order to increase the function and efficacy of the drug as they reported during the interviews. Representatively, the Maonan healers mostly used more than one plant species to prepare remedy for treating bone fracture and traumatic injury. Grinding was the most widely used method of preparation for remedy in the study area. Pounding and powdering fresh plant materials were the other methods of preparation in the study area. Due to the efficiency and richness of the fresh medicinal plants in the study area, preference of application of fresh plant parts was observed. Moreover, internal and skin diseases were more prevalent in the study area. The fresh material use might be an attempt not to lose volatile oils, the concentration of which could decrease on drying. Moa et al. reported that the disadvantage was that utilization of fresh plant parts may threaten the plants through frequent collection including in dry seasons since local people made minimal efforts in storing dried plant material for later use [6]. The Maonans usually use the processing methods such as decoction, medicinal liquor, external application and medicated bath. The way of using herbs was benefit for the popularity in a simple and easy method. They used different additives like alcohol, oil, honey, salt, sugar, eggs, chicken, duck and meat in order to increase the flavor, taste and general acceptability of certain orally administered remedies. Because of poverty, eating animal meat and eggs could increase proteins and might be helpful for body recovery when the Maonans were ill. The Maonan healers considered that alcohol could promote the blood circulation and accelerate the absorption of exudates. In addition, the Maonan healers used different procedures to administer the medicinal plants and alcohol combinations. The medicinal plants were soaked in alcohol for nearly one month and then the patients could drink or applied externally on the affected parts. For example, Acanthopanax gracilistylus, Achyranthes bidentata, Ardisia gigantifolia, Ardisia japonica, Arisaema heterophyllum, Davallia mariesii, Dipsacus asperoides, Drynaria propinqua, Homalomena occulta, Sambucus williamsii, Bauhinia championii, Murraya exotica, and Paris polyphylla were usually soaked in alcohol for treating traumatic injury and bone fracture.

Effectiveness and popularity of medicinal plants

Due to the influence of geography, climate and food culture in Maonan areas, the Maonan healers understood the varieties of diseases, such as traumatic injury, snake bite, hepatitis, respiratory disease, digestive system disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and skin problems. The local people expressed they preferred to use traditional medicines rather than western drugs to get relief from some diseases including bone fracture, health problems associated with the liver, snake bite and those caused by hepatitis. The Maonan healers treated ailments based on the patients’ physical conditions, lack of consistency regarding amount of medicines to be used was observed among informants during the interviews. The healers usually did not know which ingredients were important for the therapeutic effect in the multiple prescriptions. The lack of precise dosage was one shortage of traditional medicinal plant uses. Most of Maonan people knew how to use several medicinal plants for treating ailments and health protection. Traditional medicine knowledge was not only in the hands of the Maonan healers and herbalists in the study area. Moreover, Maonan people grew medicinal plants in their home gardens. Plant species maintained by Maonan healers was found to be significantly distinct from plant species managed by farmers. The Maonan healers knew more than 30 medicinal plant species, while most of the non-healers reported less than 15 species. Ethnomedicinal usage of plants managed by healers was remarkably distinct from usage categories managed by farmers. The Maonan healers were reported to use a combination of multiple medicinal plants to treat an illness, but the farmers always used single plant species or a single plant part.

Medicinal plant cultivation and trade

The Maonan people in the study area knew the benefits of conserving medicinal plants. However, the effort of conserving medicinal plants was very limited. For example, only 20.75% of medicinal plants were collected from home gardens, and most of the plants from home gardens were used for foods, spices and substitutes for tea. The majority of medicinal plants were harvested from wild habitats. Even Maonan healers who made use of medicinal plants for a livelihood did not conserve the important medicinal plants in their home gardens, and they preferred to collect them from wild or hidden places when patients visited them. It was explained by informants that local healers did not let the other villagers know the identity of the medicinal plants they were using. Informants further explained that if healers planted the species in their home gardens, they worried that somebody else might recognize them when they were preparing the medicine from the plants. Thus the healers’ income would be decreased. Because of complex terrain and language barrier, the Maonans have been in the traditional self-sufficient agricultural economy in the karst areas. There is a seasonal medicinal market which opens 3 times each month. The sites of purchase and sale of local medicinal plants are located in the town. The medicinal plants grown by farmers were used for household healthcare and little was sold in herbal markets, while medicinal plants were cultivated by healers rarely for trading, either. Not many medicinal plants were solely cultivated for their medicinal purpose, except that the plants were multipurpose (Table 6). Lack of water and land, most Maonan people would prefer to cultivate foods or cash crops rather than medicinal plants. The other reason was that most medicinal plants were not sold at reasonable prices and therefore not profitable, providing very little incentives for their cultivation. The local medicinal markets were small-scaled and were not paid enough attention. The markets provided convenience for the exchange of local medicinal plants, but not providing a good place for indigenous knowledge. This trend might not be beneficial for maintaining traditional practices and giving traditional knowledge the respect it deserves.

Threats to medicinal plants and conservation practices in the study area

According to informants, nowadays it would take a lot of time and travel long distances to search for some medicinal plants, especially trees and some shrubs. The principal threats of medicinal plants were reported in the study area, including deforestation for agricultural purposes, urbanization, drought, over-harvesting of known medicinal species and firewood collection. Also, informants ranked deforestation for agricultural purposes as the most serious threat to medicinal plants followed by drought, collection of other different factors and firewood. The conservation of medicinal plants was less realized in the study area.

Medicinal plants knowledge secrecy, mode of transfer, gender issue and threats between different social groups within the Maonan area

This study highlighted the rich biodiversity of medicinal plants and ethnomedicinal practice in Maonan area to maintain wellbeing and support livelihoods. This study revealed that, most of the knowledge on herbal remedies was handled down to the younger members of the community by elders orally, who were over 40 years old and less-educated. The Maonan herbalists and healers were male, and only men had the opportunities to study knowledge of traditional medicinal plants in the family. The conservative concept of Maonan healers made a systematic indigenous knowledge of Maonan traditional medicine, which had always been in the hands of a few people. The age structure and knowledge transmission system had the negative influence on the inheritance and development of indigenous knowledge. It dramatically exposed the vulnerability of traditional medicinal knowledge if its transmission was limited by acculturation or inter-ethnic exchange from generation to generation [15,34,35]. Nowadays, the fact is that inheritance of indigenous knowledge is difficulty from the elders to the young generation. Most young people do not believe that studying indigenous knowledge is beneficial for their life because it is less profited compared to working in the urban area. Furthermore, some young people think traditional medicine is anti-science. While male Maonan people work outside, women take responsibility to take care of their families and educate children. If women know how to use medicinal plants, it will be beneficial for training children. According to our interviews, the Maonan women are eager to learn the traditional herbal medicinal knowledge. They may become potential and effective inheritors in the Maonan area, if customary inheriting system allows them.

Conclusions

The paper is an ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by Maonan people. We documented 368 species (belonging to 295 genera and 115 families) of medicinal plants used by the Maonans in Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County, northern Guangxi, southwest China. These plants were used to treat 95 human diseases, such as traumatic injury, bone fracture, health problems associated with the liver disorder, snake bite, and spider poisoning etc. Traditional knowledge about the use, preparation, and application of these medicinal plants is usually passed verbally from generation to generation. The valuable information about medicinal plants could be preserved while recording in the written form. Moreover, the documentation of medicinal plants can serve as a basis for future investigation of new medicinal resources. Among the medicinal plant species, the whole plants of herbaceous species are harvested from field and constituted the highest proportion of medicinal plants to be utilized. More roots and barks are used than other plant parts, which imply that traditional medical culture in the Maonan area does threaten some species. Although high numbers of medicinal plant species have been reported to be used for human health problems, many wild species are being threatened by various anthropogenic factors while conservation efforts are less practiced in the study area. Deforestation for agricultural purposes is the major threat factor. To save and protect medicinal plants, the external help is necessary, by providing the Maonan people with both seedlings or seeds and cultivation techniques of medicinal plants. The Maonan men are the only inheritors to transmit traditional medicinal knowledge to the next generations. Unfortunately, the knowledge on herbal remedies is held by elders, who are less educated and above 40 years old. Most young men prefer to look for jobs in urban areas instead of studying the Maonan’s medicinal knowledge. It is urgent to find solution of conserving and transmitting the traditional medicinal knowledge in the study area. Thus, government agencies should encourage the Maonan people to maintain the biodiversity and the ethnomedicinal knowledge by providing the local people with planting materials of the most threatened and preferred medicinal and multipurpose species so that they can grow these plants in their home gardens or farmlands. Public awareness is needed to encourage the local Maonan people to sustainably utilize and manage the medicinal plant resources. Ex situ and in situ conservation measures should be taken to protect the medicinal plants in the study areas from further loss.

Consent

Permissions were provided by all participants in this study, including the local Maonan people. Consent was obtained from the local communities prior to the field investigations. The authors have all copyrights.
  20 in total

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Review 10.  Important poisonous plants in tibetan ethnomedicine.

Authors:  Lijuan Ma; Ronghui Gu; Li Tang; Ze-E Chen; Rong Di; Chunlin Long
Journal:  Toxins (Basel)       Date:  2015-01-14       Impact factor: 4.546

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  16 in total

Review 1.  Medicinal Species of the Genus Berberis: A Review of Their Traditional and Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology.

Authors:  Zahra Sobhani; Maryam Akaberi; Mohammad Sadegh Amiri; Mahin Ramezani; Seyed Ahmad Emami; Amirhossein Sahebkar
Journal:  Adv Exp Med Biol       Date:  2021       Impact factor: 2.622

2.  Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by Mulam people in Guangxi, China.

Authors:  Renchuan Hu; Chunrui Lin; Weibin Xu; Yan Liu; Chunlin Long
Journal:  J Ethnobiol Ethnomed       Date:  2020-07-02       Impact factor: 2.733

3.  Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used by the Yao people in Gongcheng County, Guangxi, China.

Authors:  Zhaocen Lu; Hailing Chen; Chunrui Lin; Gui Ou; Junsheng Li; Weibin Xu
Journal:  J Ethnobiol Ethnomed       Date:  2022-06-21       Impact factor: 3.404

4.  Role of Fenugreek in the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus in prediabetes.

Authors:  Arpana Gaddam; Chandrakala Galla; Sreenivas Thummisetti; Ravi Kumar Marikanty; Uma D Palanisamy; Paturi V Rao
Journal:  J Diabetes Metab Disord       Date:  2015-10-02

Review 5.  Ethnopharmacological Approaches for Therapy of Jaundice: Part I.

Authors:  Devesh Tewari; Andrei Mocan; Emil D Parvanov; Archana N Sah; Seyed M Nabavi; Lukasz Huminiecki; Zheng Feei Ma; Yeong Yeh Lee; Jarosław O Horbańczuk; Atanas G Atanasov
Journal:  Front Pharmacol       Date:  2017-08-15       Impact factor: 5.810

6.  The most used medicinal plants by communities in Mahaboboka, Amboronabo, Mikoboka, Southwestern Madagascar.

Authors:  Tabita N Randrianarivony; Aro Vonjy Ramarosandratana; Tefy H Andriamihajarivo; Fortunat Rakotoarivony; Vololoniaina H Jeannoda; Armand Randrianasolo; Rainer W Bussmann
Journal:  J Ethnobiol Ethnomed       Date:  2017-03-09       Impact factor: 2.733

7.  Study on Chemical Profile and Neuroprotective Activity of Myrica rubra Leaf Extract.

Authors:  Pinghong Chen; Xianzong Lin; Ching-Hsu Yang; Xu Tang; Yu-Wei Chang; Weibing Zheng; Lianzhong Luo; Changan Xu; Yung-Husan Chen
Journal:  Molecules       Date:  2017-07-24       Impact factor: 4.411

8.  Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels improves metabolic and ovarian parameters in female obese rats with malfunctioning hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Authors:  R O A Benevides; C C Vale; J L L Fontelles; L M França; T S Teófilo; S N Silva; A M A Paes; R S Gaspar
Journal:  J Ovarian Res       Date:  2019-02-04       Impact factor: 4.234

9.  Human-Forest interfaces in Hugumburda-Gratkhassu National Forest Priority Area, North-eastern Ethiopia.

Authors:  Leul Kidane; Sileshi Nemomissa; Tamrat Bekele
Journal:  J Ethnobiol Ethnomed       Date:  2018-02-23       Impact factor: 2.733

Review 10.  Use of Plant and Herb Derived Medicine for Therapeutic Usage in Cardiology.

Authors:  Ye Eun Koo; Jiwon Song; Soochan Bae
Journal:  Medicines (Basel)       Date:  2018-04-22
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