Ethnozoological study of animal-based medicine used by traditional healers in Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India

AISHWARYA ZOPE, AVINASH SONAWANE, SUNIL PATIL, BHORABAI NIRGUDE, PRANIL JAGDALE — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract. Zope A, Sonawane A, Patil S, Nirgude B, Jagdale P. 2025. Ethnozoological study of animal-based medicine used by traditional healers in Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India. Asian J Ethnobiol 8: 1-11. Since the beginning of human history, animals have been used for various purposes. Animals provided food, medicine, and clothes for people. In this regard studies on ethnozoology have gained interest in India over the last decade. Ethnozoological research is required to identify novel treatments for human health and it is crucial to document this information. Thus, the authors endeavor to conduct a pilot ethnozoological study from the Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Ethnomedicinal data was gathered from traditional healers through interviews, casual encounters, and overt observations using semi-structured questionnaires. The information collected was analyzed using the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity Level (FL). The ethnozoological data include names of the animals and their body parts (organs) used in the local language, preparation, and administration method of medicine, and other informative pieces deemed helpful for research. A total of 37 animal species were identified for treating around 59 diseases. Mammals were the most frequently used therapeutic species (33%) by traditional healers. We are the first to report oral use of Maharashtra zipper Loach (Paracanthocobitis mooreh) as a therapy for drooling in the study area. It is considered that documenting ethnozoological knowledge could lead to the development of novel medications. Therefore, it is believed that the data in this work will be helpful in future research on ethnozoology, ethnopharmacology, and conservation.

Herbal medicines sold in Wonosobo Traditional Markets, Indonesia

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract. Tsurayya DA, Saleh DA, Renaldi DR, Rizka DR, Widyaningyas R, Yasa A, Iskandar J, Saensouk S, Setyawan AD. 2025. Herbal medicines sold in Wonosobo Traditional Markets, Indonesia. Asian J Ethnobiol 8: 13-25. Medicinal plants, a significant part of the local culture and health practices, are not only culturally rich but also economically accessible at traditional markets. This study, conducted in the Wonosobo District, Central Java, Indonesia, aims to document the species and the utilization of these plants. The study employed a descriptive qualitative method through observations and direct interviews with 100 medicinal plant vendors. The results show that the total number of medicinal plants sold in Wonosobo's traditional markets, namely, Kertek Market and Wonosobo Induk Market, reached a total of 70 species with 34 families, i.e. 59 species at Kertek Market and 66 species at Wonosobo Induk Market, with suppliers coming from Wonosobo (51.4%) and Yogyakarta (48.6%), dominated by the Zingiberaceae family. The most commonly used parts of medicinal plants for consumption are leaves and seeds, with boiling being the most common preparation method. The most expensive plant found is the jasmine flower, with a price of IDR 400,000/kg (1 USD = 15,500 IDR). As developments progress, traditional markets continue to offer these economically accessible resources of medicinal plants in the form of medicinal concoctions such as jamu, wedang uwuh, and kembang sawanan.

Asian Journal of Ethnobiology

Ethnozoological study of animal-based medicine used by traditional healers in Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India

Herbal medicines sold in Wonosobo Traditional Markets, Indonesia