Unveiling the Fundamentals of Ethnobotany – History, Objectives & Scope

Fundamentals of Ethnobotany. Uncover the fascinating world where plants and cultures intertwine with our PowerPoint presentation on the Fundamentals of Ethnobotany. This informative and visually engaging presentation delves into the essential aspects of ethnobotany, offering a comprehensive overview of the intricate relationships between plants and human societies.

Key Highlights:

Introduction to Ethnobotany: Understand the foundational concepts of ethnobotany, exploring its definition, scope, and significance in the study of plants and cultures.

Historical Perspectives: Take a journey through time to explore how different civilizations have utilized plants for medicinal, culinary, and ritualistic purposes. Gain insights into the historical development of ethnobotanical knowledge.

Cultural Significance of Plants: Delve into the diverse ways in which various cultures integrate plants into their customs, traditions, and belief systems. Explore the symbolic and practical roles of plants in different societies. The scope of Ethnobotany. History of ethnobotany. Objectives of Etnobotany and rich tapestry of ethnobotany.

1. Fundamentals of Ethnobotany Ethnobotany is the study of traditional plant used by indigenous people. Knowledge of ethnobotany is very ancient. It provides details on the traditional uses of plant resources that can be practiced to integrated tribal development. Dr. T. Annie Sheron Associate Professor Dept. of Botany GDCW(A) Begumpet, Hyderabad

2. Origin of Ethnobotany 1 Stephen Powers' Coining Stephen Powers in 1873 first coined the word “Aboriginal Botany” and explained in the form of simple definition as the “study of vegetation used by aboriginals for their various commodities such as food, shelter, medicine, textiles, ornaments, etc”. 2 John William Harshberger's Term The term "ethnobotany" was first used in 1895 by John William Harshberger, a botanist at the University of Pennsylvania, to refer to the use of plants by indigenous people. 3 The word is derived from the terms "ethno" the study of people and "botany" for the study of plants. Ethnobotany deals with the direct relationship of plants with man. 4 Wickens (1990) defined Ethnobotany as the study of useful plants before they are commercially exploited and domesticated. 5 Modern Definition Modern definition by Nancy Turner in1996, “Ethnobotany is the Science of people’s interactions with plants”.

3. Origin of Ethnobotany 1 The tribal people are the main repositories of traditional knowledge regarding the various applications of plants 2 The locals and traditional healers verbally transmitted their knowledge and beliefs about plants to generation after generation.. 3 · The study of foods, fibres, dyes, tans, other beneficial and harmful plants, taboos, avoidances, and even magicalo-religious beliefs about plants are all included in ethnobotany.

4. Multidisciplinary Field A multidisciplinary field of study, ethnobotany has applications in sociology, anthropology, taxonomy, photochemistry, archaeology, ecology, agriculture, medicine, linguistics, and other fields. Traditional Knowledge The tribal people are the main repositories of traditional knowledge regarding the various applications of plants. Man-Plant Relationship This man-plant relationship can be broadly classified into two groups, viz. (a) Abstract and (b) Concrete.

5. Plant-Cultural Context Abstract Relationship The abstract relationship between man and plants includes folklore, taboos, avoidances, sacred plants, worship, and belief in the positive or negative properties of various plants. Concrete Relationship The use of plants in fine arts and culture, such as paintings, carvings, and home decoration, as well as acts of domestication , conservation , improvement, or destruction, constitute the concrete relationship.

6. History of Ethnobotany Indian and Chinese civilizations were more developed during the middle Ages. Plants have been used for organised health care programmes for over 5000 years in India and China.

7. 1 Tablet from 3,000 B.C. A tablet listing doctor's prescriptions from about 3,000 B.C. and copies of ancient Egyptian records from 1550 B.C. are the first evidence of plants being used for medicinal purposes in the Western tradition. 2 According to Rigveda, man learned to distinguish food plants from toxic plants by observing observant animals that track completely distinct plants. He gradually cultivated various wild plants to satisfy his fundamental needs.

8. Contributions to Ethnobotany 1 . Dioscorides' Contribution The first person to make an effort to organize all of the plant knowledge that was at the time known to the Greek world was Dioscorides. In AD 77, the Greek surgeon Dioscorides published "De Materia Medica", which was a catalog of about 600 plants in the Mediterranean. 2 Carl Linnaeus In 1753 Carl Linnaeus wrote "Species Plantarum", which included information on about 5,900 plants. Linnaeus is famous for inventing the binomial method of nomenclature, in which all species get a two part name (genus, species)

9. Contributions to Ethnobotany Richard Evans Schultes Richard Evans Schultes, often referred to as the "Father of Ethnobotany”. Sir Villium John’s Sir Villium John’s first wrote a book “Botanical observation on select plant” . The first book on Indian ethnobotany was “A Glimpse of Indian Ethnobotany” (Jain 1981).

10. Indian Ethnobotany Vedic Period In India, a brief relevance documented knowledge on the healing assets of 99 plants can be dated back to the Vedic period, which lasted from 3500 to 1800 BC. Indian Treatment System Most important works of the Indian treatment system: Charak and Susurk's work, Charak Vedic literature and Sushurta Vedic literature. There are 400-450 medicinal plants mentioned in Charak Vedic literature. Dr. Sudhanshu Kumar Jain Dr. Sudhanshu Kumar Jain [Dr. S. K. Jain] in 1986 from NBRI Lucknow is known as “Father of Indian Ethnobotany” for his pioneering work in India. Kartika and Basu Kartika and Basu (1935) popularised Indian medicinal herbs.

11. Indian Medicinal Herbs 1 Manuscripts on Palm Leaves Manuscripts written on palm leaves contain information about additional plant-based medical traditions with roots in Buddhism. 2 Indian Pharmacological Medication Indian pharmacological medication accounts of around 3500 species of endemic and exotic crude medicine.

12. Objectives of Ethnobotany Ethnobotany aims to achieve several important objectives to ensure the preservation, documentation, and utilization of indigenous knowledge about medicinal plants. The objectives range from conservation efforts to creating awareness and providing job opportunities.

13. Proper Documentation 1 Thorough Record-keeping 2 Proper documentation involves meticulous record-keeping of indigenous knowledge related to medicinal plants. It includes detailed descriptions of plant uses, traditional remedies, and cultural significance. Respect for Traditional Knowledge The documentation process respects the unwritten traditional knowledge about herbal plants. It acknowledges the importance of preserving and honoring cultural wisdom passed down through generations.

14. Conservation and Preservation National Heritage Protection One of the primary objectives is the conservation of our national heritage before the potential extinction of valuable medicinal plants due to various environmental and human-related factors. Biodiversity Preservation Ethnobotany aims to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity by protecting and maintaining the population of medicinal plants in their natural habitat.

15. Cultural and Social Impact 1 Community Awareness The objective is to create awareness about the cultural, social, and health-related significance of medicinal plants within the community. This involves education and engagement with local traditions and practices. 2 Health and Well-being Ethnobotany seeks to highlight the role of medicinal plants in promoting health and well-being within cultural contexts, emphasizing their historical and contemporary significance.

16. Training and Utilization Skill Development The objective includes training people for the utilization and conservation of medicinal plants, focusing on developing practical skills related to identifying, processing, and using herbal remedies. Research and Opportunities 1 Scientific Endeavors One of the key objectives is to encourage research in the field of ethnobotany, creating new opportunities for scientific exploration and discoveries related to traditional medicinal plants. 2 Job Opportunities Ethnobotany offers diverse career prospects in botanical research, conservation, and education, providing individuals with opportunities to contribute to the preservation of traditional herbal knowledge.

17. Herbal Drug Development Increased Production Ethnobotany aims to contribute to the increase in the manufacture of herbal drugs through rigorous scientific research and collaboration between traditional knowledge and modern pharmaceutical practices.

18. Preservation and Progress Cultural Preservation The objective is to preserve the knowledge of medicinal plants for future generations, ensuring the continuation of traditional practices and wisdom. Promoting Progress Simultaneously, ethnobotany endeavors to promote progress by integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary research and practices, fostering a harmonious balance between heritage and innovation.

19. Scope of Ethnobotany The scope of ethnobotany has significantly expanded with the development of new great views, both in terms of its theoretical contribution to the understanding of plant-human relationships and tribal people's practical knowledge of industry, agriculture, and medicine.

20. Traditional Uses of Plant Wealth 1 Integrated Tribal Development It provides information on traditional uses of plant wealth that can be used in integrated tribal development. Ethnobotany provides information on how plants have been used traditionally; this information can help societies progress. 2 Valuable Lesser-Known Plants The study of ethnobotany introduces us to lesser-known but valuable plants and guides in understanding numerous plants that are already familiar to us in different ways. 3 Medicinal Plant Importance Even today, medicinal plants are almost the primary source of drugs for the majority of the world's population. Plant products account for approximately 25% of all prescribed medicines.

21. Medicinal Knowledge Preservation 1 Preservation of Traditional Knowledge Prevent the loss of traditional knowledge as a result of modernization's impact. 2 New Medicine Development Reduces the time required for the development of new medicines. 3 Natural Disease Treatment Treatment of various diseases using natural methods.

22. Importance of Ethnomedical Data Chemical Research The ethnomedical data will be a valuable source of knowledge for chemists, pharmacologists, and herbal medicine practitioners for the isolation and detection of bioactive compounds used in contemporary medicine. Drug Source For the vast majority of the world's population, medicinal plants serve as a source of medications. This is known as medico-ethnobotany. This feature shows the importance of ethnobotany. Drug Discoveries Over the past few decades, several drugs, including quinine, cocaine, digoxin, and taxol, have been found to be derived from plants in recent years.

23. Conservation and Sustainable Use Biodiversity Preservation Biodiversity preservation and sustainable use. Adaptation to Environments Adaptation to habitats and ecosystems . Economic Growth Ethnobotany study helps to provide information to administrators and scientists to help them initiate plans for the development and economic growth of tribal areas.

24. Impact on Society and Culture Medicine Discovery The understanding of the relationship between plants and society has also led to the recent discovery of some bioactive substances, including artemisinin, gossypol, hypericin, etc. Cultural Diversity The study of ethnobotany also promotes understanding of the relationship between human and plant interactions, cultural diversity, and biodiversity. Community Interaction Studying ethnobotany to make important contributions. For example, the study of indigenous food production and local medicinal knowledge offers the promise of practical implications for developing sustainable agriculture and discovering new medicines.