Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal wild plants in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve, Lebanon

Abstract

Background Medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge play a vital role in supporting the livelihoods and resilience of indigenous communities. This ethnobotanical survey aims to identify medicinal plants used by the local communities of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve of Lebanon (SBR) and document the associated traditional knowledge. Methodology Focus groups and personal interviews with 133 informants of community members of 22 villages of SBR were performed during 2019–2022. Informants were selected using purposive sampling techniques based on their knowledge of medicinal plants and experience in traditional herbal medicine. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire through field visits. Results Informants were equally represented by females and males and had different demographic characteristics, and the main source of knowledge was ancestral. A total of 184 medicinal plant species belonging to 57 families were documented. The predominant families were Asteraceae (31 spp.), Lamiaceae (14 spp.), and Rosaceae (14 spp.). Leaves (23%) were the plant part most used. Decoction (45%) was the predominant preparation method, while internal (oral) use (47%) was the most frequent administration mean. Berberis libanotica, Dittrichia viscosa, and Daucus carota achieved the highest scores of frequency of citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL). Furthermore, diseases and ailments of gastrointestinal tract were the category most treated. Conclusions Findings revealed a rich and diverse list of medicinal plants with associated traditional knowledge still actively used to treat a wide range of diseases. Future phytochemical and pharmacological studies are recommended to determine the efficacy and safety of plant species used. The management body of the SBR and all related authorities are invited to continue their conservation efforts to protect such rich biocultural heritage.

Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants in Leuwiliang (Bogor), Indonesia

“…This result is consistent with the findings of Abbas et al (2017) and Gautam et al (2023). Hani et al (2022), also report that older individuals have extensive experience, skills, and knowledge about medicinal plants' therapeutic properties, preparation, and administration. Generally, the older the respondents are, the more experience and knowledge they have regarding medicinal plants compared to younger respondents (Due et al 2013;Sujarwo et al 2014).…”

“…Housewives constitute the second-largest group after farmers. According to Oktarlina et al (2018) and Hani et al (2022), women who are typically engaged in home activities engage more in social interactions within their community, facilitating easier information absorption. This ongoing interaction contributes to expanding knowledge about medicinal plants among housewives.…”

“…This corroborates the findings of Shah et al (2018) and Nepali et al (2021). Leaves harbor diverse plant secondary metabolites (Hani et al 2022) and exhibit the highest metabolic activity (Ghorbani 2005). Hamzari (2008) notes that leaves are commonly chosen due to their easy availability and straightforward processing into medicinal forms compared to other plant parts.…”

Chemical Composition of Essential Oils of Different Hypericum Species Growing Wild in Shouf Biosphere Reserve, Lebanon

“…It is characterized by a bio-climatic gradient of the Mediterranean climate: a cold, rainy, and snowy winter and moderate to hot weather in the summer, with an average annual rainfall of around 1200 mm. In addition to its role as a multifunctional ecosystem, SBR hosts a very rich biodiversity of wild plants, with many species used in traditional medicines and the health care systems of local communities [2]. Table 1 provides a list and botanical description, along with the IUCN conservation status, of Hypericum species found in SBR.…”

“…There are more than 500 taxa of the genus Hypericum L. (Hypericaceae), classified into 36 taxonomic sections [1], that exist almost everywhere in the world. Many Hypericum species are used in traditional medicines of different countries in the treatment of skin conditions such as wounds, eczema and burns [2]. They are also used in the treatment of rheumatism, gastroenteritis, ulcers, and several neurological conditions (i.e.…”