Ethnomedicinal Plants in Herbal Remedies Used for Treatment of Skin Diseases by Traditional Healers in Songkhla Province, Thailand

Abstract

Skin disorders are a worldwide health problem that normally affect human life. A traditional healer is an important expert in researching notable medicinal plants for skin disease treatment. This study aimed to determine the traditional knowledge and the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of skin diseases among traditional healers in the Songkhla province, Thailand. The ethnobotanical information was collected from experienced traditional healers by semi-structured interviews and participant observations. Plant specimens were also collected and identified using the standard taxonomic method. The data were analyzed by interpretation and descriptive statistics. Twenty-five polyherbal formulations for the treatment of skin diseases were obtained from traditional healers with at least 10 years of experience. A total of 66 plant species in 38 families were documented. Leaves and trees were the most commonly employed plant parts and plant habits included in the herbal remedies, respectively. Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Zingiberaceae were the majority of the cited families. Oryza sativa L. and Zingiber montanum (J. Koenig) Link ex A.Dietr. were the most preferred plants combined in the prescriptions, which had the highest use value (UV = 0.83). The highest relative frequency of citation was represented by Curcuma longa L., Eurycoma longifolia Jack, Knema globularia (Lamk.) Warb, and Senna siamea (Lam.) Irwin & Barneby. (0.55 each). This research suggests the importance of traditional healers in the healing of skin diseases with herbal remedies. A variety of medicinal plants are used in the prescriptions for the treatment of skin disorders in the Songkhla province, in the south of Thailand. Pharmacological and toxicological activities as well as phytochemical constituents of polyherbal remedies should be further investigated to scientifically verify further applications of widely practiced herbal medicines.

Medicinal plants used for dermatological disorders among the Nyamwezi community in Tabora region, Tanzania

“…The analysis of plant life forms for the reported TMPs revealed that trees constituted a significant proportion (50%), followed by herbs (27%) and shrubs (23) (Figure 3). This study finding is consistent with habitats of TMPs from other studies on a similar topic (Saising et al 2022). The dominant use of trees could be influenced by the region's tropical climate that upholds the growth of a wide variety of trees (Sikuku et al 2023) and the ethnobotanical familiarity of the life form .…”

“…The remaining parts had a PPV of less than one (Figure 3). Leaves are also reported in other ethnobotanical studies in Kenya (Wanga & Nyamboki 2023), South Africa (De Wet et al 2013), Thailand (Saising et al 2022), and Pakistan (Malik et al 2019) as frequently and the preferred plant part used to formulate remedies for managing DDs. The preference utilisation of leaves could be associated with their availability and ease of harvest compared to other plant parts.…”

“…(Amyryllidaceae) was reported in four countries, Uganda (Tugume et al 2019), Nigeria (Oyedemi et al 2018), Thailand (Saising et al 2022), and Pakistan (Malik et al 2019) to be used for the management of wounds and boils, sores, scabies and wounds, respectively. The comparison of similarities reveals the substantial authenticity of reported data.…”

“…The widespread utilisation of TMPs by most rural residents is due to inadequate modern health facilities, insufficient medicines and other supplies, low purchasing power due to poverty, socio-cultural beliefs and the fact that TMPs have wide cultural acceptance in rural settings (Chinsembu 2016, Mathibela et al 2019, Tugume et al 2019. Presently, the scientific world has an unfathomable interest in the documentation of TMP knowledge from different parts of the world (Boadu & Asase 2017, Cordero et al 2022, Mahwasane et al 2013, Tahir et al 2021, including those used for the management of DDs (Asong et al 2019, Njoroge & Bussmann 2007, Saising et al 2022. The government of the United Republic of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Health, is promoting the use of therapeutic herbal remedies to improve the health of its citizens (Mujinja & Saronga 2022).…”

Evaluation of In Vitro Antioxidant Activities and Toxicity Effects of a Novel Plant-Based Body Lotion from Thai Medicinal Plants

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In Thailand, several polyherbal formulations have been used for treating various diseases, including skin infections. 10 In the present work, a polyherbal formulation for treating skin diseases, known as THR-01, consisting of Rhinacanthus nasutus (Acanthaceae), Quisqualis indica (Combretaceae), Ocimum sanctum (Lamiaceae), Vitex glabrata (Verbenaceae), and Stemona tuberosa (Stemonaceae) was chosen for testing its antioxidant activities and safety. Interestingly, Stemona tuberosa, one of the primary components of this formulation was found to exhibit significant antioxidant properties with low toxicity.

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