| Abstrakt: |
With globalization, improved farming methods, and deforestation resulting from the expansion of cities, there is a need to preserve ethnobotanical knowledge of plants, especially medicinal plants, through systematic research. This current study aimed to collect ethnobotanical information on the biodiversity of plants and the relationship of knowledge on the uses of plants among the Thai Phuan ethnic group in Ban Phue District, Udon Thani Province, Thailand. This study was conducted between August 2022 and July 2023 using semi-structured interviews of 30 informants. Data were analyzed using Use Value (UV), Cultural Importance Index (CI), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Agreement Ratio (IAR). The study showed that plants from 81 families and 243 species have beneficial properties. The most essential and valuable families of plants include the Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Zingiberaceae, respectively. In classifying plants according to their use, 148 species were used as food plants. The most commonly used plant parts are fruits, leaves, and young shoots. There were 113 species of medicinal plants, mainly from the Fabaceae family (11 species). The top three plant parts used for medicinal purposes are the leaves, roots, and tubers. These plants are used to treat symptoms of 13 types of diseases and for rituals, culture, traditions, and beliefs. The study also revealed that some plants were used for multiple purposes. These plants are valuable to the local people in terms of their use. Information obtained from this study can be used as a guideline for conserving plant resources in the study area for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
