Indigenous knowledge using medicinal plants of ethnic minority communities in Chan Son commune, Yen Son district, Tuyen Quang province

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the experience of medicinal plant resources
of Dao and Cao Lan ethnic minority communities in Chan Son commune, Yen
Son district, Tuyen Quang province. The methods used including community
survey, specimen collection, identification of the species name, assessment of
the diversity of medicinal plant resources, assessment of the endangered level of
medicinal plant species. The results of the research have identified initially 123
species of medicinal plants of 113 genera and 69 families which the Dao and
Cao Lan ethnic minority communities have used for diseases prevention and
treatment. There are 7 main life forms of the medicinal plants: herbaceous,
shrubs, vines, small wood trees, large wood trees, moderate wood trees, parasitic
trees, and semi-parasitic trees. Medicinal plants are usually distributed in 4
habitats such as: around the villages, gardens; forest; hills, and riverside. Among
the parts used as medicine, the leaves, stems and whole plants are used the most.
The results show that there are 18 groups of diseases that could be cured by the
experience of using medicinal plants of Dao and Cao Lan ethnic minority
communities in the study area, of which 4 groups of diseases occupy the highest
rate: urinary tract disease, diseases of joints and motor system and tonic. A list of
11 medicinal plant species with conservation value has been identified in the
study area and accounts for 8.94% of the total species