Medicinal Plant Utilization in Ethnobotanical Contexts

The utilisation of medicinal plants within ethnobotanical contexts encompasses the investigation of traditional knowledge, selection criteria and applications of flora in health care. Local communities across Africa, Asia, Latin America and beyond rely on a rich pharmacopeia drawn from both native and introduced species, guided by cultural beliefs, ecological availability and perceived efficacy. Research has demonstrated that plant selection is non-random, often prioritising versatile taxa that serve multiple therapeutic purposes. Insights into phylogenetic patterns reveal both convergence and innovation in local pharmacopoeias, while demographic factors such as literacy, gender and socioeconomic status shape knowledge transmission. Contemporary approaches integrate phytochemical analysis with ecological and evolutionary frameworks to understand how cultivation, habitat and plant secondary metabolites influence medicinal use. This interdisciplinary field addresses sustainability of plant resources, the resilience of traditional medical systems in the face of environmental change and the potential for novel drug discovery. Ethnobotanical research thus bridges cultural heritage and modern science, emphasising conservation, equitable benefit sharing and the validation of traditional remedies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent surveys in Brazil have profiled the demographic and botanical dimensions of traditional plant use during periods of social stress. A cross-sectional assessment in an urban Brazilian population reported that over 40 per cent of respondents employ a diverse array of 79 species, predominantly aromatic herbs such as Melissa officinalis and Matricaria recutita, to alleviate anxiety and common respiratory and gastrointestinal complaints. The study highlighted the absence of reported plant use for specific viral treatment, despite increased demand for self-care remedies, and identified associations between medicinal-plant use and factors including gender, ethnic identity and comorbidity profiles. These findings underscore the enduring role of herbal therapies in primary health strategies and the need to monitor safety and efficacy in vulnerable populations.

Medicinal Plant Utilization in Ethnobotanical Contexts publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in medicinal plant utilization in ethnobotanical contexts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Ethnobotany: The study of how people of a particular culture and region make use of indigenous plants.

Pharmacopoeia: A compilation of medicinal substances, preparation methods and therapeutic uses maintained within a community.

Phylogenetic signal: A measure of the tendency for related species to exhibit similar characteristics or uses due to shared ancestry.

Therapeutic versatility: The breadth of distinct health conditions for which a single plant species is traditionally employed.

References

1. A phylogenetic evaluation of non‐random medicinal plants selection around an African biosphere reserve. People and Nature (2023).
2. Use of medicinal plants during COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Scientific Reports (2023).
3. Availability, diversification and versatility explain human selection of introduced plants in Ecuadorian traditional medicine. PLOS ONE (2017).