Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Miao people in Jijiezi, Yunnan, China

Yong Ma, Dongyang Liu, Hong Cheng, Rainer W. Bussmann, Huajie He, Zhiyong Guo, Bo Liu

Research knowledge, and suggest (1) documentation of species used in this practice may provide basic Abstract information for conservation, and further use, and will help to preserve local traditional knowledge, (2) Background: The Miao ethnic group is an indigenous training of practitioners in Miao medicine to maintain group in China with a long history of traditional Miao medicine culture, (3) encourage local medicine utilization and owns rich traditional governments to adopt relevant policies to protect the knowledge related to biodiversity utilization and culture of Miao medicine, and (4) bring Miao conservation. In Jijiezi village, Yunnan, the Miao medicine into the market and promoting the ethnic group is the main ethnic group and retains a development of Miao medicine. rich traditional culture. The area is rich in plant resources and the custom of using Miao medicine is Keywords: Miao nationality, traditional knowledge, still retained. It is important to evaluate the Medicinal plants, Yunnan, Biodiversity inheritance of the knowledge of Miao medicine in the region and the development prospects of Miao medicine culture. Correspondence

Methods: The data was collected in different Yong Maa,b§, Dongyang Liua,b§, Hong Chenga,b§, seasons in 2014, with a total of 200 informants Rainer W. Bussmannc, Huajie Hed, Zhiyong Guob, interviewed using free listing and semi-structured Bo Liua,b* interviews. a Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University Results: This study recorded the ethnobotanical of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, P. importance of Miao medicine in Jijiezi, Yunnan, R. China China. 42 species from 26 families and 37 genera b College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu were identified. For each species scientific and Miao University of China, Beijing 100081, China names, distribution, and use knowledge were c Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany, Ilia recorded and analyzed which can help the State University, Tbilisi, Georgia assessment the current status of Miao traditional d Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Kunming medicine. The results show that the traditional Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, knowledge of Miao medicine is very rich and has a Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China good therapeutic effect on a variety of diseases, and § authors contributed equally that there is a homology of medicine and food. However, the traditional knowledge of Miao medicine * Corresponding author: [email protected] is more and more getting lost and needs urgent protection. Ethnobotany Research & Applications 18:26 (2019) Conclusions: It is important to protect the traditional Miao medicine knowledge and promote sustainable development of Miao medicine culture. We propose to protect and develop local Miao medicine

Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 2

摘要 (Abstract in Chinese): of medicinal plants. Even as migrants the Miao are well known to keep their home medicinal gardens 背景：苗族是中国的一个世居民族，有很悠久的传统 traditions (Wu, 2004). Many medicinal plant 药利用历史和丰富的传统知识。云南的鸡街子村中主 resources are widely used by Miao people 体民族为苗族，保留了很丰富的传统文化。该地区有 (Anderson et al. 2005, Long & Rong 2004, Shen et al. 2010, Zhang et al. 2015). The Miao have 丰富的植物资源，村民主要以种植植物和养殖业为生 inhabited their homeland of Yunnan and Guizhou ，发展较为落后。因此，该地区依然保留了使用苗药 provinces for thousands of years. Over time the population has accumulated rich traditional medical 的风俗习惯。评价该地区对苗药知识的传承程度，以 knowledge. Miao people from Jijiezi village (Yunnan 及苗药文化的发展前景是十分有意义的。 Province) belongs to the Weining branch of the 方法：在2014年的不同季节，采用自由列举法和半 ethnic group, calling themselves the "base branch". The old ways of village folk customs, slash-and-burn 结构式访谈，对200个当地苗族进行采访来获得数据 agriculture, hemp weaving and batik embroidery still 。 exist. Because Miao people in Jijiezi have been isolated from other parts of the ethnic group for a 结果：本研究记录了在中国云南鸡街子村的苗药在民 long time, they have developed different uses of 族植物学方面的重要性。鉴别了26科37属的42种植 many medicinal plants . For example, Miao people in 物，记录和分析了每种物种的学名和苗名，分布和使 Guizhou province use "herbal medicine bath" frequently, but Miao people in Jijiezi do not have this 用的经验，这些能够帮助我们评估苗族传统药物的现 tradition based on our observations and interviews. 状。结果表明，苗药传统知识十分丰富，对于当地疾 Among Chinese ethnic groups, Miao has more branches than any other groups. The Miao people 病有较好的治疗效果，且存在着药食同源的现象，但 from Jijiezi village (Yunnan Province) belongs to the 是目前苗药传统知识流失严重，亟需对此进行保护。 Weining branch, they call themselves "basic branch". This basic branch is likely to have been suppressed 结论：保护这个地区的传统苗药知识以及实现其可持 after failure in fighting against the Qing Dynasty in 续是非常重要的，因此提出了保护和发展当地苗药知 the east and west of Guizhou province, and then 识的建议：（1）通过将这些植物物种信息编篡成册 moved to the Jijiezi village in Yunnan Province. The old traditions such as village folk customs, swidden 能够为利用这些植物提供基础资料，同时也能保护当 agriculture, natural fiber woven products and batik 地传统知识；（2）寻找苗药的继承人，将苗药文化 embroidery still exist. Since the Miao people in Jijiezi have been isolated from other branches for a long 传承下去；（3）当地政府应采取相关政策来保护苗 time, the use of many medicinal plants and 药文化；（4）将苗药引入市场，通过经济促进苗药 pharmaceutical operating methods are divergent 发展。以此为苗族非物质文化遗产的传承提供帮助。 now. Many traditional medicinal herbs have limited distributions in Guizhou, and when they moved to 关键词：苗族；传统知识；药用植物；云南；生物多 Yunnan, fewer herbs available, so they lost some old 样性 medicinal species and try to explore new plants in Yunnan local areas. Another example, the Miao

people in Guizhou province use "herbal medicine Background bath" frequently, but the Miao people in Jijiezi do not Even with increasing industrialization, traditional have this tradition. medicine is attracting more and more attention in the Miao medicine is regarded as simple, convenient, world (Jäger et al. 2006, Tsai et al. 2008). At the effective and inexpensive and has had far-reaching same time, the knowledge of traditional medicine in influence in local medicinal culture. Its unique many regions of Chinais widely disappearing curative effects (Cheng et al. 2013, Xiong et al. 2010) because of the impact of Western medical culture are based on plant material from the natural and the Han medical culture in China (Janes 1999). environment, and it is closely linked to local people’s The Miao ethnic group is one of the most ancient lifestyle, which can make a significant contribution to ethnic groups in China and regarded as the first health. According to the relevant research (Zheng ethnic group in China Miao rice (Pan，1996). A long 2006) documentation of Yunnan Miao medicine is history of farming and settlement have made the greatly lacking. There is an urgent needed to protect Miao famous for thier discoveries and domestication this valuable ethnic medicine knowledge for the

Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 3 world. Materials and methods The aim of this study was to: (1) record traditional Study area Miao medicine used by local people in Jijiezi, (2) Jijiezi village is located in Yunnan Province, discover the cultural heritage passed down from Southwestern China. It has over 3000 residents from generations to generations by local Miao people, (3) three ethnic groups: Miao, Yi and Han, with Miao document associated ethnobotanical knowledge, people accounting for more than 95% of the and (4) give some suggestions about protection of population. This area has a mean elevation of 2160 local valuable medicinal system. m, an annual average temperature of 19.5℃, and an annual average rainfall of 650 mm (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Location of Jijiezi village, Yunnan, China

To conduct the study we first obtained permission From the interviews, we obtained information on from Yunnan government, and collected general vernacular names and uses of medicinal plants, geological and historical information on distributions collection localities, production data, common of Miao people, and their traditions. On the basis of diseases treated, medicinal plant related habitats this information, we selected Jijiezi village as a and harvesting time (Table 1 & Table 2). Voucher representative village for our research. Jijiezi village specimens have been collected and stored in the is famous for its rich plant resources, and its forest herbarium of Minzu University of China. coverage reached 46.64%. Most people still keep the traditional Miao customs. Results and discussion The most popular medicinal plants Research methods Local medicinal plant species in Jijiezi are very A total of 200 local Miao people including 100 men diverse. In our study, we found 42 species frequently and 100 women were interviewed after obtaining used as Miao medicine by local practitioners (Table prior informed consent. The demographics of the 2). The most frequently used plants by Miao people participants are given in Table 1. Local herb markets include Houttuynia cordata Thunb., Lonicera were also visited in different seasons in 2014 (Fig. japonica Thunb., Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. 2). Key informants included local guides, drivers and DC., Arisaema heterophyllum Blume, and Sophora five local Miao practitioners. flavescens Alt.

Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 4

Fig. 2. Miao medicine market in Jijiezi village

Phyllanthus emblica L., Chloranthus japonicus Table 1. Demographic features of the participants Siebold, Paris polyphylla Sm., Chloranthus japonicus n=200 Siebold were mentioned by almost each interviewee. Number Percentage Allium sativum L., Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Gender Spreng and Phyllanthus emblica L. were used both Adolescents as medicinal and edible plants, which indicates that (aged under 18 40 20% the homology of medicine and food is very popular. years) Some local Miao medicines like Paris polyphylla Adult men Sm., are one of the main components in the drug (aged 18-45 40 20% years) Yunnan Baiyao (Chinese: 云南白药) for traumatic Adult women injuries. Because of its good therapeutic effects and (aged 18-45 40 20% large demand, wild Paris polyphylla Sm. suffers from years) over-exploitation. and is in danger of extinction. Elderly men (aged over 45 40 20% An overview on plant parts used is given in (Fig. 3). years) This result are similar to other investigations, such as Elderly women a study of the wild edible plants used by Tibetans in (aged over 45 40 20% Shangri-la region, Yunnan, China (Yan et al. 2012). years) Origin Local Miao 164 82% farmers Local other 36 18% farmers

Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 5

Fig. 3. Use frequency of Miao medicinal herb parts.

Table 2. Miao medicinal plants used in Jijiezi village Family and Miao and Parts Habitat Main Traditional use and Voucher Scientific name Chinese used chemical applications specimen name compounds Amaryllidaceae Allium sativum L. Miao: da Bulbs Farmland Allicin Resistance of cold, Liu suan (Baghalian et cough. Harvest time: Dongyang, 蒜 al. 2005; throughout the year Guo Zhiyong suan Blania and et al. 1 Spangenberg 1991) Allium tuberosum Miao: jiu cai Seeds, Farmland Sulfides, Treat nocturnal Liu Rottler ex Spreng. 韭 leaves glycosides emission, enuresis, Dongyang, jiu (Wu and frequent urination Guo Zhiyong Zhang 2005) (Hu et al. 2013). et al. 2 Harvest time: throughout the year Lycoris aurea 忽地笑 Bulbs Humid Lycorine, External use for itch, Liu (L'Hér.) Herb. hu di xiao areas alkaloids rheumatism and joint Dongyang, (Tong et al. pain. Harvest time: Guo Zhiyong 2011) autumn et al. 9 Apiaceae Ligusticum sinense Miao: xiang Roots, Grows in Treat acariasis and Liu Oliv. gao ben stems forests neurodermatitis Dongyang, 藁本gao and river Guo Zhiyong ben bank et al. 4 Araceae Arisaema Miao: ma ti Whole Thickets Seeds contain Treat hypertension, Liu heterophyllum jue ming plant on slopes anthracene headaches and Dongyang, Blume. 决明 glycosides constipation. Guo Zhiyong jue ming substances Harvest time: et al. 5 and xanthones autumn (Murshid et al. 2007) Asteraceae Bidens pilosa L. Miao: zhan Whole Villages, Hyperoside, Treat appendicitis, Liu ren cao鬼针 plant roadsides, gallic acid, gastroenteritis, Dongyang, 草gui zhen wasteland. flavonoids arthralgia，External Guo Zhiyong cao used treat boils. et al. 22

Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 6

Campanulaceae Platycodon Miao: ling Roots At around Anticancer and Liu grandiflorus (Jacq.) dang hua桔 2000 m in antidiabetics Dongyang, A. DC. 梗jie geng mountains Guo Zhiyong et al. 26 Capparaceae Capparis masaikai Miao: tai ji Seeds Valleys or Emodin, Nourishing lung and Liu Levl. zi hillsides chrysophanic throat and expedite Dongyang, 马槟榔ma acid delivery. Harvest Guo Zhiyong bing lang time: winter et al. 7

Caricaceae Carica papaya L. Miao: yang Fruits, Widely Phenolic Treat stomachache. Liu qie zi番木瓜 leaves cultivated compounds, Harvest time: Dongyang, fan mu gua in the coumarin throughout the year Guo Zhiyong south of (Canini et al. et al. 8 Yunnan 2007) province Chloranthaceae Sarcandra glabra Miao: zhu Whole Hillsides, Volatile oil, Treat influenza. In Liu (Thunb.) Nakai jie cao草珊 plant shade of tannin recent years, it has Dongyang, 瑚cao shan the valley also been used to Guo Zhiyong hu treat pancreatic et al. 3 cancer and stomach cancer, which has no side effects.

Convolvulaceae Cuscuta chinensis Miao: wu seeds Mountain Resin Nourish liver and Liu Lam. niang teng slopes glucoside, kidney; enhance the Dongyang, 菟丝子tu si vitamins, energy, anti- Guo Zhiyong zi carotene diarrhea. et al. 11 Eucommiaceae Eucommia ulmoides Miao: jiao Bark Valleys Nourish liver and Liu Oliver shu kidney, strengthen Dongyang, 杜仲du the bones and Guo Zhiyong zhong muscles et al. 12 Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus emblica Miao: wang Fruits, Tolerance Gallic acid, Fruits relieve cough Liu L. guo余甘子 roots, of drought ellagic acid et and sore throat, Dongyang, yu gan zi leaves and al. (Zheng et roots and leaves Guo Zhiyong barren, al. 2013) treat fever and et al. 13 like light eczema. Harvest and time: summer, warmth autumn Fabaceae Albizia julibrissin Miao: ma Velamen Thickets Velamen Treat neurasthenia, Liu Durazz. ying hua , flowers contains insomnia and Dongyang, 合欢he saponins and forgetfulness. Guo Zhiyong huan tannins (Xu et Harvest time: et al. 14 al. 2008) summer, autumn Alysicarpus vaginalis Miao: xiao Whole Open Promote blood Liu (L.) DC. dou plant slopes, dry circulation, treat Dongyang, 链荚豆lian field edge, wounds, snake bite Guo Zhiyong jia dou roadside and fracture et al. 33 Bauhinia Miao: da fei Roots, Forest Roots treat diarrhea, Liu brachycarpa Wall. ex yang鞍叶羊 leaves edges young leaves relieve Dongyang, Benth. 蹄甲an ye pain of fungal Guo Zhiyong yang ti jia diseases. Harvest et al. 16 time: summer, autumn Caesalpinia Miao: lao hu Roots, Thickets The bark Roots treat cold and Liu decapetala (Roth) ci jian stems, contains rheumatic pain, Dongyang, Alston. 云实yun shi fruits tannins seeds are toxic. Guo Zhiyong Harvest time: et al. 17 autumn

Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 7

Senna tora (L.) Miao: ma ti Whole Thickets Seeds contain Treat hypertension, Liu Roxb. jue ming plant on slopes anthracene headaches and Dongyang, 决明jue glycosides constipation. Guo Zhiyong ming substances Harvest time: et al. 18 and xanthones autumn (Murshid et al. 2007) Sophora flavescens Miao: ye Roots Sandy Matrine, Diuresis, antisepsis Liu Alt. huai slopes cytisine et and treat indigestion Dongyang, 苦参ku al.(Lai et al. Guo Zhiyong shen 2003) et al. 37 Lamiaceae Agastache rugosa Miao: tu Whole On acidic Volatile oils Antiemetic, treat Liu (Fisch. et Mey.) O. huo xiang plant soil, moist, abdominal pain. Dongyang, Ktze. 藿香huo hot climate Harvest time: Guo Zhiyong xiang summer et al. 20 Ajuga pantantha Miao: dan Whole Dry slope Anti-inflammatory Liu Hand.-Mazz. cao散瘀草 plant Dongyang, san yu cao Guo Zhiyong et al. 21 Lardizabalaceae Sargentodoxa Miao: da Roots, Hillside Lignans (Han Activate collaterals, Liu cuneata (Oliv. ) huo xue大 stems thickets, et al. 1986) trichomonacida Dongyang, Rehd. et Wils. 血藤da xue forest Guo Zhiyong teng edges et al. 10 Liliaceae Paris polyphylla Sm. Miao: chong Roots, River Polyphyllin Treat appendicitis. Liu lou七叶一枝 stems banks, (Nohara et al. Harvest time: Dongyang, 花qi ye yi forests, 1973) throughout the year Guo Zhiyong zhi hua 2000-3000 et al. 23 m Magnoliaceae Illicium verum Hook. Miao: ba Fruits, Mountain Anisylacetone, Regulate breath, Liu f. jiao hui leaves climate fatty oil, treat neurasthenia. Dongyang, xiang protein, resin, Harvest time: spring, Guo Zhiyong 八角ba jiao shikimic autumn et al. 24 acid.(Zheng- Cai et al. 2013) Oleaceae Fraxinus chinensis Miao: nv Whole Mixed Seeds nourishing Liu Roxb. zhen plant forests liver and kidney, Dongyang, 白蜡树bai la leaves treat Guo Zhiyong shu stomatitis, bark et al. 25 treats burns, roots treat rheumatism. Harvest time: summer, autumn Fraxinus Miao: bai Roots Forests Tannins (Guo Diminish Liu malacophylla Hemsl. qiang gan et al. 2012) inflammation, Dongyang, 白枪杆bai diuretic, aperient, Guo Zhiyong qiang gan digestion and et al. 6 stomachic. Harvest time: autumn, winter Jasminum sambac 茉莉mo li Flowers, Thickets Benzyl alcohol Flowers treat fever Liu (L.) Aiton roots and ester and are used to Dongyang, (Gmm et al. detoxification. Roots Guo Zhiyong 2014) are toxic, which et al. 27 have analgesic effect. Harvest time: autumn Orchidaceae Bletilla striata Miao: bai Dry Broad- Militarine Treat Liu (Thunb. ex A. gen tubers leaved or (Sakuno et al. gastrointestinal Dongyang, Murray) Rchb. f. 白及bai ji coniferous 2010) bleeding, traumatic Guo Zhiyong forest bleeding. Harvest et al. 28 time: autumn

Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 8

Dendrobium Miao: yun Stems Cultivated Polysaccharid Nourishing lung and Liu officinale Kimura et nan tie pi at the es, alkaloids, kidney, have activity Dongyang, Migo. 铁皮石斛tie altitude of amino acids of antioxidant and Guo Zhiyong pi shi hu 1600 (Hao 2013) anticancer et al. 29 meters Ranunculaceae Clematis armandii Miao: shan Stems Hillsides Treat urinary tract Liu Franch. mu tong infections, dysuria, Dongyang, 小木通xiao nephritis, edema. Guo Zhiyong mu tong Harvest time: et al. 30 summer and autumn Clematis 毛木通mao Whole Woodland Akeboside Treat tonsillitis and Liu buchananiana DC. mu tong plant s pharyngiti. Harvest Dongyang, time: summer, Guo Zhiyong autumn et al. 31 Ranunculus Miao: shui Whole Pulsatilla Treat hepatitis, Liu chinensis Bunge. hu jiao茴茴 plant alkaloids pharyngitis, asthma, Dongyang, 蒜hui hui (Qing-Sheng heart disease. Guo Zhiyong suan et al. 2010) Harvest time: et al. 32 summer, autumn Ranunculus Miao: lao hu Whole Mizobe Pulsatilla External application Liu japonicus Thunb. jiao ji plant alkaloids for malaria and boils Dongyang, 毛茛mao ringworm. Harvest Guo Zhiyong gen time: summer, et al. 15 autumn Rubiaceae Gardenia Miao: mu Leaves, Warm Gardenoside Treat fever, promote Liu jasminoides Ellis dan flowers, humid and gardenin blood circulation. Dongyang, 栀子zhi zi roots climate (Tsm et al. Harvest time: Guo Zhiyong and acidic 2007) autumn et al. 34 soil Hedyotis corymbosa Miao: shui Whole Ridges Stearic acid Treat cancer. Liu (L.) Lam. xian cao plant Palmitic acid Harvest time: Dongyang, 伞房花耳草 Linolenic acid autumn Guo Zhiyong san fang (Hong-Quan et et al. 35 hua er cao al. 2015) Hedyotis pinifolia Miao: wu Whole Wildernes External application Liu Wall. ex G. Don she cao松 plant s for injury. Harvest Dongyang, 叶耳草song time: autumn Guo Zhiyong ye er cao et al. 36 Rubia cordifolia L. Miao: da Roots Alizarin (Kaur Treat hematemesis, Liu hong shen et al. 2010) rheumatoid arthritis Dongyang, 茜草qian and bruises. Harvest Guo Zhiyong cao time: winter et al. 19 Saururaceae Houttuynia cordata Miao: yu Whole Forests Volatile oil, Treat Liu Thunb, xing cao蕺 plant and flavonoids hydronephrosis, Dongyang, 菜 ji cai wetlands. compounds. mastitis and Guo Zhiyong (Liang et al. tympanitis. Harvest et al. 38 2005) time: summer, autumn, winter Solanaceae Datura stramonium Miao: gou Whole Roadsides Alkaloids Treat bronchitis, Liu L. he tao曼陀 plant (Perharič et al. chronic asthmatic, Dongyang, 罗man tuo 2013) stomach pain and Guo Zhiyong luo toothache. Harvest et al. 39 time: autumn Solanum erianthum Miao: ye qie Rootslea Hillsides Solanum Roots treat stomach Liu D. Don shu假烟叶 ves nigrum pain. Leaves treat Dongyang, 树jia yan ye glycosides skin ulcers. Harvest Guo Zhiyong shu (Chou et al. time: summer, winter et al. 40 2012) Vitaceae Tetrastigma Miao: yao Rattan Valley Salicylic acid, Treat lumbar Liu planicaule (Hook.) dai teng forests or vanillic muscles injuryd Dongyang, Gagnep. 扁担藤 bian on rock acid,syringic Guo Zhiyong dan teng slopes acid (Jiachun et al. 41 et al. 2010)

Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 9

Zingiberaceae Amomum tsaoko Miao: cao Fruits Cultivated Digestive, Liu Crevost et Lemarie guo zi草果 or wild in nourishing Dongyang, cao guo the forests stomach. Guo Zhiyong Harvest time: et al. 42 autumn, winter

Common diseases and common Miao botanical habit, and herbs for curing common diseases such prescriptions in Jijiezi as bruises, rheumatic disorders, cold and diarrhea, An overview on the most important illness categories were used with a higher frequency. Meanwhile Miao treated and the plants used is given in Table 3. medicine is mainly used for the treatment of snake Commonly treated diseases are closely related to bites, rheumatism, kidney stones, wounds and other local environmental conditions, lifestyle and dietary tropical diseases.

Table 3. Common diseases treated by Miao medicines

Common Main species used symptoms Bauhinia brachycarpa Wall. ex Benth., Rubia cordifolia L., Hedyotis pinifolia Wall. ex G. Don, Solanum verbascifolium L., Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC., Activating blood Antenoron filiforme (Thunb.) Rob. et Vaut., Chloranthus japonicus Sieb., circulation, dissipate Sargentodoxa cuneata (Oliv. ) Rehd. et Wils., Paris polyphylla Sm., Arisaema bruises heterophyllum Blume, Tetrastigma planicaule (Hook.) Gagnep., Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. Anthelmintic Sargentodoxa cuneata (Oliv. ) Rehd. et Wils., Sophora flavescens Alt. Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston, Bauhinia brachycarpa Wall. ex Benth., Antidiarrheal Allium sativum L., Ligusticum sinense Oliv., Carica papaya L. Phyllanthus emblica L., Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl., Fraxinus chinensis Roxb., Ranunculus chinensis Bunge, Clematis buchananiana DC., Datura Antiphlogistic stramonium L., Ajuga pantantha Hand.-Mazz., Paris polyphylla Sm., Bletilla striata (Thunb. ex A. Murray) Rchb. f., Ligusticum sinense Oliv., Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC., Sophora flavescens Alt. Burns and scalds Fraxinus chinensis Roxb., Bletilla striata (Thunb. ex A. Murray) Rchb. f. Phyllanthus emblica L., Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston, Allium sativum L., Ranunculus chinensis Bunge, Ranunculus japonicus Thunb., Chloranthus Cold japonicus Sieb., Paris polyphylla Sm., Ligusticum sinense Oliv., Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC., Capparis masaikai Levl. Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton, Ajuga pantantha Hand.-Mazz., Arisaema Fever, heterophyllum Blume, Sophora flavescens Alt., Capparis masaikai Levl., Detoxification Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Paris polyphylla Sm., Chloranthus japonicus Sieb. Rubia cordifolia L., Phyllanthus emblica L., Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl., Datura stramonium L., Agastache rugosa (Fisch. et Mey.) O. Ktze., Antenoron Intestines and filiforme (Thunb.) Rob. et Vaut., Amomum tsaoko Crevost et Lemarie, Illicium stomach disease verum Hook. f., Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo , Bletilla striata (Thunb. ex A. Murray) Rchb. f., Houttuynia cordata Thunb, Carica papaya L., Solanum verbascifolium L. Lowering blood Phyllanthus emblica L., Senna tora (L.) Roxb., Dendrobium officinale Kimura et pressure Migo, Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC., Eucommia ulmoides Oliver l. c. Clematis armandii Franch., Clematis buchananiana DC., Dendrobium officinale Nephritis, calculi Kimura et Migo, Houttuynia cordata Thunb, Eucommia ulmoides Oliver Pulmonary Phyllanthus emblica L., Allium sativum L. tuberculosis Rubia cordifolia L., Lycoris aurea (L'Hér.) Herb., Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston, Bauhinia brachycarpa Wall. ex Benth., Fraxinus chinensis Roxb., Rheumatism Clematis armandii Franch., Chloranthus japonicus Siebold, Sargentodoxa cuneata (Oliv. ) Rehd. et Wils., Tetrastigma planicaule (Hook.) Gagnep. Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC., Chloranthus japonicus Sieb., Paris polyphylla Snakebite Sm., Arisaema heterophyllum Blume.

Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 10

Miao medicine is divided into cold medicine and hot With increasing demand in the domestic and medicine. It follows the principle "cold disease with international medicine markets, the Miao people hot drugs, fever with cold medicine". Sweet herbs are have started to establish small production factories regarded as hot, bitter and astringent plants as cold. for medicinal plants commonly used in traditional Miao medicine normally prefers fresh herbs. The medicine (Fig. 4), such as Dendrobium officinale local people plant commonly used medicinal plants Kimura et Migo, Eucommia ulmoides Oliver, around their houses. Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Carica papaya L., Paris polyphylla Sm., Antenoron filiforme (Thunb.) Rob. et The status quo of local Miao knowledge Vaut. Prospect of Miao medicine

Fig. 4. Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo

Our study found that many medicinal herbs were still the Miao were included in the modern society, and abundant, including Sargentodoxa cuneata (Oliv. ) traditional culture was influenced and interrupted by Rehd. et Wils., Antenoron filiforme (Thunb.) Rob. et external forces. Vaut., Chloranthus japonicus Siebold, Amomum The statistics of Miao medicine use by local farmers tsaoko Crevost et Lemarie, Illicium verum Hook. f., is shown in Fig. 5. In order to understand the Lonicera japonica Thunb., Paris polyphylla Sm., statistics of cognizing Miao medicine by Miao people, Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, Bletilla striata we used the simple formula:

(Thunb. ex A. Murray) Rchb. f. and Ligusticum F=NK/NS sinense Oliv. Where, NK is the sum of people who know the Local people ate Phyllanthus emblica L. every day to number of types of Miao medicine in the interview, reduce "pathogenic fire". Capparis masaikai Levl. is NS is the total number of people who were also used as a sweetener (Hu & He 1983). interviewed. F is the proportion of cognizing the number of different types of Miao medicines in the Potential crisis of local Miao medicine total number of people. We can use “F” to describe The development of the Miao is lagging behind the the status of the Miao medicine because we can Han because of historical reasons. In recent history,

Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 11 know the status of local people's cognizing of Miao The frequency of using Miao medicine by Miao medicine from “F”. people depends on gender and age. In general, The participants showed a widely varying knowledge women use Miao medicine more frequently than men of medicinal plants. Most people knew 5 to 19 in the same age group, and older people with higher species, with 46% of the interviewees knowing less frequency than younger people (Fig. 6). The highest than 9 species. About 20% of the participants knew frequency group of people using traditional medicine more than 20 species, 50% people recognized 10-29 were is the elderly women, followed by older men species of medicinal herbs and a few (4%) recognize (28.4%), adult women (19.75%), adult men more than 30 medicinal herbs. In this study, we also (13.58%), and adolescents with the lowest usage noticed that almost all adolescents kew fewer than rate (6.17%), indicating a loss of interest in the 10 (Fig. 5). Medicinal knowledge was mainly kept knowledge of Miao medicine. within individual families.

Fig. 5. Number of Miao medicinal plant species recognized by the 200 participants

Fig. 6. Demographics of local people who used Miao medicines

Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 12

Due to the strong impact of modern western Competing interests: The authors declare that they medicine, as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine, have no competing interests. many young people have lost interest in Miao Funding: Strategic Priority Research Program of the medicine, and very few traditional Miao practitioners Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. have apprentices at the moment. In addition, XDA19050404), Survey and Germplasm practitioners of Miao medicine normally have a very Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small low income, and there is little economic incentive for Populations in Southwest China (2017FY100100), the younger generation to learn the tradition, and National Natural Science Foundation of China because other income sources are much more (31400182), the foundation of Key Laboratory of lucrative. The practitioners of Miao medicine are very Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China) traditional, conservative, and honor the value of the (No.KLEM-ZZ201905), Global Environment Facility knowledge from their ancestors. Therefore, they do Small Grants Programme (UNDP). prefer to rather let the knowledge be lost, than to spread ancestral knowledge to strangers. The Authors’ contributions education level of most practitioners is low, and Conceived of the study: BL; Conducted surveys: DL, many practitioners of Miao medicine do not speak HC, ZG; Identified plant species: BL, HJH; Analyzed Chinese, which makes the documentation and data: DL and HC; Wrote the manuscript: DL, HC, RB, translation of Miao medicine more difficult. ZG, BL; Edited the manuscript: BL, RB, DL, HC, ZG. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Conclusions Based on the investigation we give the following Acknowledgements suggestions to provide the basis for the development We thank the villagers who accepted to be of Miao medicine. interviewed and helped us in our work. We also thank (1) It is necessary to strengthen the documentation Yi LIU and Yi DENG for the training of endogenous of Miao medicine prescriptions, diagnoses and community sustainable development workshop. treatment technology and efficacy. The knowledge of Miao medicine is decliningdue to lack of apprentices. Literature cited (2) Establish an apprentice program for Miao Anderson DM, Salick J, Moseley RK, Xiaokun O. medicine, because with the death of many Miao 2005. Conserving the Sacred Medicine Mountains: A practitioners, as well as the influence of modern Vegetation Analysis of Tibetan Sacred Sites in medicine, the knowledge of Miao medicine is being Northwest Yunnan. Biodiversity and Conservation. lost. 14(13): 3065-3091. (3) Through policy support, strengthening the search Baghalian K, Ziai SA, Naghavi MR, Badi HN, and protection of intangible cultural heritage. Khalighi A. 2005. Evaluation of allicin content and (4) Local government should bring Miao medicine to botanical traits in Iranian garlic (Allium sativum L.) the market to promote the inheritance and ecotypes. Scientia Horticulturae. 103(2): 155-166. continuation of Miao medicine cultural through Baiming AT, Ren FX, Yang Y, Zhang Y, Qu AT., economic mode. Zhao YM. 2012. The chemical constituents of Bauhinia glauca (Wall, ex Benth.) Benth. subsp. Declarations hupehana (Craib) T. Chen. Journal of Chinese Ethics approval and consent to participate: The Pharmaceutical Sciences. 47(22): 1796-1798. semi-structured interviews were carried out Blania G, Spangenberg B. 1991. Formation of allicin anonymous, and all the participants involved in this from dried garlic (Allium sativum): a simple HPTLC study gave their informed consent. Permissions were method for simultaneous determination of allicin and provided by all participants in this study. Consent ajoene in dried garlic and garlic preparations. Planta was obtained from the participants prior to this study Medica. 57(4): 371-375. being carried out. The authors have all copyrights. Canini A, Alesiani D, D’Arcangelo G, Tagliatesta P. Institutional review board approval of Minzu 2007. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry University of China was obtained for this study. analysis of phenolic compounds from Carica papaya Consent for publication: Not applicable L. leaf. Journal of Food Composition & Analysis. Availability of data and materials: We are willing 20(7): 584-590. to share data generated or analyzed during the current study.

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Published: 10 July 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.26.1-14