Maneenoon et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2015) 11:43 DOI 10.1186/s13002-015-0031-5 JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE RESEARCH Open Access Ethnomedicinal plants used by traditional healers in Phatthalung Province, Peninsular Thailand Katesarin Maneenoon1*, Chuanchom Khuniad1,2, Yaowalak Teanuan1,3, Nisachon Saedan1, Supatra Prom-in1, Nitiphol Rukleng1, Watid Kongpool1, Phongsura Pinsook1 and Winyu Wongwiwat1 Abstract Background: In rural communities of Thailand, traditional healers still play an important role in local health care systems even though modern medicine is easily accessible. Meanwhile, natural forests in Thailand which are important sources of materia medica are being greatly destroyed. This has led to an erosion of traditional Thai medicine. Furthermore, the concept of medicinal plant selection as medicine based on their tastes is still an important component of traditional Thai medicine, but no or little publications have been reported. Thus the aim of the present study is to collect ethnomedicinal data, medicinal plant tastes and relevant information from experienced traditional healers before they are lost. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was carried out to collect information from nine experienced traditional healers on the utilization of medicinal plants in Phatthalung Province, Peninsular Thailand. Data were obtained using semi-structured interviews and participant observations. Plant specimens were also collected and identified according to the plant taxonomic method. Results: A total of 151 medicinal plants were documented and 98 of these are reported in the study. Local names, medicinal uses, parts used, modes of preparation, and the relationship between ailments and tastes of medicinal plant species are presented. Conclusions: This research suggests that traditional healers are still considered important for public health among Thai communities and that many people trust the healing properties of medicinal plants. In the future, it is hoped that traditional Thai medicine will be promoted and therefore will help reduce national public health expense. Keywords: Medicinal plants, Traditional healers, Peninsular Thailand, Phatthalung, Traditional knowledge Background Nowadays, Thai traditional medicine is supported by the Thailand has its own healing system of traditional medi- government. It has been incorporated into national cine commonly referred to as “traditional Thai medi- health policy for reducing the use of Western medicine cine”. This system is deeply rooted, and has played a key which is very expensive. In 2012, the Ministry of Public role in Thai culture for many centuries. The diverse way Health wanted its subdistrict-level medical facilities to of life and culture in each separate region of Thailand make traditional medicine account for 10 % of their total has led to a diverse local health care system. This medi- costs of medicine. Meanwhile, increasing the use of trad- cine depends on the knowledge and practical experience itional medicine in community hospitals should account of each individual healer with regard to diagnosing and for 5 %. Moreover, at least one doctor who specializes in treating ailments using naturally available materials. traditional medicine will work at community hospitals [1]. To respond to the government policy and develop the body of knowledge of Thai traditional medicine by * Correspondence: [email protected] 1Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla using scientific approaches, many academic institutes 90110, Thailand have set up a 4-year program and curriculum for Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © 2015 Maneenoon et al. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. Maneenoon et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2015) 11:43 Page 2 of 20 producing graduates with a Bachelor’s degree. However, their main occupation is in agriculture. The agriculture there are many crucial issues concerning the transfer of types include rubber, rice, pineapple, fruit orchards, knowledge of traditional medicine which is continually cattle, poultry and fisheries. The way of life of the declining. Firstly, highly experienced traditional healers people still depends on natural products in their daily are generally older people and they continue to pass lives. Although the modern health care system is easy to away without recording or passing on their knowledge. access, many people still believe in traditional medicine. Secondly, the younger generation of medical practi- Therefore, traditional healers are important people in the tioners has a low regard for traditional medicine. They communities. In the study area, there were various types are drawn to other occupations because of the job secur- of traditional healers such as herbalists, spiritual ity and higher salaries. Finally, the forests in Thailand healers, midwives, massage practitioners and bone are being destroyed and this means that the medicinal healers. The present study was focused only on herbal- plants necessary for traditional healers are in short sup- ists who resided in rural areas. ply. Consequently, the knowledge of the traditional healers regarding utilization of medicinal plants is being Ethnobotanical data collection diminished and could possibly be lost before being ex- The ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Phattha- plored by systematic study. The present study was lung province from 2010 to 2012. With an emphasis on carried out to document the diagnosis of diseases in accurate information, different types of ethnographic general, details of the utilization of medicinal plants and method, such as semi-structured interviews, partici- the criteria for selecting medicinal plants in terms of patory observation and fieldnotes, were combined to taste property of traditional healers. The present study is collect data with traditional healers from different areas the first research carried out in this area and it shows of Phatthalung province, peninsular Thailand. Before the correlation between medicinal plant tastes and plant starting the ethnobotanical data collection, snowball selection for making an effective prescription which has sampling was used as a practical method for finding never been reported before. Additionally, this ethnome- highly experienced traditional healers from Phatthalung dicinal information was collected from nine highly expe- provincial health office. Patients who were cured by rienced traditional healers and it will directly benefit traditional healers were sought, along with community people who are interested in traditional medicine and leaders and also traditional healers who had a well- medicinal plant aspects. established network. All traditional healers were selected not only for their extensive experience of traditional Materials and methods treatments, but also because they still actively practised Brief introduction to the study area their treatment with patients, including highly respected Phatthalung is situated in southern Thailand. It is geo- people within the communities. According to intensive graphically located between latitude: 7° 05 to 7° 55 N criteria, nine highly experienced traditional healers were and longitude: 99° 44 to 100° 25 E. The total area is chosen. They were all males and their ages ranged from 3424.473 km2. Most areas in Phatthalung can be classi- 55 to 110. Their experience ranged from 20 to 70 years fied into one of two classifications: 1) the eastern part is in the field of traditional medicine. Five were Muslim flood plain and some rolling terrain with an elevation and the rest were Buddhist. In terms of educational that ranges between 0–15 m above sea level, 2) the west- level, five had attended primary school and four had ern part is mountainous terrain covered by evergreen attended high school. The majority worked in agricul- forest with an elevation that ranges between 50–1200 m tural professions. Their knowledge of traditional medi- above sea level [2]. It borders Nakhon Si Thammarat cine was inherited from ancestors and close relatives, province to the north, Songkhla province to the south, and additionally they studied from other experienced Songkhla Lake to the east and Khaobanthad wildlife traditional healers. The main method of healing was by sanctuary to the west, which is covered with rich ever- using medicinal plants. Only one traditional healer green forest (Fig. 1). The annual average rainfall is treated an ailment with rituals if he thought that an 1800 mm. Rainfall distribution is divided into 2 periods, ailment was caused by supernatural forces. The inter- the long rains from September to January and the short views sought to determine the vernacular name of the rains from May to June. The average annual temperature plant, purposes of utilization, parts used, diseases treated, is 28 °C [3]. Phatthalung is divided into 11 districts, Bang modes of preparation, administration and taste of Kaeo, Khao Chaison, Khuan Khanun, Kong Ra, Mueang, individual plants as well as places of collection. Before Pa Bon, Pa