AN OVERVIEW OF THE USE AND TRADE OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE SYSTEMS IN CAMBODIA David Ashwell Naomi Walston A TRAFFIC SOUTHEAST ASIA REPORT An overview of the use and trade of plants and animals in traditional medicine systems in Cambodia 2 Published by TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Greater Mekong Programme, Ha Noi, Viet Nam © 2008 TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Greater Mekong Programme, Ha Noi, Viet Nam All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyrighted and may be reproduced with permission. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must credit TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Greater Mekong Programme as the copyright owner. The views of the authors expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the TRAFFIC network, WWF or IUCN. The designations of geographical entities in this publication, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of TRAFFIC or its supporting organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The TRAFFIC symbol copyright and Registered Trademark ownership is held by WWF. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN. Suggested citation: Ashwell, D. and Walston, N. (2008). An overview of the use and trade of plants and animals in traditional medicine systems in Cambodia. TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Greater Mekong Programme, Ha Noi, Viet Nam. Written by: David Ashwell and Naomi Walston Edited by: Geoff Morris Cover photo: Mark Bezuijen AN OVERVIEW OF THE USE AND TRADE OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE SYSTEMS IN CAMBODIA By Naomi Walston and David Ashwell A TRAFFIC SOUTHEAST ASIA REPORT © Mark Bezuijen © Mark Bezuijen Forest products on sale at a Cambodian market TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................. 5 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................ 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 6 A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE AND TRADE OF WILD PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE SYSTEMS IN CAMBODIA.................................................. 13 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................. 13 What is Traditional Khmer Medicine?............................................................................................................. 13 Traditional Khmer Medicine in Cambodian Society ....................................................................................... 14 Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional Vietnamese Medicine in Cambodia ....................................... 15 Traditional Medicine and the Formal Healthcare Sector ................................................................................. 15 Traditional Medicine and the Law ................................................................................................................... 16 METHODS.......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Researchers ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 Interviews......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Observation ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 Sources of Information..................................................................................................................................... 18 RESULTS............................................................................................................................................................ 19 Popularity of Traditional Medicine in Cambodia............................................................................................. 19 Plants and Animals in Medicine....................................................................................................................... 19 Previous Research into the Use of Wildlife in Traditional Medicine in Cambodia......................................... 20 The Current Use of Wildlife in Traditional Medicine in Cambodia ................................................................ 21 DISCUSSION...................................................................................................................................................... 28 Plants in Traditional Medicine ......................................................................................................................... 28 Animals in Traditional Medicine ..................................................................................................................... 29 Captive-Breeding and Cultivation.................................................................................................................... 31 The Export of Cambodia's Plants and Animals for Traditional Medicine ....................................................... 31 CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................................... 33 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................................... 34 An overview of the use and trade of plants and animals in traditional medicine systems in Cambodia 2 A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE AND TRADE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN CAMBODIA ....................................................................................................................................................... 36 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................. 36 METHOD............................................................................................................................................................ 37 Database Development..................................................................................................................................... 37 Assessment of Vulnerability of Species........................................................................................................... 37 Market Chains of Select Species – Case Studies ............................................................................................. 38 Interviews upon Collection, Use, Trade and Legislation ................................................................................. 39 RESULTS............................................................................................................................................................ 40 Diversity and conservation significance of medicinal plants........................................................................... 40 Case Studies in Trade and Use – Key Points ................................................................................................... 44 Interviews upon Collection, Use, Trade and Legislation ................................................................................. 55 Transport .......................................................................................................................................................... 55 Legislation and Regulatory Arrangements....................................................................................................... 56 CONCLUSIONS................................................................................................................................................. 57 Overall Diversity and Origins .......................................................................................................................... 57 Principal Habitats of Medicinal Plants............................................................................................................. 58 Vulnerabilities of Species................................................................................................................................. 58 Key Medicinal Plant Collection Areas............................................................................................................. 58 General Trade Scenario.................................................................................................................................... 59 Regulatory Framework..................................................................................................................................... 60 DISCUSSION...................................................................................................................................................... 62 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................................... 64 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................................