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Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine logoLink to Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
. 2015 Apr 30;11:32. doi: 10.1186/s13002-015-0019-1

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by Maonan people in China

Liya Hong 1, Zhiyong Guo 1, Kunhui Huang 1, Shanjun Wei 1, Bo Liu 1, Shaowu Meng 2, Chunlin Long 1,3,
PMCID: PMC4449599  PMID: 25925830

Abstract

Background

This paper is based on an ethnobotanical investigation that focused on the traditional medicinal plants used by local Maonan people to treat human diseases in Maonan concentration regions. The Maonan people have relied on traditional medicine since ancient times, especially medicinal plants. The aim of this study is to document medicinal plants used by the Maonans and to report the status of medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge.

Methods

Ethnobotanical data were collected from June 2012 to September 2014 in Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County, northern Guangxi, southwest China. In total, 118 knowledgeable informants were interviewed. Following statistically sampling method, eighteen villages from 5 townships were selected to conduct field investigations. Information was collected through the approache of participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, ranking exercises, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory rural appraisals.

Results

A total of 368 medicinal plant species were investigated and documented together with their medicinal uses by the Maonans, most of which were obtained from the wild ecosystems. The plants were used to treat 95 human diseases. Grinding was a widely used method to prepare traditional herbal medicines. There were significant relationships between gender and age, and between gender and informants’ knowledge of medicinal plant use. Deforestation for agricultural purposes was identified as the most destructive factor of medicinal plants, followed by drought and over-harvest.

Conclusions

The species diversity of medicinal plants used by the Maonans in the study area was very rich. Medicinal plants played a significant role in healing various human disorders in the Maonan communities. However, the conflicts between traditional inheriting system and recent socio-economic changes (and other factors) resulted in the reduction or loss of both medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Thus, conservation efforts and policies, and innovation of inheriting system are necessary for protecting the medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Awareness is also needed to be raised among local Maonans focusing on sustainable utilization and management of both medicinal plants and traditional knowledge.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, Traditional knowledge, The Maonans, Ethnomedicine, Huanjiang county

Background

Traditional medicine is used to maintain people’s health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illnesses all over the world [1,2]. Medicinal plants are believed to be with healing powers, and people have used them for many centuries. Aimed to modern drug discovery, traditional medicinal plants have been studied and developed which is followed the ethnobotanical lead of indigenous cures used by traditional medical systems [3-5]. Traditional medicinal knowledge, especially using medicinal plants in the developing countries, has been in existence and use, and has been a part of therapeutic practices [6]. Therefore, the investigation of plants and their uses (especially medicinal purposes) is one of the most primary human concerns and has been practiced in the world [7-12].

The traditional use of medicinal plants in China is widely accepted. The population of 55 minorities is 11.2 millions occupying 8% of China’s population, and these minorities distribute in 65% of the country’s territory. Each minority has its own medicinal characteristic, and has various experiences of medicinal knowledge [13]. Traditional medicinal plants play an important role of protecting people’s lives and health in minority regions, especially in remote and poor area [14,15]. Because of unique natural conditions and customs in the ethnic minority areas, long-term practices of using medicinal plants have formed various systems of treating diseases [16-18]. For example, Tibetan medicine is famous for treating digestive disorders, rheumatic diseases and wounds [19,20]. The Mongolians have a long history of horse riding, and their medicine is effective to deal with bone fracture and brain concussion. Yao medicine has special advantages in cancers and skin problems [21].

North Guangxi has been recognized as a rich biodiversity and world-famous karst area. With the elevation between 700–1500 m, it is obviously affected by plateau terrain and subtropical monsoon climate. Thus, the temperature difference of four seasons is small but the vertical climate changes significantly. There are more than 10 ethnic groups living in north Guangxi and formed colorful ethnic characteristic. As one of the indigenous minorities, Maonan is mainly living in Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southwest China. The exceptional altitudinal range, topography and climatic variability in this region have fostered a center of plant species endemism. Here the majority of Maonan people rely on medicinal plants for self-medication. The Maonan medicine has made a great contribution to protect the health of local people. This is due to free access to medicinal herbs, cultural traditions and high cost of hospital treatments in the town nearby. Local people widely utilize endemic species, and they have developed their own traditional medicinal knowledge. Without writing language, Maonan people pass on their indigenous knowledge from generation to generation orally. Nowadays, the Maonan children spend most of their time in schools, where they are taught in Han language. This decreases their chances to learn about the uses of the medicinal plants from the old people. Therefore, important information about medicinal plants is easily lost in the transfer process of indigenous knowledge. With the impact of increasing modern health facilities and modern civilization in Maonan area, indigenous knowledge is depleting rapidly. Although a number of ethnobotanical documentations about several ethnic groups have been published during the past decades in China, few field ethnobotanical studies have been conducted in Maonan society. It is therefore necessary to carry out a survey to document the medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge in Maonan region.

Thus, the purposes of the present work were as follows: (i) to document and analyze the knowledge and use of medicinal plants by Maonan people at the study area; (ii) to circulate the results within the scientific community in order to open a door for research in other disciplines; (iii) to document the medicinal plants that could be valuable in future’s phytochemical and pharmacological discoveries, and (iv) to contribute to the knowledge and conservational possibilities of plant biodiversity, bearing in mind that biological diversity is also related to the use and applications of natural resources.

Materials and methods

Study area and the people

The study area covered 18 villages of Huanjiang County (the only Maonan autonomous County in China) in the northern part of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southwest China (Figure 1). The villages are located in 5 townships, which were selected based on Maonan traditional settlements, namely: Chengnan, Chengbei, Luoyang, Shuiyuan, Shangnan, Youdong, Mulun, Xia’nan, Pochuan, Fengyi, Zhongnan, Tangba, Xiatang, Yuhuan, Caimen, Guzhou, Xiyuan, and Jingyang villages. Huanjiang County is situated in the subtropical zone, located between 24°83′ and 25°06′ east longitude and between 107°92′ and 108°26′ north latitude, with the annual average temperature of 20°C and annual rain fall of 1500 mm. The vegetation of the county belongs to the subtropical evergreen montane forest. It is humid in summer and relatively dry in winter. The most Maonan villages are seated on the small strips of flat land or slopes in the rocky mountainous area at 500–1000 meters above sea level. The sinkholes and underground caverns in the area have well developed because of karst landform. Despite abundant rainfall, there are no big rivers but only a small number of streams. Water shortage has been a major obstacle to economic and social development in the Maonan areas.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Sketch map of the study area.

The Maonan minority, with a total population of about 107,200, is one of the 55 officially recognized ethnic groups in China. With no written language [22], the Maonans’ stories and traditions are remembered and passed down orally from generation to generation, but these are becoming less and less. The Maonan language belongs to the Dong-Shui branch of the Zhuang-Dong language group in the Chinese-Tibetan language family. The Maonan language is widely spoken in Maonan communities. Almost all of the Maonans know both Han and Zhuang languages, because they need to communicate with the Zhuang and Han people, the majorities in Guangxi. About 60% of the Maonan people live in Huanjiang County, which is the only Maonan autonomous county in China. The Maonans are polytheistic, and they pay homage to dozens of deities or immortals on various occasions. These icons include figures from myths, legends, celebrities of historical events, divinities from Taoism or Buddhism, ancestors of the family and so on [22]. Due to remote mountainous regions and poor economic environment, traditional remedies of medicinal plants are the most important and sometimes the only source of therapeutics in the Maonan villages. The long utilization history and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants had supported their livelihoods. The Maonan healers and farmers have developed their own ethnomedicinal knowledge.

Field works and ethnobotanical data collection

A total of 118 (106 males and 12 females) informants were interviewed in the study area, in which 80 were selected using snowball technique and 38 key informants were selected purposively and systematically based on the recommendations of knowledgeable elders, local authorities and development agents. All of the informants were local inhabitants aged between 21 and 85 years. Local Maonan healers were surely identified as key informants, because they were important custodians and participants of indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants. Interestingly, all these traditional healers were males. A few women were also interviewed to examine their medicinal knowledge and opinions.

Ethnobotanical investigations were carried out to collect data on medicinal plants used to treat human ailments following standard methods in Maonan area. The methodological approaches were semi-structured interviews, field observations, group discussions and guided field walks. The data were collected from June 2012 to September 2014. Interviews and discussions were undertaken based on a checklist of questions prepared in Chinese and translated into Maonan language. Information was carefully recorded during interviews with each informant. Field observations were performed with traditional healers guided on the morphological features and habitats of each medicinal plant species. Voucher specimens of cited medicinal plants were collected and their local identity was re-confirmed by other informants. The information obtained was cross-checked with the other informants. The information such as the local name, habit, wild/cultivated, availability of medicinal plants, need of conservation and efforts made by inhabitants, and traditional medicinal uses of plants were recorded. Group discussions were conducted on multipurpose, conservation, threats of the medicinal plants, and transferability of knowledge with the healers and local people in the villages. Also, the key informants were selected for preference ranking exercise.

Specimen collection and identification

The listed medicinal plants were collected from field and gardens, and the habits of these plants were recorded. The voucher specimens were made and deposited in the Herbarium, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China, for future references. The botanical identities of collected specimens were confirmed by the authors and other taxonomists at Minzu University of China. Plant names were checked with Flora of China and botanical websites (e.g. http://www.tropicos.org/).

Data analysis

The data were summarized using Microsoft Office Excel sheet. Descriptive statistical methods were applied to analyze and summarize the ethnobotanical data such as frequency and percentage.

Preference ranking exercise [23,24] was conducted by 8 key informants on 7 medicinal plants used to treat traumatic injury in the study area. The highest number of medicinal plants was prescribed by informants to fight traumatic injury. The plants in this exercise were short-listed by the key informants, and then their importance to manage traumatic injury was discussed. The plants were given to the informants and were ranked based on their efficacy. Medicinal plant that was believed to be the most effective was given the highest value 7, and the one with the least effectiveness a value of 1. Rank was determined based on the total score of each species. A total rank of preference exercise was obtained by summing the number of informant given.

The reported ailments were grouped into 21 categories based on the information gathered from the interviewees. Factor of informant consensus (FIC) was calculated for each category to test the agreements of the informants on the reported cures for the group of diseases. The FIC was calculated as follows: number of use citations in each category (Nur) minus the number of species used (Nt), and divided by the numbers of use citations in each category minus one [25,26]. The formula was listed as below:

FIC=NurNt/Nur1

Results

Medicinal plants reported

The study recorded 368 medicinal plant species (see Table 1). Ethnomedicinal information for each species, including scientific name, Chinese name, local name, family name, life form, habitat, plant parts used, preparation and uses, was listed in Table 1. The species belonged to 295 genera and 115 families were used by Maonan people to treat various human ailments. Among the families that contributed more medicinal species were Asteraceae, represented by 24 species (6.52%), Fabaceae with 19 (5.16%) species, and Rosaceae with 16 (4.35%), while other 292 families contributed 309 (83.97%) species were mostly represented by 1 or 2 species (Table 2).

Table 1.

Inventory of Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used by Maonan People

No. Scientific name Chinese name Maonan name Family Life form Habit Parts used Preparation and uses
1 Abelmoschus sagittifolius (Kurz) Merr. Jianyeqiukui箭叶秋葵 -- Malvaceae Herb Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for furuncle
2 Abrus cantoniensis Hance Guangdong xiangsizi广州相思子 rouŋ2ra2təp7 Fabaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute and chronic hepatitis, stomachache, rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury, liver cirrhosis and common cold
3 Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet Mopancao磨盘草 ruoŋ2ŋaŋ³luiŋ5 Malvaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Boiled with meat; Taken orally soup, treating for fever due to common cold, bronchitis, epidemic parotitis and tuberculosis
4 Acanthopanax gracilistylus W. W. Smith. Wujia五加 mba³tshi2an2lau4 Araliaceae Shrub Both Root, Bark Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, carminative, bone fracture and pain of limbs
5 Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr. Baile白簕 mba³tshi6man2ndi5 Araliaceae Shrub Both Stem, Root Medicinal liquor for treating rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, waist and legs pain, ostealgia and sciatica; Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for eczema, ulcer and furuncle
6 Achillea wilsoniana Heimerl ex Hand. -Mazz. Yunnanshi云南蓍 -- Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for ulcer
7 Achyranthes bidentata Blume Niuxi牛膝 ma6wei5gou2ɣou¹ Amaranthaceae Herb Wild Root Grinding and drink with wine for traumatic injury, removing blood stasis
8 Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. Wutou乌头 taŋ5gou²ʔno² Ranunculaceae Herb Both Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for scrofula, perineum ache
9 Acorus calamus L. Shuichangpu水菖蒲 baːŋ5sjɛm2rəm³ Acoraceae Herb Wild Root Powder; Taken orally for diarrhea
10 Acorus tatarinowii Schott Shichangpu石菖蒲 ruoŋ2jɛŋ³vu2 Acoraceae Herb Wild Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for epilepsy and convulsion
11 Adenophora tetraphylla (Thunb.) Fisch. Lunyeshashen轮叶沙参 mua²ʨiɔ³gʔai² Campanulaceae Herb Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for complications after measles
12 Adiantum capillus-junonis Rupr. tuanyutiexianjue团羽铁线蕨 ya2bou³ Adiantaceae Herb Wild Whole plant, Rhizome Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for piles
13 Aeginetia indica L. Yegu野菰 -- Orobanchaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for swelling, clearing away heat and toxic materials
14 Ageratum conyzoides L. Huoxiangji藿香蓟 -- Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever due to common cold, empyrosis and abscess
15 Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. Longyacao龙芽草 ruoŋ2hiu¹cia³ Rosaceae Herb Wild Root Boiled with meat or wine and drunk the soup, treating for piles, enteritis, diarrhea, hemafecia, hematuria
16 Ainsliaea bonatii Beauverd Xinyetu'erfeng心叶兔儿风 ma6ka6ʑai2 Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, asthma with throat itching
17 Akebia quinata (Houtt.) Decne. Mutong木通 -- Lardizabalaceae Liana Wild Stem, Root, Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, diuresis, promoting lactation
18 Alangium chinense (Lour.) Harms Bajiaofeng八角枫 mei4da2 Alangiaceae Tree Both Fibrous root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, lumbar muscle degeneration, asthma and bleeding
19 Allium fistulosum L. Cong葱 soŋ³xien³nien2 Liliaceae Herb Homegarden Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, pains, rheumatic headache, numbness of limbs and replenishing the liver
20 Allium sativum L. Suan蒜 kɔŋ¹do2 Liliaceae Herb Homegarden Bulb Grinding, dispersed in water and drunk for pertussis cough, enteritis, tuberculosis, poor appetite, indigestion, diarrhea
21 Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng. Jiu韭 mba³kən5 Liliaceae Herb Homegarden Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for toothache, piles, traumatic injury and insect bite
22 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don Reyahaiyu热亚海芋 -- Araceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite and innominate inflanunatory of unknown origin
23 Alpinia katsumadai Hayata Caodoukou草豆蔻 -- Zingiberaceae Herb Homegarden Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for indigestion
24 Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. Yizhi益智 -- Zingiberaceae Herb Wild Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for warming the spleen, kidney deficiency, diarrhea and spermatorrhea
25 Alternanthera sessilis (L.) DC. Lianzicao莲子草 -- Amaranthaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for reducing fever and causing diuresis
26 Amomum tsaoko Crevost et Lemarie Caoguo草果 -- Zingiberaceae Herb Homegarden Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for eliminating phlegm, indigestion, diarrhea and malaria
27 Amomum villosum Lour. Sharen砂仁 -- Zingiberaceae Herb Homegarden Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for indigestion
28 Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees Chuanxinlian穿心莲 -- Acanthaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials
29 Androsace umbellata (Lour.) Merr. Diandimei点地梅 -- Primulaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for inflammation and traumatic injury
30 Anemone hupehensis Lem. Dapowanhuahua打破碗花花 ma2miŋ55 Ranunculaceae Herb Wild Root, Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for biliary tract ascariasis
31 Aralia chinensis L. Songmu楤木 -- Araliaceae Tree Wild Seed Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for snake bite
32 Aralia undulata Hand.-Mazz. Boyuansongmu波缘楤木 mei5ȵun4 Araliaceae Shrub Wild Root Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for cough
33 Arctium lappa L. Niubang牛蒡 maː6kaː6wei5 Asteraceae Herb Homegarden Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile fever and cough
34 Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf Zoumatai走马胎 ruoŋ2loŋ2mia4 Myrsinaceae Shrub Wild Rhizome, Whole plant Medicinal liquor for treating rheumatism, rheumatic arthritis, waist and legs pain, paralysis, hemiplegia and traumatic injury
35 Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) Blume Zijinniu紫金牛 wa5ʨiɛm²wei³ Myrsinaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis, cough, traumatic injury and preventing phlegm
36 Arisaema erubescens (Wall.) Schott Yibasannanxing一把伞南星 ma¹gəp8tai5 Araceae Herb Wild Tuber Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite
37 Arisaema heterophyllum Blume Tiannanxing天南星 jɛk7khω6dɔŋ2 Araceae Herb Wild Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, cough, hypertension, acute inflammation and abdomen pain
38 Arisaema rhizomatum C. E. C. Fischer Xuelijian雪里见 kɣou²ŋau4 Araceae Herb Wild Tuber Medicinal liquor for treating scrofula and perineum ache
39 Aristolochia fangchi Y. C. Wu ex L. D. Chow et S. M. Hwang Guangfangji广防己 ruoŋ2dak8loŋ² Aristolochiaceae Liana Wild Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute nephritis, urinary tract infection, hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, edema
40 Aristolochia kwangsiensis Chun et How ex C. F. Liang Guangximadouling广西马兜铃 -- Aristolochiaceae Liana Wild Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for snake bite, stomachache, diarrhea, strep throat, epidemic parotitis, lymphnoditis
41 Aristolochia versicolor S. M. Hwang Biansemadouling变色马兜铃 -- Aristolochiaceae Liana Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for snake bite
42 Armeniaca vulgaris Lam. Xing杏 dəŋ¹vɔŋ5ʑa2 Rosaceae Tree Homegarden Seed Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for chronic trachitis, cough
43 Artemisia annua L. Huanghuahao黄花蒿 ruoŋ2nŋai6min³ Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for malaria, fever, indigestion, tuberculosis hot flashes and night sweat; washing for scab, pruritus and mosquito bite
44 Artemisia capillaris Thunb. Yinchenhao茵陈蒿 ma6ʔai³ Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hepatitis and jaundice
45 Artemisia japonica Thunb. Muhao牡蒿 -- Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials, inflammation and blood stasis
46 Asarum longerhizomatosum C. F. Liang et C. S. Yang Xijingjin'erhuan长茎金耳环 -- Aristolochiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for headache, toothache, cough, diarrhea, acute enteritis
47 Asarum sieboldii Miq. Xixin细辛 ruoŋ2ndeŋ5kha³ Aristolochiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant, Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, relieving pain
48 Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. Tianmendong天门冬 lak5mən2tuŋ¹ Asparagaceae Herb Wild Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for tuberculosis, cough, constipation, diabetes and sore throat after rash
49 Azolla imbricata (Roxb.) Nakai Manjianghong满江红 -- Azollaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for measles
50 Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek. Banlan板蓝 ruoŋ2wom¹ Acanthaceae Herb Homegarden Whole plant Grinding, decoction drunk for common cold, sore throat, parotitis and epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis
51 Bauhinia brachycarpa Wall. Anyeyangtijia鞍叶羊蹄甲 yaŋm³gəm³duo5 Fabaceae Tree Both Root, Leaf Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for cough, hemoptysis
52 Bauhinia championii (Benth.) Benth. Longxuteng龙须藤 bjeu³in5 Fabaceae Liana Both Stem Grinding, decoction drunk for rheumatism, traumatic injury, stomachache, waist and legs pain
53 Belamcanda chinensis (L.) Redoute Shegan射干 mei5van³biɛn² Iridaceae Herb Both Root Grinding, decoction drunk for sore throat
54 Berberis julianae Schneid Haozhuci豪猪刺 taːŋm2mɛn5sem5 Berberidaceae Shrub Wild Root Grinding, boiled with water and washed the affected area for clearing away heat and toxic materials, inflammation
55 Bidens pilosa L. Guizhencao鬼针草 wɔk7cut7na5 Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis, jaundice, rheumatism, ostealgia, diarrhea, throat ache, kidney deficiency and waist pain
56 Bischofia javanica Bl. Qiufeng秋枫 -- Euphorbiaceae Tree Both Stem, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orallyfor removing blood stasis, carminative, improving indigestion
57 Bletilla striata (Thunb. ex A. Murray) Rchb. f. Baiji白及 kɔŋ¹nat7 Orchidaceae Herb Both Bulb Powder swallowed for tuberculosis and empyrosis
58 Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. Ainaxiang艾纳香 ruoŋ2nŋai6lau4 Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, dysmenorrhea and afterpains
59 Boehmeria nivea(L.) Gaudich. Zhuma苎麻 mba³ŋan³ Urticaceae Shrub Wild Root Bark, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for miscarriage prevention, hematuria, traumatic injury, bone fracture, diuresis, measles, joint sprain
60 Bombax malabaricum DC. Mumian木棉 wai5mei4 Bombacaceae Tree Both Flower, Root bark, Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally; Flower is treating for enteritis, stomach ulcer; Root bark is treating for rheumatism, traumatic injury; Root is treating for chronic nephritis gastricism, stomach ulcer, tuberculosis of cervical lymph nodes
61 Botrychium ternatum (Thunb.) Sw. Yindijue阴地蕨 do5gʔom2daːŋ³ Botrychiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough
62 Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. Yadanzi鸦胆子 -- Simaroubaceae Shrub Wild Seed Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, malaria and chromic diarrhea
63 Bryophyllum pinnatum (L. f.) Oken Luoyeshenggen落地生根 ruoŋ2ra2pu³ Crassulaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for detumescence by detoxification, promoting blood circulation to arrest pain, draw out pus and toxin
64 Buddleja officinalis Maxim. Mimenghua密蒙花 wa³kuŋ³ruo² Loganiaceae Shrub Wild Flower Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for swelling and pain of eye, hyperdacryosis and cloudness of cornea
65 Caesalpinia sappan Linn. Sumu苏木 mei4sam³mɔk8 Fabaceae Tree Wild Heartwood Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, rheumatism, ostealgia, bleeding
66 Caesalpinia sepiaria Roxb. Yunshi云实 ʔŋən5ʔniao2 Fabaceae Tree Wild Root, Seed Medicinal liquor for treating contraception in the menstrual period
67 Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl Dayezizhu大叶紫珠 ruoŋ2lak8phau5 Verbenaceae Shrub Wild Root, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hemafecia and hemoptysis
68 Campanumoea javanica Bl. Jianqianbao金钱豹 bieu³thωp8jou¹ Campanulaceae Herb Wild Root Powdered and swallowed for tuberculosis, enteritis, diarrhea, appendicitis, traumatic injury and piles
69 Camptotheca acuminata Decne. Xishu喜树 -- Nyssaceae Tree Both Fruit, Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cancer and schistosome
70 Canscora lucidissima (Levl. et Vaniot) Hand.-Mazz Chuanxincao穿心草 ma6chuan2 Gentianaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for stranguria, snake bite, stomachache, cough and jaundiced hepatitis
71 Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. Ji荠 mba³kɔŋ¹pia³ Cruciferae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for catching common cold, fever, nephritis, edema, hypertension, enteritis
72 Cassia tora Linn. Jueming决明 thou6maŋ³xiзŋ³ Fabaceae Herb Both Seed Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hyperlipidemia, hepatitis, stomachache, acute conjunctivitis, habitual constipation, dental ulcer
73 Cassytha filiformis L. Wugenteng无根藤 bieu³chim6cieu¹ Lauraceae Herb Wild Stem Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for vitiligo, jaundice, constipation, waist and knees pain, impotence and spermatorrhea
74 Cayratia japonica (Thunb.) Gagnep. Wulianmei乌蔹莓 -- Vitaceae Herb Wild Whole plant, Root Medicinal liquor for paralysis
75 Celosia argentea L. Qingxiang青葙 mba³pωm³pa5 Amaranthaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for trachitis, gastricism
76 Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. Qiuxujuan'er球序卷耳 maː6ʔan4ʑau2 Caryophyllaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for febrile convulsion
77 Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne Mugua木瓜 -- Rosaceae Shrub Homegarden Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for smooth the liver and stomach
78 Chirita eburnea Hance Niu'erduo牛耳朵 ma5ba5 Gesneriaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bronchitis
79 Chloranthus holostegius (Handel-Mazzetti) Pei & Shan Quanyuanjinlilan全缘金栗兰 tei³kuai5wa5 Chloranthaceae Herb Wild Root Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for weakness
80 Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl Xiangzhang香樟 mei4kau¹ Lauraceae Tree Homegarden Bark Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute gastroenteritis, rheumatism, ostealgia, emesis, diarrhea and bone fracture
81 Cinnamomum cassia Presl Rougui肉桂 -- Lauraceae Tree Homegarden Stem Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, dysmenorrhea and sweating
82 Cinnamomum subavenium Miq. Xianggui香桂 -- Lauraceae Tree Both Bark Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for antiseptic
83 Cirsium japonicum Fisch. ex DC. Daji大蓟 mba³tin³tsuok7lau4 Asteraceae Herb Wild Root, Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundice, scabies, hemafecia, muscle swelling and gastroduodenal ulcer
84 Clematis chinensis Osbeck. Weilingxian威灵仙 ruoŋ2pek7mi6saŋ³ Ranunculaceae Liana Wild Root, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for tonsillitis, jaundice, migraine and rheumatism
85 Clerodendrum chinense (Osbeck) Mabb. Choumoli臭茉莉 ruoŋ2phuŋ6hi6 Verbenaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, rheumatism and detumescence
86 Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz. Daqing大青 -- Verbenaceae Shrub Wild Leaf Ground, decoction; Taken orally for fever due to common cold, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, parotitis, enteritis and diarrhea
87 Coix lacryma-jobi L. Yiyi薏苡 ɣhou6gaŋ54 Gramineae Herb Both Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute nephritis
88 Colocasia antiquorum Schott Yeyu野芋 phi²niəŋ6 Araceae Herb Wild Tuber Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, furuncle, empyrosis and snake bite
89 Commelina communis L. Yazhicao鸭趾草 mba³ciap7 Commelinaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, influenza, acute tonsillitis, edema, enteritis, urinary tract infection, empyrosis and bleeding
90 Crataegus pinnatifida
Bunge
Shanzha山楂 dɛŋ¹miɛ5²yə2 Rosaceae Tree Homegarden Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for poor appetite, blood stasis
91 Croton tiglium L. Badou巴豆 ruoŋ2mei4miət7 Euphorbiaceae Tree Homegarden Root Bark, Leaf Pound fresh leaf applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, herpes zoster; Pound root bark applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite
92 Cucumis sativus L. Huanggua黄瓜 -- Cucurbitaceae Herb Homegarden Fruit Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding and skin whitening
93 Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Xianmao仙茅 ruoŋ2saŋ³thɔk8 Amaryllidaceae Herb Homegarden Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for headache due to common cold, rheumatic arthritis, neurasthenia, chronic nephritis, erectile dysfunction and seminal leakage
94 Curcuma aromatica Salisb. Yujin郁金 -- Zingiberaceae Herb Wild Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bleeding, jaundice and cooling blood
95 Curcuma longa L. Jianghuang姜黄 ruoŋ2cɛŋ³woŋ² Zingiberaceae Herb Homegarden Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for abnormal menstruation, amenorrhea, flatulence and blood stasis
96 Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe E'zhu莪术 pi6cɛŋ³nəm³ Zingiberaceae Herb Homegarden Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury, abdomen pain
97 Cuscuta chinensis Lam. Tusizi菟丝子 -- Convolvulaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hepatitis
98 Cyclea hypoglauca (Schauer) Diels Fenyelunhuanteng粉叶轮环藤 -- Menispermaceae Liana Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for toothache, urinary tract infection, rheumatism, diphtheria, ostealgia; Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for carbuncle, snake bite
99 Cynanchum atratum Bunge Baiwei白薇 lau2ʨiŋ5xi5 Asclepiadaceae Herb Wild Root Medicinal liquor for treating rheumatic arthritis
100 Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight Niupixiao牛皮消 gʔɛ2lin5xiao5 Asclepiadaceae Shrub Wild Root Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for infantile dry-sickness and malnutrition
101 Cynanchum officinale (Hemsl.) Tsiang & H.D.Zhang Zhushateng朱砂藤 -- Asclepiadaceae Shrub Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for pain killer and weakness
102 Cynanchum paniculatum (Bunge) Kitag. Xuchangqing徐长卿 ta6ʔnu2 Asclepiadaceae Herb Both Root, Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for enteritis and diarrhea
103 Cyperus rotundus L. Xiangfuzi香附子 lak8rut8 Cyperaceae Herb Wild Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing and activating the channels and collaterals, common cold, abnormal menstruation
104 Cyrtomium fortunei J. Sm. Guanzhong贯众 rin³tsiɛk7lau4 Dryopteridaceae -- Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, parotitis, gastrorrhagia, hematuria, postpartum lochiorrhea and body deficiency disease
105 Datura metel L. Yangjinhua洋金花 -- Solanaceae Herb Wild Flower Pound and applied on the affected area for ulcer and pains
106 Datura stramonium L. Mantuoluo曼陀罗 ruoŋ2chou6dun³ Solanaceae Herb Wild Leaf Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle and traumatic injury
107 Davallia mariesii T. Moore ex Baker Gusuibu骨碎补 xiŋ5bɔa5 Davalliaceae -- Wild Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bone fracture and fructus psoraleae
108 Desmodium heterocarpon (L.) DC. Jiadidou假地豆 thou6ti5pa5 Fabaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for preventing mumps, epidemic encephalitis B, kidney and vesical stone
109 Dichondra repens J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. Matijin马蹄金 ruoŋ²tin³mia4 Convolvulaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, urinary stone and jaundiced hepatitis
110 Dicliptera chinensis (L.) Juss. Gougancai狗肝菜 ruoŋ2təp7ma³ Acanthaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever due to common cold, epidemic hepatitis B, rheumatic arthritis, conjunctivitis, diuresis and measles
111 Dimocarpus longan Lour. Longyan龙眼 ruoŋ2kuei4juon² Sapindaceae Tree Homegarden Aril Medicinal liquor for cosmetic, insomnia, forgetfulness, replenishing heart, tonic and blood deficiency
112 Dioscorea bulbifera L. Huangdu黄独 lak8phuo2 Dioscoreaceae Liana Homegarden Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, hemoptysis and epistaxis
113 Dioscorea cirrhosa Lour. Shuliang薯莨 daŋ5gʔui5pɛ² Dioscoreaceae Liana Homegarden Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for gastroduodenal ulcer
114 Dioscorea opposita Thunb. Shuyu薯蓣 -- Dioscoreaceae Liana Homegarden Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for weakness, cough and frequent urination
115 Diospyros kaki Thunb. Shi柿 den³mian5 Ebenaceae Tree Homegarden Fruit, Persistent calyx Pound fresh part mixing the rice wine applied on the affected area, treating for lymphadenectasis
116 Dipsacus asperoides C.Y. Cheng & Ai Chuanxuduan川续断 noŋ²bu²yɛ5 Dipsacaceae Herb Wild Seed, Root Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for leucorrhoea and bone fracture
117 Disporum cantoniense (Lour.) Merr. Wanshouzhu万寿竹 ma6mei5vɛn³ Liliaceae Herb Wild Root, Rhizome Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for cough
118 Drynaria propinqua (Wall. ex Mett.) J. Sm. Shilianjianghujue石莲姜槲蕨 -- Drynariaceae -- Wild Rhizome Medicinal liquor for treating rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, bone fracture and blood stasis
119 Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Teschem. Shemei蛇莓 taːŋm²bei²zeŋ¹ Rosaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for empyrosis, snake bite, furuncle
120 Dysosma versipellis (Hance) M. Cheng ex T.S. Ying Bajiaolian八角莲 va5piat7lim6 Berberidaceae Herb Both Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for mumps, traumatic injury, lymphnoditis, snake bite, breast carcinoma
121 Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. Lichang鳢肠 wɔk7mək8 Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile diarrhea, enteritis, hemafecia, hematuria, hemoptysis and bleeding
122 Elephantopus scaber L. Didancao地胆草 ruoŋ²təp7do6 Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, acute tonsillitis, acute jaundiced hepatitis, ascites due to cirrhosis, chronic gastricism and furuncle
123 Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. Niujincao牛筋草 ruoŋ²su5chin6 Gramineae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, rheumatism, ostealgia, infantile indigestion
124 Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. Yidianhong一点红 mba³kha³tu5 Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for inflammation, sore throat, cough, fever due to common cold, urticaria, herpes zoster
125 Epimedium brevicornu Maximowicz Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Yinyanghuo淫羊藿 ma5gan²duo³ Berberidaceae Herb Both Stem, Leaf Medicinal liquor for treating rheumatism, tonic
126 Epimeredi indica (L.) Rothm. Guangfangfen广防风 ruoŋ²woŋ² Lamiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, acute gastroenteritis; boiled with water and washed the affected area for snake bite, furuncle, eczema
127 Equisetum arvense L. Wenjing问荆 gɔŋ²dau5 Equisetaceae -- Wild Whole plant Powder swallowed for headache
128 Equisetum hyemale L. Bitongcao笔筒草 -- Equisetaceae -- Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bleeding, diuresis
129 Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. Pipa枇杷 va³bi²ba5 Rosaceae Tree Homegarden Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for pertussis cough
130 Eucalyptus robusta Sm. An桉 mei4cau5xui4 Myrtaceae Tree Homegarden Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for influenza, diarrhea
131 Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Duzhong杜仲 thu6tsuŋ5 Eucommiaceae Tree Both Bark Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hypertension, kidney deficiency, lumbago
132 Eupatorium chinense L. Duoxugong多须公 -- Asteraceae Herb Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials, blood stasis, traumatic injury
133 Euphorbia antiquorum L. Huoyangle火殃勒 ruoŋ²ko³loŋ² Euphorbiaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part and fried with wine, applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle, innominate inflanunatory of unknown origin
134 Euphorbia chrysocoma H. Lév. & Vaniot Shuihuanghua水黄花 maː³nom²ʔan² Euphorbiaceae Herb Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for infectious hepatitis
135 Euphorbia hirta L. Feiyangcao飞扬草 ruoŋ²jɛŋ³thuŋ6thin6 Euphorbiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bacillary diarrhea, enteritis, bronchitis, nephritis
136 Euphorbia humifusa Willdenow Dijin地锦 -- Euphorbiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for malaria, diuresis
137 Euphorbia milii Des Moul. Tiehaitang铁海棠 ruoŋ²ndunŋ³waŋ³ Euphorbiaceae Shrub Both Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for carbuncle
138 Euphorbia thymifolia L. Qian'gencao千根草 -- Euphorbiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bacillary diarrhea, enteritis, diarrhea, piles, bleeding
139 Evodia lepta (Spreng.) Merr. Sanyaku三桠苦 ruoŋ²sam³tsha³ Rutaceae Tree Wild Root, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for epidemic meningitis, influenza, fever, epidemic encephalitis B
140 Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. Wuzhuyu吴茱萸 tsha6la6 Rutaceae Shrub Wild Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, abnormal menstruation, diseases of liver stasis, emesis
141 Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn. Kuqiao苦荞 -- Polygonaceae Herb Wild Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for stomachache, indigestion
142 Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.) Haraldson Heshouwu何首乌 mən6daŋ³yɛ5 Polygonaceae Herb Both Tuber, Stem Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for weakness
143 Fibraurea recisa Pierre Tianxianteng天仙藤 -- Menispermaceae Liana Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for headache, fever, acute tonsillitis, strep throat, diarrhea, jaundiced hepatitis, gastricism, enteritis
144 Ficus microcarpa L. f. Rongshu榕树 ruoŋ²mei4joŋ² Moraceae Tree Homegarden Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for flu, malaria, bronchitis, acute enteritis, bacillary diarrhea, pertussis cough, tonsillitis
145 Ficus tikoua Bureau Diguo地果 -- Moraceae Liana Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundice, diarrhea and internal injury
146 Flemingia prostrata Roxb. Qianjinba千斤拔 ruoŋ²sωt7khui² Fabaceae Shrub Wild Root Grinding, decoction or medicinal liquor drunk for lumbar muscle degeneration, traumatic injury, rheumatic arthritis and tonsillitis
147 Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis Zhizi栀子 lak8kei³ Rubiaceae Shrub Both Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis, fever, diarrhea, nephritis and edema
148 Gastrodia elata Blume Tianma天麻 ŋoŋ5bu4noŋ² Orchidaceae Herb Wild Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for headache and stomachache
149 Gaultheria leucocarpa var. yunnanensis (Franch.) T.Z. Hsu & R.C. Fang Baiguobaizhu白果白珠 mei5ʔa5 Ericaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant, Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis and traumatic injury
150 Gelsemium elegans (Gardner & Champ.) Benth. Gouwen钩吻 ruoŋ²sai³mu5 Loganiaceae Liana Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle, carbuncle
151 Gentiana rhodantha Franch. Honghualongdan红花龙胆 ya5ma²mənp8 Gentianaceae Herb Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for furuncle
152 Geranium nepalense Sweet Nibo'er'laoguancao尼泊尔老鹳草 ma6ʑaŋ5nan5 Geraniaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for pertussis cough
153 Gerbera piloselloides (L.) Cass. Maodadingcao毛大丁草 ruoŋ²təp7thi6 Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials, fever due to common cold, cough, diarrhea, infantile indigestion
154 Geum aleppicum Jacq. Lubianqing路边青 mba³men² Rosaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for deficiency of dizziness
155 Ginkgo biloba L. Yinxing银杏 -- Ginkgoaceae Engler Tree Homegarden Fruit, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for moistening lung, cough
156 Gleditsia sinensis Lam. Zaojia皂荚 -- Fabaceae Tree Both Pod Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for apocenosis, detumescence
157 Glochidion puberum (Linnaeus) Hutchinson Suanpanzi算盘子 mei4thω6teŋ5 Euphorbiaceae Shrub Wild Root, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bacillary diarrhea, infantile indigestion, diarrhea, abdomen pain, proctoptosis, migraine , lymphnoditis
158 Gomphrena globosa L. Qianrihong千日红 xien³vən³lan¹ Amaranthaceae Herb Wild Flower Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for asthma, bronchitis, pertussis cough, tuberculosis, diarrhea and hemoptysis
159 Gonostegia hirta (Blume ex Hassk.) Miq. Nuomituan糯米团 -- Urticaceae Herb Wild Whole plant, Root Grinding, decoction or boiled with meat and drunk for clearing away heat and removing dampness, innominate inflanunatory of unknown origin
160 Gymnotheca chinensis Decne. Luoshuo裸蒴 maŋ5wɛŋ³bɔa5 Saururaceae Herb Homegarden Whole plant Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for weakness and cough
161 Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino Jiaogulan绞股蓝 -- Cucurbitaceae Liana Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, bronchitis and stomachache
162 Hedyotis diffusa Willd. Baihuasheshecao白花蛇舌草 ruoŋ²ma²rui²sɛ5 Rubiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hepatitis, cough, bronchitis, tonsillitis
163 Hemsleya sphaerocarpa Kuang & A. M. Lu Shelian蛇莲 tei5ʔŋaːn² Cucurbitaceae Liana Wild Tuber Powdered; Taken orally for appendicitis
164 Homalomena occulta (Lour.) Schott Qiannianjian千年健 ma6moŋ³ʨɛ5 Araceae Herb Wild Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, numbness of limbs, traumatic injury, bone fracture
165 Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Yuxingcao鱼腥草 mba³wət8 Saururaceae Herb Homegarden Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for edema, bronchopneumonia, nephritis, enteritis, diarrhea, cough
166 Hydrocotyle nepalensis Hook Hongmaticao红马蹄草 -- Umbelliferae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part mixing with hot liquor and applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury
167 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. Tianhusui天胡荽 na5ʨiao²nɛm³ Umbelliferae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for headache due to common cold
168 Hypericum japonicum Thunb. Tianjihuang田基黄 ruoŋ²kha³kai5 Guttiferae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hepatitis, acute conjunctivitis, tonsillitis and forepart hepatocirrhosis
169 Hypericum sampsonii Hance Yuanbaocao元宝草 wa³ciɛn³ Guttiferae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, pain, indigestion, chest congestion
170 Illicium difengpi B.N. Chang Difengpi地枫皮 -- Magnoliaceae Shrub Wild Stem, Bark Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, rheumatic arthralgia and lumbar muscle degeneration
171 Impatiens balsamina L. Fengxianhua凤仙花 wa³dip7sim¹ Balsaminaceae Herb Homegarden Whole plant, Seed Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle, carbuncle
172 Impatiens pinfanensis Hook. f. Kuaijiefengxianhua块节凤仙花 fan45ma² Balsaminaceae Herb Homegarden Tuber Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for scrofula
173 Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv. Baimao白茅 taŋ5ya³guaŋ4 Gramineae Herb Wild Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis, edema, bleeding
174 Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet Wuzhaojinlong五爪金龙 ruoŋ²lak85 Convolvulaceae Herb Both Leaf, Tuber Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for carbuncle, clearing away heat and toxic materials
175 Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. Qizhualong七爪龙 miau²ren³sen5 Convolvulaceae Liana Both Tuber, Leaf Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for nephritis
176 Ipomoea pescaprae (L.) R. Br. Houteng厚藤 ruoŋ²an³mia4 Convolvulaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic lumbocrural pain and lumbar muscle degeneration
177 Iris tectorum Maxim Yuanwei鸢尾 ʑo5waːŋ¹ Iridaceae Herb Both Rhizome Pound fresh part with water is taken as a drink for improving indigestion
178 Juglans regia L. Hutao胡桃 den³van5kɔŋ² Juglandaceae Tree Both Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for tonic, back pain
179 Juncus effusus L. Dengxincao灯心草 ȵan6daːŋ5 Juncaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis
180 Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. Xiaobogu小驳骨 ruoŋ²tiək7dak85 Acanthaceae Shrub Wild Stem, Leaf Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bone fracture, traumatic injury, 2rheumatic arthritis, ulcer
181 Justicia ventricosa Wall. ex Hook. f. Heiyexiaobogu黑叶小驳骨 -- Acanthaceae Shrub Wild Stem, Leaf Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bone fracture, traumatic injury, rheumatic arthritis, waist pain, bleeding
182 Kadsura heteroclita (Roxb.) Craib Yixingnanwuweizi异形南五味子 ruoŋ²li5rωp8 Magnoliaceae Liana Wild Stem Grinding, decoction or infusion with wine drunk for bone fracture, ostealgia, chronic gastricism, acute gastroenteritis
183 Kadsura longipedunculata Finet & Gagnep. Nanwuweizi南五味子 -- Magnoliaceae Liana Wild Fruit Decoctionn; Taken orally for cough, insomnia
184 Kalimeris indica (L.) Sch. Bip. Malan马兰 ruoŋ²xien³sɔk7 Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for pneumonia, bronchitis
185 Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb. Duanyeshuiwugong短叶水蜈蚣 -- Cyperaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile malnutrition, helminth
186 Laggera alata (D. Don) Sch. Bip. ex Oliv. Liulengju六棱菊 ruoŋ²jɛn³nəm¹ Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, nephritis, edema
187 Laportea cuspidata (Wedd.) Friis Aima艾麻 tuɔm²rɛn5 Urticaceae Herb Wild Whole plant, Root Medicinal liquor for rheumatic arthritis
188 Leonurus artemisia (Lour.) S.Y. Hu Yimucao益母草 ra²loŋ²cit7vən6 Lamiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for edema, nephritis, abnormal menstruation, promoting blood circulation due to menstruation
189 Ligusticum chuanxiong S.H. Qiu, Y.Q. Zeng, K.Y. Pan, Y.C. Tang & J.M. Xu Chuanxiong川芎 ta5chuan²wɔŋ5 Umbelliferae Herb Both Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for carminative, activate blood for acesodyne
190 Ligusticum sinense Oliv. Gaoben藁本 -- Umbelliferae Herb Wild Whole plant Medicinal liquor for waist pain, kidney deficiency
191 Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton Nüzhen女贞 -- Oleaceae Tree Homegarden Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for tonifying kieney and liver
192 Ligustrum robustum subsp. chinense P.S. Green Cuzhuangnüzhen粗壮女贞 va³zhɛ5gaŋm² Oleaceae Tree Homegarden Leaf Drink like the tea for dizziness
193 Lilium brownii F.E. Brown ex Miellez Yebaihe野百合 kɔŋ¹dɔ²pa5 Liliaceae Herb Both Bulb Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for tuberculosis, edema, insomnia, neurasthenia and palpitation
194 Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. Wuyao乌药 -- Lauraceae Shrub Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for stomachache, abdomon pain
195 Litchi chinensis Sonn. Lizhi荔枝 -- Sapindaceae Tree Homegarden Stone fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, pain and removing moping
196 Lithospermum erythrorhizon Siebold & Zucc. Zicao紫草 gaŋ5pat8 Boraginaceae Herb Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for measles
197 Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. Shanjijiao山鸡椒 -- Lauraceae Shrub Both Fruit Pound fresh/dry fruit, decoction; Taken orally for cough, diarrhea, stomachache, toothache, bleeding
198 Litsea pungens Hemsl. Mujiangzi木姜子 ruoŋ²mei4saŋ¹ Lauraceae Tree Both Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for gastricism
199 Livistona chinensis (Jacq.) R. Br. ex Mart. Pukui蒲葵 ruoŋ²xien5phu² Palmae Tree Homegarden Seed Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cancer
200 Lobelia chinensis Lour. Banbianlian半边莲 nun³mua²ʔnɛm4 Campanulaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, boiled with water and washed the affected area for snake bite
201 Lobelia sequinii Levl. et Vant. Xi'nanshan'gengcai西南山梗菜 ruoŋ²thai6tsɛŋ¹cuωn³ Campanulaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, boiled with water and washed the affected area for rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, ulcer
202 Lonicera japonica Thunb. Rendong忍冬 wa³cim³mən² Caprifoliaceae Liana Both Stem, Flower Grinding and decoction; Taken orally; Stem is for jaundice, clearing away heat and toxic materials, headache and fever; flower is for enteritis, diarrhea, pneumonia, influenza
203 Lophatherum gracile Brongn. Danzhuye淡竹叶 mei4tim¹sɛ5 Gramineae Herb Both Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for urinary tract infection, aphthous stomatitis, swelling, aching of gum
204 Loropetalum chinense (R. Br.) Oliv. Jimu檵木 ruoŋ²mei4ci5 Hamamelidaceae Shrub Wild Leaf, Flower, Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally; Leaf is for abdomen pain, metrorrhagia; Flower is for bleeding; Root is for traumatic injury, chronic arthritis, amenorrhea, bleeding
205 Lycopodium japonicum Thunb. Shisong石松 mʔau²muan4 Lycopodiaceae -- Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, arthralgia, leg cramp, hand and foot numbness
206 Lycopus lucidus Turcz. ex Benth. Disun地笋 -- Lamiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for abnormal menstruation, amenorrhea, traumatic injury, bone fracture
207 Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw. Haijinsha海金沙 ma²goŋ²bou³ Lygodiaceae -- Wild Whole plant, Sporangium Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for chronic ulcer, skin infection, furuncle, foot rot
208 Lysimachia christinae Hance Guoluhuang过路黄 ma6gʔou²ʔan² Primulaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for urinary tract infection, jaundice, hepatitis
209 Lysimachia paridiformis Franch. Luodimei落地梅 -- Primulaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile convulsions
210 Lysionotus pauciflorus Maxim. Diaoshijutai吊石苣苔 ba5dau³ma4 Gesneriaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bronchitis, asthma
211 Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H. Wilson Houpo厚朴 -- Magnoliaceae Tree Both Bark Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for emesis, diarrhea
212 Mahonia bealei (Fortune) Carrière Kuoyeshidagonglao阔叶十大功劳 ruoŋ²waŋ6lien4 Berberidaceae Shrub Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for pneumonia, tuberculosis, infectious hepatitis, acute gastroenteritis, bronchitis
213 Mallotus apelta (Lour.) Müll. Arg. Baibeiye白背叶 mei4phiau6sei¹ Euphorbiaceae Shrub Wild Root, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally; Root is for chronic hepatitis, hepatosplenomegaly, gestational edema, enteritis, diarrhea; Leaf is for traumatic injury, otitis media, furuncle, bleeding, thrush
214 Mallotus barbatus Müll. Arg. Maotong毛桐 -- Euphorbiaceae Shrub Wild Leaf Pound fresh part and applied on the affected area, treating for clearing away heat and toxic materials, bed ulcer, eczema
215 Marsilea quadrifolia L. Ping苹 phuŋ6phieu²lau4 Marsileaceae -- Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis, asthma, edema, hepatic ascites, fever due to common cold
216 Melastoma candidum D. Don Yemudan野牡丹 ruoŋ²lak8ma5ndi5 Melastomataceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hemafecia, watery diarrhea
217 Melastoma dodecandrum Lour. Dinie地菍 lak8nin¹ Melastomataceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for removing blood stasis, traumatic injury, diarrhea, lithangiuria, urinary obstruction
218 Melia azedarach L. Lian楝 ruoŋ²ku¹lien4 Meliaceae Tree Both Fruit, Leaf Grinding, boiled with water and washed the affected area for scabies, tinea capitis and rice paddies dermatitis
219 Mimosa pudica L. Hanxiucao含羞草 ruoŋ²ra²nŋei³ Fabaceae Herb Both Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for insomnia
220 Mirabilis jalapa L. Zimoli紫茉莉 ruoŋ²jɛn³wa³ Nyctaginaceae Herb Both Root Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for leucorrhoea, abnormal menstruation, prostatitis, metrorrhagia
221 Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng. Mubiezi木鳖子 tiŋ5ndiŋ5ka³ Cucurbitaceae Liana Wild Seed, Leaf, Stem Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for innominate inflanunatory of unknown origin, carbuncle, lymphnoditis
222 Morus alba L. Sang桑 ruoŋ²tshaŋ¹ Moraceae Tree Both Leaf, Bark Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for lung heat panting and cough, hypertension, edema
223 Munronia henryi Harms Aituotuo矮陀陀 -- Meliaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Medicinal liquor for traumatic injury
224 Murraya exotica L. Jiulixiang九里香 ruoŋ²mei4ndaŋ³ Rutaceae Tree Both Root, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury, toothache and stomachache
225 Mussaenda pubescens W.T. Aiton Yuyejinhua玉叶金花 ruoŋ²phiɛ³va5phuok8 Rubiaceae Shrub Both Stem, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hyperthermia, influenza, tonsillitis, enteritis, diarrhea and sphagitis
226 Myrica rubra (Lour.) Siebold & Zucc. Yangmei杨梅 lak8se5 Myricaceae Tree Homegarden Root Bark Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, bone fracture, diarrhea, stomach and duodenal ulcer
227 Nandina domestica Thunb. Nantianzhu南天竹 waŋ6liɛn45 Berberidaceae Shrub Wild Root, Stem, Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally; Root and stem are for cough, fever, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, jaundice, hepatitis, traumatic injury. Fruit is for cough, asthma, pertussis
228 Nepeta cataria L. Jingjie荆芥 -- Lamiaceae Herb Homegarden Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold
229 Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl Shenjue肾蕨 lak8ȵən4 Davalliaceae -- Wild Rhizome, Leaf, Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever due to common cold, cough, diarrhea, acute enteritis, jaundiced hepatitis
230 Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC. Shuiqin水芹 maː6ʨip7ʑam5 Umbelliferae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hypertension
231 Ophioglossum reticulatum L. Xinyeping'erxiaocao心叶瓶尔小草 ruoŋ²ma²rui² Ophioglossaceae -- Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle, snake bite and acute conjunctivitis
232 Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker Gawl. Maidong麦冬 ruoŋ²lak8ju³ Liliaceae Herb Both Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for chronic bronchitis, cough
233 Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. var. dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) Benson Xianrenzhang仙人掌 ma²mωm4 Cactaceae Shrub Both Stem Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for parotitis, carbuncle, empyrosis
234 Oroxylum indicum (L. ) Kurz Muhudie木蝴蝶 mei4ən³eu5 Bignoniaceae Tree Homegarden Bark, Seed Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute bronchitis, tuberculosis, jaundiced hepatitis, sore throat
235 Osbeckia opipara C.Y. Wu & C. Chen Chaotianguan朝天罐 -- Melastomataceae Shrub Wild Root Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for tonic, bleeding, diarrhea
236 Oxalis corniculata L. Cujiangcao酢浆草 mba³thωm6sou¹ Oxalidaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for febrile convulsion, enteritis, diarrhea, parotitis
237 Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr. Jishiteng鸡矢藤 bieu³tωt7ma³ Rubiaceae Liana Wild Whole plant, Root Medicinal liquor for treating flu, cough, pertussis cough, diarrhea, stomachache, chest stuffiness
238 Paeonia lactiflora Pall. Shaoyao芍药 -- Ranunculaceae Herb Homegarden Root Powder tied for pain and blood stasis
239 Paeonia suffruticosa Andrew Mudan牡丹 ma5muan4 Ranunculaceae Shrub Homegarden Root Bark Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for lobar pneumonia
240 Palhinhaea cernua (L.) Vasc. & Franco Chuisuishisong垂穗石松 -- Lycopodiaceae -- Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for relaxing tendons and activating collaterals, carminative, blood stasis, bleeding
241 Paris polyphylla Sm. Qiyeyizhihua七叶一枝花 wa6ten5va¹ Trilliaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury and snake bite
242 Pentasacme championii Benth. Shiluomo石萝藦 ruoŋ²saŋ³nut8 Asclepiadaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury and ascites due to cirrhosis; Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite, herpes zosters
243 Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton Zisu紫苏 mba³ha5lan¹ Lamiaceae Herb Homegarden Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for common cold, cough, asthma, emesis
244 Periploca forrestii Schltr. Heilonggu黑龙骨 mei5ʑa²nam5 Asclepiadaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Medicinal liquor for treating rheumatic arthritis
245 Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Huangbo黄檗 mei5bɛ²ʔan³ Rutaceae Tree Wild Bark Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for diabetes insipidus
246 Pholidota chinensis Lindl. Shixiantao石仙桃 ruoŋ²xien³thui² Orchidaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, tuberculosis, scrofula, diuresis, infantile malnutrition
247 Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. Luwei芦苇 gaŋ5diɛ²nau5 Gramineae Herb Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile whitish aphthae
248 Phyllanthus urinaria L. Yexiazhu叶下珠 thuŋ6thin6sei¹ Euphorbiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis, diarrhea, enteritis, nephritis, edema and lithangiuria
249 Phyllodium pulchellum (L.) Desv. Paiqianshu排钱树 ruoŋ²vak8rjen² Fabaceae Shrub Wild Leaf, Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever, diarrhea, malaria, hepatitis, rheumatic ostealgia, traumatic injury, schistosome
250 Physalis angulata L. Kuzhi苦蘵 -- Solanaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for epidemic parotitis, cough, jaundice, hepatitis, diarrhea
251 Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. Shanglu商陆 lak8phək8doŋ² Phytolaccaceae Herb Both Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cervical erosion, digestibility ulcer, liver ascites, constipation, diuresis
252 Pilea cavaleriei H. Lév. Shiyoucai石油菜 bma³ju²thui² Urticaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for lung heat panting, cough, tuberculosis, traumatic injury, empyrosis, furuncle
253 Piper hancei Maxim. Shanju山蒟 tshuon5pi6fuŋ¹ Piperaceae Liana Wild Stem, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for lumbar muscle degeneration, chronic gastricism, cough, ostealgia, rheumatic arthritis, heatstroke, numbness of limbs
254 Pistia stratiotes Linnaeus Sp. Dapiao大漂 -- Araceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for removing blood stasis
255 Plantago asiatica L. Cheqian车前 mba³bɔk8 Plantaginaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for urinary tract infection, urinary stone, fever and cough due to common cold, nephritis, edema, bronchitis, hypertension
256 Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC. Jiegeng桔梗 -- Campanulaceae Herb Both Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for inflammation, cough
257 Plumbago zeylanica L. Baihuadan白花丹 ruoŋ²ra²vɔk7 Plumbaginaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury
258 Pogonia japonica Rchb. f. Zhulan朱兰 ma6ʑa4zao² Orchidaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for enuresis
259 Polygala japonica Houtt. Guazijin瓜子金 ya¹yiŋ4ʑɛm² Polygalaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for neurasthenia
260 Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua Duohuahuangjing多花黄精 xiŋ²ʑa² Liliaceae Herb Wild Rhizome Pound fresh part mixed with rice wine, applied on the affected area, treating for lymphadenectasis
261 Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce Yuzhu玉竹 -- Liliaceae Herb Homegarden Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for moistening lung for rresting cough
262 Polygonatum sibiricum Redouté Huangjing黄精 ruoŋ²siŋ³mωmŋ4 Liliaceae Herb Both Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for tuberculosis, diabetes, hypertension, weakness after ill, invigorating spleen, reinforcing stomach
263 Polygonum aviculare L. Shegan射干 laŋ5lu5kun² Polygonaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for stranguria due to hematuria
264 Polygonum chinense L. Huotanmu火炭母 va5mba³sωm¹ Polygonaceae Herb Wild Whole plant, Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, enteritis, indigestion, hepatitis, pharyngitis. Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury, furuncle, eczema, dermatitis, pruritus
265 Polygonum hydropiper L. Shuiliao辣蓼 mba³we5 Polygonaceae Herb Both Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, acute ulcer, common cold, typhoid, rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury. Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for eczema, centipede bite
266 Polygonum perfoliatum (L.) L. gangban'gui杠板归 ruoŋ²tin³diək8 Polygonaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundice, diarrhea, malaria, nephritis, edema. Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle, eczema, carbuncle
267 Portulaca oleracea L. Machixian马齿苋 ruoŋ²mba³nəm¹ Portulacaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute cystitis, diarrhea, hypertension
268 Potentilla chinensis Ser. Weilingcai委陵菜 ma6ʔgou²dui³ Rosaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials, diarrhea
269 Potentilla reyniana Bornm. Sanyeweilingcai三叶委陵菜 -- Rosaceae Herb Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for preventing rabies
270 Potentilla kleiniana Wight & Arn. Shehanweilingcai蛇含委陵菜 ɣo6bei6rɛnm4 Rosaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding the fresh part, decoction drunk for infantile fever
271 Prunella vulgaris L. Xiakucao夏枯草 -- Lamiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials
272 Psoralea corylifolia L. Buguzhi补骨脂 -- Fabaceae Herb Wild Seed Medicinal liquor for treating rheumatism and kidney deficiency
273 Pteris multifida Poir. Jinglanbiancao井栏边草 ruoŋ²sωt7kai5 Pteridaceae -- Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, jaundiced hepatitis, hemafecia, hematuria
274 Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi Ge葛 bieu³chai5 Fabaceae Liana Wild Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever, hypertension, protecting the liver, promoting salivation
275 Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel Baitouweng白头翁 wɔk7fian³puok8 Ranunculaceae Herb Wild Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, malaria, dysmenorrhea, uterine bleeding
276 Punica granatum L. Shiliu石榴 lak8liu² Punicaceae Shrub Homegarden Pericarp Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, acute enteritis, piles, proctoptosis
277 Pyrola calliantha Andres Luticao鹿蹄草 -- Pyrolaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, weakness
278 Pyrrosia lingua (Thunb.) Farw. Shiwei石韦 mba³mei4ri² Polypodiaceae -- Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for senile chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, nephritis, edema, urinary tract infection
279 Quisqualis indica L. Shijunzi使君子 lak6rəm² Combretaceae Liana Wild Seed Chewed for infantile malnutrition product, depriving ascarid
280 Rabdosia ternifolia (D. Don) H. Hara Niuweicao牛尾草 5vɛn³ŋoŋ² Lamiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hepatitis, enteritis, common cold
281 Raphanus sativus L. Luobo萝卜 vɛ³loŋ5bu³ Cruciferae Herb Homegarden Seed Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for senile chronic bronchitis
282 Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill. Luofumu萝芙木 -- Apocynaceae Shrub Both Root Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, pain killer, hypertension, dispersing blood stasis
283 Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Fisch. & C.A. Mey. Dihuang地黄 ma6liao²lip7 Scrophulariaceae Herb Wild Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for removing heat to promote salivation
284 Reineckia carnea (Andr.) Kunth. Jixiangcao吉祥草 taŋ6kəp8 Liliaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bronchitis
285 Reynoutria japonica Houtt. Huzhang虎杖 ruoŋ²waŋ6chin6 Polygonaceae Herb Wild Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, blood stasis, rheumatism, traumatic injury, jaundice, amenorrhea
286 Rhoeo discolor (L'Hér.) Hance ex Walp. Zibeiwannianqing紫背万年青 ruoŋ²phuoŋ²wa³ Commelinaceae Herb Wild Flower Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, pertussis cough, diarrhea, hemoptysis, sore throat, scrofula
287 Rhus chinensis Mill. Yanfumu盐麸木 mei4wωt7 Anacardiaceae Shrub Both Cecidium Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bleeding, arrest sweating, piles, pharyngitis, inflammation
288 Ricinus communis L. Bima蓖麻 thuŋ6ju6 Euphorbiaceae Herb Homegarden Seed Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for scabies
289 Rorippa indica (L.) Hiern Hancai蔊菜 ma²you55 Cruciferae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part and mixed with rapeseed oil, applied on the affected area, treating for dermatitis
290 Rosa chinensis Jacq. Yuejihua月季花 ŋɛŋ4ŋɛŋ4ʑən5 Rosaceae Shrub Homegarden Flower Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for abnormal menstruation
291 Rosa laevigata Michx. Jinyingzi金樱子 lak8man4 Rosaceae Shrub Both Root, Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bone fracture, traumatic injury, appendicitis, diarrhea, enteritis, stomachache
292 Rosa multiflora Thunb. Yeqiangwei野蔷薇 -- Rosaceae Shrub Wild Root, Seed Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing and activating the channels and collaterals, diuresis
293 Rosa roxburghii Tratt. Saosihua缫丝花 taŋ5dɛnm³gaŋ4 Rosaceae Shrub Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for indigestion, stomachache
294 Rubus parvifolius L. Maomei茅莓 lak8thωm6pha³ Rosaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding the fresh part, decoction; Taken orally for jaundice, toothache, chronic hepatitis, stomachache, diarrhea, sphagitis
295 Rumex nepalensis Spreng. Nibo'er'suanmo尼泊尔酸模 maː6ʔan6lou5 Polygonaceae Herb Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis
296 Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge Danshen丹参 dan5sen5 Lamiaceae Herb Homegarden Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for afterpains, removing blood stasis
297 Sambucus chinensis Lindl. Jiegucao接骨草 -- Caprifoliaceae Herb Wild Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, tonsillitis, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infection
298 Sambucus williamsii Hance Jiegumu接骨木 ruoŋ²ra²liem² Caprifoliaceae Shrub Both Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, rheumatic arthritis, waist and legs pain, bone fracture, scapulohumeral periarthritis
299 Sanguisorba officinalis L. Diyu地榆 gaŋ5gu²va³ Rosaceae Herb Wild Root Grinding the fresh part, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea
300 Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. Wuhuanzi无患子 ruoŋ²lak8rək7 Sapindaceae Tree Wild Seed Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for tuberculosis, pertussis cough
301 Sapium discolor (Champ. ex Benth.) Müll. Arg. Shanwujiu山乌桕 ruoŋ²mei4ək7 Euphorbiaceae Tree Both Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, snake bite, constipation, carbuncle
302 Sargentodoxa cuneata (Oliv.) Rehder & E.H. Wilson Daxueteng大血藤 bieu³phiat7 Lardizabalaceae Liana Wild Root, Stem Medicinal liquor for treating rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, ostealgia
303 Saurauia tristyla DC. Shuidongge水东哥 -- Actinidiaceae Shrub Homegarden Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for carbuncle, cough, bronchitis, toothache
304 Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Baill. Sanbaicao三白草 ruoŋ²sωt7mbei¹ Saururaceae Herb Both Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis, edema, lithangiuria, eczema, furuncle, carbuncle
305 Saxifraga stolonifera Curtis Hu'er'cao虎耳草 ruoŋ²kha³mωm4 Saxifragaceae Herb Wild Leaf Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic hemorrhage, furuncle, parotitis, empyrosis
306 Schefflera heptaphylla (L.) Frodin E'zhangchai鹅掌柴 mei5dian²ʔɛp8 Araliaceae Tree Both Root Bark, Stem Bark, Leaf Grinding and decoction; Taken orally; Root and Stem bark are for fever, rheumatism, ostealgia, traumatic injury, sore throat; Leaf is for eczema, allergic dermatitis
307 Schizocapsa plantaginea Hance Lieguoshu裂果薯 suei¹lo6pu4 Taccaceae Herb Wild Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cough, traumatic injury, pharyngitis, heart and stomach pain
308 Scutellaria barbata D. Don Banzhilian半枝莲 ruoŋ²wɔk7lim65 Lamiaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for cancer, appendicitis, hepatitis and hepatic ascites
309 Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron. Jiangnanjuanbai江南卷柏 ʔguit7miɛ²bua5 Selaginellaceae -- Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for hematoma after contusion
310 Selaginella tamariscina (P. Beauv.) Spring Juanbai卷柏 ruoŋ²sai³thui² Selaginellaceae -- Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hemafecia, epistaxis, metrorrhagia, traumatic injury, chronic hepatitis, proctoptosis
311 Semiaquilegia adoxoides (DC.) Makino Tiankui天葵 ma³ɣe5ŋɔ² Ranunculaceae Herb Wild Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for stomachache
312 Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don Qianliguang千里光 wa³nuk8so5 Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever, jaundiced hepatitis, throat ache, mumps, bleeding, eczema
313 Senna occidentalis (L.) Link Wangjiangnan望江南 -- Fabaceae Shrub Both Seed Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for habitual constipation, hypertension, headache, indigestion, epifolliculitis, oral mucosa ulcer
314 Serissa japonica (Thunb.) Thunb. Liuyuexue六月雪 taŋ5ʔnui5wai³ Rubiaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile convulsions
315 Setcreasea purpurea Boom Zizhumei紫竹梅 -- Commelinaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, snake bite, activating blood and herpes
316 Sida szechuensis Matsuda Badusan拔毒散 -- Malvaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury and inflammation
317 Sigesbeckia orientalis L. Xixian豨莶 wɔk7cut7btio¹ Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for insomnia, hypertension, acute jaundiced hepatitis, diarrhea, malaria, numbness of limbs
318 Smilax glabra Roxb. Tufuling土茯苓 lak8dəm4sei¹ Smilacaceae Herb Homegarden Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis, diarrhea, detoxication, arthralgia
319 Solanum capsicoides All. Niuqiezi牛茄子 -- Solanaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever due to common cold, headache, cough, abscess, chest stuffiness
320 Solanum violaceum L. Citianqie刺天茄 lak8khat8se5 Solanaceae Shrub Wild Leaf, Fruit Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for yellow-water ulcer, fingers ulcer and ringworm
321 Solidago decurrens Lour. Yizhihuanghua一枝黄花 wɔk7wa³man¹ Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever, headache, jaundice, bronchitis, acute gastricism, upper respiratory infection, swelling, throat ache
322 Sophora flavescens Aiton Kushen苦参 ruoŋ²ŋau³in5 Fabaceae Herb Wild Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for piles, cutaneous pruritus
323 Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep. Yuenanhuai越南槐 -- Fabaceae Shrub Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis, swelling and aching of gum, cough, constipation
324 Sparganium stoloniferum (Buch.-Ham. ex Graebn.) Buch.-Ham. ex Juz. Heisanleng黑三棱 -- Sparganiaceae Herb Wild Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for blood stasis, pain killer
325 Spatholobus sinensis Chun & T.C. Chen Hongxueteng红血藤 ruoŋ²pu¹phiat7 Fabaceae Liana Wild Stem Medicinal liquor for treating traumatic injury
326 Spatholobus suberectus Dunn Mihuadou密花豆 -- Fabaceae Liana Wild Stem Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for stomachache, enriching blood, waist and knees pain
327 Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames Shoucao绶草 ruoŋ²thou6neŋ4 Orchidaceae Herb Wild Whole plant, Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for diabetes, leucorrhoea, weakness, sore throat, neurasthenia and erectile dysfunction
328 Stahlianthus involucratus (King ex Baker) Craib Tutianqi土田七 ruoŋ²iŋ³doŋ² Zingiberaceae Herb Both Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, rheumatism, ostealgia
329 Stemona tuberosa Lour. Dabaibu大百部 lak8ru³khui² Stemonaceae Liana Wild Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for pertussis cough, tuberculosis, bronchitis
330 Stephania cepharantha Hayata Jinxiandiaowugui金线吊乌龟 mɛi5miu² Menispermaceae Liana Wild Tuber Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for carbuncle, snake bite
331 Streptocaulon juventas (Lour.) Merr. Anxiaoteng暗消藤 -- Asclepiadaceae Liana Wild Root, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally; Root is for diarrhea, piles, pneumonia, vitiligo and arrhythmia; Pound fresh leaf applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite, eczema and vaginitis
332 Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze Dujiaojin独脚金 ruoŋ²ra²mei³ Scrophulariaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile malnutrition, dampness-heat constitution, diarrhea, jaundiced hepatitis
333 Strophanthus divaricatus (Lour.) Hook. & Arn. Yangjiaoniu羊角拗 -- Apocynaceae Shrub Wild Stem, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatic arthritis, traumatic injury, snake bite, sprain
334 Tadehagi triquetrum (L.) H. Ohashi Hulucha葫芦茶 tsha²ja¹ Fabaceae Shrub Both Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for nephritis, enteritis, diarrhea, hepatitis
335 Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaertn. Turenshen土人参 kau5li6sωn¹ Portulacaceae Herb Wild Root Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for moistening lung, health tonic
336 Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz. Pugongying蒲公英 mba³kat7sei¹ Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for conjunctivitis, epidemic parotitis, enteritis, gastricism, hepatitis, diarrhea, acute mastitis, sphagitis
337 Taxillus chinensis (DC.) Danser Guangjisheng广寄生 -- Loranthaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for numbness of limbs, rheumatism, ostealgia, arthritis, lumbar muscle degeneration
338 Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K. Koch Tongtuomu通脱木 tai5poŋ² Araliaceae Shrub Homegarden Stem pith Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for promoting lactation
339 Tetrastigma planicaule (Hook. f.) Gagnep. Biandanteng扁担藤 mʔau5biɛn² Vitaceae Liana Both Root, Stem Fried the root or stem, fumigation for pinkeye
340 Tinospora sagittata (Oliv.) Gagnep. Qingniudan青牛胆 kɔŋ¹piɛŋ5vi³ Menispermaceae Liana Wild Tuber Powder, dispersed in water and drunk for acute gastroenteritis, acute pharyngitis, bacillary diarrhea, appendicitis
341 Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr. Zhonghuaqingniudan中华青牛胆 yuoŋ²soŋ³jin³ Menispermaceae Liana Wild Stem Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for rheumatism, traumatic injury, lumbar muscle degeneration, sciatica
342 Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. Feilongzhangxue飞龙掌血 cim³ce³vin¹ Rutaceae Liana Wild Root Bark Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury, skin disease, relieving pain, detumescence
343 Trachelospermum jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem. Luoshi络石 -- Apocynaceae Liana Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for bleeding, rheumatism, waist pain, dispersing blood stasis
344 Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl. Zonglü棕榈 wei5 Palmae Tree Homegarden Leaf, Fruit Boiled with meat and drunk the soup, treating for epilepsy
345 Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. Gualou栝楼 -- Cucurbitaceae Liana Wild Root Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for removing heat to promote salivation, expel pus and disperse swelling
346 Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms Zhonghuagualou中华栝楼 gua5ʔe5ma² Cucurbitaceae Liana Wild Shuck, Seed Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for edema
347 Typhonium blumei Nicolson & Sivad. Litoujian犁头尖 lak8chieu4dɔŋ² Araceae Herb Wild Tuber Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite, scrofula, traumatic injury, hemangioma and furuncle
348 Typhonium giganteum Engl. Dujiaolian独角莲 -- Araceae Herb Both Tuber Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for gastroduodenal ulcer
349 Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil. Gouteng钩藤 mei5gʔau²dau³ Rubiaceae Liana Wild Hooked stem Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for jaundiced hepatitis, dizziness, headach, calming the liver
350 Urena lobata L. Ditaohua地桃花 ruoŋ²wɔk7cut7 Malvaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for fever, diarrhea, enteritis, malaria; Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury, bone fracture, snake bite, mastitis
351 Valeriana jatamansi Jones Zhizhuxiang蜘蛛香 ma²va³ Valerianaceae Herb Wild Rhizome Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for furuncle
352 Ventilago leiocarpa Benth. Yiheguo翼核果 -- Rhamnaceae Shrub Wild Root Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for traumatic injury, rheumatism, numbness of limbs, edema and menorrhagia
353 Verbena officinalis L. Mabiancao马鞭草 ruoŋ²pien³mia4 Verbenaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for hypertension, diarrhea, malaria, nephritis, fever due to common cold, urinary tract infection
354 Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. Yexiangniu夜香牛 ruoŋ²məm5ndaŋ³ Asteraceae Herb Wild Whole plant Pound fresh part applied on the affected area, treating for snake bite, swelling, furuncle
355 Viola inconspicua Blume Chang'e'jincai长萼堇菜 va5mba³kuei³ Violaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for pharyngitis, jaundice, diarrhea, swelling, pain of eye
356 Viola philippica Cav. Zihuadiding紫花地丁 ya5mɛp8li² Violaceae Herb Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for appendicitis, piles
357 Viscum liquidambaricolum Hayata Fengxianghujisheng枫香槲寄生 sap7mei4hu³ Loranthaceae Shrub Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for lumbar muscle degeneration, cough, traumatic injury, rheumatic arthritis
358 Vitex negundo L. Huangjing黄荆 mei4ciŋ³ Verbenaceae Shrub Wild Stem, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for diarrhea, malaria, enteritis, common cold, heatstroke
359 Vitex trifolia L. Manjing蔓荆 mei5ʨiɛ²ʑa² Verbenaceae Shrub Wild Fruit Powder, swallowed for headache
360 Wikstroemia indica (L.) C.A. Mey. Liaogewang了哥王 ruoŋ²ljɛŋljeu4 Thymelaeaceae Shrub Wild Stem, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for clearing away heat and toxic materials, traumatic injury, hepatitis, parotitis
361 Woodwardia japonica (L. f.) Sm. Gouji狗脊 waŋ6cin5kou¹ Blechnaceae Herb Wild Rhizome Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for neurasthenia, rheumatic arthralgia, diuresis, waist and knees pain
362 Wrightia laevis Hook. f. Lanshu蓝树 -- Apocynaceae Tree Homegarden Root, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for bleeding, traumatic injury, mumps
363 Xanthium sibiricum Patrin ex Widder Cang'er苍耳 wɔk7cut7lau4 Asteraceae Herb Wild Fruit Pound after fried and drunk with yellow wine for enteritis, rheumatic arthralgia, headache
364 Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Zhuyehuajiao竹叶花椒 lak8xieu³na4 Rutaceae Tree Both Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for traumatic injury, chronic gastricism, cough, depriving ascarid
365 Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC. Liangmianzhen两面针 lak8xieu³doŋ² Rutaceae Liana Wild Root, Stem, Leaf Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for duodenal ulcer, traumatic injury, rheumatism, diarrhea, malaria, chronic gastricism
366 Zea mays L. Yumi玉米 nui5wei5die³ Gramineae Herb Homegarden Column Powder swallowed for diabetes
367 Zehneria indica (Lour.) Keraudren Laoshuladonggua老鼠拉冬瓜 lak8kua³no¹ Cucurbitaceae Liana Wild Whole plant Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for urinary tract infection, tonsillitis, acute conjunctivitis, carbuncle
368 Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Zao枣 zaːo³ziː² Rhamnaceae Tree Homegarden Fruit Grinding, decoction; Taken orally for infantile diarrhea

Table 2.

Taxonomic diversity of medicinal plants in the study area

Family Number of genera Percentage (%) Number of species Percentage of species (%)
Asteraceae 22 7.46 24 6.52
Fabaceae 15 5.08 19 5.16
Rosaceae 11 3.73 16 4.35
Euphorbiaceae 8 2.71 14 3.80
Liliaceae 9 3.05 13 3.53
Araceae 7 2.37 11 2.99
Lamiaceae 9 3.05 9 2.45
Polygonaceae 4 1.36 8 2.17
Zingiberaceae 4 1.36 8 2.17
Lauraceae 4 1.36 7 1.90
Ranunculaceae 6 2.03 7 1.90
Rutaceae 5 1.69 7 1.90
Asclepiadaceae 4 1.36 7 1.90
Cucurbitaceae 6 2.03 7 1.90
Gramineae 6 2.03 6 1.63
Araliaceae 4 1.36 6 1.63
Rubiaceae 6 2.03 6 1.63
Verbenaceae 4 1.36 6 1.63
Other families 162 54.92 188 51.09
Total 295 100 368 100

The distribution of informants in age, gender and education class was shown in Table 3. The majority of informants interviewed were above 40 years old in this investigation. The male informants were 89.8% and less educated. There was a significant correlation between the informant age and phytomedicinal knowledge.

Table 3.

Demographic profile of informants

Indicator Description Frequency (%)
Age 20-29 7 (5.9)
30-39 23 (19.5)
40-49 38 (32.2)
50-59 29 (24.6)
60-69 12 (10.2)
70-79 5 (4.2)
≥80 4 (3.4)
Gender Male 106 (89.8)
Female 12 (10.2)
Education None 27 (22.9)
Primary 72 (61.0)
Secondary 13 (11.0)
Tertiary 6 (5.1)

Life forms, plant parts used, method of collection and administration

The result of life form analysis of medicinal plants showed that herbaceous plants constituted the highest proportion represented by 203 (55.16%) species, while there were 67 (18.21%) shrubs species, 43 (11.68%) lianas and 41 (11.14%) tree species (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Life forms of medicinal plants in the study area.

Informants of the study area used different plant parts for preparation of traditional drugs (e.g. leaves, roots, seeds, barks and fruits). The informants reported that more species (153) of medicinal plants were harvested for their whole plants, and these were followed by roots (83), leaves (45), stems (30), fruits (29), tubers (29), rhizomes (27) and 51 other parts (seed, bark, flower and so on) (Figure 3). The majority of remedies were prepared from fresh materials, and some were prepared from either dried or fresh materials while a few were only used from dried materials.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Plant parts used for the treatment of human ailments.

Of these 368 species of medicinal plants collected from the study area, most of them (256, 67.72%) were obtained from the wild habitats whereas 54 (14.67%) were from home gardens, and only 58 (15.76%) species were from both home gardens and wild habitats (see Table 1). The majority of plants used as medicine were freely harvested by healers from natural environment, while some exotic or difficult-accessed species were bought from medicinal materials suppliers. Generally fresh parts were wild harvest. Most medicinal plants were not available from local market, only some species were found to be sold but mainly for their uses as spice or food, such as Zanthoxylum armatum, Nepeta cataria and Houttuynia cordata.

Diseases treated in the study area

The medicinal plants were used to treat 95 human ailments in the study area. With regard to human diseases, traumatic injury was the one against which a high number of medicinal plants (67 species) were prescribed, followed by diarrhea (65 species), cough (44 species), hepatitis (37 species), enteritis (35 species), rheumatism (30 species), arthritis (27 species), bleeding (26 species), snake bite (24 species), furuncle (22 species) and nephritis (22 species).

The highest number of species (139, 37.57%) was used for the treatment of internal organs like liver (hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatic ascites, hepatosplenomegaly and so on), stomach (stomachache, stomach ulcer, gastroduodenal ulcer, flatulence, gastricism, indigestion and poor appetite), enteron (enteritis, proctoptosis, appendicitis and so on), spleen and diarrhea, with 251 (20.69%) of all conditions (Table 4 Rheumatic problems (83 species used, 22.4%) were mentioned as 140 (11.54%) of all uses; 83 species (22.4%) were used to treat respiratory problems, with 112 applications (9.23%). Bone problems were treated with 72 species (19.46%), with 85 conditions (7.01%). Skin problems were mentioned in 87 uses (7.17%), with 65 species (17.57%) used for treatment. Inflammation was treated with 48 species (12.97%), and comprised 67 (5.52%) of all conditions (Table 4).

Table 4.

Informant consensus factor by categories of diseases in the study area

Category Number of spp. Total of spp. (%) Number of use citation Total of use citations (%) F IC
Stomach, intestine and liver diseases (Internal Organ) 139 37.57 236 10.69 0.41
Respiratory system 83 22.43 153 6.93 0.46
Rheumatic problems 83 22.43 217 9.83 0.62
Traumatic injury and sprain 72 19.46 275 12.46 0.74
Skin diseases, skin cut and wound 65 17.57 152 6.89 0.58
Urinary system 47 12.70 105 4.76 0.56
Inflammation 48 12.97 143 6.48 0.67
Infectious diseases 40 10.81 78 3.53 0.49
Fever and malaria 36 9.73 132 5.98 0.73
Bleeding and hemorrhages 36 9.73 95 4.30 0.63
Pain 30 8.11 64 2.90 0.54
Animal bite (snake, centipede, mosquito and bat) 30 8.11 86 3.90 0.66
Gynecological problems 29 7.84 54 2. 45 0.47
Infantile diseases 28 7.57 110 4.98 0.75
Heart and circulatory system 25 6.76 42 1.90 0.41
Male problems 25 6.76 76 3.44 0.68
Nerves and psychosomatic problems 12 3.24 14 0.63 0.15
Hyperlipidemia and diabetes 6 1.62 13 0.59 0.58
Brain diseases 5 1.35 7 0.32 0.33
Cancer and tumors 4 1.08 6 0.27 0.40
Other Uses (edema, swelling and so on) 87 23.51 149 6.75 0.42

Ranking, informant consensus factor and multipurpose of medicinal plants

Among all ailments in the villages surveyed, traumatic injury was the most commonly disease against which a high number of medicinal plants (67 species) were prescribed. Seven medicinal plant species were used effectively for treating traumatic injury according to key informants. The results revealed Gaultheria leucocarpa was the most preferred medicinal plant, followed by Acanthopanax trifoliatus, and Sargentodoxa cuneata (Table 5).

Table 5.

Preference ranking to medicinal plants used to treat traumatic injury

List of medicinal plants Informants Total Rank
R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 R 5 R 6 R 7 R 8
Acanthopanax trifoliatus 4 7 5 5 7 5 4 5 42 2
Bauhinia championii 3 4 6 7 1 3 1 2 27 5
Gaultheria leucocarpa 5 5 7 6 5 6 6 3 43 1
Justicia ventricosa 2 6 3 1 4 4 2 4 26 6
Polygonum chinense 6 1 1 2 2 1 3 1 17 7
Sargentodoxa cuneata 7 3 4 4 3 7 5 7 40 3
Sambucus williamsii 1 2 2 3 6 2 7 6 29 4

Key--R represented respondents; Scores in the table indicated ranks given to medicinal plants based on their scarcity. Highest number (7) is for the medicinal plants which informants thought most preferred in the area and the lowest number (1) for the least preferred medicinal plant.

Table 4 gave an overview of the main illness categories. The diseases that were prevalent in the study area had relatively higher FIC values. Medicinal plants to treat certain disease effectively and with reputation in Maonan communities also have higher FIC: traumatic injury and sprain (0.74), fever and malaria (0.73) and infantile diseases (0.75). Moreover, informants indicated the effectiveness of traditional medicines to get relief from certain diseases including traumatic injury, bone fracture, health problems associated with the liver disorder, snake bite, and spider poisoning.

The Maonans naturally relied on plants for multipurpose. Table 6 showed the most frequently inventoried medicinal plants had more functions used by the Maonans in local societies. In addition to medicinal value, most of medicinal plants were also valued for their economic, edible and ornamental values which were considered to serve an ecological role in the study sites. These plants included Acanthopanax trifoliatus, Litsea pungens, Platycodon grandiflorus, Rubus parvifolius, and Talinum paniculatum. Besides their medicinal purpose, these plants were sold in the local markets for the purposes of foods, spices and herbal teas, such as Allium fistulosum, Allium tuberosum, Cinnamomum cassia, Perilla frutescens, Oenanthe javanica, Gardenia jasminoides, Houttuynia cordata, and Juglans regia.

Table 6.

Most frequently inventoried medicinal plants

Species name Medicinal value Edible value Economic value Ornamental value
Acanthopanax trifoliatus
Buddleja officinalis
Houttuynia cordata
Litsea pungens
Murraya exotica
Nephrolepis cordifolia
Paederia scandens
Platycodon grandiflorus
Rauvolfia verticillata
Rubus parvifolius
Sargentodoxa cuneata
Talinum paniculatum
Tetrapanax papyrifer

Mode of preparation, condition, dosage of application

Various plant species were collected and used immediately. Most of the medicinal formulations were administrated orally in ailment categories other than dermatological problems. In dermatological ailments, plants were administrated externally. Water and some additives were often used in the preparation of remedies, such as alcohol, oil, honey, salt, sugar, eggs, chicken, duck and meat. The additives were claimed to either increase nutrition or improve flavor. Most informants used measuring units such as cup, bowl, spoon, fingers and scale but still differed in the doses they administered. The various ways of measuring dosage were generally categorized under three major classes. One dosage was used for those medicinal plants which were expected to be highly toxic. For such medicines the measurement was undertaken by number or weight. The second was the dosage used for medicinal plants which have side effect. The dosage was measured by their hand and taken by container. The third case referred to the medicinal plants without any observable side effects. Medicines prepared were taken according to patients’ personal preference.

Most of the medicinal plant preparations involved the use of single plant species or a single plant part while those mixing different plants or plant parts were less encountered in the study area excluding those for treating bone fracture, rheumatism and other difficult diseases. Suffering from common diseases (common cold, indigestion, mosquito bite and so on), the Maonans usually picked up some medicinal plants for treatments by themselves. Otherwise, they should turn to the Maonan healers for help, and the local healers usually prepared remedies by mixing various plants or plant parts. Lack of consistency regarding amount of medicines was observed among informants. There was no concise standard in measurement or unit used among the informants.

Threats to medicinal plants and conservation practices

Various factors that were considered as main threats for medicinal plants were recorded by discussion with the informants in the study area. The principal threats of medicinal plants were reported to include drought, deforestation, medicinal purpose, and firewood collection in this area. Informants ranked that the major factors were deforestation for the purpose of agricultural expansion (75%), drought (10%), collection of medicinal plant material (10%) and fire wood (5%). The Maonan people knew the benefits of conserving medicinal plants. However, the effort of conserving medicinal plants was very limited, because most medicinal plants were collected from wild. Even the local healers who frequently made use of medicinal plants for livelihood did not conserve medicinal plants very well, and they preferred to collect them from wild when using for patients.

Discussion

Medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge

On the basis of field investigation and literature studies, 368 species of medicinal plants belonged to 295 genera and 115 families were cataloged. Chinese name, scientific name, local name, family name, used parts and the treatment of diseases were listed. Asteraceae (with 24 species) occupied the highest proportion (6.52%), followed by Fabaceae, Rosaceae and Euphorbiaceae. Moerman also found that species of plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) tended to be represented in ethnobotanical usage in excess of what would be expected by their occurrence in local environments [27-29]. In contrast, Moerman identified the greater number of families across North America in general. The most widely used plant remedies by the Maonans were obtained from herbaceous species which constituted the highest category of 203 species (55.16%). Similar findings were reported by other studies throughout the world, and the authors reported that people derived their medicine from herbs partly because of the fact that forests had been degraded, and it took less time and effort to harvest plant material from medicinal herbs [6,30-32].

The special geographical environment results in the rich biodiversity of medicinal plants in the study area. The Maonans have learnt to use local medicinal plants for treatment and prevention in the course of struggling with the ailments. The number of reported medicinal plants and their uses by the Maonans indicate the depth of indigenous knowledge on the medicinal plants and their applications. The Maonans have collected their indigenous knowledge and experience of medicinal plants. Without written language, the knowledge of medicinal plants is still taught orally in the Maonan communities. There is not data record or any illustrated identification which guides for the medicinal plants of Maonan people and their uses.

The Maonans have the traditional customs of disease prevention and emphasize on the function of medicinal food in ordinary life. They usually add medicinal plants into food for the purpose of enhancing the body’s immunity and disease resistance, such as Talinum paniculatum, Gymnotheca chinensis, Osbeckia opipara and so on. The Maonans have the custom of collecting the medicinal plants for cooking and bathing in dragon-boat festival, such as Acorus calamus, Curcuma longa, Paederia scandens and Leonurus artemisia. They believe that it would be beneficial for their health. This is because many plants matured in the season of dragon-boat festival [33].

Preparation, dosage and route of administration of medicinal plants

The most widely harvested part was the whole plant, followed by the roots, leaves, stems and others. The Maonan people used a lot of roots, stems, rhizomes and bark for medicinal purpose. They believed these parts were the most effective. However, such collection of the medicinal plants might kill or damage plants when harvesting. Utilization of leaves might not cause detrimental effect on the plants compared with plant species that root was utilized. Most of medicinal plants were claimed to be prepared from a single species or plant part in the present study, and the different parts of medicinal plant were used to treat disparate diseases. Although Maonan people preferred to treat illnesses with single species, it was observed that the healers mostly used multiple species or plant parts in order to increase the function and efficacy of the drug as they reported during the interviews. Representatively, the Maonan healers mostly used more than one plant species to prepare remedy for treating bone fracture and traumatic injury.

Grinding was the most widely used method of preparation for remedy in the study area. Pounding and powdering fresh plant materials were the other methods of preparation in the study area. Due to the efficiency and richness of the fresh medicinal plants in the study area, preference of application of fresh plant parts was observed. Moreover, internal and skin diseases were more prevalent in the study area. The fresh material use might be an attempt not to lose volatile oils, the concentration of which could decrease on drying. Moa et al. reported that the disadvantage was that utilization of fresh plant parts may threaten the plants through frequent collection including in dry seasons since local people made minimal efforts in storing dried plant material for later use [6].

The Maonans usually use the processing methods such as decoction, medicinal liquor, external application and medicated bath. The way of using herbs was benefit for the popularity in a simple and easy method. They used different additives like alcohol, oil, honey, salt, sugar, eggs, chicken, duck and meat in order to increase the flavor, taste and general acceptability of certain orally administered remedies. Because of poverty, eating animal meat and eggs could increase proteins and might be helpful for body recovery when the Maonans were ill. The Maonan healers considered that alcohol could promote the blood circulation and accelerate the absorption of exudates. In addition, the Maonan healers used different procedures to administer the medicinal plants and alcohol combinations. The medicinal plants were soaked in alcohol for nearly one month and then the patients could drink or applied externally on the affected parts. For example, Acanthopanax gracilistylus, Achyranthes bidentata, Ardisia gigantifolia, Ardisia japonica, Arisaema heterophyllum, Davallia mariesii, Dipsacus asperoides, Drynaria propinqua, Homalomena occulta, Sambucus williamsii, Bauhinia championii, Murraya exotica, and Paris polyphylla were usually soaked in alcohol for treating traumatic injury and bone fracture.

Effectiveness and popularity of medicinal plants

Due to the influence of geography, climate and food culture in Maonan areas, the Maonan healers understood the varieties of diseases, such as traumatic injury, snake bite, hepatitis, respiratory disease, digestive system disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and skin problems. The local people expressed they preferred to use traditional medicines rather than western drugs to get relief from some diseases including bone fracture, health problems associated with the liver, snake bite and those caused by hepatitis. The Maonan healers treated ailments based on the patients’ physical conditions, lack of consistency regarding amount of medicines to be used was observed among informants during the interviews. The healers usually did not know which ingredients were important for the therapeutic effect in the multiple prescriptions. The lack of precise dosage was one shortage of traditional medicinal plant uses.

Most of Maonan people knew how to use several medicinal plants for treating ailments and health protection. Traditional medicine knowledge was not only in the hands of the Maonan healers and herbalists in the study area. Moreover, Maonan people grew medicinal plants in their home gardens. Plant species maintained by Maonan healers was found to be significantly distinct from plant species managed by farmers. The Maonan healers knew more than 30 medicinal plant species, while most of the non-healers reported less than 15 species. Ethnomedicinal usage of plants managed by healers was remarkably distinct from usage categories managed by farmers. The Maonan healers were reported to use a combination of multiple medicinal plants to treat an illness, but the farmers always used single plant species or a single plant part.

Medicinal plant cultivation and trade

The Maonan people in the study area knew the benefits of conserving medicinal plants. However, the effort of conserving medicinal plants was very limited. For example, only 20.75% of medicinal plants were collected from home gardens, and most of the plants from home gardens were used for foods, spices and substitutes for tea. The majority of medicinal plants were harvested from wild habitats. Even Maonan healers who made use of medicinal plants for a livelihood did not conserve the important medicinal plants in their home gardens, and they preferred to collect them from wild or hidden places when patients visited them. It was explained by informants that local healers did not let the other villagers know the identity of the medicinal plants they were using. Informants further explained that if healers planted the species in their home gardens, they worried that somebody else might recognize them when they were preparing the medicine from the plants. Thus the healers’ income would be decreased.

Because of complex terrain and language barrier, the Maonans have been in the traditional self-sufficient agricultural economy in the karst areas. There is a seasonal medicinal market which opens 3 times each month. The sites of purchase and sale of local medicinal plants are located in the town. The medicinal plants grown by farmers were used for household healthcare and little was sold in herbal markets, while medicinal plants were cultivated by healers rarely for trading, either. Not many medicinal plants were solely cultivated for their medicinal purpose, except that the plants were multipurpose (Table 6). Lack of water and land, most Maonan people would prefer to cultivate foods or cash crops rather than medicinal plants. The other reason was that most medicinal plants were not sold at reasonable prices and therefore not profitable, providing very little incentives for their cultivation. The local medicinal markets were small-scaled and were not paid enough attention. The markets provided convenience for the exchange of local medicinal plants, but not providing a good place for indigenous knowledge. This trend might not be beneficial for maintaining traditional practices and giving traditional knowledge the respect it deserves.

Threats to medicinal plants and conservation practices in the study area

According to informants, nowadays it would take a lot of time and travel long distances to search for some medicinal plants, especially trees and some shrubs. The principal threats of medicinal plants were reported in the study area, including deforestation for agricultural purposes, urbanization, drought, over-harvesting of known medicinal species and firewood collection. Also, informants ranked deforestation for agricultural purposes as the most serious threat to medicinal plants followed by drought, collection of other different factors and firewood. The conservation of medicinal plants was less realized in the study area.

Medicinal plants knowledge secrecy, mode of transfer, gender issue and threats between different social groups within the Maonan area

This study highlighted the rich biodiversity of medicinal plants and ethnomedicinal practice in Maonan area to maintain wellbeing and support livelihoods. This study revealed that, most of the knowledge on herbal remedies was handled down to the younger members of the community by elders orally, who were over 40 years old and less-educated. The Maonan herbalists and healers were male, and only men had the opportunities to study knowledge of traditional medicinal plants in the family. The conservative concept of Maonan healers made a systematic indigenous knowledge of Maonan traditional medicine, which had always been in the hands of a few people. The age structure and knowledge transmission system had the negative influence on the inheritance and development of indigenous knowledge. It dramatically exposed the vulnerability of traditional medicinal knowledge if its transmission was limited by acculturation or inter-ethnic exchange from generation to generation [15,34,35].

Nowadays, the fact is that inheritance of indigenous knowledge is difficulty from the elders to the young generation. Most young people do not believe that studying indigenous knowledge is beneficial for their life because it is less profited compared to working in the urban area. Furthermore, some young people think traditional medicine is anti-science. While male Maonan people work outside, women take responsibility to take care of their families and educate children. If women know how to use medicinal plants, it will be beneficial for training children. According to our interviews, the Maonan women are eager to learn the traditional herbal medicinal knowledge. They may become potential and effective inheritors in the Maonan area, if customary inheriting system allows them.

Conclusions

The paper is an ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by Maonan people. We documented 368 species (belonging to 295 genera and 115 families) of medicinal plants used by the Maonans in Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County, northern Guangxi, southwest China. These plants were used to treat 95 human diseases, such as traumatic injury, bone fracture, health problems associated with the liver disorder, snake bite, and spider poisoning etc. Traditional knowledge about the use, preparation, and application of these medicinal plants is usually passed verbally from generation to generation. The valuable information about medicinal plants could be preserved while recording in the written form. Moreover, the documentation of medicinal plants can serve as a basis for future investigation of new medicinal resources.

Among the medicinal plant species, the whole plants of herbaceous species are harvested from field and constituted the highest proportion of medicinal plants to be utilized. More roots and barks are used than other plant parts, which imply that traditional medical culture in the Maonan area does threaten some species. Although high numbers of medicinal plant species have been reported to be used for human health problems, many wild species are being threatened by various anthropogenic factors while conservation efforts are less practiced in the study area. Deforestation for agricultural purposes is the major threat factor. To save and protect medicinal plants, the external help is necessary, by providing the Maonan people with both seedlings or seeds and cultivation techniques of medicinal plants.

The Maonan men are the only inheritors to transmit traditional medicinal knowledge to the next generations. Unfortunately, the knowledge on herbal remedies is held by elders, who are less educated and above 40 years old. Most young men prefer to look for jobs in urban areas instead of studying the Maonan’s medicinal knowledge. It is urgent to find solution of conserving and transmitting the traditional medicinal knowledge in the study area.

Thus, government agencies should encourage the Maonan people to maintain the biodiversity and the ethnomedicinal knowledge by providing the local people with planting materials of the most threatened and preferred medicinal and multipurpose species so that they can grow these plants in their home gardens or farmlands. Public awareness is needed to encourage the local Maonan people to sustainably utilize and manage the medicinal plant resources. Ex situ and in situ conservation measures should be taken to protect the medicinal plants in the study areas from further loss.

Consent

Permissions were provided by all participants in this study, including the local Maonan people. Consent was obtained from the local communities prior to the field investigations. The authors have all copyrights.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the administrative agencies of Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County for their help while carrying out this study. We fully acknowledged the local informants and healers for participating the surveys and sharing their knowledge on the use of medicinal plants with us. Without their contribution, this study would have been impossible. We would like to thank Qingqing Bi from the Department of Minority Languages and Literatures at Minzu University of China for correcting and typing the Maonan names of medicinal plants. This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31161140345, 31070288), Minzu University of China (10301-01404031-84, YLDX01013), Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2012FY110300), Ministry of Education of China and State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of China (B08044).

Footnotes

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contributions

LYH designed the study, analyzed the data, and drafted the manuscript. SWM contributed to the preparation of the manuscript. CLL designed the study, revised and finalized the manuscript. All authors participated in the field surveys. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Contributor Information

Liya Hong, Email: hongliyalm@hotmail.com.

Zhiyong Guo, Email: zhiyongguo@sina.com.

Kunhui Huang, Email: kunhuih@163.com.

Shanjun Wei, Email: wei.s.j@163.com.

Bo Liu, Email: liubo.leo@gmail.com.

Shaowu Meng, Email: shaowu_meng@med.unc.edu.

Chunlin Long, Email: long@mail.kib.ac.cn.

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