Changes of medicinal food plant uses in the Gaoligongshan biocultural diversity center, China.

中国高黎贡山生物文化多样性中心药食植物用途的变化

Zhuo Cheng, Xiangxiang Lou, Ren-Ai Xu, Fangfang Xia, Chunlin Long (2026) Changes of medicinal food plant uses in the Gaoligongshan biocultural diversity center, China. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed (IF: 3.7) 2 区

Abstract

The Gaoligongshan area, located in western Yunnan, China, is the richest biocultural diversity hotspot with unique geological history and ecological environment. Local people such as the Lisu, Nu, Dulong and Han have developed rich traditional knowledge systems associated with medicinal food plants (MFPs). These MFPs play a vital role in local communities by contributing to health, the economy, and cultural heritage. However, MFPs are at risk of disappearing, and there is a lack of comprehensive and systematic studies on their earlier transformation and current use in Gaoligongshan area. This study synthesizes earlier literature and recent market data to reveal specific shifts in MFP use and practices in this hotspot.Ethnobotanical methods, including literature reviews and market surveys were employed to collect information on MFPs used by different linguistic groups in the Gaoligongshan area across two periods, the earlier time and a recent market-survey stage. Information was recorded on plant families, medicinal parts, processing methods, and medicinal efficacy. Comparisons were made between earlier and current data to evaluate the adaptation and transformation of traditional knowledge associated with MFPs.117 MFPs (56 families) were documented in the earlier stage and 178 MFPs (89 families) were documented in the current period. The used parts shifted from roots being dominant in the earlier time (43.59%) to fruits being most commonly used in the recent period (22.47%), with roots decreasing to 8.43%. Processing methods also changed, with stir-frying increasing (from 36.75% to 48.31%) and boiling decreasing (from 34.19% to 25.84%). The findings suggest continuity and adaptation in the selection of MFPs by local people, highlighting the dynamic interaction between cultural practices and environmental changes. The research identified 39 MFPs consistently used over time, reflecting their ongoing cultural and medicinal importance, and compiled an MFP resource pool of 244 candidate species that were not recorded in either the earlier or current datasets, indicating opportunities for future exploration and sustainable development.This study documents cross-period changes and continuity in medicinal food plants and provides descriptive evidence relevant to ethnobotany and the food-medicine continuum. We highlight three key insights: a relative decrease in root use and increase in fruit use across periods, the persistence of 39 core species, and the compilation of a regional MFP resource pool that may inform future verification. Developing sustainable utilization and conservation strategies is important for preserving biodiversity and traditional culture in the Gaoligongshan area.© 2026. The Author(s).

位于中国云南西部的銮笼山地区，是生物文化多样性最丰富的热点地区之一，拥有独特的地质历史和生态环境。当地居民，如傈僳族、怒族、独龙族和汉族，发展出了与药食植物相关的丰富传统知识体系。这些药食植物在当地社区中发挥着至关重要的作用，对健康、经济和文化传承都做出了贡献。然而，药食植物正面临消失的风险，目前缺乏对銮笼山地区药食植物早期演变和当前利用情况的全面系统研究。本研究综合了早期文献和近期市场数据，揭示了该地区药食植物利用和实践的具体变化。研究采用民族植物学方法，包括文献回顾和市场调查，收集了銮笼山地区不同语族群体在两个时期（早期和近期市场调查阶段）使用的药食植物信息。记录的信息包括植物科属、药用部位、加工方法和药效。通过对比早期和当前的数据，评估了与非木材林产品相关的传统知识的适应和转变。早期记录了117种非木材林产品（56个家族），而当前记录了178种非木材林产品（89个家族）。早期以根部为主（43.59%），而近期则以果实为主（22.47%），根部则下降至8.43%。加工方法也发生了变化，炒制的使用率上升（从36.75%上升至48.31%），而煮制的使用率下降（从34.19%下降至25.84%）。研究结果表明，当地居民在选择非木材林产品方面既有延续性又有适应性，凸显了文化习俗与环境变化之间的动态互动。该研究确定了39种长期被持续使用的药用植物，反映了它们持续的文化和药用价值。研究还汇编了一个包含244种候选物种的药用植物资源库，这些物种在之前的数据集和当前的数据集中均未被记录，这表明未来探索和可持续发展具有重要意义。本研究记录了药用植物在不同时期的变化和延续性，并提供了与民族植物学和食药连续体相关的描述性证据。我们重点阐述了三个关键发现：根部利用率在不同时期相对下降，而果实利用率相对上升；39种核心物种的持续存在；以及构建了一个区域性药用植物资源库，可为未来的验证提供信息。制定可持续利用和保护策略对于保护高黎贡山地区的生物多样性和传统文化至关重要。© 2026. 作者所有。

Links

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41981445
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13002-026-00892-7

Similar articles

Tools

Export to RIS