Lecture - 38 Ethnobotany: Introduction, history, aims, objective and scope
Ethnobotany: Introduction, history, aims, objective and scope:-
Ethnobotany:-
Introduction:-
> The term ethno botany was coined by J.W. Harshberger in 1895 to include the study of plants used by the primitive and aboriginal people.
> Ethnobotany is the scientific study of the relationships that exist between people and plants. It explores how different cultures use native plants for purposes such as medicine, food, shelter, rituals, clothing, and religious ceremonies.
> The term "Ethnobotany" is derived from two Greek words:
Ethno = people or culture
Botany = the study of plants
> According to Schultes (1962), ethno botany is defined as the study of the relationships between the people of a primitive society and plants.
History:-
Early History:-
> Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Chinese, Greeks, and Indians used plants for medicinal and cultural purposes.
> Ancient texts such as:
i. Charaka Samhita (India)
ii. Shennong Ben Cao Jing (China)
iii. Ebers Papyrus (Egypt)
iv. Dioscorides' Materia Medica (Greece)
Modern History:-
1895:- The term Ethnobotany was first coined by John William Harshberger, an American botanist.
1941:- Richard E. Schultes, known as the "Father of Ethnobotany", conducted deep research on Amazonian tribes and their plant knowledge.
> Since the 1950s, it evolved from a descriptive discipline into a multidisciplinary science, involving botany, anthropology, pharmacology, ecology, and conservation biology.
Aim and Objective:-
> Proper documentation of indigenous knowlegde about medicinal plants.
> Preservation of unwritten traditional knwoledge about herbal plants.
> Conservation of our national heritage before its extinction.
> To create awareness about its role in cultural social and health of people.
> To train people or students for utilization and conservation of medicinal plants.
> To increase in manufacture of herbal drugs.
> Research and job oppurtunities.
Scope of Ethnobotany:-
> Its scope was much eloborated by Ford(1978) and Faulk(1958).
> In recent years much work in this science has been done in the many countries e.g. India, Africa, America , France, Mexico, U.S.A. etc.
> Ethnobotany has attracted attention during last three decades.
> The scope of Ethnobotany in recent time and failure has been established with the problem of :-
i. Rural health
ii. Drugs are abuses
iii. Social customs
iv. Cottage industries
v. Conservation of ecosystems
vi. Nutrition
vii. Energy
> Recent researches on Ethnobotany have today established linkage between man y special areas like:-
i. Ethnomedicine
ii. Ethnopharmacology
iii. Ethnoveterinary
iv. Ethnonarcotics
v. Ethnobryology
vi. Ethnocosmetic
