The diversity of medicinal plants in Sam Roi Yod fresh water marsh

Abstract

This research is a descriptive study which aimed to investigate the species of medicinal plants in the Sam Roi Yord fresh water marsh and the local wisdom that exists among the villagers regarding their applications. The data collection was conducted through field investigations, observations, and in-depth interviews with eight local sages, who were the experts in medicinal plants, as well as 25 villagers living in Ban Sam Roi Yord, Village number two, Rai Gao sub-district, and Ban Koh Pai, Village number five, Rai Mai sub-district of Sam Roi Yord, Prachuap Khiri Khan. Interview forms and interviews were used as the research tools and data was then analyzed within the conceptual framework of the study. The results showed that there were a total of 163 species of medicinal plants in the area. Of these, the scientific name of 157 species belonging to 77 families could be identified, while the remaining six could not be scientifically classified. The plants could be subdivided into 81 species of stems (including perennials, shrubs, and herbaceous plants), 42 species of climber plants, 14 species of corm, eight species of vegetables, and 19 species of grass. The majority of the local wisdom possessed by the community was the remedial and nourishing benefits of these medicinal plants. There were 222 recipes of traditional medicine, which could be categorized into 149 single active ingredients and 73 recipes). The medicinal plants most often used on their own/as single active ingredients were Krod Nam and Ya Phan Ngu Khao for treating fresh wounds, skin boils, and herpes; Mai Ya Rab for urticaria, psoriasis , kidney stones, and diabetes; and Pra Ya Nakarat and Kamlang Wua Tloeng were used for nourishment. The medicinal plants used mainly as part of recipes included Bora Phet, Phlai, Tako Na, Thao Wan Priang, Ya Haew Mu, Ma Ka , and Som Poi. The majority of these recipes involved two to three plant species and most of them belonged to the group of medicines for ‘other diseases’ (such as infection diseases and microbial toxins?). The second, third, and fourth largest groups were medicines for fever and pain symptoms, gastro-intestinal diseases, and skin diseases, respectively. Other applications of the medicinal plants studied included food, building structures and tools, herbal remedies for animals, and religious ceremonial purposes.