Traditional Medicinal Plants Used by Tujia People in Guizhou
The Tujia people, an ethnic minority primarily residing in northeastern Guizhou, China, maintain an orally transmitted tradition of botanical medicine passed down through village elders and local practitioners. An ethnobotanical study documented their use of 108 medicinal plant species for more than 60 health conditions, including digestive, respiratory, gynecological, rheumatic, and dermatological complaints.
Tujia botanical practices utilize various plant parts, including roots, leaves, stems, and flowers. Documented preparation methods include decoctions for internal use, poultices and powders for external application, and infusions or tinctures. Many species are harvested from wild populations in local forested mountains, often accompanied by cultural rituals reflecting traditional views of the natural environment.
Among the species identified in the ethnobotanical documentation: - *Aconitum carmichaelii* is traditionally utilized for joint and rheumatic discomfort. - *Plantago asiatica* is recorded in traditional practices for urinary tract complaints. - *Artemisia argyi* is utilized in traditional applications for gynecological conditions. - *Scutellaria baicalensis* is traditionally employed with the intent to reduce fever and inflammation.
The documented flora reflects a regional reliance on wild-harvested botanicals and presents subjects for further pharmacological investigation.