Ethnobotany
Ethnobotany
Ethnobotany (pronounced: eth-no-bot-any) is the scientific study of the relationships that exist between people and plants.
Etymology
The term "Ethnobotany" was first used in 1895 by the US botanist John Harshberger. It is derived from the Greek words "ethno" meaning race or people and "botany" meaning the study of plants.
Definition
Ethnobotany is an interdisciplinary field that studies how different cultures use plants for various purposes such as food, medicine, and religious rituals. It combines aspects of botany, anthropology, ethnology, pharmacology, and ecology to understand the complex relationships between humans and the plant world.
Related Terms
- Ethnopharmacology: A related field that studies the medicinal properties of plants used by indigenous cultures.
- Phytotherapy: The use of plant extracts for therapeutic purposes.
- Herbalism: The study or practice of the medicinal and health benefits of plants.
- Pharmacognosy: The study of medicinal drugs derived from plants or other natural sources.
Applications
Ethnobotany has numerous applications in various fields. In medicine, it can help in the discovery of new drugs and treatments. In conservation, it can provide insights into sustainable use of plant resources. In agriculture, it can guide the development of new crops and farming practices.
See Also
- List of plants used in herbalism
- List of plants used by Native American tribes
- List of plants used in traditional medicine
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ethnobotany
- Wikipedia's article - Ethnobotany
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