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Globally, botanicals and associated by-products often provide income that is recognized as an important contributor to livelihoods particularly in rural areas. However, limited data currently exists on the impact of commercializing medicinal plants on livelihoods. Using a dataset collected from 101 indigenous knowledge holders (IKHs) with interest in childhood diseases, we assessed the factors influencing their decisions to commercialize medicinal plants, and how the commercialization impacts livelihood outcomes measured by net returns and per capita total expenditure. We used the Propensity Score Matching as the analytical technique to correct for endogeneity bias resulting from the observed characteristics. The results revealed that commercializing medicinal plants significantly increased net returns and per capital total expenditure by 3.60% and 1.42%, respectively. Furthermore, factors such as age, education, access to water and membership of association significantly influenced the decision of IKHs to commercialize medicinal plants. Policy efforts that seek to provide support for formal and vocational training, access to irrigation technology and participation in farmer groups, particularly among the experienced IKHs may encourage the commercialization of medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnoveterinary practices and ethnobotanical knowledge serve as potential therapeutic approaches used to manage and prevent cattle diseases within poor communities in developing nations. Most of the knowledge and practices remain inadequately documented and threatened with extinction in the future. This study aimed to explore the ethnoveterinary practices and knowledge on plants used to treat cattle diseases in two communities of the Ramotshere Moiloa local municipality, South Africa. A semi-structured interview guide, snowball, and purposive technique were used to collect data and recruit 90 participants. Three ethnobotanical indices (informant consensus factor (Fic), use-value (UV), and relative frequency of citation (RFC) were used for quantitative analysis. A total of 64 medicinal plants from 32 families (dominated by Compositae, Fabaceae, and Asparagaceae) were used to treat 27 cattle diseases. The plants with a high frequency of citation and RFC were Gomphocarpus fruticosus (75, 0.83), Opuntia ficus-indica (74, 0.82), Schkuhria pinnata and Portulaca oleracea (73, 0.81), Solanum lichtensteinii (70, 0.77), and Senna italica. In addition, Schkuhria pinnata and Aloe greatheadii (0.077) had the highest UV. About 28.13% of 64 identified plants were documented as ethnoveterinary medicine for treating cattle ailments, for the first time. The remedies were mainly either prepared as a decoction (52.04%), ground, or prepared as an infusion (16.33%). The plants were administered either orally (69.79%) or topically (30.2%). The ailments with a high frequency of citations were: wounds and constipation (76); arthralgia and retained placenta (69); and lumpy skin disease (68). The categories with the highest number of plants used were gastrointestinal problems (53), skin problems (33), respiratory problems (25), and fertility/reproduction disorders (21). The highest Fic score was cited for tick-borne diseases (1), followed by musculoskeletal systems (Fic = 0.89), and general system infection (Fic = 0.88). The current findings contribute to the documentation and preservation of valuable knowledge from indigenous communities for extensive use. Additionally, ethnoveterinary uses of Portulaca oleracea, Securidaca longipedunculata, and Plumbago zeylanica were recorded for the first time. Further scientific evaluation of the most cited and indigenous/native plants is recommended to establish their therapeutic potential and possible integration into the conventional veterinary sector for the welfare of cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An inventory of 46 indigenous fruits and vegetables (IFVs) from 19 families were recorded • Ageratum conyzoides, Citrus aurantiifolia, Talinum fruticosum were the most popular IFVs • Asteraceae (8) and Malvaceae (6) were the dominant families for the 46 IFVs • Food (53%), medicine/health benefits (46%) and fuel/energy source (1%) were the major use-categories • Elaeis guineensis was recorded as the most diverse IFV with applications in the 3 use-categories Plants including indigenous/naturalised fruits and vegetables (IFVs) have the potential towards meeting the food and nutrition needs of humans. Currently, IFVs are threatened by human activities such as deforestation, environmental degradation and acculturation. As a result, the need for ethnobotanical surveys that focuses on the documentation of IFVs remains pertinent. This study explored the utilisation pattern of IFVs among participants in 40 rural communities of Ondo state, Nigeria. Ethnobotanical information was collected among 400 participants using semi-structured questionnaires. Thereafter, the frequency of citation (FC, %) was calculated. An inventory of 46 indigenous and naturalised plant species from 19 families were identified as a source of food, nutritional and therapeutic purposes as well as energy source (fuel) in the study area. The FC ranged from approximately 32-90% and IFVs such as Ageratum conyzoides (L.) L. (89.5%), Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle (89.5%), Talinum fruticosum (L.) Juss. (88.8%), Amaranthus hybridus L. (87.8%), Vernonia adoensis var. adoensis (86.8%) and Vernonia amygdalina Delile (86.8%) were the most commonly cited plants. The dominant plant families were Asteraceae (8 IFVs) and Malvaceae (6 IFVs) while the leaves (35%) and fruit (21%) were the most frequently used plant parts. In terms of use-categories, the IFVs served as food (53%), medicine/health benefits (46%) and fuel/energy source (1%), which is an indication of their diverse potential in the study area. Elaeis guineensis Jacq. was recorded as a highly diverse IFV with applications in the three aforementioned use-categories. Overall, the current findings contribute to the on-going global research efforts aimed at the documentation of indigenous plants. However, the determination of the nutritional and phytochemical content of identified IFVs collected from the study area will be essential for their characterisation which may enhance their acceptance among the local and wider populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 25 plants were documented as remedies for retained placenta in Dinokana. • Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Drimia sanguinea had the highest frequency of citation. • Herbs were the most dominating plant-life form. • Roots were the most widely used plant part. Farmers and herders often interface ethno-veterinary knowledge and modern veterinary to treat their livestock. Viability of livestock production in local communities is continuously under the threat due to different diseases including retained placenta. The current study documented medicinal plants used to treat retained placenta and associated diseases in Dinokana communities, North West Province, South Africa. Ethnobotanical data was collected using semi-structured interviews. The collected data was presented as percentages and frequencies, use-value, frequency of citation and cultural importance index. In the study area, 25 plants from 18 families were indicated as remedies for the treatment of retained placenta in cattle. Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Peltophorum africanum, Drimia sanguinea and Elephantorrhiza elephantina were the most cited plants. The most dominating life forms were herbs (40%) and shrubs (36%). The plant parts commonly preferred in the preparation of remedies for retained placenta included the roots (36%) and leaves (21%) and whole plant (18%). Poultice (68%), maceration (24%) and decoction (8%) were the three methods of preparation that were described by the participants. Most (68%) of plants were administered topically. As indicated by the participants, at least 20% of the 25 medicinal plants had multiple indications (uses) either as single-plant or poly-plant remedies against diseases in cattle. Apart from retained placenta in cattle, these plant remedies were used for constipation, intestinal parasites, anaemia, pain and inflammation as well as diarrhoea. The study unravelled the rich indigenous knowledge on plants with ethno-veterinary value among Dinokana communities. Further studies are needed in order to determine biological activities and safety as well as the chemical profiles for these documented plants especially for those currently lacking scientific evidence on their efficacies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]