DIVERSITY OF MEDICINAL PLANT RESOURCES USED IN BRU – VANKIEU ETHNIC COMMUNITY AT THUONG TRACH COMMUNE, BO TRACH DISTRICT, QUANG BINH PROVINCE

Abstract

This research was conducted to assess the diversity of medicinal plant resources in Thuong Trach commune, Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province. The methods used for collecting data collection were method of specimen collection, interview method, identification of the species name, method of medicinal plant resources diversity assessment, method of endangered medicinal plants level assessment. The results of research have identified initially 52 species of medicinal plants of 50 genera and 41 families which the ethnic minority communities have used for diseases prevention and treatment. There are five main life forms of the medicinal plants: shrub, vines, herbaceous, small wood trees and moderate wood trees. The trees distribution is often in many types of habitat: forests, along the riverside, gardens and hills. In the parts used as medicine, leaves and roots are most used accounting for from 25% to 44.23%. The results show that there are 14 groups of diseases which could be cured by the experience of using medicinal plants of Bru – Van Kieu ethnic in the study area, of which 3 groups of diseases occupy the highest rate: osteoarthritis, the back pain diseases and tonic. There are 3 endangered medicinal plants: Conodopsis javanica (Blume) Hook.f., Curculigo orchioides Gaertn, Homalomena gigantea Engl. The research results are scientific bases for conservation of endangered medicinal plant species in the local area.