Showing papers by "Manuel Pardo-de-Santayana published in 2016"

Ethnobotanical and Food Composition Monographs of Selected Mediterranean Wild Edible Plants

Abstract: This chapter presents 38 monographs about 41 selected wild edible plants traditionally consumed in different countries of the Mediterranean basin: Allium ampeloprasum, Anchusa azurea, Apium nodiflorum, Arbutus unedo, Asparagus acutifolius, Beta maritima, Borago officinalis, Bryonia dioica, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Chenopodium album, Chondrilla juncea, Cichorium intybus, Crataegus monogyna, Crithmum maritimum, Eruca vesicaria, Foeniculum vulgare, Humulus lupulus, Malva sylvestris, Montia fontana, Myrtus communis, Papaver rhoeas, Plantago lanceolata, P. major, Portulaca oleracea, Prunus spinosa, Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum, Rubus ulmifolius, Rumex acetosa, R. papillaris, R. pulcher, Scolymus hispanicus, Silene vulgaris, Silybum marianum, Smilax aspera, Sonchus asper, S. oleraceus, Tamus communis, Taraxacum officinale, T. obovatum, Urtica dioica, and Ziziphus lotus. These monographs have two parts. The first part consists of a botanical and graphical description of the species and a resume of ethnobotanical data registered in the Mediterranean countries for this edible plant. The second part supplies food composition data for each species, covering the main constituents, vitamins and other bioactive compounds as well as fatty acids profile, based on scientific literature data.

Medicinal plants sold at traditional markets in southern Ecuador

Abstract: The traditional markets in southern Ecuador and within the Andean region are especially important for plant resource trading among local people, even since before Spanish colonization; therefore, ethnobotanical studies are currently necessary and important. These strategic spaces persist for the traditional medicine cultural value reflected in the higher consumption of medicinal plants, which span all socioeconomic levels of rural and urban people. The purpose of this study includes the following: 1) to create a novel list of medicinal plants sold at 33 traditional markets; 2) to establish medicinal plant use agreement amongst vendors with the Factor of Informant Consensus (FIC); and 3) to determine the most sold medicinal plant species using the Fidelity Level (FL). This study focus on traditional markets ethnobotany utilizes the largest sample of medicinal plants market vendors up to date in Ecuador, interviewing them at 33 traditional markets, located within the Loja province. In order to determine the most sold medicinal plants and their ethnobotanical information, structured questionnaires and personal conversations were conducted with 196 medicinal plant vendors, and voucher specimens were created. Agreement among vendors about the therapeutic use of medicinal plants was measured using the FIC, and the most sold medicinal plant species were assessed with the FL. This research registered 160 medicinal plant species, grouped in 126 genera and 57 families that were sold in 33 traditional markets. The uses of medicinal plants in southern Ecuador are related to a long history of traditional medicine health practices that has persisted until today as well as high plant diversity. The 53 therapeutic uses recorded were grouped into 12 medical categories that were adapted from the World Health Organization. Three medical categories shared the highest value for FIC = 0.92, which showed a high level of agreement of market vendors for 57 medicinal plant species sold to treat ailments related with digestive, dermatological, and sensorial systems. The FL index determined 11 culturally important medicinal plant species based on the reported uses by 40 or more market vendors. Two medicinal plant species had an FL = 100 %, Matricaria recutita and Gaiadendrum punctatum, used to treat digestive and respiratory systems ailments. In the Loja province, people continue to consume medicinal plant species sold at local markets to treat somatic and/or psychosomatic health ailments because sociocultural customs are strongly expressed in ancestral practices of wellbeing. When the largest values of FL (60.5 %–100 %) and FIC (0.81–0.92) indexes are combined, they demonstrated agreement among 196 market vendors in the use of seven medicinal plant species that were most sold for the 12 medical categories. This study stresses how important public policies are for the trade and quality of medicinal plant resources, particularly for local people practicing auto-medication. Reasons for the maintenance of traditional markets in southern Ecuador include lower cost of medicinal plants, confidence in traditional medicine, and/or sociocultural environment. In Ecuador, the sustainable management of wild medicinal plants diversity, particularly the most sold, is crucial for its conservation in nature.

Natural Production and Cultivation of Mediterranean Wild Edibles

Abstract: In the Mediterranean, traditional food systems have typically used a large number of plants harvested from the wild, including fruit-tree species, climbing plants with edible young shoots, wild tubers, and leafy greens. In this chapter we review the studies on natural production of wild edible plants, including those carried out by our research group on Mediterranean vegetables and fruits, as well as the experiences of cultivation for some of them.

Ethnobotanical Analysis of Wild Fruits and Vegetables Traditionally Consumed in Spain

Abstract: In Spain, as in other Mediterranean countries, wild edible plants have played an important role in complementing and balancing a diet based on agricultural foods, especially during times of shortage. This chapter analyses the ethnobotanical data currently available on wild plants traditionally used for human consumption in Spain, particularly vegetables and fruits. Almost 80 ethnobotanical and ethnographical works have been reviewed, and the information was included in a database with more than 6000 records. A total of 514 plant species belonging to 74 families were recorded, covering about 8 % of the Spanish flora (excluding the Canary Islands). A majority of these species (52 %) were used as vegetables, mainly in spring. Most of them were perennial herbs of the Asteraceae family whose vegetative organs were consumed raw or cooked.