The role of indigenous knowledge systems in sustainable utilisation and conservation of medicinal plants.

Abstract

Several rural communities use indigenous knowledge (IK) for decision-making related to human and animal health, education, food security, and natural resources management. This review explored the role of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in sustainable utilisation and conservation of medicinal plants. Information was obtained from various scientific databases and ethnobotanical books. The utilisation of indigenous plants by local communities is not random and haphazard, rather, local communities have utilised their IKS to foster sustainable utilisation and conservation of indigenous plant resources. Only a small proportion of this knowledge has been documented, yet it remains a valuable repository that provides us with information on how numerous local communities have interacted with the flora and fauna of their changing environment. IK is culturally enshrined and comprised of behavioural corrective norms capable of changing local peoples’ perspectives towards biodiversity resources. Therefore, this chapter considers the indigenous cultures and strategies that have shaped the sustainable utilisation and conservation of medicinal plants. Indigenous practices important for the sustainable utilisation and conservation of medicinal plants by rural communities are enshrined in myths, taboos, values, folklore, traditional beliefs, rituals, and traditional institutions. Myths and taboos have been used to conserve various indigenous resources for sustainability, based on prior knowledge of the importance of a particular genetic resource. Traditional leadership are the primary custodians of rural areas, and play a significant role in protecting and preserving indigenous resources through igniting the cultural values and norms within the communities. It is very important to understand the IK practices before conserving the medicinal plants, because majority of people globally depend on medicinal or traditional health care from medicinal plants.