Utilization of Medicinal Plants by Traditional Healers for the Treatment of Liver Diseases in Songkhla Province

Abstract

A study on the utilization of medicinal plants for treating liver diseases in Songkhla Province was carried out during 2012-2014. Five experienced traditional healers were interviewed by using semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Among the total 87 medicinal plant species collected, which belong to 78 genera of 44 families, the three most frequently represented families were Apiaceae, followed by Fabaceae and Phyllanthaceae. The underground plant parts were the most frequently used plant part. Decoction was the main mode of preparation and bitter plants were commonly used for making remedies for liver disease treatments. Eighteen traditional prescriptions were documented and the main administration of herbal remedies was oral route (15 prescriptions). Eight species, Capparis micracantha DC., Clerodendrum indicum (L.) Kuntze, Tiliacora triandra (Colebr.) Diels, Ficus racemosa L., Harrisonia perforata (Blanco) Merr., Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa ex Roxb., Terminalia chebula Retz., and Myristica fragrans Houtt., were frequently quoted by traditional healers and they were used as important ingredients of prescriptions for liver diseases. Interestingly, some species have never been tested for liver diseases and related biological activities, such as Anaxagorea luzonensis A. Gray, Capparis acutifolia Sweet and Caryota mitis Lour.