Diversity of Medicinal Plant Knowledge on Native Chicken Production in Surin Province for Sustainable Community Economics Development

Abstract

The objective of the research was to study an indigenous knowledge of local medicinal plant
utilization for native chicken production in Surin province in order to exchange mutual experience and
participatory solving problems. One hundred samples including folk doctors, well-informed person, users
or person who experienced in medicinal plants used for native chicken production were used in this study.
In addition, the results showed that indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used in Surin province
comprised of 199 recipes. The recipe based on symptom were separated into 4 groups including 1) food
and growth stimulating were 48 recipes (bracer, bruising, internal parasites), 2) disease prevention and

treatment were 75 recipes (flatulence, diarrhea, external parasites, eye parasites, wound healing, dermatitis,
scabies and ringworm, and poisonous animals), 3) strengthen immune system were 33 recipes
(tonic element, flu, and wipe and clean the chicken) and 4) 43 recipes of single medicinal plant. Medicinal
plants were identified as 45 families and 84 species. The results from knowledge exchanging of medicinal
plants utilization showed that farmers knew them from 1) ancestral-knowledge transfer 2) books, textbooks,
documents and informative media and 3) experience-based learning. The problems observed on medicinal
plants utilization for native chicken were some plants indicated as rare plants, associated with time-consumed
collecting and treating, complicated producing, incorrect-way uses, used the medicinal plants does not
match with a disease of native chicken, difficult to produce and store. In order to deal with these problems,
it was recommended to deliberating, motivating for medicinal plants use continuously, supporting for
growing medicinal plants for their own consumption, explaining and word of mouth about medicinal plant
properties on native chicken production, a study from well-informed person and follow, promoting and
publicizing of medicinal plant information.