Taxonomic Study of the Family Acanthaceae used as traditional medicinal plants for ethnic groups in North, Central and Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

The Acanthus Family (Acanthaceae) is one of necessary plants for peoples across several regions in Thailand, especially in terms of traditional medicinal purposes. As mentioned, the case studies in North and Northeastern Thailand are summarized that further our understanding of the close relationships between traditional uses and indigenous people. The study showed that a number of 39 species 1 varieties reported with their uses. The most important ones are enumerated namely, Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl, Acanthus montanus T. Anderson, Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees, Barleria lupulina L., Barleria prionitis L., Barleria strigosa Willd., Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.f.) Lindau, Clinacanthus siamensis Brem., Dicliptera roxburghiana Nees, Graptophyllum pictum Griff., Justicia adhatoda L., Justicia diacantha Imlay, Justicia gendarussa Burm.f., Justicia glomerulata Benoist, Justicia procumbens L., Justicia quadrifaria (Wall. ex Nees) T. Anderson, Justicia ventricosa Wall., Nelsonia canescens (Lam.) Spreng., Peristrophe acuminata Nees, Peristrophe lanceolaria (Roxb.) Nees, Phlogacanthus curviflorus Nees, Phlogacanthus pulcherrimus T. Anderson, Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz, Pseuderanthemun graciliflorum (Nees) Ridl., Pseuderanthemum palatiferum (Nees) Radlk., Rungia parviflora (Retz.) Nees subsp. pectinata (L.) L.H. Cramer, Sanchezia oblonga Ruiz & Pav., Staurogyne lanceolata (Hassk.) Kuntze, Strobilanthes cusia Nees, Strobilanthes lanceifolius T. Anderson, Strobilanthes nivea Craib., Strobilanthes pentstemonoides (Nees) T. Anderson, Thunbergia coccinea Wall., Thunbergia fragrans Roxb. var. fragrans, Thunbergia grandiflora Roxb., Thunbergia hossei Clarke, Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl., Thunbergia similis Craib, Thunbergia fragrans Roxb. var. vestita Nees. It is apparent that, across local wisdom and acanthus species are valued for their remedies to common diseases and discomforts. The research focuses on their wide-ranging significance of medicinal plants that relate to human cultures which provide incentives for countries to protect, conserve and sustain them for agricultural purposes in the future.