title: Ethnomedicinal plants used by traditional healers in Phatthalung Province, Peninsular Thailand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In rural communities of Thailand, traditional healers still play an important role in local health care systems even though modern medicine is easily accessible. Meanwhile, natural forests in Thailand which are important sources of materia medica are being greatly destroyed. This has led to an erosion of traditional Thai medicine. Furthermore, the concept of medicinal plant selection as medicine based on their tastes is still an important component of traditional Thai medicine, but no or little publications have been reported. Thus the aim of the present study is to collect ethnomedicinal data, medicinal plant tastes and relevant information from experienced traditional healers before they are lost.
  
  
  METHODS
  An ethnobotanical survey was carried out to collect information from nine experienced traditional healers on the utilization of medicinal plants in Phatthalung Province, Peninsular Thailand. Data were obtained using semi-structured interviews and participant observations. Plant specimens were also collected and identified according to the plant taxonomic method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 151 medicinal plants were documented and 98 of these are reported in the study. Local names, medicinal uses, parts used, modes of preparation, and the relationship between ailments and tastes of medicinal plant species are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research suggests that traditional healers are still considered important for public health among Thai communities and that many people trust the healing properties of medicinal plants. In the future, it is hoped that traditional Thai medicine will be promoted and therefore will help reduce national public health expense.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. katesarin.m@psu.ac.th.
authors.forename: Katesarin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maneenoon
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. Chuanchom.kh@gmail.com.|Faculty of Health and Sports Science, Thaksin University, Phatthalung, 93110, Thailand. Chuanchom.kh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chuanchom
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Khuniad
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. yaowalak.te@gmail.com.|Faculty of Science and Technology, Songkhla Rajabhat University, Songkhla, 90000, Thailand. yaowalak.te@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yaowalak
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Teanuan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. awan_ni@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Nisachon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saedan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. supat_in@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Supatra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prom-In
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. soulmate_reddevil@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Nitiphol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rukleng
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. z_kyur10@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Watid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kongpool
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. khawkhong@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Phongsura
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pinsook
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. oak22winyu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Winyu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wongwiwat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019448:Ethnobotany; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000145:classification*; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations