Prospects of the sustainability of traditional and ethnic foods and their applications for basic health care in human society

Background: Traditional and ethnic foods, rooted in centuries-old practices, have long been revered for their potential health benefits. In contemporary society, the sustainability and application of these foods for basic health care are garnering increased attention, offering promising prospects for holistic well-being.Methods: In our research, we aimed to document the medicinal plants utilized by the indigenous community residing within the study area. Between 2021 and 2022, interviews were conducted with 457 participants, with 100 of them being identified as key informants. The snowball sampling technique was utilized to identify respondents. A group discussion was also held concerning the conservation and challenges associated with medicinal plants and traditional wisdom. The medicinal plants were assessed by applying various quantitative metrics, including Use Value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Relative Frequency Citation (RFC) and Relative Popularity Level (RPL).Results: The study identified 40 medicinal plant species from 22 different families that are employed to treat 33 unique human ailments. It was observed that perennial herbs accounted for 78% of these species in use. The leaves were shown to be the primary plant part in use, accounting for 35% and decoction was determined as the most prevalent preparation method. Some plants, such as Polygonum plebejum with the highest UV and RI values, and Centaurium pulchelum known for its use in treating jaundice with the highest RFC, were highlighted. In contrast to the findings presented in earlier literature, our study revealed a 14% concurrence rate, accompanied by a 6% disparity rate, and notably, 69% of the usages were newly documented.Conclusion: This research serves as the inaugural quantitative investigation into ethnomedicinal practices within the study area, underscoring the importance of indigenous herbal treatments. The sustainability of traditional and ethnic foods offers promising prospects for the future of health care in human society. These foods, rooted in age-old wisdom, not only preserve cultural heritage but also present holistic health benefits. Embracing them can lead to more natural, accessible, and effective health solutions, bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern healthcare needs.