Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine · 12 authors, 3 centres
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This study documents 55 animal-derived medicines used by the Gelao community in Northern Guizhou, China, sourced from wild and domesticated animals. The medicines are primarily applied to pediatric, internal, and dermatological conditions, with honey, Blaps beetle, chicken gallstones, and snake-based products being most commonly used. The findings provide a foundation for preserving Gelao ethnomedicinal knowledge and offer insights for modern pharmacological research.
**Background:** Animal-derived medicines have been integral to human medicinal culture for millennia, with China having a documented history spanning over three thousand years. The Gelao people, an ethnic minority native to southwestern China, have traditionally inhabited the challenging terrains of northern Guizhou and rely on local resources for disease management. While plant-based medicines are predominant, animal-derived medicines play a crucial role in Gelao healthcare. However, systematic research on Gelao traditional knowledge of animal-derived medicines is lacking, and this knowledge is disappearing faster than plant-based herbal medicine knowledge. This study aims to document and preserve the indigenous medicinal knowledge of the Gelao community in Northern Guizhou, China, and assess its significance for modern healthcare.
**Methods:** The study was conducted in 10 Gelao villages across Daozhen, Wuchuan, Zhengan, and Fenggang counties in northern Guizhou Province. Data were collected from 50 credible informants (27 males, 23 females; age range 34–89 years; 90% Gelao ethnicity) through key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews, participatory observation, and literature reviews. Quantitative ethnological and ecological assessment techniques were employed, including the Simpson Index (D) for diversity, Shannon–Wiener Index (H′) for richness, Sorenson Index (Cs) for similarity, Utilization Frequency (HUF), and National Cultural Significance Index (NCSI). Animal sources were identified using the 'Colored Atlas of Chinese Medicinal Animals' and 'Important Chinese Medicinal Insects.' Voucher specimens were preserved at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Specimen Museum of Zunyi Medical University.
**Key Results:** The study cataloged 55 varieties of animal-derived medicines used by the Gelao community. Of these, 34 originate from wild animals (mainly small insects, reptiles, and aquatic species) and 21 from domesticated animals (involving tissues, organs, and physiological or pathological by-products). The medicines are applied to treat pediatric ailments (13 types), internal disorders (11 types), gynecological issues (3 types), dermatological problems (7 types), ENT conditions (3 types), trauma-related injuries (5 types), joint and bone ailments (5 types), infections (2 types), dental issues (2 types), and urolithiasis (1 type), with 3 types used for other conditions. Commonly used medicines include honey, Blaps beetle, chicken gallstones, and snake-based products. The Shannon–Wiener Index ranged from 3.4873 to 4.1883, and the Simpson Index from 0.0163 to 0.0220, indicating high evenness and richness of knowledge. The Sorenson Index ranged from 0.84 to 0.99, showing significant uniformity across villages. NCSI values categorized medicines into four tiers: highest importance (NCSI > 500) included 9 varieties (e.g., honey, blister beetles, chicken gizzard); second tier (500 > NCSI ≥ 100) included 16 types; third tier (100 > NCSI ≥ 10) included 19 types; and lowest tier (10 > NCSI) included 11 types. Utilization Frequency ranged from 0 (elephant skin) to 1 (honey and cicada slough). Among the 55 medicines, 37 (67.3%) are listed in the 'Chinese Pharmacopoeia,' and 38 (69.1%) have pharmacological properties aligning with Gelao traditional applications.
**Clinical Implications:** The Gelao community's traditional animal-derived medicines represent a rich diversity of animal sources and demonstrate extensive expertise in processing and clinical applications. Many of these medicines have pharmacological activities consistent with their traditional uses, such as eel blood for facial paralysis, chicken gizzard for indigestion, and leeches for pain from bone fractures. This traditional knowledge offers novel perspectives for modern pharmacological research and drug development. However, the knowledge faces significant risks of discontinuation due to challenges from modern medicine, wildlife protection laws, and difficulties in transmission. The study recommends sustainable utilization and development of animal medicinal resources through domestication and artificial breeding to ensure their preservation and continued contribution to healthcare.