Ethnobotanical study on Herbal tea in Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of southwestern Guizhou province, China

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1308301/v1

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Research Article

Ethnobotanical study on Herbal tea in Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of southwestern Guizhou province, China

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1308301/v1

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Background

"Herbal tea" is a kind of "tea" made from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and even whole plants of herbal plants. In southwestern Guizhou Province, where ethnic minorities gathering, drinking herbal tea has always been one of the methods used by the local people to prevent common diseases. Systematical records of the use of herbal tea are urgent of ethnic groups. The present study sought to investigate and analyze the traditional knowledge of the herbal tea plants used by the minority people in Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of southwestern Guizhou province, and reveal their utilization characteristics and its formation factors.

Methods: In 2020 and 2021, field surveys of four villages were conducted in Qianxinan, with ethnobotanical methods such as semi-structured interviews and participatory observation. The relative frequency of citation (RFC) was used to determine the commonly used herbal tea plants. Herbal tea plant specimens were identified according to the Flora of China (http://www.iplant.cn/).

Results: A total to 114 species of herbal tea plants belonging to 59 families 103 genera in Qianxinan, with 60% of herbal tea plants grow in wild. The families with the richest species were Asteraceae (19 species). Of the 114 species, herbaceous were common (59%); the most popular used plant parts were whole plants (35%); processing methods of most herbal tea were dried in the sun (38%); most of herbal tea preparation forms were decocted in water for oral dose (50%). 33 major medicinal functions of herbal tea were recorded, which clearing heat, detoxify, and diuresis being the most commonly. The RFC index determined the most used species was Houttuynia cordata (RFC=0.51).

Conclusions: After investigation, the resources of herbal tea plants in Qianxinan are rich. However, the traditional knowledge and sustainable development and utilization of herbal tea plants need more extensive basic investigations as support. This study records the types of herbal tea plants and related information used in the Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest Guizhou Province, and lays the foundation for the development, protection and sustainable use of herbal tea resources.

Qianxinan

Herbal tea

Traditional knowledge

Ethnic minority

Traditionally, tea refers to the beverage products of the use of leaves and buds of the genus Camellia (sect. Thea, including C. sinensis var. sinensis, C. sinensis var. assamica, C. sinensis var. dehungensis, C. taliensis, C. crassicolumna, etc.). The definition of herbal tea plant is currently not clearly defined, and “herbal tea” is a kind of “tea” made from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and even whole plants of herbal tea plants. Herbal tea plants can be processed into beverages alone, or together with other herbal tea plants. Herbal tea drinks are popular in southern China because it reduce internal heat and treat a range of health conditions [1].

We have a long history of using tea and herbal tea plants in China. According to the "Tea Classic" written by Lu Yu in the Tang Dynasty, "Tea is for drinking, originated from the Shennong family", indicating that the use of tea in China has a history of four to five thousand years. There are many herbal tea plant resources in China. Not only many Chinese herbal medicines can be made into herbal tea product, but also fruits and vegetables for daily consumption are often processed into herbal tea beverages, such as Lonicera similis, Crataegus cuneata, Lycium chinense etc. Herbal tea plants are widely distributed, which includes 27 provinces of China [2]. The use of herbal tea plants is also common. In communities where medical clinics are not well-equipped, people generally rely on herbal tea plants to prevent and treat diseases in their daily lives [3, 4].

People's life rhythm is accelerating, and some unhealthy behaviors and habits have caused them to be in a sub-healthy state. According to the World Health Organization survey and research report, at present, the population in sub-health status has accounted for 75%. Sub-health is a state of low physiological function between health and disease. It is characterized by reduced vitality, weakened response ability, and decreased adaptability although the body has no obvious disease diagnosis [5, 6]. People in sub-health status are prone to complications such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. Herbal tea plants have significant health-care functions and can be used as medicine and food. The herbal tea consumed by the ethnic people often have the functions of cooling and detoxification, moisturizing the lungs and relieving coughs, beauty and lipid-lowering, delaying aging, anti-cancer, antibacterial and anti-diabetic etc. Some teas can even improve people’s mental health [7-10]. In addition, herbal tea plants can also be used as an important source of antioxidants, containing polyphenols, saponins, oligosaccharides, selenium, zinc and other functional ingredients [11]. Most of the herbal tea around the world are functional. For example, the raw material of Peru’s traditional tea drink "Emolientes and Emolienteros" Linum usitatissimum has the function of repairing liver damage [12]; South Africa’s legume tea plant Aspalathus linearis and Cyclopia intermedia has anti-mutagenic properties etc. [13]; the water extract of Chrysanthemum morifolium, a widely used Asteraceae tea plant in Japan, has a significant therapeutic effect on type II diabetes [14]; Eagle tea mainly produced in Guizhou, Sichuan and other places in China from leaves of Litsea coreana ), and it contains total flavonoids (TFLC) can reduce rat blood and liver tissue serum triglyceride TG, inhibit the absorption of lipids [15]. This shows that some teas have good potential in preventing and treating chronic metabolic diseases.

Modern research has proved that the plants of Rosaceae, Leguminosae, Lamiaceae, Hollyaceae, Asteraceae, Lauraceae, are very common herbal tea plants. They often contain flavonoids, volatile oils and other chemical components, which have antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties [15]. In these families and genera of herbal plants, further research is needed to explore the genetic relationship and structure-activity relationship of their chemical components, which is of great significance for finding new herbal tea resources. At the same time, on the basis of the general survey of herbal tea plant resources and the preliminary evaluation of the nutritional value of herbal plants, it is necessary to conduct in-depth evaluation and analysis of the functional components of herbal plants.

With the rapid growth of the world's population and the development of modern economy, the enhancement of health care awareness and the special requirements of consumers, the beverage industry is urged to develop in the direction of diversification, naturalization, nutrition and health. Nevertheless, people’s over-exploitation and utilization of biological resources has invisibly made the diversity of traditional biological cultures rapidly declining. Coupled with the impact of foreign cultures, some related traditional cultures are also threatened, and the loss of traditional knowledge of plant utilization is even more serious [16].

At present, there are relatively few researches on herbal tea plants in Guizhou, except for ethnic minorities such as Eagle tea and Kuding tea. The utilization characteristics and herbal tea culture are still unknown [17]. Although local people drink herbal tea extensively, there is no systematic record, and the herbal tea knowledge also disappeared with the elderly [16, 18]. In order to further strengthen the protection and development of herbal tea plant resources in Guizhou province, ethnobotanical research on herbal tea plants in Guizhou is very necessary. In this context, this research attempts to use ethnobotanical research methods to conduct a comprehensive and systematic exploration of herbal tea plants in the Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of southwestern Guizhou Province, China.

Research area

Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of southwestern Guizhou province (at 104°35′~ 106°32′ east longitude, 24°38′~ 26°11′ north latitude), located in the southwest of Guizhou Province, adjacent to Yunnan and Guangxi province. The total area of the prefecture is 16,804 km², accounting for 9.7% of the total area of the province. According to official statistics 2019, the registered population of the prefecture reached more than 3,688,100. The prefecture has 35 ethnic minorities including Buyi, Miao, Hui and Han, among which Buyi has the largest population. The region has a humid subtropical monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 13.8~19.4°Cand an average annual rainfall of 1352.8 mm. There are more than 3,913 species of plants in the whole prefecture, of which more than 300 are rare plants [19]. This survey selects four counties/cities (Xingyi, Zhenfeng, Wangmo, and Ceheng counties) with relatively concentrated ethnic minorities and rich traditional cultural diversity to conduct ethnobotanical survey (Fig 1).

Ethnobotanical surveys on the utilization of herbal tea plants in Qianxinan Prefecture was carried out in the four villages of Xingyi, Zhenfeng, Wangmo, and Ceheng from June 2020 to October 2021. Informants was selected by snowball sampling [18]. A total of 110 informants (53 women and 57 men) were interviewed, aged between 14 and 86 (Table 1). Semi-structured interview and participatory observation were used to collect information of herbal tea plants from selected informants [20]. The content of the interview included the gender, age, education level of the informants, and the local name of the herbal tea plant mentioned, the part used, the processing and drinking method, the location and time of collection. When collecting herbal tea plant specimens in field, herbal tea plants pictures was also taken with the accompany of informants. According to the Flora of China (http://www.iplant.cn/), herbal tea plant specimens were identified and cataloged to the herbal tea plants list of southwestern Guizhou [21].

Table 1 Demographic basic information of the informants
category		Number	%
Gender	Male	57	0.51
	Female	53	0.48
Age group	≤30	7	0.06
	31-50	27	0.25
	51-70	62	0.56
	71≤	14	0.13
Ethnicity	Buyi	90	0.82
	Han	16	0.14
	Yi	3	0.03
	Mongolian	1	0.01

Data analysis

Relative frequency of citation (RFC) was used to show the local importance of each collected herbal tea plants [22]. The relative frequency of citation (RFC) formula is:

The frequency of citation (FC) refers to the number of informants mentioning the particular species, and N is the total number of informants, without considering the use categories of species [23]. Theoretically, the value range of this indicator is 0<RFC<1. The larger the index, the higher the importance of the species in the survey area.

Diversity of herbal tea

There are 114 species of herbal tea plants in Qianxinan, which belong to 59 families and 103 genera (Table 2). The largest number of herbal tea plants family was Asteraceae (19 species); followed by Lamiaceae (6 species); 5 species each in Rosaceae, Apiaceae, and Fabaceae; Solanaceae (4 species)；3 species each in Araliaceae, Primulaceae, Polygonaceae, Caprifoliaceae, and Lardizabalaceae; 2 species each in Berberidaceae, Cucurbitacae, Equisetaceae, Poaceae and Amaranthaceae; 1 species each for other families. Life forms of herbal tea plants include herbs, shrubs, trees, vines. (Fig. 2). 72 species are herb plants (59%), followed by shrubs with 25 species (21%); vines with 12 species (10%); trees have 11 species (9%); and epiphytes are 1 species (1%).

Most cited plants

The analysis reveals that there are 49 species of herbal tea plants used by three or more informants (Table 2). More than one-third of the locals use 10 species of herbal tea plants: Houttuynia cordata, Centella asiatica, Lonicera similis, Solanum nigrum, Plantago asiatica, Youngia Japonica, Taraxacum mongolicum, Sonchus wightianus, Verbena officinalis, Peucedanum medicum. The most mentioned herbal tea plants are Houttuynia cordata (56 times, RFC=0.51), Centella asiatica (45 times, RFC=0.41), and Lonicera similis (43 times, RFC=0.39).

Health care effect of herbal tea plants

Most of these herbal tea plants are taken by locals in their daily lives, such as seasoning spices, vegetables, food coloring. Locals also believe that herbal tea plants have a wide range of health benefits. The herbal tea plants were used to treat 33 major health conditions. The most frequently cited functions were heat-clearing, detoxification, and fire-lowering (34 species), followed by diuretic functions (16 species); 15 species of liver-protecting functions; 10 species of gastrointestinal regulating; 8 species of blood pressure lowering; 7 species of anti-inflammatory and analgesic; 5 species of rheumatism (Table 2).

Plant parts used in herbal tea

It shows that the whole plant was the highest frequency plant parts used for processing herbal tea (35%), followed by root (17%), leaf (15%); stem (9%); fruit (8%); flower (6%); aboveground part (4%); seed and velamen all account for 2% of the total; other drinking parts accounted for 1% of the total (Fig. 3).

Medicinal value of herbal tea plants

The 114 species of herbal tea plants recorded in this survey are regarded as the traditional beverage plants of ethnic minorities, which 67 species are Chinese medicinal plants (58%). For example, pharmacological and clinical studies have shown that Argyreia pierreana can be used externally and internally, and has therapeutic effects on clearing heat and detoxification, traumatic injuries, anti-inflammatory and hemostasis etc. [24]. Perilla frutescens, Lophatherum gracile and Plantago asiatica are proved to have diuretic effects [25-27], while Morus alba and Gynostemma pentaphyllum are proved to have lowering blood pressure effects [28, 29]. Or Ligustrum robustum and Blumea balsamifera are ethnic minority medicinal resources [30], which are ethnic cultures explored in practice by the ancestors of ethnic minorities. In the survey area, herbal tea has been used locally for a long time because of its medicinal function, which can effectively prevent, treat and regulate common diseases that appear in the body. Its medicinal value has great development potential, in-depth research is conducive to the exploration of Chinese herbal medicinal resources and germplasm resources.

Here, herbal tea plants have medicinal functions of heat-clearing and detoxification, reducing diuresis and regulation of digestive system, which is an important guarantee for locals to prevent and treat diseases (Table 2). The function of clearing heat and detoxification is most common in the community. The investigation areas that Wangmo and Ceheng belong to the Low and Hot River Valley Region in Qianxinan, with basic attributes such as low altitude and high temperature [19]. The local hot weather revealed people's demand for tea-like plants with heat-clearing and detoxifying effects. In addition, the anti-rheumatic effect is an important health benefit related to local herbal tea plants, which is mainly related to the humid climate and environment in the region. “Hui nan sky” (referred to as “Hui nan”) is a special weather phenomenon in southern China [19]. This phenomenon is mainly manifested in cloudy and sunny days, very humid, with light rain or heavy fog during the period. People who live in this environment for a long time are prone to relapse of rheumatism, joint pain, and muscle pain [31]. These diseases can be relieved by drinking herbal tea, which also shows that functional tea beverages should be highly valued by the local medical community.

Most of the chemical constituents of herbal tea plants are terpenoids, organic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and volatile oils etc. [32-33]. Whole plant of Agrimonia pilosa contains agrimonin A、B、C, which can be extracted as hemostatic and is sold in the market. It contains agrimophol (C₂₆H₃₄O₈) in winter underground rhizome buds and can be used as a deworming special medicine [34]. It has a volatile smell in Litsea lancilimb. It is not easy to be eroded by insects and is crisp, and can be used as furniture wood. Its seeds are rich in fat and can be extracted oil for industrial use [35]. The chemical components of roots, stems and leaves of herbal tea plants are often different, thereby making the best use of all parts could increase the utilization rate of herbal tea plants. At the present stage, the existing herbal tea plant resources should be reasonably, scientifically and fully utilized, and explored from the aspects of plant biochemistry to develop new herbal tea plant products.

Table 2

Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea

Family

Scientific name

Life form

Part of plant used

Collecting locations

Collecting time

Processing and drinking methods

Therpeutic effect of use

Habitat

Voucher number

RFC

Acanthaceae

Dicliptera chinensis

Herb

Whole plant

Creek side, roadside

All year

Simmer

To clear heat and cool blood, promote body fluid and diuresis, reduce greasiness during confinement, make herbal tea for reducing heat

Wild

PQXN30

0.009

Altingiaceae

Liquidambar formosana

Tree

Leaf, Root, Fruit

Village side

June-September

Dry in the sun→Water boiled

To expel wind, activate collaterals, benefit water, and relieve menstruation

Wild

PQXN34

0.009

Amaranthaceae

Amaranthus tricolor

Herb

Root, Fruit, Whole plant

Field

June-July

Simmer

Facilitate bowel movement, to get rid of cold and heat, improve eyesight

Wild

QXN050

0.027

Chenopodium album

Herb

Whole plant

Roadside, wasteland

All year

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Anti-diarrhea, anti-itch

Wild

QXN057

0.009

Apiaceae

Centella asiatica

Herb

Whole plant

Next to the village, riverside

All year

Simmer, Blanching, Boil soup

Clearing heat and removing dampness, removing toxicity for detumescence

Wild

PQXN38

0.409

Cryptotaenia japonica

Herb

Whole plant

Hillside

May-June

Boil soup

Cure weakness, closed urine, swelling and toxin

Wild

PQXN41

0.082

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Apiaceae

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides

Herb

Whole plant

Meadow, river ditch

All year

Simmer

Clearing away heat, diuresis, reducing swelling, detoxification, and curing jaundice

Wild

PQXN39

0.027

Oenanthe javanica

Herb

Whole plant

Swamp, riverside, roadside

All year

Simmer, Boil soup

Delay aging, anti-aging, lower blood pressure and blood lipids, treat fever, colds, vomiting and diarrhea

Wild

QXN001

0.082

Peucedanum medicum

Herb

Root

Tussock, rock

Spring

Boil soup, Take decocted with water

Nourishes the kidneys and liver, nourishes the lungs and improves eyesight, delays aging and fights aging

Cultivated

QXN014

0.118

Araceae

Sauromatum

horsfieldii

Herb

Stem

Bamboo forest

All year

Using fresh herb, dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, swelling, and stasis

Cultivated

PQXN29

0.009

Araliaceae

Eleutherococcus trifoliatus

Shrub

Root, Leaf

Village side, hillside, roadside

All year

Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, dispelling wind and dampness, treating cold

Cultivated

PQXN40

0.073

Eleutherococcus

nodiflorus

Shrub

velamen

Roadside, thickets

April-July

Take decocted with water, Bubble medicated wine

To expel wind and dampness, replenish liver and kidney, strengthen muscles and bones, promote hydration and reduce swelling

Wild

QXN013

0.027

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Araliaceae

Eleutherococcus

senticosus

Shrub

velamen

Roadside, thickets

August-October

Water boiled, Bubble medicated wine

To invigorate qi, invigorate the spleen, invigorate the kidney and soothe the nerves

Cultivated

PQXN44

0.009

Asphodelaceae

Hemerocallis citrina

Herb

Fruit, Flower

Hillside

May-October

Dry in the sun→Simmer

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, eyesight, throat moisturizing, Hemostatic, diuretic, cough relieving

Cultivated

PQXN32

0.027

Asteraceae

Acmella paniculata

Herb

Whole plant

Field's ditch, roadside

April-November

Dry in the sun→Simmer

Relieve pain and inflammation，traumatic injury

Wild

PQXN28

0.009

Adenostemma lavenia

Herb

Whole plant

Waterside, roadside

All year

Dry in the sun→Water boiled, Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and promoting diuresis，removing toxicity for detumescence

Wild

PQXN55

0.027

Artemisia argyi

Herb, Shrub

Leaf

Wasteland, riverside

Summer

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Warm the menstruation Hemostatic, dispel cold and relieve pain

Wild

QXN049

0.009

Aster indicus

Herb

Aboveground part

tussock, creek side

All year

Take decocted with water

Cough relieving, clearing heat and removing toxicity, eliminating food accumulation, and urinating

Wild

QXN009

0.09

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Asteraceae

Bidens pilosa

Herb

Whole plant

Next to the village, roadside, wasteland

All year

Boil soup, Take decocted with water, Simmer

Treat sore throat, reduce swelling, lower blood pressure, enteritis, acute appendicitis

Wild

QXN028

0.036

Bidens bipinnata

Herb

Whole plant

Hillside, farm

All year

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, dispersing blood stasis and promoting blood circulation

Wild

QXN017

0.009

Blumea balsamifera

Herb

Whole plant

Under the woods, meadow

All year

Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, dispersing blood stasis and promoting blood circulation

Wild

QXN039

0.009

Chrysanthemum

indicum

Herb

Leaf, Flower, Whole plant

Hillside, meadow

June-November

Dry in the sun→Brewing, Simmer

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, lowering blood pressure, purging fire and smoothing liver

Wild

QXN002

0.055

Crassocephalum crepidioides

Herb

Whole plant

Hillside, roadside, waterside

All year

Simmer

Removing toxicity for detumescence, traumatic injury, treating indigestion

Wild

QXN054

0.073

Eclipta prostrata

Herb

Whole plant

Field, riverside

All year

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Cooling blood and hemostatic, reducing swelling

Wild

QXN010

0.009

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Asteraceae

Emilia

prenanthoidea

Herb

Whole plant

Roadside

All year

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, activating blood and removing blood stasis

Wild

QXN022

0.009

Erigeron annuus

Herb

Whole plant

Tussock

Summer, Autumn

Using fresh herb, Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Used for indigestion, gastroenteritis, gingivitis

Wild

PQXN31

0.009

Erigeron breviscapus

Herb

Whole plant

Meadow

Summer, Autumn

Take decocted with water

Invigorate blood circulation, relieve pain, expel wind and cold

Wild

PQXN27

0.027

Ixeris polycephala

Herb

Whole plant

Thickets, meadow

All year

Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, Relax the muscles and stimulate the blood circulation

Wild

QXN021

0.073

Pseudognaphalium affine

Herb

Stem, Leaf

Field

January-April, August-October

Simmer

Antitussive, expectorant, treat asthma and bronchitis, trauma

Wild

PQXN33

0.009

Senecio scandens

Herb

Whole plant

Thickets

All year

Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, improving eyesight, diuresis

Wild

QXN030

0.009

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Asteraceae

Sonchus oleraceus

Herb

Leaf

Hillside, under the woods, farm

All year

Water boiled, Blanching, Simmer

Quenching thirst, clearing heat and removing toxicity, removing dampness and reducing blood pressure

Wild

QXN019

0.055

Sonchus wightianus

Herb

Whole plant

Wasteland, under the woods, field

All year

Water boiled, Blanching, Simmer

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, cooling blood hemostatic, lowering blood pressure

Wild

QXN040

0.136

Taraxacum mongolicum

Herb

Whole plant

Hill side meadow, roadside, field, river beach

All year

Using fresh herb, Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, to reduce swelling and dissipate nodules, diuresis and relieve leaching

Wild

QXN016

0.182

Youngia Japonica

Herb

Whole plant

Under the woods, hillside, farm, field

All year

Stir-frying→Water boiled

Relieve toothache, cold, sore throat, anti-inflammatory

Wild

QXN059

0.2

Berberidaceae

Berberis sargentiana

Shrub

Root

Hillside, roadside, rock crevice

All year

Take decocted with water

Clearing away heat and dampness, purging fire and detoxification

Wild

PQXN25

0.045

Mahonia fortunei

Shrub

Whole plant

Thickets

All year

Take decocted with water

Clearing away heat and dampness, purging fire and detoxification

Wild & cultivated

QXN042

0.018

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Cabombaceae

Brasenia schreberi

Herb

Whole plant

Ponds, swamp

Late April-late October

Swallow, Water boiled

To clear away heat and reduce fire, relieve vomiting, relieve hydration, reduce swelling and detoxify

Wild

PQXN24

0.073

Campanulaceae

Lobelia nummularia

Herb

Whole plant

Field, roadside

All year

Using fresh herb, Dry in the sun-Take decocted with water

To clear away heat and reduce fire, dispel rheumatism, bruises

Wild

QXN046

0.063

Caprifoliaceae

Lonicera similis

Vine

Flower

Hillside, terraced fields

April-June, Autumn

Stewing→Dry in the sun→Brewing

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, Course wind and dissipate heat

Wild

QXN007

0.391

Platycodon grandiflorus

Herb

Root

Courtyard

June-September

Take decocted with water

Promotes lung, relieves pharynx, expectorant, drains pus

Wild & cultivated

QXN008

0.009

Viburnum foetidum

Shrub

Fruit

Hillside

April-October

Using fresh herb, Simmer

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, cough relieving, anti-inflammatory

Wild

QXN047

0.027

Caryophyllaceae

Myosoton aquaticum

Herb

Whole plant

Roadside, riverside, hillside

All year

Simmer

To expel wind and toxins, treat boils

Cultivated

PQXN35

0.055

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Celastraceae

Gymnotheca

chinensis

Herb

Whole plant

Watersides, field

August-December

Simmer, Boil soup

Treat the lungs, relieve cough and resolve phlegm, removing toxicity for detumescence, clearing away heat and cooling blood

Wild

QXN015

0.036

Clusiaceae

Hypericum beanii

Shrub

Root, Leaf, Bud

Creek side, stone slope

June-October

Using fresh herb, Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

To clear the liver and dampness, detoxify and disperse blood stasis

Wild

PQXN42

0.009

Commelinaceae

Commelina

communis

Herb

Whole plant

Field

May-November

Take decocted with water

To clear away heat, relieve fire, detoxify, relieve swelling

Wild & cultivated

QXN012

0.009

Convolvulaceae

Argyreia

pierreana

Vine

Stem, Leaf

Stone crevice, hillside

All year

Boil soup, Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, relieving cough, treating traumatic injury, acute and chronic bronchitis

Wild

PQXN23

0.009

Crassulaceae

Phedimus aizoon

Herb

Whole plant

Hillside, wasteland

All year

Take decocted with water

Activating blood hemostatic, removing dampness and detoxification

Wild & cultivated

QXN025

0.009

Cucurbitaceae

Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Vine

Whole plant

Jungle

April-December

Take decocted with water, Brewing

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, relieving cough, clearing lungs and expectorant, nourishing the heart and calming nerves, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood fat, protecting liver

Wild

QXN035

0.018

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Cucurbitaceae

Solena heterophylla

Herb

Root

Hillside, roadside, under the woods

All year, Summer, Winter

Using fresh herb, Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, scald, carbuncle, cough, throat swelling and pain

Wild

PQXN45

0.009

Cyperaceae

Cyperus rotundus

Herb

Stem

Hillside, wasteland

All year

Simmer

To invigorate the stomach, treat gynecology

Cultivated

PQXN46

0.009

Equisetaceae

Equisetum ramosissimum

Herb

Aboveground part

Creek side, riverside, field

All year

Take decocted with water

Dispel wind and remove heat, anti-muscle and antipyretic, urinary system infection

Wild

QXN034

0.009

Fabaceae

Crotalaria ferruginea

Herb

Whole plant

Meadow

All year

Take decocted with water

Invigorate the spleen and kidney, facilitate urination, reduce swelling and toxin, relieve cough

Wild

PQXN49

0.036

Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Herb

Stem, Root

Riverside, field

All year

Take decocted with water

To replenish spleen and qi, clearing heat and removing toxicity, expectorant and relieve cough

Cultivated

PQXN51

0.009

Pueraria montana

Vine

Root

Hillside

July-October

Dry in the sun→Simmer

Relieve muscles and reduce fever, promote body fluids and quench thirst, clear meridians and activate collaterals

Wild

QXN036

0.009

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Fabaceae

Senna occidentalis

Shrub

Seed, Root, Leaf

Riverside

All year

Stir-frying→Take decocted with water

Laxative, removing toxicity for detumescence, liver clearing, diuretic

Wild & cultivated

QXN031

0.009

Sophora davidii

Shrub, Tree

Root, Leaf, Flower, Seed

Hillside, roadside

March-August

Stir-frying→Water boiled, Take decocted with water

Used for laryngitis, lowering blood pressure, and indigestion

Wild

PQXN22

0.027

Lithocarpus polystachyus

Tree

Leaf

Village side

September-October

Mash→Filter→Decoct→Dry in the sun→Brewing

Treats diarrhea, promotes body fluids to quench thirst, relieves summer heat and clears away heat

Wild

QXN053

0.09

Hypericaceae

Hypericum japonicum

Herb

Whole plant

Field, river ditch, meadow

All year

Dry in the sun→Simmer

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, stop bleeding and swelling, treat hepatitis

Wild

PQXN26

0.009

Lamiaceae

Ajuga decumbens

Herb

Whole plant

Meadow, valley

All year

Simmer

Treatment of gastroenteritis, acute conjunctivitis

Wild & cultivated

PQXN21

0.009

Callicarpa

macrophylla

Tree, Shrub

Leaf, Root

Thickets, parse forest

Summer, Autumn

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

To dissipate blood stasis and Hemostatic, reduce swelling and relieve pain

Cultivated

QXN045

0.009

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Lamiaceae

Leonurus japonicus

Herb

Whole plant

Hillside, tussock

Spring, Summer

Using fresh herb, Dry in the sun→Simmer

Activating blood to regulate menstruation, diuresis, swelling,

Clearing heat and removing toxicity

Cultivated

PQXN54

0.009

Mentha canadensis

Herb

Aboveground part

Hillside, riverside

Summer, Autumn

Dry in the sun, Air drying

Course wind and dissipate heat, sober, improve eyesight, and relieve the throat

Cultivated

QXN051

0.009

Perilla frutescens

Herb

Stem, Leaf, Fruit

Courtyard

All year

Using fresh herb, Take decocted with water

Relieve the appearance and dispel cold, reduce qi, relieve phlegm, relieve pain

Cultivated

QXN027

0.009

Prunella vulgaris

Herb

Whole plant

Wasteland

Summer

Using fresh herb, Dry in the sun→Taked ecocted with water

Clearing liver and purging fire, improving eyesight, dispelling masses and reducing swelling

Wild

QXN005

0.027

Salvia prionitis

Herb

Whole plant

Hillside, tussock

All year

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, hepatitis, acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis

Wild

PQXN53

0.009

Lardizabalaceae

Akebia trifoliata

Vine

Root, Stem, Fruit

Hillside

All year

Take decocted with water

Inducing diuresis for treating strangury, pure in heart except vexed

Wild

PQXN36

0.009

Holboellia latifolia

Vine

Root, Seedcase

Sparse forest, thickets

May-September

Take decocted with water

Treat traumatic injury, rheumatic bone pain

Wild

PQXN47

0.018

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Lardizabalaceae

Sargentodoxa cuneata

Vine

Root, Stem

Hillside

All year

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, invigorating blood, dispelling wind and pain

Wild

PQXN19

0.018

Lauraceae

Litsea lancilimba

Tree

Fruit

Village side

November, December

Dry in the sun→Swallow

Treat stomach ache and diarrhea

Wild

PQXN37

0.027

Liliaceae

Lilium brownii

Herb

Stem

Roadside, creek side

May-June

Using fresh herb, Water boiled

Nourish yin and lungs, clear heart and soothe the mind

Wild

PQXN43

0.009

Lythraceae

Punica granatum

Shrub, Tree

Leaf

Before and after the house

All year

Simmer

Astringent intestinal antidiarrhea, hemostatic, deworming

Cultivated

PQXN52

0.027

Malvaceae

Firmiana simplex

Tree

Seed, Stem, Flower, Leaf, Fruit

Village side, before and after the house

September-October

Brying→Take decocted with water

Eliminate rheumatism, cure asthma

Cultivated

PQXN50

0.009

Melanthiaceae

Paris polyphylla

Herb

Flower

Riverside

All year

Using fresh herb, Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, relieving swelling and pain, cooling the liver and relieving shock

Cultivated

PQXN48

0.009

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Melastomataceae

Melastoma

malabathricum

Shrub

Whole plant, Root

Hillside

May-June

Using fresh herb, Simmer

Treat indigestion, diarrhea, enteritis, diuresis, chronic bronchitis

Wild

PQXN15

0.018

Moraceae

Morus alba

Tree, Shrub

velamen, Fruit

Before and after the house

May-September

Simmer

Course wind and dissipate heat, diuresis and swelling, nourishing yin and nourishing blood

Cultivated

PQXN17

0.009

Musaceae

Musa basjoo

Herb

Root，Flower

Hillside, Courtyard

All year

Take decocted with water, Simmer

To clear away heat and prevent malaria, treat colds, stomach pain and abdominal pain

Wild &

cultivated

PQXN20

0.009

Myrtaceae

Psidium guajava

Shrub, Tree

Leaf

Hillside, wasteland

All year

Dry in the sun→Water boiled

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, treating tuberculosis, nourishing yin and moisturizing the lungs

Wild & cultivated

QXN018

0.027

Oleaceae

Ligustrum robustum

Shrub, Tree

Leaf

Behind the house

All year

Simmer

Nourish liver and kidney, improve eyesight and black hair

Cultivated

QXN056

0.1

Onagraceae

Oenothera rosea

Herb

Root

Meadow, river ditch

All year

Take decocted with water

Anti-inflammatory, lower blood pressure

Cultivated

QXN026

0.009

Orchidaceae

Cymbidium

aloifolium

Epiphyte

Whole plant

Thickets

All year

Boil soup, Take decocted with water

Treatment of pulmonary heat, cough, tuberculosis, and pharyngitis

Cultivated

PQXN18

0.009

Oxalidaceae

Oxalis corniculata

Herb

Whole plant

Roadside, field, wasteland

All year

Take decocted with water

Dispel rheumatism, strengthen muscles and bones, treat rheumatism

Wild

QXN020

0.027

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Piperaceae

Peperomia pellucida

Herb

Whole plant

Under the woods, house wall foot

All year

Simmer

Treat onychomycosis, dispel blood stasis and relieve pain, traumatic injuries

Wild

PQXN16

0.009

Plantaginaceae

Plantago asiatica

Herb

Whole plant

River ditch, field, roadside

March-November

Take decocted with water

Clearing away heat and diuresis, removing phlegm, cooling blood, and detoxifying

Wild

QXN023

0.227

Poaceae

Imperata cylindrica

Herb

Stem

River ditch, forest edge, roadside

All year

Dry in the sun→Simmer

Clearing heat and removing dampness, dispelling dampness, relieving yellowness, dispelling wind and diuresis

Cultivated

PQXN14

0.036

Lophatherum gracile

Herb

Root, Leaf

Woodland, roadside

June-July

Simmer

To clear away heat and purify fire, relieve irritability and quench thirst, diuresis and relieve leaching

Wild &

cultivated

PQXN12

0.009

Polygonaceae

Fallopia multiflora

Vine

Root

Hillside, rock crevices

Autumn

Using fresh herb, Dry in the sun→Water boiled

Detoxify, eliminate carbuncle, cut malaria, moisturize the intestines and laxative

Wild & cultivated

QXN024

0.055

Polygonum capitatum

Herb

Whole plant

Hillside, riverside

July-November

Dry in the sun→Simmer

Treat burns, treat urinary tract infections, pyelonephritis

Wild

PQXN11

0.018

Polygonum chinense

Herb

Aboveground part

Valley, waterside, wetlands

Summer, Autumn

Dry in the sun→Simmer

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, to dissipate blood stasis and reduce swelling

Wild

PQXN13

0.027

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Polypodiaceae

Lemmaphyllum carnosum

Herb

Whole plant

Under the woods

October -December

Water boiled, Simmer

Cough relieving, diuresis

Wild

PQXN10

0.009

Portulacaceae

Portulaca

oleracea

Herb

Aboveground part

Courtyard, farmland

Summer, Autumn

Blanch→Dry in the sun

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, cooling blood hemostatic, stopping dysentery

Wild

QXN043

0.009

Primulaceae

Ardisia crispa

Shrub

Root, Leaf

Hillside

May

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Cure sore throat, diuresis, cough, fracture, bruises, rheumatism

Wild & cultivated

QXN032

0.027

Ardisia mamillata

Shrub

Whole plant

Before and after the house

All year

Airing →Bubble medicated wine

Clearing away heat and dampness, treating low back pain, traumatic injury, hepatitis

Cultivated

PQXN09

0.036

Myrsine africana

Shrub

Stem, Leaf

Hillside

May-September

Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, scattered stasis detumescence

Wild & cultivated

QXN062

0.009

Ranunculaceae

Clematis florida

Vine

Root, Whole plant

Roadside

All year

Take decocted with water

Anti-inflammatory, clearing liver and nourishing lungs, clearing meridian, detoxification, and curing gout

Wild

QXN037

0.009

Rosaceae

Agrimonia pilosa

Herb

Whole plant

Creek side, meadow, thickets

All year

Simmer

Hemostatic, cut malaria, dysentery, detoxification

Wild

QXN055

0.009

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Rosaceae

Eriobotrya japonica

Tree

Leaf, Flower

Before and after the house, field

October -December

Dry in the sun→Water boiled

To clear the lungs and relieve cough and vomiting

Cultivated

PQXN06

0.036

Potentilla griffithii

Herb

Root

Hillside, forest edge

May-September

Simmer

Treat stomachache and dysentery due to food accumulation

Wild & cultivated

PQXN05

0.018

Pyracantha fortuneana

Shrub

Fruit, Root, Leaf

Hillside

Autumn

Using fresh herb, Simmer

Anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, eye discomfort

Wild

QXN011

0.073

Rosa roxburghii

Shrub

Fruit, Leaf

Hillside, roadside

August-October

Using fresh herb, Simmer

Used for food accumulation, bloating, dysentery, diarrhea, menorrhagia, hemorrhoids and bleeding

Wild

PQXN04

0.063

Sabiaceae

Sabia parviflora

Vine

Stem, Leaf

Creek side

Summer, Autumn

Using fresh herb, Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water, Brewing

Analgesia, clearing heat and removing toxicity, antitussive, expectorant, asthma

Wild

PQXN07

0.027

Sapindaceae

Cardiospermum

halicacabum

Vine

Whole plant

Field, roadside

All year

Simmer

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, swelling and pain relief, vomiting

Wild & cultivated

PQXN08

0.009

Saururaceae

Houttuynia cordata

Herb

Whole plant

River ditch, creek side

March-March

Using fresh herb, Simmer

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, eliminate carbuncle and drain pus, diuretic and relieve leaching

Wild

QXN004

0.509

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Scrophulariaceae

Buddleja

officinalis

Shrub

Flower

Hillside, riverside

Spring

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

To clear away heat, relieve fire, nourish liver and improve eyesight, remove cataracts

Wild

QXN058

0.009

Selaginellaceae

Selaginella

tamariscina

Herb

Whole plant

Thickets, rock

All year

Take decocted with water

Cure stomach ache

Wild

QXN033

0.009

Solanaceae

Lycium chinense

Shrub

Fruit

Hillside, ridge

August-November

Using fresh herb, Take decocted with water

Nourish the liver and kidneys, improve eyesight

Wild

PQXN03

0.009

Solanum nigrum

Herb

Aboveground part

Field, wasteland

April-July

Simmer, Boil soup, Take decocted with water

Cure snake venom, scattered stasis detumescence, Hemostatic, boils

Wild

QXN003

0.327

Solanum

pseudocapsicum

Shrub

Root

Roadside, river ditch

All year

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Activating blood to relieve pain

Wild

QXN044

0.009

Solanum violaceum

Shrub

Fruit, Root

Roadside, wasteland

All year

Dry in the sun，Using fresh herb →Take decocted with water

Anti-inflammatory and detoxification, calming down pain

Wild

QXN038

0.009

Table 2 Plant species gathered in Qianxinan were uesd for making herbal tea (Continued)

Thelypteridaceae

Cyclosorus

acuminatus

Herb

Stem, Whole plant

Field, meadow, roadside

Summer, Autumn

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, dispelling wind and removing dampness, strengthening spleen

Wild

QXN041

0.009

Urticaceae

Urtica fissa

Herb

Whole plant

Hillside, roadside

All year

Using fresh herb→Simmer

Eliminate wind and dampness, relieve cough, postpartum convulsion, convulsion in children

Wild

PQXN02

0.009

Verbenaceae

Verbena officinalis

Herb

Whole plant

Hillside, creek side

All year

Take decocted with water, Simmer

Promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, detoxification, diuresis, anti-malaria

Wild & cultivated

QXN006

0.127

Violaceae

Viola philippica

Herb

Whole plant

Farm, wasteland

Spring, Autumn

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Clearing heat and removing toxicity, cooling blood and reducing swelling

Cultivated

QXN048

0.009

Vitaceae

Cayratia japonica

Vine

Whole plant

Valley, hillside

Summer, Autumn

Dry in the sun→Take decocted with water

Cooling blood and detoxification, diuresis and swelling

Wild

QXN060

0.009

Zingiberaceae

Zingiber officinale

Herb

Stem

Farm

June-November

Simmer

Relieve the appearance and dispel cold, warm up to stop vomiting, resolve phlegm and relieve cough

Cultivated

PQXN01

0.018

In the list, RFC relative frequency of citation; ZYC=Chinese medicinal materials; PQXNXX Number indicates the more common herbal tea plants have not collected relevant specimens, and there are photos as evidence

Protection of herbal tea plant diversity

With the acceleration of the pace of modern life, fewer people have experience in collecting herbal tea plants. In addition, most young people are looking for drinks with better taste, and the herbal tea made from natural plants often tastes poor, as a result, most young people know little about herbal tea plants. The elders are more familiar with the herbal tea plants. They can be passed on from generation to generation through oral and hand instruction, but the relevant knowledge is not systematically recorded properly, and young people also lack the awareness of protecting traditional knowledge [3, 16, 18]. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a resource bank of herbal tea plants to realize the sustainable use of herbal tea resources, and promote the inheritance and protection of ethnic traditional knowledge

According to China Species Red List, Paris polyphylla and Glycyrrhiza uralensis were endangered plants and were cultivated by local villagers in home garden. Due to the spread of invasive alien species and man-made damage, the growth conditions of wild species are restricted, and the living space of plant resources in our country is continuously reduced [36]. Via the conversation with the key informants, a large number of Cunninghamia lanceolata have been planted in Ceheng County in recent years and the space for herbal tea plants has been destroyed, which makes it more and more difficult for locals to collect herbal tea plants. Although Cunninghamia lanceolata have high economic benefits and large yields, but continuous single planting will degrade soil fertility and reduce species diversity [37]. Excessive pursuit of short-term economic benefits, unrestrained over-exploitation and unauthorized dig and wanton felling of trees, pose certain threats to herbal tea plant resources. Therefore, it is urgent to investigate the baseline data of the herbal tea plant resource and establish the herbal tea plants database.

In-depth study on herbal tea plant resources

It is found that herbal tea plants are mostly from family Asteraceae as other study[1, 4].There are about 1000 genera and 25000-30000 species of Asteraceae, which is the largest family of dicotyledons. It has high economic value and a wide range of uses, for example Artemisia annua and Artemisia mandshurica can be used as vegetables, Taraxacum mongolicum and Imperata cylindrica can be used as medicine. In the study of multipurpose plant utilization in ethnic areas of Guizhou, southwest China, it is mentioned that most of the plants used as food and medicinal plants in ethnic areas are herbaceous plants [38]. It is distributed on the side of water ditches, roadsides, fields or mountains, which is very convenient for local residents to obtain.

In this study, the production of herbal tea plants is based on the whole plant or other parts of the plant (roots, stems, leaves). And the herbal plants are dried in the sun, which is convenient for later storage and use. Sun-dried processing also facilitates the preservation of the original medicinal ingredients of plants. It can reduce waste of herbal tea plants in the process of processing and making herbal tea plants when using whole plants. Similar to the processing methods of fermented beverages of the Shui nationalities, herbal tea plants can also be used as raw materials for fermented wines [39]. To improve the utilization rate of herbal tea plants, the roots, stems, leaves and other parts of a small number of herbal tea plants can also be processed and drunk separately. Processing and drinking the different parts can exert the different effects of the plants. Taking Senna occidentalis as an example, the seeds are fried to cure malaria, the root simmering water is used for diuresis and edema, and the fresh leaves are mashed and applied externally to treat poisonous snake venom bites [40].

The processing and drinking of teas can also be developed into herbal tea beverages in the form of Teabag according to the current convenient and fast lifestyles of people [41], or formulated into liquid herbal tea beverage [42]. However, the rise of a series of new types of herbal tea beverages such as Wahaha and Nongfu Spring have caused the degradation of traditional tea beverages. In order to cater to the taste of the majority of drinkers, many manufacturers have begun to add various food agents to herbal tea beverages, ignoring the nutritional value of the herbal tea plants themselves, to meet the development of commercial herbal tea beverages [1]. Whether herbal tea beverages are safe to drink, the biological activity and toxicity of herbal tea plants are still being further studied. The development of herbal tea beverages is based on the research on the pharmacological activities and ingredients of the pharmaceutical and food industries, so as to ensure the safety of their herbal tea beverages.

The whole plant or roots, stems and leaves of other parts of the herbal tea plant were used to concentrate the effective ingredients of the herbal plant by decoction. This way of processing can make the effect better [43, 44]. Taking decocted water also have certain particularities to have the best effect, such as the amount of decoction, the time of decoction or the number of times of drinking[45]. Locals decocted herbal plants in water based on their past experience, but lacked some taboo knowledge of edible plants [46, 47]. Studies have found that some medicinal and poisonous herbal tea plants are poisonous due to toxic plant components, improper drinking methods can cause adverse reactions [48, 49]. Table 2 shows that some herbal tea plants are not suitable for pregnant women and frail cold patients. When developing herbal tea plants among ethnic people, not only should the ethnic plant resources be investigated and protected, but also the medicinal, ecological and cultural value of plants should be systematically studied, and the utilization and protection of plants should be integrated [50]. Although daily herbal tea drinking can clear heat and detoxify and effectively enhance immunity, it is necessary to promote reasonable and scientific herbal tea drinking methods to local residents.

Herbal tea is a kind of drink used by people in daily life. It has medicinal functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, dispelling dampness, and relieving summer heat. Research shows that there are 114 species herbal tea plants of 59 families 103 genera in the Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefectures in southwestern Guizhou province used by local people, which Asteraceae is the most common.

This study recorded two species of national secondary protected plants, Paris polyphylla (Melanthiaceae) and Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Fabaceae). They were cultivated in home gardens of local villagers. In recent years, the natural succession of vegetation has been disturbed due to the impact of various human activities such as reclamation and grazing. When collecting herbal tea plants, locals need to strengthen their awareness of rational utilization and protection of plant resources to prevent destruction of herbal tea plant germplasm resources. Herbal tea plants are not only the first choice for local people’s daily drinks, but also a source of economic income. It is necessary to implement systematic protection of plant germplasm resources and establish cultivation gardens, thus provide a source of production for the development of the herbal tea market and increase the income of local villagers.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

All the villagers and healers who decided to collaborate were interviewed according to mutually agreed conditions, especially with regards to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the ISE Code of Ethics.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31900275) and Natural Science Foundation of Guizhou Province (Qiankehejichu-ZK [2021] 091).

Authors’ contributions

YFG conceived the research, revised and finalized the manuscript, and identified most plants. XFL prepared the draft version and revised the manuscript. All authors carried out the fieldwork research for this study and all authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Acknowledgements

We fully acknowledge the local villagers and healers for participating in the surveys and sharing their knowledge on the use of herbal tea plants with us.

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No competing interests reported.

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Ethnobotanical study on Herbal tea in Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of southwestern Guizhou province, China

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Abstract

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Background

Methods

Research area

Data analysis

Results

Diversity of herbal tea

Most cited plants

Health care effect of herbal tea plants

Plant parts used in herbal tea

Discussion

Medicinal value of herbal tea plants

Protection of herbal tea plant diversity

In-depth study on herbal tea plant resources

Conclusions

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Consent for publication

Availability of data and materials

Competing interests

Funding

Authors’ contributions

Acknowledgements

References

Additional Declarations

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