Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants and traditional knowledge in Songnisan National Park, Korea

Ethnobotanical study in Songnisan National Park, Korea

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to document and preserve the traditional knowledge related to the use of medicinal plants in Songnisan National Park, Korea. Information was gathered from 130 informants through interviews, group discussions, and field observations based on semi-structured questionnaires. Quantitative indices, including informant consensus factor, fidelity level, and inter-network analysis, were applied to evaluate the data. In total, 187 plant species belonging to 160 genera and 71 families were identified, accounting for 1,442 use reports for the treatment of 122 ailments. The most represented family was Asteraceae (13.6%; 22 species), followed by Fabaceae (12.6%), Rosaceae (5.6%), and Araliaceae (5.4%). Twenty-three plant parts were utilized and prepared using 43 different ways. The highest informant consensus factor was found for poisonings (0.95), whereas diabetes showed the lowest level of agreement (0.76). Forty-three species showed a fidelity level of 100%. Inter-network analysis revealed that Sophora flavescens Aiton was the most widely used species, being applied to treat 16 ailments. The common cold was the condition most frequently treated, with 35 species reported. Overall, the results reflect how medicinal plant knowledge is still actively practiced and shared among local residents. The documented plant species and their uses provide useful reference data for future studies on plant-based medicine, as well as for conservation and sustainable resource management.