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Open research questions in Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies

36 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 530 Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Despite the fact that, children are particularly vulnerable population, limited studies exists regarding the prevalence, types, and determinants of parental TM use during COVID-19.

    Determinants of parental traditional medicine use for children during COVID-19 in Dire Dawa city administration, Eastern Ethiopia, 2023/24: Mixed community based cross-sectional study design · 2026 · DOI

  • • • • • • The following suggestions are provided for the conservation of fauna: Awareness of wildlife conservation and zoonotic concerns in the study area. Enforcing wildlife conservation rules and policies in the study area. Promotion of sustainable use and conservation of wildlife in the study area. Documenting ethnomedical knowledge in the study.

    Ethnomedicinal uses of fauna in the Lesser Himalayan Region of Pakistan · 2026 · DOI

  • The following limitations exist in this study: first, the geographically small area should be expanded to a larger scale to collect maximum ethnomedicinal knowledge; second, the number of respondents is limited (n=100); more participants would provide more accurate knowledge; and third, this study mainly focuses on ethnomedicinal uses, so further studies should also include cultural uses of fauna, which would be useful for the conservation of fauna.

    Ethnomedicinal uses of fauna in the Lesser Himalayan Region of Pakistan · 2026 · DOI

  • This review has several limitations. As a narrative review, it did not follow a formal systematic review protocol, and no quantitative meta-analysis or structured risk-of-bias assessment was performed. Although a structured search strategy was used, study selection involved narrative judgement; therefore, selection bias is possible. The review may also have missed relevant studies because the literature was selected according to thematic relevance rather than predefined systematic review criteria. In addition, this review is based on existing literature and does not include field-based ecological assessments, toxicological surveillance, or supply-chain audits. Most available studies focus on pharmacological activity, phytochemical composition, or therapeutic relevance, while fewer examine harvesting pressure, habitat vulnerability, contamination exposure, or trade-related sustainability risks. Conservation data for many medicinal plant species also remain inconsistent, limiting the ability to conduct comprehensive ecological risk assessments. Future research should integrate Ayurvedic pharmacology with conservation biology, environmental toxicology, agroecology, and supply-chain governance. Species-specific studies are needed to assess harvesting pressure, regeneration capacity, habitat sensitivity, cultivation feasibility, and substitution risk. Long-term monitoring should evaluate heavy metals, pesticide residues, microbial contamination, adulteration, and post-harvest quality changes. Traceability systems, botanical repositories, genomic authentication, efficacy-oriented quality grading, and community-level conservation models may strengthen both medicinal plant quality and environmental accountability.

    Expanding Ayurvedic Pharmacology: Ecological, Quality Standards, and Environmental Health Implications of Medicinal Plant Drug Discovery · 2026 · DOI

  • This study demonstrates the potential of polarity-guided fractionation in uncovering bioactive metabolites with anti- gonorrhoeal activity from South African medicinal plants. Helichrysum odoratissimum and Terminalia phanerophle- bia emerged as promising sources of antigonorrhoeal com- pounds, supporting their ethnopharmacological relevance. The identification of phenolic, flavonoid, terpenoid, and coumarin compounds within bioactive fractions provides an explanation for the observed activity, highlighting the contribution of diverse phytochemical classes that may act synergistically to enhance antibacterial efficacy. These find- ings demonstrate the potential of plant-derived metabolites to overcome resistance mechanisms in Neisseria gonor- rhoeae and support their relevance in the search for novel therapeutic agents. Nevertheless, several limitations must therefore be acknowledged. Compound identification was putative, based on UPLC-HRMS spectral matching rather than iso- lation and structural confirmation, and the observed bioac- tivity reflects the effects of complex fractions rather than individual constituents, preventing definitive attribution of activity or confirmation of synergistic interactions. In addi- tion, no direct mechanistic experiments were performed to 1 3Folia Microbiologica validate effects on resistance pathways, and all assays were conducted on reference strains, leaving activity against clin- ical and resistant isolates unresolved. Further research should focus on the isolation, in silico and experimental validation of these metabolites, as well as the elucidation of their mechanisms of action and evaluation against clinical isolates to assess their translational potential. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at h t t p s : / / d o i . o r g / 1 0 . 1 0 0 7 / s 1 2 2 2 3 - 0 2 6 - 0 1 5 0 0 - 7 . Acknowledgements The authors hereby acknowledge Wiehan Rudolph and Kevin Khorommbi from the Biodiscovery Centre (Uni- versity of Pretoria) for their assistance in conducting extraction and fractionation, as well as manual compound annotations in MassLynx. Author contributions **Perfoy Lumu Lumu: ** investigation, meth- odology, formal analysis and data curation, writing of the original draft, review and editing; **Phanankosi Moyo: ** dataset collection, formal analysis, review and editing; **Alphonse Onana: ** methodol- ogy, review and editing; **Patrick Matthew Mc Millan: ** dataset ac- quisition, review and editing; **Madelien Wooding: ** Raw data pro- cessing using UNIFI, metabolomics, review and editing; **Samkelo Malgas: ** supervision, reviewing and editing; **Vinesh J. Maharaj: ** equipment and funds acquisition, review and editing; **Sekelwa Cosa: ** conceptualisation, project administration, supervision, funds acquisition, review and editing. Funding Open access funding provided by University of Pretoria. This work was supported by the South African Medical Research Council Self-Initiated Research (SAMRC-SIR) awarded to S.C and the Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa (Grant No. DST/CON 0061/2020) to V.M. Data availability All data generated or analysed during this study are presented within the article and its supplementary files.

    Identification of antigonorrhoeal phytochemical lead compounds using a metabolomics-guided approach · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on bridging gaps in species-specific propagation knowledge, enhancing the effectiveness of these techniques for large-scale conservation efforts, and prioritizing the conservation of trees, shrubs, and herb species of IHR.

    Four decades of analysis of propagation and conservation studies on the threatened Himalayan medicinal plants · 2026 · DOI

  • Based on the above findings which point to the pragmatic and evolving understanding of herbal medicine safety among herbalists, it would be vital to carry out further comprehensive research to ascertain the efficacy, safety, and active ingredients in the medicinal plants, plus the associated traditional healing practices. Also, stakehold- ers in the traditional medicine value chain need to be sensitized to advance their evolving knowledge on herbal medicine toxicity, how to mitigate it, and they should be supported to embrace it.

    Diversity and perceptions about side effects of medicinal plants used by herbalists to treat gastrointestinal diseases in Sironko District, Eastern Uganda · 2026 · DOI

  • The study involved a sample of herbalists to identify the medicinal plants they use to treat their clients and the associated side effects which the herbal consumers had persistently reported to the participant. To avoid infor- mation authentication and accuracy related challenges, it would have been vital to include herbal medicine con- sumers (individuals who go to these herbalists for treat- ment), to obtain firsthand information on side effects, however, this was deterred by limited access to those herbal users. That is, the clients who visit these herbalists for treatment are mobile, they hardly disclose the details of their home locations and contacts, and their medical engagements with the herbalists are a confidential matter. On the other hand, the information obtained from the herbalists is largely trustable since they also frequently consume the same plants hence, they face the same adversities.

    Diversity and perceptions about side effects of medicinal plants used by herbalists to treat gastrointestinal diseases in Sironko District, Eastern Uganda · 2026 · DOI

  • Experiential learning through direct plant observation accounts for only 7.2% of reported knowledge sources, yet the paper emphasizes experience-based transmission; systematic investigation is needed to distinguish between formal mentorship structures versus informal observational learning in wild edible plant knowledge acquisition among youth in Dabat District.

    Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Dabat District, Ethiopia · 2026 · DOI

  • The Jaccard Similarity Index analysis identified high similarity with certain districts (reflecting shared ecological conditions) but the mechanisms linking specific environmental parameters to wild edible plant species composition and utilization patterns remain unstudied; research should quantify the relationship between agroecological variables and ethnobotanical species richness.

    Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Dabat District, Ethiopia · 2026 · DOI

  • The patriarchal knowledge transfer pattern (fathers 41%, grandfathers 19.4%, mothers 12.2%) documented in Dabat District requires comparative analysis across different Ethiopian agroecological zones to determine whether gender-skewed ethnobotanical knowledge transmission is universal or region-specific, and how this affects long-term conservation outcomes for wild edible plants.

    Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Dabat District, Ethiopia · 2026 · DOI

  • The inverse relationship between literacy status and wild edible plant knowledge (illiterate 4.1±1.9 vs. literate 1.9±1.3) indicates a need to experimentally design and test integration frameworks that embed ethnobotanical content into formal education curricula, field-based learning modules, and community training programs to measure knowledge retention outcomes.

    Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Dabat District, Ethiopia · 2026 · DOI

  • The gender-based knowledge disparity in wild edible plants (male 3.3±1.6 vs. female 2.6±1.3) requires targeted investigation into how women's roles in processing and household utilization of wild edible plants can be systematically documented and quantified, separate from men's foraging-centered knowledge, to develop gender-inclusive ethnobotanical assessment methodologies.

    Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Dabat District, Ethiopia · 2026 · DOI

  • Looking ahead, the integration of traditional and modern medicine in diarrhea control presents significant potential for improving health outcomes across Africa. Efforts should focus on formalizing the role of traditional medicine within national healthcare systems by establishing regulatory frameworks that ensure the safety, efficacy, and standardization of indigenous treatments. This approach would provide an avenue to explore and validate the therapeutic potential of local plant species, which have long been used in traditional healing practices [17]. Alongside this, there is a pressing need for greater investment in healthcare infrastructure to enhance the availability and accessibility of modern treatments such as oral rehydration therapy (ORT) and antibiotics, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Public health campaigns will play a critical role in educating communities about the benefits of combining traditional remedies with modern medical care and in emphasizing the importance of timely medical intervention. These initiatives could reduce reliance on single approaches, promoting a more holistic and accessible healthcare model. Additionally, fostering interdisciplinary research that bridges traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods can uncover novel therapeutic strategies. Such research will be pivotal in developing new 83 approaches to diarrhea prevention and treatment, contributing significantly to the global fight against diarrheal diseases in Africa, where they remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality [18]. CONCLUSION The integration of traditional and modern medicine presents a promising solution to improving diarrhea control in Africa, where both systems are commonly used. By combining the strengths of each approach, this integration can enhance the overall effectiveness of treatment strategies, taking into account the cultural preferences and practices of local populations. However, the process requires careful consideration of cultural sensitivity, mutual respect, and active collaboration between healthcare professionals and traditional healers. Despite challenges such as regulatory barriers and uneven healthcare access, this integration has the potential to lead to improved health outcomes, making healthcare more inclusive and sustainable. Strengthening this integration will require focused efforts on research, policy development, and community engagement, ensuring that both systems complement each other and work towards a common goal of tackling diarrhea. With a balanced approach, the integration can contribute to better health for populations across Africa, combining modern medical advancements with the wisdom of traditional healing practices. REFERENCES 1.Worede, E.A., Malede, A., Feleke, H., Abere, G., Demeke, E.A., Azanaw, J.: Prevalence of diarrheal diseases in Africa: A meta-analysis. associated children among five and under factors https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0326501 2.Diarrhoeal disease, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease 3.Agu, P.C., Nduneseokwu, N.C., Nwiziogo, F.C., Okafor, M.U., Egwu, C.O., et al.: Historical and ethnopharmacological perspectives on African medicinal plants: From traditional remedies to computational (2025).

    Integrating Traditional and Modern Medicine in Diarrhea Control: Cultural Sensitivity and Future Perspectives in Africa · 2026 · DOI

  • Having collated information on 71 taxa (70 species and one genus), the medicinal usage of 34 species presumably not yet reported in Mozambique was identified, including five whose therapeutic use still had not yet been described in the African continent.

    A Missão Botânica de Moçambique (1942-1948): contribuições para o conhecimento da flora medicinal de Moçambique · 2014 · DOI

  • The proof for this has largely been based on measurements of metabolites in the urine, many of which have not been adequately identified and the theory still remains an open question (Sprince, H. The psychotomimetic principle of Amanita muscaria still remains to be elucidated.

    The use of paricá, an ethnological and pharmacological review · 1963 · DOI

  • Traditional medicine continues to play a significant role in disease management; however, ethnobotanical knowledge related to diabetes remains insufficiently documented.

    Diversity and Utilization Patterns of Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: An Ethnobotanical Study in Selected Communities in Sierra Leone · 2026 · DOI

  • Background and objectives: Ethnobotanical research is a critical tool for documenting traditional knowledge, yet specialized studies focusing on neonatal and maternal healthcare remain scarce.

    Medicinal Plants Used During Childbirth and Maternal-Neonatal Healthcare in Punjab, Pakistan · 2026 · DOI

  • This reflects a broader concern in the literature that, although these plants are perceived as safe and natural, insufficient evidence exists on standardized doses and potential interactions during pregnancy (Belayneh et al.

    Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used during pregnancy in Setif, Algeria: a study among herbalists · 2026 · DOI

  • While the bark and seeds of this plant have been thoroughly examined, the root has not yet been adequately studied, even though it holds considerable ethnomedicinal importance.

    A Critical Review on the Phytoconstituents and Traditional Uses of Holarrhena Pubescens Root · 2026 · DOI

  • Furthermore, the high use value index of species with no records or low abundance should be further investigated to clarify whether there is extractive pressure or a concentra- tion of these species in areas outside the phytosociological inventory.

    The Influence of the Environment and the Use of Woody Plants: New Evidence for the Ecological Apparency Hypothesis · 2026 · DOI

  • Herbalist employees were not sufficient in providing information about drugs such as where the plants were collected, storage conditions and scientific names of plants.

    Plants Sold In Elazig Herbalists For Phytotherapy Purpose · 2026 · DOI

  • Plant-based foods’ application vagaries, momentum, and research orientation regarding their health functionality awareness are scarcely studied by bibliometrics from a global perspective.

    Preliminary bibliometrics of plant-derived health foods over the last decade in the Scopus database · 2023 · DOI

  • But what is lacking are clear attempts to bridge these sources of information; to conduct studies specifically designed through the coordinated efforts of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Healers with palaeoethnobotanists.

    Engaged Palaeoethnobotany on the Northern Plains: A Compelling Future for Medicinal Plant Research · 2020 · DOI

  • However, data about plants used to treat intestinal parasitosis, which are one of the main morbidity and mortality causes among indigenous peoples, remain scarce.

    ANTIPARASITIC PLANTS USED BY THE KANTARURÉ-BATIDA INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY (NE-BRAZIL): ETHNOBOTANY AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE-EROSION RISKS · 2018 · DOI

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36 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 530 Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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