The Non-random Selection of Medicinal Plants Theory: A Case Study of a Kichwa Community in the Ecuadorian Amazon
by
 
Arias, Daniela M. Robles, author.

Title
The Non-random Selection of Medicinal Plants Theory: A Case Study of a Kichwa Community in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Author
Arias, Daniela M. Robles, author.

ISBN
9780438012189

Personal Author
Arias, Daniela M. Robles, author.

Physical Description
1 electronic resource (124 pages)

General Note
Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 57-06M(E).
 
Advisors: Maria G. Fadiman Committee members: Orou Gaoue; Tobin Hindle.

Abstract
The non-random selection of medicinal plants theory, which states that phylogeny affects the selection of medicinal plants, was proposed by Daniel Moerman to indirectly prove that traditional medicinal systems are rational and based in part by the therapeutic efficacy of plants. The logic of this theory is that because members of a taxonomical group share similar characteristics, some groups will be more medicinal and will be over-used in pharmacopoeias, while other groups bereft of secondary metabolites and therapeutic potential will be under-used medicinally. To test this theory, Moerman linearly regressed the total number of medicinal plants per family against the total number of plants per family present in an area and examined residual values to find over-used and under-used medicinal plant families. The method has been praised for its simplicity. Nonetheless, shortcomings have been noted and criticized, inspiring researchers to propose new procedures to test for phylogenetic biases in pharmacopoeias. Negative Binomial regression and examination of studentized residuals, the method used in this investigation, ameliorates the original one with a few corrections, conserving the simplicity and solving for all the criticized flaws. Also, this study incorporated different sociodemographic factors to determine if the intracultural homogeneity of traditional knowledge affects the results of the non-random selection of medicinal plants theory analysis. By testing Moerman's theory, which is one of Ethnobotany's major theories, this investigation is in agreement with the call to have more hypothesis-driven research within a theoretical framework to continue to advance the Ethnobotany field.

Local Note
School code: 0119

Subject Term
Ethnic studies.
 
Botany.

Added Corporate Author
Florida Atlantic University. Environmental Science.

Electronic Access
http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqm&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:10792889


Shelf NumberItem BarcodeShelf LocationShelf LocationHolding Information
XX(690931.1)690931-1001Proquest E-Thesis CollectionProquest E-Thesis Collection