Ethnobotany Examination, 2006/2007, Sem II

This is one of the most memorable yet astounding questions I've ever written in the course of this degree's examination. Of course, I bet there's still unpredictable questions Prof. Ong can come up with (one more Alternative Medicine paper from him!!!) *tension*

[Q2: Explain why ethnobotany is a useful subject that can be taught in many faculties in a university.]

Ethnobotany may be applied to many diciplines because of the many usages of plants. The wide variety of plant uses leads to different diciplines being interrelated. Amongst the diciplines where ethnobotany can be applied are medicine, food sciences, argriculture, engineering and construction, and arts.

In a medical faculty, ethnobotany can be applied to lead us to drug discoveries. The search for drug discoveries are based upon traditional uses, and this serves as an indicator for scientists that that particular plant is useful. The Kemenyan (Styrax benzoin) is used traditionally to chase away bad spirits. When tested, this plant actually has benzoin, an active susbtance that has antiseptic properties, which is in our oral disinfectants today.

Ethnobotany is also applied in the faculty of food sciences [is there even such a faculty in Malaysia? hahaha]. We may obtain knowledge of the nutritional value of plants by knowing what is eaten by peoples in the world. Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and rice (Oryza sativa) provide a source of starch, whilst fruits like navel orange (Citrus aurantium) and guava (Psidium guajava) are loaded with vitamin C. On the other hand, we may also discover that some food contain certain chemicals that are bad for us. Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) contains oxalic acid, which may form kidney stones from over-consumption.

In an agricultural faculty, we may apply ethnobotanical knowledge in use. Some plants are suitable for livestock feed, which makes sure that healthy livestock are supplied to the market [?!?!?!]. These include maize (Zea mays) for chicken feed in Malaysia, and bread fruit (Artocarpus comunis) as a feed for cows. The skin of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) was also discovered to be a delicacy for cows. With this knowledge, instead of throwing jackfruit skins to waste, we may use them as cow feeds, and this benefits economically as well.

Plants are not only useful as food and for extraction of medicinal substances, they are used as construction materials as well. This is why, ethonobotany can be applied in the architecture faculty. In the Philippines, coconut (Cocos nucifera) tree trunks are used to build houses. Other sources of timber are like cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and Xylopia aethiopica tree trunks.

Ethnobotany may also be taught as a subject in an engineering faculty. Plants are sources of technology, namely for fuel supply of cars, maintainence for machinery engines and manufacture of many products. Oil palm (Elais guineensis) have oil that can be used as biofuel (oil extracted from mesocarp) and can be used in soap manufacturing (oil exracted from kernel). Castor (Ricinus communis) oil are extracted from its seeds and this is used to lubricate machinery engines. Without these knowledge, technology would not be what it is today. [what the crap!?]

Finally, ethnobotany can be applied in the faculty of arts in efforts to improve traditional crafting industry in Malaysia. Plants are suitable for making cloth and dyes, which are suitable for crafts. Red dye may be obtained from the red colourings in Anatto (Bixa orellana), whilst turmeric (Curcuma domestica) supply yellow dyes. Roots [?] of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) may be used to make textiles.

The study of ethnobotany can be related to many fields. Continuous research on plants may lead to improvement in technologies and the quality of life.

I hope that this semi-BS can get me a presentable grade...!

On another note, Death Note 27 is out for download!!! I found this really good site for Death Note torrents. *muaks* Kuro-Hana!!!