Rainforest plant knowledge of native people

One of the most exciting areas of research in tropical forests is ethnobotany, which is the study of how people use plants to treat illness and disease. Forest people have an incredible knowledge of medicinal plants, with remedies for everything from snakebites to tumors.

To date, many of the prescription drugs used in the western world have been derived from plants. Seventy percent of the plants identified by the U.S. National Cancer Institute as having anti-cancer characteristics are found only in forests.

The shaman or “medicine man” of a village typically holds knowledge of medicinal plants. The shaman treats the sick, often during elaborate ceremonies and rituals using plants gathered from the surrounding forest.

Shamans have incredible healing powers, but their knowledge is rapidly disappearing as rainforests are cut down and tribes abandon their traditions. Shamans are going extinct faster than rare and endangered species.

PHOTOS OF RAINFOREST PEOPLE

Wauru shaman in the Amazon

Wauru shaman in the Amazon rainforest

Amasina, a Trio shaman

Amazon shaman

Wauru shaman

Amasina, a Trio shaman

MEDICINAL PLANT KNOWLEDGE OF NATIVE PEOPLE