Eating "rubbish"? Exploring the herbal secrets of "Laji-He," a traditional herbal rice snack from southern China
Abstract Background Laji-He is a traditional rice-based snack from the Beibu Gulf region in southern China. In the Beibu Gulf region, "Laji-He" (literally "garbage He") signifies the removal of toxins from the body, making it a truly "green" food. Laji-He holds essentia...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00754-8 |
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| author | Renchuan Hu Qianyun Wang Zhongxin Duan Yunan Hu Kedao Lai Xiaohui Cai Ya Peng Binsheng Luo |
| author_facet | Renchuan Hu Qianyun Wang Zhongxin Duan Yunan Hu Kedao Lai Xiaohui Cai Ya Peng Binsheng Luo |
| author_sort | Renchuan Hu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Laji-He is a traditional rice-based snack from the Beibu Gulf region in southern China. In the Beibu Gulf region, "Laji-He" (literally "garbage He") signifies the removal of toxins from the body, making it a truly "green" food. Laji-He holds essential cultural and medicinal value, incorporating various medicinal plants into its preparation. Despite its local importance, there is limited scientific documentation on the ethnobotanical properties and cultural relevance of the plants used. This study aims to analyze the medicinal plant used in Laji-He and its implication in human medicine. Methods Ethnobotanical surveys and interviews were conducted in the Beibu Gulf region, covering local markets and communities. Voucher specimens were collected and identified for each plant collected, using botanical references, while the relative frequency of citation index was used to assess the cultural importance of each plant. Additionally, the medicinal properties of these plants were categorized based on traditional Chinese medicinal theory and modern pharmacological literature. A detailed review of historical texts and local chronicles was also performed to trace the historical development and cultural changes of Laji-He. Results A total of 63 medicinal plants from 36 families and 53 genera were documented, with Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, and Lamiaceae being the most frequently represented families. The most commonly used plants, such as Paederia foetida, Piper sarmentosum, Houttuynia cordata, Centella asiatica, and Morus alba, were primarily utilized for their heat-clearing, detoxifying, and wind-dampness expelling properties. Laji-He serves as a symbol of cultural identity and community cohesion, particularly during traditional festivals and family gatherings, reinforcing collective memory and local heritage. Conclusions Laji-He is a traditional functional snack, with the plants used in its preparation serving as both food and medicine. Preserving and promoting the culture of Laji-He can contribute to enhancing food security and sovereignty at both the local and national levels. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e2d737b27849461f8a0a1bfbb67ce89c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1746-4269 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-e2d737b27849461f8a0a1bfbb67ce89c2025-01-19T12:35:46ZengBMCJournal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine1746-42692025-01-0121111910.1186/s13002-025-00754-8Eating "rubbish"? Exploring the herbal secrets of "Laji-He," a traditional herbal rice snack from southern ChinaRenchuan Hu0Qianyun Wang1Zhongxin Duan2Yunan Hu3Kedao Lai4Xiaohui Cai5Ya Peng6Binsheng Luo7Guangxi Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Quality Standards, Guangxi Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmaceutical ScienceGuangxi Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Quality Standards, Guangxi Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmaceutical ScienceLushan Botanical Garden, Jiangxi Province and Chinese Academy of SciencesLushan Botanical Garden, Jiangxi Province and Chinese Academy of SciencesGuangxi Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Quality Standards, Guangxi Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmaceutical ScienceGuangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf UniversityGuangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf UniversityLushan Botanical Garden, Jiangxi Province and Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract Background Laji-He is a traditional rice-based snack from the Beibu Gulf region in southern China. In the Beibu Gulf region, "Laji-He" (literally "garbage He") signifies the removal of toxins from the body, making it a truly "green" food. Laji-He holds essential cultural and medicinal value, incorporating various medicinal plants into its preparation. Despite its local importance, there is limited scientific documentation on the ethnobotanical properties and cultural relevance of the plants used. This study aims to analyze the medicinal plant used in Laji-He and its implication in human medicine. Methods Ethnobotanical surveys and interviews were conducted in the Beibu Gulf region, covering local markets and communities. Voucher specimens were collected and identified for each plant collected, using botanical references, while the relative frequency of citation index was used to assess the cultural importance of each plant. Additionally, the medicinal properties of these plants were categorized based on traditional Chinese medicinal theory and modern pharmacological literature. A detailed review of historical texts and local chronicles was also performed to trace the historical development and cultural changes of Laji-He. Results A total of 63 medicinal plants from 36 families and 53 genera were documented, with Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, and Lamiaceae being the most frequently represented families. The most commonly used plants, such as Paederia foetida, Piper sarmentosum, Houttuynia cordata, Centella asiatica, and Morus alba, were primarily utilized for their heat-clearing, detoxifying, and wind-dampness expelling properties. Laji-He serves as a symbol of cultural identity and community cohesion, particularly during traditional festivals and family gatherings, reinforcing collective memory and local heritage. Conclusions Laji-He is a traditional functional snack, with the plants used in its preparation serving as both food and medicine. Preserving and promoting the culture of Laji-He can contribute to enhancing food security and sovereignty at both the local and national levels.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00754-8Medicinal plantsEthnobotanyBeibu GulfTraditional knowledgeFood culture |
| spellingShingle | Renchuan Hu Qianyun Wang Zhongxin Duan Yunan Hu Kedao Lai Xiaohui Cai Ya Peng Binsheng Luo Eating "rubbish"? Exploring the herbal secrets of "Laji-He," a traditional herbal rice snack from southern China Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine Medicinal plants Ethnobotany Beibu Gulf Traditional knowledge Food culture |
| title | Eating "rubbish"? Exploring the herbal secrets of "Laji-He," a traditional herbal rice snack from southern China |
| title_full | Eating "rubbish"? Exploring the herbal secrets of "Laji-He," a traditional herbal rice snack from southern China |
| title_fullStr | Eating "rubbish"? Exploring the herbal secrets of "Laji-He," a traditional herbal rice snack from southern China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eating "rubbish"? Exploring the herbal secrets of "Laji-He," a traditional herbal rice snack from southern China |
| title_short | Eating "rubbish"? Exploring the herbal secrets of "Laji-He," a traditional herbal rice snack from southern China |
| title_sort | eating rubbish exploring the herbal secrets of laji he a traditional herbal rice snack from southern china |
| topic | Medicinal plants Ethnobotany Beibu Gulf Traditional knowledge Food culture |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00754-8 |
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