promoting responsible investment in agriculture and food systems in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic
Why is Rai important in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic? Successful experiences and stories from government officials
Plant Use in Ante- and Postpartum Health Care in Lao PDR
An ethnobotanical study, combining systematic botany, pharmacology and anthropology was carried out December 2005 to Mars 2006 in Central and Northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). The study documents the medicinal use of plants in an important and complicated passage of life, childbirth. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in five rural villages among four ethnic groups […]
Assessment of the importance of medicinal plants among communities around Khiat Ngong of Southern Laos
A field survey was launched to identify medicinal plants growing in the Khiat Ngong wetlands and surrounding forested areas of Pathoumphone District, Champasak Province in southern Laos. In this area, 418 plants representing approximately 250 species, belonging to at least 200 genera in 93 families of vascular plants, are used by traditional healers to treat […]
Edible insects in Lao PDR: building on tradition to enhance food security
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is a rugged, mountainous, landlocked country, with relatively weak infrastructure. As such, the country faces numerous challenges in achieving sustainable food security and nutrition for all its citizens. Concerted efforts of recent years have resulted in significant advances in ensuring food security, but serious challenges remain – particularly […]
Food from Northern Laos The Boat Landing Cookbook
Food from Northern Laos: The Boat Landing Cookbook is the child of the confluence of the skills, knowledge and abilities of these special friends. Dorothy has brought her love of cooking and cookbooks, Kees his photography and Joy her talent for cooking. Pawn and I have contributed our abilities to eat and critique. My passion […]
Folk Epidemiology Recorded in Palm Leaf Manuscripts of Laos
In an effort to preserve traditional medicine knowledge and to uncover information about disease patterns and treatment in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), linguistic experts have scanned centuries-old medical palm leaf manuscripts for disease entries. A list of more than 7000 diseases has resulted, shedding valuable light onto the medical history and traditional medicine […]
Marketing potential of Lao Forest Honey: Prospects for a “healthy” future
MAIN MESSAGES The perceived health benefits and natural quality of Lao Forest Honey provide a marketing advantage over other competitors in the country and the region, where honey is predominantly used for health. Strengthen Lao Honey’s image and brand as pure forest honey in the domestic and export markets through (1) a national standard, (2) […]
Systematics, Ecology and Management of Rattans in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, The Biological Bases of Sustainable Use
Rattans are spiny, climbing palms in the subfamily Calamoideae. There are over 550 different species of rattan belonging to 12 genera distributed throughout the Old World tropics (Dransfield et al. 2008). Rattan palms are used for a variety of subsistence purposes, e.g. cordages, basketry, food, medicine, and thatch, and the flexible stem, or canes, form […]
