Ethnobotany in the digital age: Opportunities and challenges of traditional knowledge digitization

Digitization of traditional medicinal knowledge bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern science, ensuring the preservation and sustainable use of this invaluable cultural heritage. This paper reviews the importance of digitization, highlighting its role in preserving oral traditions, fostering global research collaboration, and promoting biodiversity conservation. It explores the integration of traditional knowledge with bioinformatics tools for drug discovery and sustainable harvesting practices. Furthermore, the review identifies key challenges, such as ensuring data accuracy, ethical concerns, and accessibility for marginalized communities, while proposing solutions through emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain. By leveraging global databases and tools like TKDL, BOLD, and GBIF, digitization creates a pathway for advancing traditional medicinal knowledge into a universally accessible, scientifically validated resource.