Ethno-gynaecological knowledge on medicinal plants among the rural communities of Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu, India Radha P.1*, Udhayavani C.1, Nagaraj R.1, Sivaranjani K.2 1Siddha Medicinal Plants Garden, (Central Council for Research in Siddha), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India), Mettur Dam, Salem District, Tamil Nadu, India 2Siddha Clinical Research Unit, (Central Council for Research in Siddha), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India), Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, District, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding author e-mail: radhasudar@rediffmail.com
Online published on 18 January, 2021. Abstract The gynaecological disorder is one of the most common problem for most of the women in the recent years because of hormonal changes, fungal/bacterial infections, malnutrition and mental stress. The present work is a part of medicoethnobotanical survey conducted to document the medicinal knowledge of traditional practitioners among the rural and urban communities of Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu, India. Frequent surveys are being conducted during the period of December 2017 - February 2020 to document the medicinal plants used for different gynaecological ailments. Information on folk/traditional medicine used to cure various gynaecological disorders has been documented using questionnaires and personal interviews with folk/traditional healers and housewives/elders of Tiruppur District. Demographic profile of the informants and local names of plant/animal/minerals used, mode of application and administration have documented. A total of 48 plant species, belonging to 47 genera spreading over 36 families were documented are found to be used in the treatment of various gynaecological disorders. It was observed that, the herbs are predominantly used for the gynaecological disorders. In addition to the medicinal plants, three minerals, two herbo-minerals and a marine animal product are also used. The documentation of the present work can be used for further research on bioprospecting on medicinal plants to find a novel drug discovery to cure various gynaecological diseases. Top Keywords Ethno-gynaecological disorder, Leucorrhoea, Infertility, Medicinal plants, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu. Top |