Ethnomedical and pharmacognostic investigations on rhaphidophora pertusa schott.
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Ethnomedical and pharmacognostic investigations on rhaphidophora pertusa schott.
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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V. Asha, P. Pushpagadan
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Ethnomedical and pharmacognostic investigations on rhaphidophora pertusa schott.
Year: 1998
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The research conducted on Rhaphidophora pertusa Schott., a member of the Araceae family, highlights its potential as a lesser-known medicinal plant. The importance of reviving indigenous medicinal practices is increasingly recognized as a means to provide safe and affordable primary health care, especially in rural areas. However, the modernization of lifestyles poses threats to these medicinal plants and their traditional knowledge systems, undermining health security, particularly in developing regions. In response, the Ministry of Environment and Forests in India has initiated coordinated research projects to document and revitalize traditional medicine.
Ethnomedical Applications of Rhaphidophora pertusa
Rhaphidophora pertusa, locally known as Anamakudom in Kerala, is utilized by traditional healers for various ailments, particularly liver disorders. Village physicians recommend preparing a gruel from the pounded stem, which is consumed over seven days to alleviate conditions like enlarged liver and spleen. Tribal groups, including the Kurichians and Adiyans, use the plant to create medicated oils for skin diseases and administer fresh juice to treat ascites and liver issues. The Konda Reddis of Andhra Pradesh employ it in bone-setting practices, where pastes made from aerial roots and leaves are applied to fractures and wounds. Ethnomedical knowledge indicates its broad application in traditional health practices across different regions.
Conclusion
The pharmacognostic investigations of Rhaphidophora pertusa reveal its unique botanical characteristics and highlight its ethnomedical significance. The research indicates potential hepatoprotective properties, prompting further studies to identify and isolate its active principles for herbal drug formulation. Recognizing and utilizing such lesser-known plants not only aids in preserving traditional medicinal practices but also contributes to the development of effective, natural healthcare solutions. The support of governmental initiatives in promoting this research is crucial for ensuring that traditional knowledge systems and the plants that support them are not lost in the face of modernization.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is Rhaphidophora pertusa and its medicinal uses?
Rhaphidophora pertusa is a wild medicinal plant known for treating liver disorders, skin diseases, and joint problems. Local tribes use it in various forms, such as gruel for liver issues and medicated oil for skin ailments.
How is Rhaphidophora pertusa prepared for medicinal purposes?
The stem is typically pounded and cooked with rice to make a gruel or juiced for oral consumption. It can also be used to prepare medicated oil for external application.
What are the pharmacognostic characteristics of Rhaphidophora pertusa?
The plant features a stout climbing shrub with ovate leaves. It has a circular stem with a specific structure, including an epidermis made of parenchyma cells and abundant starch grains in the hypodermis.
What is the significance of studying traditional medicinal plants?
Studying traditional medicinal plants like Rhaphidophora pertusa helps revive indigenous medicine, providing safe and affordable healthcare, especially in developing countries where modern healthcare may be inaccessible.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Ethnomedical and pharmacognostic investigations on rhaphidophora pertusa schott.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Pharmacognostical:
Pharmacognostical refers to the branch of pharmacy that deals with the study of medicinal drugs obtained from plants and other natural sources. This includes understanding their physical, chemical, and biological properties, which is essential for identifying effective herbal remedies, as illustrated in the study of Rhaphidophora pertusa.
2) Knowledge:
Knowledge in this context signifies the awareness and understanding of traditional medicinal practices and the use of plants like Rhaphidophora pertusa. This involves both empirical and experiential information gathered through generations, crucial for preserving and revitalizing indigenous health practices amidst modernization and environmental changes.
3) Momordica charantia:
Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon, is mentioned in the context of treating snake bites. Its fruits are used in traditional medicine, highlighting the significance of understanding various medicinal plants' roles in ethnomedicine. This emphasizes the importance of plant synergies in traditional healing practices.
4) Phytochemical:
Phytochemical pertains to the chemical compounds produced by plants, pivotal in understanding their pharmacological properties. The text mentions the initiation of phytochemical screening for Rhaphidophora pertusa to identify active compounds, underscoring the importance of isolating these substances for developing effective herbal medicines.
5) Discussion:
Discussion in this study refers to the analysis and interpretation of the ethnomedical data and pharmacognostical findings of Rhaphidophora pertusa. It allows for synthesizing traditional knowledge with scientific research, thereby contributing to the broader understanding of its potential therapeutic applications and relevance in modern pharmacology.
6) Science (Scientific):
Science in this context alludes to the methodical investigation into the medicinal properties of plants like Rhaphidophora pertusa. It merges traditional ethnomedicine with contemporary research methods, aiming to validate and enhance the understanding of these plants' therapeutic uses and potential incorporation into modern healthcare.
7) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses the various practices and preparations derived from natural sources like Rhaphidophora pertusa to treat ailments. The study highlights the significance of traditional medicine in primary healthcare, especially in rural communities, emphasizing its value as an accessible and culturally relevant healthcare option.
8) Activity:
Activity typically refers to the pharmacological effects or actions of a substance. In the context of Rhaphidophora pertusa, it indicates the potential biological effects demonstrated in preliminary studies, particularly regarding hepatoprotective properties, which could lead to the development of therapeutic agents derived from this plant.
9) Coconut (Cocoanut):
Coconut is referenced in the preparation of medicated oil using Rhaphidophora pertusa. Its use as a base demonstrates the integration of multiple plant resources in traditional healing systems, highlighting the synergy between different natural substances to enhance therapeutic efficacy for treating skin diseases.
10) Vaidya:
Vaidya refers to traditional physicians in Kerala who utilize local herbal knowledge to treat ailments. Their expertise in using plants like Rhaphidophora pertusa illustrates the importance of indigenous healing traditions and their role in providing effective, culturally relevant healthcare solutions in rural communities.
11) Aroma (A-roma):
Aroma in the context of Rhaphidophora pertusa pertains to the absence of a distinct smell in its stem, which may influence its acceptability and use in traditional medicine. The sensory properties of medicinal plants often play a role in their preparation and application in healing practices.
12) Rice (Ṛce):
Rice is mentioned as a staple food used in the preparation of a gruel with Rhaphidophora pertusa for treating liver disorders. Its inclusion emphasizes the integration of dietary practices with medicinal applications, showcasing how food and medicine intersect in traditional health systems.
13) Drug:
Drug refers to a substance used for medical treatment. The goal of the research on Rhaphidophora pertusa is to develop new herbal drugs with specific pharmacological benefits, illustrating the potential for traditional knowledge to inform and contribute to modern pharmacotherapy.