Traditional medicine among the rural folk of morena district madhya pradesh
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Traditional medicine among the rural folk of morena district madhya pradesh
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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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study presented in the "Ancient Science of Life" journal focuses on the traditional use of herbal medicines among the rural population in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh. Recognizing that a significant portion of India's population resides in rural areas with limited access to formal medical facilities, the authors highlight the growing reliance on medicinal plants as alternatives to costly and chemically synthesized drugs. This research aligns with national initiatives aimed at documenting folk medical practices, particularly by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and various research institutions that have been conducting extensive ethno-botanical surveys across India.
The Importance of Local Herbal Remedies
One significant finding of the study is the identification of 30 medicinal plants utilized by the local inhabitants for treating various ailments. Each entry includes critical details such as the botanical name, local name, and specific medicinal uses. For example, Acacia nilotica, known locally as Babool, is used for its antiseptic properties to treat boils, while the leaves of Achyranthes aspera are employed for addressing rickets. This knowledge underscores the intricate relationship between local communities and their immediate environment, where they have developed an extensive understanding of the therapeutic properties of indigenous flora. The reliance on these natural remedies not only demonstrates cultural practices but also highlights the need for further research and potential conservation of these medicinal plants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study contributes valuable insights into the traditional medicinal practices of rural communities in Morena district, emphasizing their dependence on indigenous plants for health care. As formal medical services remain scarce and expensive, the significance of these locally sourced herbal remedies is increasingly relevant. The research not only adds to the existing literature on ethnobotany but also calls for greater recognition and preservation of traditional knowledge systems, which hold the potential for sustainable health solutions in rural settings. Collaborations between local communities, researchers, and policymakers can help promote the integration of these traditional practices within a broader healthcare framework, ensuring that the benefits of medicinal plants are effectively harnessed for community health.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
R.L.S. Sikarwar, J.P. Kaushik
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Traditional medicine among the rural folk of morena district madhya pradesh
Year: 1992
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the focus of the study in Morena district?
The study focuses on the traditional use of indigenous herbal medicines for treating various diseases among the rural folk of Morena district, Madhya Pradesh.
How many medicinal plants were documented in the study?
The study documented a total of thirty medicinal plants, detailing their botanical names, local names, families, localities, medicinal uses, and field numbers.
Why do rural communities rely on traditional herbal medicines?
Rural communities often lack access to formal medical facilities, and with rising costs of allopathic medicine, they turn to easily available local herbal options for their health needs.
What methodology was used to collect data for the study?
The data was collected during a floristic survey from 1986 to 1989, where local flora used in traditional medicine was documented through fieldwork and interviews with local inhabitants.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Traditional medicine among the rural folk of morena district madhya pradesh”. 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) Medicine:
Medicine refers to substances used to prevent, diagnose, or treat illnesses and diseases. In the context of this study, traditional medicine encompasses indigenous herbal practices among rural folk in Madhya Pradesh, often relying on locally available plants for healthcare due to inaccessibility to formal medical facilities.
2) Madhya (Mādhya):
Madhya Pradesh is a central Indian state where the study was conducted. It is characterized by diverse flora and traditional healing practices among its rural population, reflecting a rich knowledge of medicinal plants that have been passed down through generations, particularly in areas with limited access to modern healthcare.
3) Scorpion:
Scorpion relates to the context of traditional medicine where certain plants are used for treating scorpion stings. This reflects how local communities utilize indigenous knowledge to address specific ailments, employing readily available flora to manage health issues caused by dangerous wildlife.
4) Cow milk (Cow's milk):
Cow milk is used in various traditional remedies, as indicated in the study. The combination of medicinal plants and cow milk illustrates the holistic approach of rural folk who often use common dietary components as carriers for herbal medicines, enhancing the efficacy of treatments.
5) Botany:
Botany, the study of plants, is fundamental to understanding the medicinal uses of flora in this research. It encompasses the identification and classification of plants, which allows researchers and local healers to document and validate the therapeutic properties attributed to various species within the rural folk practices.
6) Sugar:
Sugar is used in several traditional recipes for medicinal purposes, often as a sweetening agent that makes herbal mixtures more palatable. The application of sugar in remedies reflects the cultural practices that blend health management with dietary customs prevalent in rural societies, including its therapeutic role.
7) Milk:
Milk is a significant component in various remedies described in the study. It serves as a vehicle for administering herbs, highlighting the integration of dietary staples into medicinal practices. The use of milk underlines the connection between nutrition and health in traditional folk wisdom.
8) clarified butter:
Clarified butter (ghee) is often employed in traditional remedies due to its health benefits and soothing properties. Its use in preparations emphasizes the traditional practices where common kitchen ingredients play a dual role as medicine, revealing the cultural practices surrounding both cooking and healing.
9) Mustard oil:
Mustard oil is utilized in traditional medicine preparations as a carrier medium and for its therapeutic properties. The common use of mustard oil signifies cultural practices where local resources are leveraged for health management, showcasing traditional knowledge and practices closely tied to the environment.
10) Dalbergia sissoo:
Dalbergia sissoo, also known as Shisham, is mentioned in the study as a medicinal plant used for treating spermatorrhoea. Its inclusion emphasizes the specific uses of local flora that communities have identified as beneficial, contributing to the overall understanding of regional herbal practices and their significance.
11) Vomiting:
Vomiting is a symptom that the local population seeks to address through traditional remedies. The mention of treatments for vomiting illustrates the ongoing interaction between health challenges faced by the community and the traditional healing methods employed to mitigate these issues through readily available plant resources.
12) Swelling:
Swelling refers to a common ailment for which various medicinal plants are employed in traditional treatments. The documentation of plants used against swelling reflects the practical aspect of indigenous knowledge systems in managing physiological conditions, showcasing the efficacy of local flora in healthcare.
13) Mustard:
Mustard refers to a common ingredient in many traditional Indian dishes and remedies. Its relevance lies in its role within local health practices, often used in various forms for therapeutic benefits, providing insights into how everyday ingredients are utilized for medicinal purposes in rural settings.
14) Science (Scientific):
Science, particularly in the context of ethnobotany and traditional medicine, relates to the systematic study and validation of medicinal plants and their uses. This interaction between scientific inquiry and traditional herbal knowledge highlights efforts to document, preserve, and understand folk medical practices grounded in biological principles.
15) Bhalla:
Bhalla refers to one of the referenced authors in the study. His contribution to research on traditional plant medicines emphasizes the collaborative nature of ethnobotanical studies, which aim to document and analyze the rich medicinal practices rooted in rural communities and their engagement with local flora.
16) Water:
Water serves as a critical component in many traditional medicinal practices, often used in concoction or as a base for decoctions. Its inclusion highlights the necessity of incorporating common, accessible elements in health remedies, emphasizing the practicality of treatments within rural healthcare systems.
17) Drug:
Drug traditionally refers to substances used for treating illnesses. The study of indigenous herbal practices evaluates local plants as 'drugs.' This highlights how rural communities develop their pharmacopoeia drawn from botanical resources, adapting their widely available plants for effective treatment solutions.
18) Tinospora cordifolia:
Tinospora cordifolia, known as Giloy, is highlighted in the study for its utilization against malarial fever. This detail reinforces the importance of specific plants in traditional medicine and their role in providing solutions to locally prevalent diseases, emphasizing cultural relevance in medicinal practices.
19) Zingiber officinale:
Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, is referenced for its use alongside other plants in treating ailments. Its inclusion underscores the role of known spices in traditional medicine, showcasing the integration of culinary herbs into health practices, and their therapeutic properties recognized by local populations.
20) Cynodon dactylon:
Cynodon dactylon, or Bermuda grass, is noted for its medicinal use against boils. This reflects the deep-rooted knowledge rural communities possess regarding plants found in their surroundings and highlights the significance of common grasses in traditional healing practices.
21) Indigofera tinctoria:
Indigofera tinctoria, referred to as Neel, is recognized in local medicine for its therapeutic application. It symbolizes the vital role of specific plants in the medicinal ecosystem of rural folk, revealing the connections between localized botanical diversity and traditional health practices.
22) Ziziphus mauritiana:
Ziziphus mauritiana, known locally as Ber, is utilized in traditional medicine, as mentioned in the study. Its inclusion reflects the reliance of rural populations on specific fruits and plants for health, providing insights into the locally-adapted knowledge systems that exist throughout different ecological zones.
23) Ricinus communis:
Ricinus communis, or castor oil plant, is significant in traditional treatments as highlighted in the study. The effective use of its oil in folk medicine illustrates the diverse applications of common plants, reinforcing how local communities adapt available resources for health remedies.
24) Sesamum indicum:
Sesamum indicum, or sesame, refers to another plant used in traditional practices, especially for topical applications. Its presence indicates the cultural importance of oil extraction techniques in addressing health issues, showcasing the connection between regional agriculture and traditional healthcare.
25) Tuberculosis:
Tuberculosis is a serious illness referenced in the study concerning its treatment using local herbal remedies. The documentation of plants that are perceived to combat TB spotlights significant health challenges faced by rural communities and their resourcefulness in employing traditional medicine to address endemic diseases.
26) Ayurveda (Āyurveda, Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is a traditional Indian system of medicine that emphasizes the use of herbal remedies for health and wellness. Its historical and cultural significance is highlighted in this study through the exploration of traditional practices in rural areas, showcasing a parallel approach to health beyond modern medicine.
27) Sahadevi (Saha-devi, Sahadevī):
Sahadevi refers to the local name for Vernonia conyodes, a plant utilized in traditional remedies. Its specific mention represents the interplay between local nomenclature and botanical knowledge, underlining how indigenous naming systems reflect community understanding of plant properties and uses.
28) Nirgundi (Nirguṇḍī, Nirgumdi):
Nirgundi, the local name for Vitex negundo, is noted for its utility in treating tuberculosis within traditional practices. This highlights local herbal knowledge in addressing widespread health issues, emphasizing the role of specific plants in community-based health strategies.
29) Jayanti (Jayantī, Jayamti):
Jayanthi references the significance of dates and festivities in the context of community health. Mentioning the initiation of health programs aligns traditional events like Gandhi Jayanthi with efforts to uplift rural healthcare, symbolizing the integration of cultural observances into health education and outreach.
30) Brinjal:
Brinjal, or eggplant, may refer to local dietary practices and the role of vegetables in both nutrition and traditional health. Its mention signifies the connection between everyday foods and their potential herbal applications, showcasing an understanding of dietary influence on health.
31) Siddha (Siddhā):
Siddha is another traditional Indian medicine system, alongside Ayurveda, known for its holistic approaches to health. Its connection to the study underscores the diversity of indigenous medical traditions in India, offering a broader context for understanding traditional healing practices among rural populations.
32) Rajani (Rajanī, Rājanī):
Rajani refers to the author mentioned in the study, contributing to the body of work related to traditional medicine. The recognition of such contributors emphasizes the collaborative nature of ethnobotanical research and the importance of scholarly inquiry in documenting indigenous knowledge.
33) Gobhi (Gobhī):
Gobhi, which means cauliflower in Hindi, illustrates the importance of vegetables in local diets and potentially their medicinal uses. This aligns with the study's findings on the utilization of commonly grown plants that may serve dual purposes in nutrition and healthcare.
34) Kanda (Kaṇḍa, Kandā, Kamda):
Kanda refers to the local name for certain root vegetables, indicating the relevance of tubers in both culinary and medicinal contexts. The mention of Kanda signifies the interconnectedness of food and health practices among rural communities, where edible plants are often utilized therapeutically.
35) Blood:
Blood is a vital aspect of health often referenced in relation to treatments for conditions affecting blood or circulatory functions. Addressing ailments associated with blood through local remedies highlights the integration of physiological understanding in traditional medicine within rural folklore.
36) Soil:
Soil plays a crucial role in the growth of medicinal plants and reflects the ecological backdrop against which traditional medicine practices unfold. The mention of soil underscores the relationship between local biodiversity and the health practices of rural communities who depend on the land for their medicinal needs.