Medicinal Plant Uses by Rural Women in Shahjahanpur, U.P.
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Less – Known Medicinal Uses of Plants Among the Rural Women of Shahjahanpur District, U.P.
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.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
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.
S.C. Sharma
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Less – Known Medicinal Uses of Plants Among the Rural Women of Shahjahanpur District, U.P.
Year: 2000
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The research conducted in Shahjahanpur District, U.P., examines the less-known medicinal uses of plants among rural women, emphasizing their preference for traditional plant-based remedies over modern medicines. This study highlights the reliance on local flora to address various women's health issues, including menstrual troubles, fertility concerns, and complications during childbirth. Despite the availability of modern healthcare, rural women continue to turn to traditional knowledge, maintaining practices that have been passed down through generations.
Traditional Knowledge of Medicinal Plants
A significant finding of the study is the extensive knowledge rural women possess regarding the medicinal properties of local plants. Eighteen specific plants were documented for their therapeutic applications in treating women's ailments. Notable examples include Datura metel for preventing abortion and Euphorbia nerifolia for anti-fertility purposes. The study underscores that knowledge of these plants and their uses often remains concentrated among a small group of elder villagers, and such traditional practices are at risk of being lost as generations change. The paper advocates for further investigation into these plants to assess their pharmacological potential, which could lead to the establishment of a sustainable crude drug industry.
Conclusion
The findings of this study reveal a rich tapestry of traditional medicinal knowledge among rural women in Shahjahanpur, rooted in the local utilization of plant resources. While the contemporary healthcare system offers alternative solutions, many women continue to rely on herbal treatments, often guided by the wisdom of village elders. Preserving and documenting this knowledge is crucial not only for maintaining cultural practices but also for potential contributions to modern medicine through the evaluation and commercialization of these traditional remedies.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the focus of the study conducted in Shahjahanpur District?
The study investigates the traditional medicinal uses of plants among rural women, specifically addressing ailments such as abortion, menstrual troubles, conception disorders, and other delivery problems.
How many medicinal plants were identified in the research?
Eighteen medicinal plants were reported in the study, each with specific therapeutic uses for various women's health issues based on local folklore.
What methodology was used for collecting information on medicinal plants?
The author interviewed local medicine men, women, and elder villagers to gather authentic information on plants used for medicinal purposes, documenting their knowledge of traditional remedies.
What is the significance of the findings from this research?
The findings highlight the rich traditional knowledge among rural women regarding medicinal plants, suggesting the potential for further research and the establishment of a crude drug industry.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Medicinal Plant Uses by Rural Women in Shahjahanpur, U.P.”. 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 the field dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. In this context, it highlights the traditional practices among rural women of Shahjahanpur District who prefer herbal remedies over modern treatments for various health issues, showcasing the importance of plant-based medicines in cultural healthcare systems.
2) Sharman (Śarma, Sarmā, Sarma, Sharma, Śarman):
Sharma is the author and researcher associated with the study of medicinal plants in Shahjahanpur District. His work reveals the ethnobotanical knowledge of local women regarding plant uses for treating various ailments, thereby contributing to the understanding of traditional medicine practices and their significance in rural health.
3) Milk:
Milk is mentioned as a medium for delivering herbal treatments, particularly in recipes involving the combination of plant powders. It serves both nutritional purposes and acts as a solvent that enhances the bioavailability of medicinal extracts, symbolizing the integration of dietary elements in traditional healing practices.
4) Abrus precatorius:
Abrus precatorius, commonly known as Ghunghchi Rati, is a medicinal plant utilized in traditional remedies for alleviating delivery pain. Its significance underscores the local reliance on specific flora that are believed to assist women during childbirth, thereby demonstrating the plant’s role in maternal health within rural communities.
5) Withania somnifera:
Withania somnifera, or Ashwagandha, is a key plant highlighted for its use in enhancing fertility among women. Its mention reflects the deep-rooted traditional knowledge surrounding reproductive health and the reliance on specific herbal remedies to address conception issues, showcasing the intersection of botanical knowledge and women's health.
6) Cynodon dactylon:
Cynodon dactylon, commonly recognized as Doob grass, is used to manage excessive menstrual bleeding in traditional practices. Its therapeutic application illustrates the indigenous knowledge system that utilizes locally available plants to address common health concerns among women, further emphasizing the connection between nature and health.
7) Michelia champaca:
Michelia champaca, known for its fragrant flowers, is utilized for its medicinal properties in treating leucorrhoea. The inclusion of this plant highlights the diverse application of ethnobotanical resources in local healthcare practices, emphasizing the systemic knowledge of rural women regarding plant therapies.
8) Ricinus communis:
Ricinus communis, or Castor bean, is referenced in the context of anti-fertility treatments. Its use illustrates how traditional medicine often employs potent plants for regulating reproductive health, raising awareness of the remedies passed through generations and their implications for women's autonomy over reproductive health.
9) Botany:
Botany, the scientific study of plants, underpins the research conducted by Sharma on medicinal plants. It represents the biophysical exploration of plant properties and their applications in traditional medicine, thereby serving as a crucial scientific foundation for understanding the ethnobotanical practices detailed in the study.
10) Water:
Water is a vital component referenced in treatments involving plant extracts. It serves as a solvent in various recipes, enhancing the bioavailability of medicinal constituents extracted from plants, and symbolizes the role of simple, accessible resources in traditional healthcare practices prevalent among rural women.
11) Sugar:
Sugar is mentioned as an ingredient mixed with medicinal plant extracts, enhancing the palatability of remedies for patients. Its use reflects cultural practices surrounding the administration of herbal treatments, helping to make these often bitter concoctions more agreeable for consumption, especially among women seeking relief.
12) Emblica officinalis:
Emblica officinalis, or Amla, is highlighted for its role in managing leucorrhoea. Its inclusion demonstrates the utilization of local fruits known for their health benefits, reinforcing the relationship between everyday dietary elements and traditional remedies aimed at addressing women’s health issues.
13) Satyanasi (Satyānāsī, Satyanashi, Satyanāśī):
Satyanashi, or Argemone mexicane, is another medicinal plant cited in the study. Its designations reinforce local vernacular experiences and highlight the valuable role regional names play in linking community knowledge to specific treatments, demonstrating a broader cultural comprehension of the medicinal landscape.
14) Discussion:
Discussion refers to the analytical section of Sharma's paper where findings are interpreted and contextualized. Here, it emphasizes the wealth of knowledge possessed by rural women regarding medicinal plants, analyzing how this information contributes to traditional practices and potentially informs modern scientific research.
15) Knowledge:
Knowledge is a central theme in the study, referring to the local wisdom of herbal remedies passed down through generations. It underscores the importance of preserving indigenous practices and recognizing the expertise of rural women in managing health conditions through traditional botanical applications.
16) Indrayan (Indrāyan):
Indrayan, or Citrullus colocynthis, is acknowledged for its use in facilitating childbirth. This plant's mention highlights the medicinal strategies employed by rural women, illustrating how specific flora are integrated within cultural norms and practices surrounding maternal care during childbirth.
17) Latjira (Laṭjirā):
Latjira, or Achyranthes aspera, is utilized in unique traditional practices linked to childbirth. Its representation speaks to how local flora are specifically chosen for their presumed effectiveness in obstetric applications, underscoring the significance of particular plant knowledge in the rural reproductive health framework.
18) Science (Scientific):
Science, in this context, refers to the systematic study of plant properties and their medicinal applications. It underscores how the ethnobotanical knowledge exemplified by Sharma's work bridges traditional practices with scientific inquiry, encouraging a deeper understanding of the implications for drug development and public health.
19) Vaidya:
Vaidya refers to traditional healers who play a crucial role in disseminating knowledge about medicinal plants in rural communities. The inclusion of Vaidyas symbolizes the cultural transmission of health-related practices and highlights the importance of local expertise in traditional medical systems.
20) Adusa (Aḍūsā):
Adusa, or Adhatoda zeylanica, is noted for its therapeutic uses in treating leucorrhoea. This highlights the significance of regional names in conveying local botanical knowledge, illustrating the direct relationship between indigenous plant identification and their respective uses in healthcare.
21) Amala (Amalā):
Amala is the vernacular name for Emblica officinalis, a plant known for its health benefits. Its recognition illustrates how traditional medicine employs this fruit for addressing specific health conditions, reinforcing the intersection between diet, culture, and medicinal practices prevalent among rural women.
22) Rati (Ratī, Rāti, Rāṭi):
Rati, referring to Abrus precatorius, symbolizes the cultural importance of specific plants in addressing women's health challenges, particularly during childbirth. It emphasizes the deep-rooted belief systems surrounding the effectiveness of traditional remedies, contributing to the broader narrative of herbal treatment practices.
23) Hand:
Hand often symbolizes the method of administration for traditional remedies. In this context, it reflects the tactile and personal nature of applying herbal medicines, emphasizing the intimate relationship between traditional healers and patients, typically passed down through direct interaction and shared experiences.
24) Shand (Śaṇḍ, Sand):
Sand may refer to the soil composition crucial for the growth of medicinal plants mentioned in the study. Its importance illustrates the environmental aspect that supports traditional medicine, emphasizing the interdependence of local ecosystems and the availability of plants utilized for health care.
25) Drug:
Drug, in this context, refers to the herbal remedies derived from plants for therapeutic use. The discussion around traditional medicine emphasizes the potential for developing crude drug industries based on the knowledge of local flora, linking cultural practices with contemporary biomedicine.
26) Soil:
Soil represents the foundational component for the cultivation of the medicinal plants studied. Its quality and composition play a significant role in the availability and efficacy of these plants, underscoring the ecological aspects of traditional medicine and the importance of preserving local biodiversity.