亚洲传统医药

Abstract: Medicinal plants account for the greatest biodiversity exhibited by indigenous people. Traditionally, women are the providers of health care within the home and an important area of female involvement in traditional medicine is in the area of antenatal and post-natal care. Women also serve as conservers and cultivators of medicinal plants throughout the world. The objective of this study was to preserve the rapidly disappearing knowledge of traditional home remedies for gynecological care in thirty eight villages in the state of Maharashtra, India. Women from thirty eight villages were interviewed and their responses were collected and documented. Crude drug samples were also collected. The women all used medicinal plants available locally for gynecological care. Seventy two plants from forty four families were used. Plants were used raw, cooked or in the form of decoctions. All the plants used were identified and samples were deposited for future reference. Digital and written records were made and herbariums are prepared for each collected medicinal plant sample. This study is the first record of the home remedies used for gynecological care in thirty eight villages in the state of Maharashtra, India. This study describes the use of these time tested remedies to help future generations. In addition it allows further pharmacological studies to be carried out.

Key words: ethnic uses, traditional knowledge, gynecological care, home remedies, medicinal plants