Ethnogynaecological Investigation of Medicinal Plants used in Natham Taluk, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India

Author: Shrinitha T.M. and Aruna R.

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Abstract

Gynaecological ailments in general have not been perceived as a major health concern due to the negligence of women’s healthcare needs. The cultural stigma around the sexual and reproductive health of women was one of the many challenges faced during this study. The present investigation documented the ethnomedicinal plants used to treat the gynaecological ailments by the native people of Natham Taluk in Dindigul District. An intensive ethnobotanical survey resulted in documentation of 92 species spread across 48 families used to treat various gynaecological ailments grouped into 13 categories. Fabaceae (7%), Euphorbiaceae (7%), Apiaceae (5%) were the most dominant families. Herbs (59%) were the most common plant form used for ethnomedicine formulations. Leaves (28%) were mostly used for plant drug preparation. The use of paste (49%) and oral (94%) administration of the drugs prepared from plants were largely used in the study area. Quantitative indices like use value (UV), and informant consensus factor (ICF) were calculated. Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Wilde (UV= 2.74), Azadirachta indica A. Juss., (UV=2.07), Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F. Muell. (UV= 2.03) were the most important species as recorded. The result indicated that there is proper sharing of this traditional knowledge amongst people in the study area. This documentation of the important species treating gynaecological ailments can be analysed phytochemically for future studies.

Keywords

Ethno gynaecology, Ethnomedicine, Dindigul, Infertility, Menstrual disorders

Conclusion

The present study reported a total of 93 medicinal plant species belonging to 48 families that were used to treat various gynaecological ailments belonging to 13 ailment categories through 92 ethno-gynaecological remedies. Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Apiaceae were the most dominant families. Herbs were the most common plant form used; leaves were mostly used for plant drug preparation. The use of paste and oral administration of the drugs prepared from plants were largely used in the study area. Quantitative indices like use value (UV) and informant consensus factor (ICF) were calculated. Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Wilde, Azadirachta indica A. Juss., (LC) Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F. Muell. were the most important species as indicated by the UV values. The ICF values of certain species were higher which indicates that there is proper sharing of traditional knowledge of most common plants amongst people in the study area. Hence it is necessary to conserve this depleting indigenous knowledge as it could help us in identifying the pharmacological potential of medicinal plants.

References

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How to cite this article

Shrinitha T.M. and Aruna R. (2023). Ethnogynaecological Investigation of Medicinal Plants used in Natham Taluk, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(6): 243-254.