NOPR Collection:

Indigenous knowledge of the traditional and qualified ayurveda practitioners on the nutritional significance and use of red rice in medications

2013-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Indigenous knowledge of the traditional and qualified ayurveda practitioners on the nutritional significance and use of red rice in medications Authors: Hegde, S; Yenagi, N B; Kasturiba, B Abstract: Red rice Rakthashali (with red husk and grain) is the native staple food of Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka) and Kasaragod (Kerala) district. A study was conducted to collect and document information from the traditional and qualified practitioners on the use of red rice in various medications and therapies to find its applicability as a functional food especially in promoting lactation. Red rice was found beneficial to health in terms of its nutritional significance and its applicability in various medications like in allergies, skin ailments, uterus related problems, nerve disorders, gastro-intestinal problems, liver, kidney disorders, fever, infections and in promoting lactation. Page(s): 506-511

Local knowledge and use of Marula [Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst.] in South-central Zimbabwe

2013-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Local knowledge and use of Marula [Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst.] in South-central Zimbabwe Authors: Maroyi, Alfred Abstract: The aim of this study was to document indigenous knowledge related to the use of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. subsp. caffra (Sond.) Kokwaro (Marula) in South-central Zimbabwe. One hundred and sixteen participants from 4 villages were interviewed between December 2011 and January 2012. Local communities in South-central Zimbabwe derive many benefits from Marula. The main product harvested by the participants was the fruit. The ripe fruits were eaten raw (100%), kernels were eaten raw (100%) or roasted (33.6%), fruit juice fermented to produce children’s beverage (22.4%) or traditional beer (35.3%), making jam (14.7%), oil processing (8.6%) and added to maize, millet and sorghum porridge (4.3%). Marula has also medicinal uses and the leaves and fruits were browsed by livestock. This study calls for large-scale cultivation of Marula not only in South-central Zimbabwe, but also in neighbouring countries where the species occurs naturally and has the potential to positively affect local peoples’ livelihoods. Page(s): 398-403

Plants used in healthcare practices by Limboo tribe in South –West of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, India

2013-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Plants used in healthcare practices by Limboo tribe in South –West of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim, India Authors: Badola, Hemant K; Pradhan, Bharat K Abstract: The study aimed in exploring indigenous knowledge of Limboo tribe on plant use practices for local healthcare in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim. Use of 124 ethnomedicinal plants to cure 77 ailments, grouped into 13 broad categories, was recorded. Maximum number of species (31) was used to cure stomach related problems. Oral administration (71.77%) was the common practice. Artemesia vulgaris and Swertia chirayita (1.00 each) recorded the highest use value. Cut and wound problems recorded the highest Informant Consensus Factor (0.91). Paper also discussed the conservation aspects. Page(s): 355-369

Effects of eight week yoga therapy program on cardiovascular health in hypertensives

2013-07-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Effects of eight week yoga therapy program on cardiovascular health in hypertensives Authors: Madanmohan; Bhavanani, Ananda Balayogi; Zeena, Sanjay; Vithiyalakshmi, L; Dayanidy, G Abstract: Yogic practices may aid in the prevention and management of Hypertension (HT) and reduce cardiovascular complications in the population. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive eight week yoga therapy programme on anthropometric, cardiovascular, biochemical parameters and wellness scores in patients of essential HT. 15 patients receiving standard medical treatment for essential HT were recruited and anthropometric, cardiovascular and biochemical investigations were done before and after a comprehensive yoga therapy programme comprising of three times a week sessions for 8 weeks. A post intervention, retrospective wellness questionnaire was used to evaluate the comparative feelings of the patients after the therapy programme. There was a statistically significant decrease in weight, BMI and all resting cardiovascular parameters such as heart rate and blood pressure indices. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density (LDL) and very low density (VLDL) lipoproteins reduced significantly while high density (HDL) lipoprotein increased significantly. All the cholesterol based ratios such as TC/HDL, LDL/HDL and showed healthy improvements. Post intervention overall wellness scores of the participants indicated that 9% attained complete relief and total satisfaction after the therapy programme while 29% were much better than before. 36% were better than before while 25% had no change in their condition. The main strength of the present study is excellent compliance and regularity of yoga practice by our participants both during directly supervised sessions and at home. Very few yoga studies have reported such excellent compliance and hence our study stands out as a special case. Hence, the all round benefits obtained in our study can be attributed to the dedicated and regular practice of the comprehensive yoga therapy programme that reports a significant improvement in anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters coupled with healthy lipid profile changes in patients of essential HT. It is concluded that a comprehensive yoga therapy programme has potential to enhance the beneficial effects of standard medical management of essential HT and can be used as an effective complementary or integrative therapy programme. Page(s): 535-541