NOPR Collection:

Use of indigenous knowledge by women in a Nigerian rural community

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Use of indigenous knowledge by women in a Nigerian rural community Authors: M, Olatokun Wole; F, Ayanbode O Abstract: The study investigated Rural Women’s use of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in the development of Ogun State, Nigeria. Among others, it aimed at identifying the nature and types of IK being used by the rural women, the extent of use as well as the domains of use. It equally aimed at finding out how the rural women’s use of IK has positively affected sustainable development in Ogun State. The survey research design was adopted. The targeted population comprised rural women in Odeda local government area of Ogun State. A purposive sample of 250 respondents was selected. Data were collected with an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and analyses were carried out using frequencies and percentage distributions. Findings revealed that majority of the rural women were farmers and illiterates but have vast knowledge of traditional medicine. There was an extensive use of oral IK in various domains: culture transfer and preservation, food security, saving and lending money, population control, childcare, etc but its greatest impact was in the area of food production. Page(s): 287-295

Antibacterial activity of Kutajarista - an Ayurvedic preparation

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Antibacterial activity of Kutajarista - an Ayurvedic preparation Authors: KR, Premnath Shenoy; SN, Yoganarasimhan Abstract: Kutajarista, an antidiarrhoeal Ayurvedic formulation prepared in the laboratory using Madhuca longifolia (Koen.) Macbr. (Sapotaceae) (flowers), Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roxb. ex Fleming) Wall. (Apocynaceae) (stem bark), Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Verbenaceae) (stem bark), Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz. (Lythraceae), Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae) (raisins) and adjuvants, viz. honey and jaggery as ingredients is screened for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus pumilus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus and Candida albicans; the standard preparation of Kutajarista is compared with three market samples. Page(s): 270-271

Indigenous knowledge of using medicinal plants in treating skin diseases in Kanyakumari district, Southern India

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Indigenous knowledge of using medicinal plants in treating skin diseases in Kanyakumari district, Southern India Authors: Kingston, C; Jeeva, S; Jeeva, GM; Kiruba, S; Mishra, BP; Kannan, D Abstract: Plant species used in the treatment of skin diseases among the indigenous communities of Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu was conducted between 2003-2004. Thirty plant species belonging to 29 genera and 22 families were found to be used specifically in the treatment of various 11 skin diseases viz., dandruff, eczema, impetigo, leprosy, parasite, psoriasis, rash, scabies, swellings, tinea cruris and tinea versicularis. The communities use 9 plant species invariably for the treatment of all kinds of skin diseases while 4 species are exclusively used to treat leprosy. Saraca asoca plant becomes vulnerable since it is frequently used for the treatment of scabies. Page(s): 196-200

Traditional knowledge base in the management of village bamboos: A case study in Barak Valley, Assam, Northeast India

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Traditional knowledge base in the management of village bamboos: A case study in Barak Valley, Assam, Northeast India Authors: Nath, A J; Das, G; Das, A K Abstract: Bamboos are the important component in the traditional land use systems of Barak Valley. The traditional practice of village bamboo management in the homegarden system was studied in the Cachar district of Barak Valley, Assam. Utilization of village bamboos for fulfilling basic rural necessitate supports the maintenance of village bamboo diversity. Traditional management of village bamboos has recognized the formation of certain societal groups that forms a complex interlinkage and generates rural employment. Traditional practice of moulding of soil around the clump, addition of leaf litter and farm yard manure to the bamboo clump is of practical importance and have scientific basis. Clear felling strategy of bamboo clump management for commercial utilization has severe effects on the clump growth parameters that can endanger the village bamboo productivity. Strategies to overcome the weaknesses of traditional management system are also discussed. Page(s): 163-168