A study on traditional mother care plants of rural communities of South Kerala

Abstract

Traditional Knowledge has been used for centuries by indigenous and local communities in healthcare. It is an important factor for sustainability of natural resource management. The women folk of the country play a vital role in the use and mobilization of such biodiversity based knowledge system. The efficacy of this knowledge is time tested and capable of healthcare management in the form of nutraceuticals and pharma food. The study aimed to document the existing system of traditional knowledge and utility pattern of medicinal plants related to pre and post natal care. This resulted in the documentation of 52 plant species belonging to 49 genera and 38 families, as 17 single drugs, 8 formulations of medicated water for bath (<i style="">Vethuvellam</i>), 5 formulations of nutraceuticals (<i style="">Kurukkumarunnu</i>), 4 formulations of food (medicated porridge). The plants are enumerated along with local name, type of plants, family name, parts used and mode of administration.