scholarly journals The medical ethnobotany of Lesotho: a review

Bothalia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Moteetee ◽  
B. E. Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Dosage Forms ◽  
Traditional Healing ◽  
Materia Medica ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Health Care Practitioners ◽  
Medical Ethnobotany ◽  
Human Happiness ◽  
Traditional Health Care

Traditional healing in Lesotho is reviewed, focusing on four aspects: 1, cultural practices; 2, traditional health care practitioners; 3, dosage forms; 4, the materia medica. Cultural practices are strongly associated with the belief that intangible forces are responsible for human happiness and misery. A total of 303 plant species are used medicinally (including 25 alien species), representing eight pteridophyte and 75 angiosperm families, of which the most important are Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Hyacinthaceae, Apocynaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Lamiaceae and Poaceae. Dicoma anomala (used mainly for digestive ailments) and Artemisia afra (used mainly for respiratory ailments) appear to be the best known and most widely used medicinal plants amongst a total of 37 species that have been cited four or more times in the literature. About 50 species are variously employed for magic and sorcery. There are no new species records but 36 new uses are reported. Our conclusion is that the medicinal plants of Lesotho are relatively well recorded and that this review will allow detailed comparisons with other African healing cultures.

Impact of Religion on Traditional Health Care Practices Among the Lepchas of Upper and Lower Lingthem of Upper Dzongu, Sikkim, India

2021 ◽  
pp. 2455328X2199571
Author(s):  
Manisha Thapa ◽  
Pinak Tarafdar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Health Care Practices ◽  
Modern Health Care ◽  
Concept Of Health ◽  
Traditional Health Care ◽  
Primary Means ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
The Village

In all cultures and regions, the concept of health varies, based on the type of environment and prevalent sociocultural traditions. The present study is conducted among the Lepchas of the village of Lingthem divided into two sectors—Upper and Lower Lingthem, Upper Dzongu, North Sikkim. This population comprising Buddhist Lepchas residing away from the mainstream through poor infrastructural facilities still maintain ethnomedical health care practices without influence of major Indian healing systems. Living in the area of Dzongu exclusively inhabited by Lepchas revival of ancient cultural practices is evident among Lepchas of Lingthem. The structure of religious beliefs prevalent among the Lepchas, including traditional animistic as well as Buddhist practices, greatly influence forms of treatment sought for specific ailments. Even today, the use and maintenance of traditional health care with syncretized Buddhist religious belief among residents of Lingthem act as a vital source for understanding the influence of religion on traditional health care practices. Despite the presence of a few modern health care agencies, the traditional treatment of Bongthing (Lepcha shaman) and Buddhist monks remain widely popular as primary means of health care.

Ethnomedicines for Diarrhoea and Dysentery by the tribals of Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-54
Author(s):  
P. Naidu ◽  
P. Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Tribal Community ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Traditional Health Care ◽  
Visakhapatnam District

Traditional health care system is practiced by indigenous tribal community inhabiting Eastern Ghats of Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh. Diarrhoea and Dysentery are prevalent causing morbidity and mortality. This study documented 62 medicinal plants used locally for the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. The traditional healers provide safe and low cost remedies accumulated, enriched and passed on through generations without any written documentation.

scholarly journals Use of medicinal plants in traditional health care practices: A case study in Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda District, Punjab (India)

2020 ◽  
pp. 75-86
Author(s):  
Kuljinder Kaur ◽  
Amandeep Kaur ◽  
Sweta Thakur
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Primary Health Care System ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Health Care Practices ◽  
Gastrointestinal Problems ◽  
Traditional Health Care

A comprehensive study was conducted to document the available medicinal plants and their traditional applications among the local people from July 2018 to June 2019 in Talwandi Sabo town of Bathinda District of Punjab. Purposive sampling method was used to select traditional medicinal practitioners of the study area. A semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and personal interviews were conducted to gather firsthand information about ethno-medicinal plants. Analysis of data revealed the use of 88 medicinal plant species belonging to 77 genera and 42 families for the treatment of about 60 ailments. The highest number of plants were used for gastrointestinal problems, skin problems followed by respiratory diseases, skeletomuscular diseases and dental problems. Traditional healers are still playing a great role in the primary health care system of Talwandi Sabo. Some practitioners were ensuring the 100% results of their formulations against many serious diseases. Further, the scientific validation of these formulations should be done for getting new alternative medicines against these diseases.

scholarly journals Integrating age old cultural reproductive health practices with modern medicine to bring down morbidity and mortality among Birhor tribes of Jharkhand, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Tejinder Pal Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Health Practices ◽  
Tribal Community ◽  
Traditional Medicines ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Traditional Health Care

Background: Among the primitive tribe of Jharkhand, Birhor’s are the smallest group, and have been tagged as 'critically endangered' with population ~5000 (Census 2011). Traditional health care practices, traditional medicines, rituals and supernatural methods of treatment are integral part of tribal community. The main objective of the study was to integrate the cultural health practices focusing on reproductive health with modern medicine so that it impacts maternal and infant mortality.Methods: A three- and half-year study was done in one of the outreach clinical area of Tata Steel Rural development society in Chotabanki village, East Singhbhum, Jharkand, India, among the Birhor tribes.  The study was based on primary quantitative data -Data collection was by interviewing the respondents using questionnaires. Numerous interactive sessions with community members were conducted to learn about their cultural practices related to maternal and infant health.Results: There was a definite change in behaviour in some of traditional health practices, related to maternal and child health. Acceptance of modern health services impacted the health indicators, resulting in increase in population growth by 7.6% with zero still birth, maternal and infant mortality.Conclusions: As medical professionals, extra effort should be taken to understand their cultures regarding health. By establishing a balance between their age-old cultural practices and modern medicine, we may get healthier and résistance free community & success in controlling morbidity and mortality.

Cultural and traditional food practices in pregnancy and breastfeeding

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sir Peter Gluckman ◽  
Mark Hanson ◽  
Chong Yap Seng ◽  
Anne Bardsley
Keyword(s):  
Infant Health ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽  
Food Practices ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Traditional Health Care ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Optimum Nutrition

Cultural beliefs and practices can markedly influence a woman’s pregnancy and childbirth experiences, and may shape her mothering behaviour. In addition, dietary intake before and during pregnancy and through lactation is often influenced by cultural beliefs and practices. As some traditional health care beliefs and food practices favoured in different cultures appear to result from efforts to address specific environmental challenges, it is important to recognize and respect these beliefs while guiding women towards optimum nutrition and away from harmful practices or prohibitions. This chapter discusses the implications of some common food practices, as well as cultural practices that are specific to pregnancy and lactation, on maternal and infant health.

scholarly journals Some medicinal plants with anti -fertility potential used by the tribal people of the District Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 30-39
Author(s):  
Piyasi Bhattacharjee ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Cultivated Plants ◽  
Indian Literature ◽  
Tribal People ◽  
Economic Role ◽  
The North ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
The People ◽  
Daily Diet ◽  
Traditional Health Care

The increase in population is becoming a comprehensive dilemma, causing much pressure alternative medicine for anti-fertility action. Ayurveda and other Indian literature mention the use of plants in various human ailments. India has about more than 45000 plant species and among them several thousand are claimed to possess medicinal properties. Researchers conducted in the last few decades on the plants mentioned in ancient literature or used traditionally for anti-fertility action. This review reveals that some plants and their part used having anti-fertility action, which are helpful for researcher to develop new herbal anti-fertility formulations. In the recent years, interest in drugs of plant origin has been progressively increased. The Koch Rajbangshi people use various wild and cultivated plants as medicine for curing different diseases. They completely or partially depend upon these plants for curing various diseases. The plants are mostly used as first aid treatment in most of the diseases. In almost every village there is a medical man who generally knows the traditional uses of the plants. There are some ritual believes also associated with these medicinal plants or ethnomedicines. A good number of these plants are also included in their daily diet. Above all, the plants have also some market value, thus playing an important socio-economic role among the people of the various tribal people. With the use of modern day medical techniques the traditional health care system is now at the verge of extinction. In the present work, the Researcher tried to document the plants used for the medicinal purposes in the, District Cooch Behar or Koch Bihar of the North Bengal region. To create a database of traditional knowledge and use pattern of some plants with infertility potential by Koch or Rajbangshi people in the region all the plants with its uses are documented in this study.

scholarly journals ‘Money spoils the medicine’

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Krah
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sociological Theory ◽  
Gift Exchange ◽  
Traditional Healing ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Cultural Economy ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Monetary Economy ◽  
Traditional Health Care

In this article, I use classical anthropological and sociological theory on exchange to explain the robustness of the cultural economy of healing in Northern Ghana. While many scholars have argued that health care in Africa should be understood through the lens of neoliberal marketization, ethnographic research among Mamprusi healers shows that practices of traditional healing are firmly embedded in a cultural system of exchange. Although confronted with an expanding monetary economy, the healers adhere to the local credo that ‘money spoils the medicine’. This alludes to an approach to healing characterized by a kind of reciprocity that reflects (post-)Maussian principles of gift exchange. Drawing on these principles, I propose to complement our understanding of exchange with the concept of ‘moral monies’. As peculiar monetary (counter)gifts, these serve as instruments to reconcile contemporary monetary needs with the sociocultural, moral, and historical institutions in which traditional health care is rooted.

Extraction and Phytochemicals Determination of Traditional Medicinal Plants for Anti-microbial Susceptibility Test

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firew Admasu
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Crude Extract ◽  
Susceptibility Test ◽  
Plant Sample ◽  
Traditional Medicinal Plants ◽  
Traditional Health Care ◽  
Susceptibility Tests

Abstract: The study were conducted at Dilla University, College of Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences laboratories. Background: Ethiopia is a country with many ethnic groups, cultures and beliefs which in turn have contributed to the high diversity of traditional health care knowledge and practices of traditional medicine from local growth plants, animals and minerals for various physical and mental disorders of human and livestock population that passed from generation to generation for centuries. Medicinal plants contributors to pharmaceutical, agricultural and food industries in the world. The use of medicinal plants in the industrialized societies has been traced to extraction and development of several drugs used in order to heel some diseases having inhibiting effect against pathogenic microorganism. Objective: The main objective of this study was Extraction and Phytochemicals determination of traditional medicinal plants for anti microbial susceptibility test. Methodology: The extraction and identification of some phytochemicals crude compound which used for antimicrobial susceptibility test from plant sample such as Ocimum lamiifolium (OL), Croton maerosth (Cm) and Ruta chalepesis (RC) were conducted. Plant samples are collected, powdered using mortal and pistil and extracted using ethanol and some susceptibility tests were performed to identify some phytochemicals compound. Result: The main result of Antimicrobial activity test showed that the crude extract of OL has the highest zone of inhibition. The highest yield of crude extract (38.21%) was obtained from Croton maerosth (CM) which followed by Ruta chalepesis (RC) (32.43%). However, the lowest yield (28.37%) was obtained from Oscpmum lamifolium (OL). Conclusion: Traditional Medicine is used by many people to managing numerous conditions; it’s accessible and effective on antimicrobial activity. Therefore, it plays a significant role by reducing life-threatening ailments of people and other animals.

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