A Study On Traditional Mother Care Plants
A Study On Traditional Mother Care Plants
A Study On Traditional Mother Care Plants
Indian Journal Of Traditional Knowledge
Vol. 9 (1), January 2010, pp 203208
A study on traditional mother care plants of rural communities of South Kerala
NP Rajith1 , M Navas2 , A Muhammad Thaha 2 , MJ Manju3 , N Anish1 , S Rajasekharan2 & V George1*
1Amity Institute for Herbal & Biotech Products Development, Ambalamukku, PO Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; 2Tropical Botanic
Garden & Research Institute, Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; 3NSS College, Pandalam, Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Email: palpuprakulam@yahoo.co.in
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 (Vethuvellam), 5 formulations of nutraceuticals
(Kurukkumarunnu), 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.
Keywords: Traditional Knowledge, Traditional mother care, Prenatal, Postnatal, Nutraceuticals, Medicinal plants, Kerala
IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K36/00, A61P15/00, A61P15/06, A61P15/14
India has a long history in traditional health practices in local health tradition and home remedies (Grandma’s
medicine). Home remedies are especially aimed in uplifting the health profile of women and children. Even though
modern medical systems are available, most of the people are still depending on the rich local health traditions for
mother and child care. In Kerala, this diversified system of traditional practices prevails among the rural
communities since time immemorial. The study aims to document the plants used for mother and child care by the
indigenous community/rural people of South Kerala. Medicoethnobotany acts as a bridge between botany and
tribal knowledge regarding medicinal properties of plants. Rigveda and Atharvaveda, which dates back to 2,000–
1,000 BC and several post Vedic treatise, viz. Charakasamhitha (100 AD), Sushruthasamhitha (100800 AD),
Dhanwanthari Nighantu (1,200 AD), are the important ancient sources of information on medicinal plants1.
Ethnomedicine is usually plant based and ingredients are from locally available flora and fauna combined with
magicoreligious practices. Mother and child care is one of the major divisions of Ayurveda. During pregnancy,
nausea, vomiting, tiredness, urinary problems, genital bleeding, fever, weakness, gas in abdomen, edema and
toothache are the major problems2. There are many time tested practices designed to suit the health problems of
the mother and child38. The prenatal care aims at easy delivery and a healthy child. Postnatal care aims to recover
women’s health after delivery.
Methodology
Frequent field visits were conducted in selected
Gramapanchayats of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and
Pathanamthitta districts of South Kerala and gathered
information about traditional knowledge pertained to mother
care, and the detailed application and administration of plant
remedies for pre and post natal care (Fig. 1). Data sheets and
questionnaires were used for data collection, which includes
collection number, name and age of informants, place, local
name, family, specificity in collecting useful parts, detailed
method of drug preparation, specificity of dosage, restrictions if
any and administration. Photographs were also taken for correct Fig. 1—Location map of study area
identification. The plants are enumerated with Latin names followed by family, local name, parts used and medicinal
uses. A detailed description about preparation, administration, and application of the drug are also given.
Enumeration
http://www.niscair.res.in/sciencecommunication/researchjournals/rejour/ijtk/Fulltextsearch/2010/January%202010/IJTKVol%209%20(1)%20January%20… 1/6
11/21/2016 A study on traditional mother care plants of rural communities of South Kerala
In
the
enumeration of data, the plant species are arranged with their serial number, botanic name, local name, type of the
plant, family name, parts used, and mode of administration, etc. (Figs. 210). The voucher specimen along with the
number is deposited
with Herbarium of Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode. The study was carried
out through the use of a structured and pre
tested interview schedule to elucidate information. The questionnaires were designed in an open
ended format. The permission of the holders of the
information was taken in writing and thus the documentation was done. The respondents were mostly elderly women.
Generally, common ailments/discomforts were treated and life
threatening diseases/ailments were attended by doctors/experienced persons (Table 1).
Compound drugs
Apart from the single drug, many combinations
of drugs are used by local communities for
natal treatment. They are Vethuvellam and Kurukkumarunnu a medicated porridge. Equal quantities of the different
species’ used in the preparation of compound drugs are:
Vethuvellam (Medicated water for bath)
After the delivery, the body of women becomes very weak and to rejuvenate the body, many medicinal plants
preparations are used. The leaves and barks of plants like Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Mangifera indica Linn. etc.
are used for the purpose. The leaves of these species are boiled in water and used for bathing the women after
delivery.
Table 1—Plants used by the local people for treating women after delivery
http://www.niscair.res.in/sciencecommunication/researchjournals/rejour/ijtk/Fulltextsearch/2010/January%202010/IJTKVol%209%20(1)%20January%20… 3/6
11/21/2016 A study on traditional mother care plants of rural communities of South Kerala
8 Ficus religiosa Linn. (Moraceae), Arayal, dried bark
9 Musa paradisica Linn. (Musaceae), Vazha, fresh leaves
10 Piper nigrum Linn. (Piperaceae), Kurumulaku, fresh leaves and stem
11 Psidium guajava Linn. (Myrtaceae), Pera, fresh leaves
12 Quassia indica Nooteboom. (Simaroubaceae), Karinjotta, fresh leaves
13 Vitex nigundo Linn. (Verbenaceae), Karinochi, fresh leaves
Formulation–3 (Nalpamarapatta bark of 4 Ficus sp)
1 Ficus benghalensis Linn. (Moraceae), Peral, dried bark
2 Ficus gibbosa Blume (Moraceae), Ithi, dried bark
3 Ficus glomerata Roxb. (Moraceae), Athi, dried bark
4 Ficus religiosa Linn. (Moraceae), Arayal, dried bark
Formulation 4
1 Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae), Erikku, fresh leaves
2 Quassia indica Nooteboom. (Simaroubaceae), Karinjotta, fresh leaves
3 Tamarindus indica Linn. (Caesalpiniaceae), Puli, fresh leaves
Formulation 5
1 Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae), Plavu, fresh leaves
2 Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Veppu, fresh mature leaves
3 Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. (Oxalidaceae), Mukkutti, whole plant
4 Careya arborea Roxb. (Lecythidaceae), Pezhu, fresh bark
5 Cocos nucifera Linn. (Arecaceae), Thengu, rachis, coconut shell
6 Ficus benghalensis Linn. (Moraceae), Peral, dried bark
7 Ficus gibbosa Blume (Moraceae), Ithi, dried bark
8 Ficus glomerata Roxb. (Moraceae), Athi, dried bark
9 Ficus religiosa Linn. (Moraceae), Arayal, dried bark
10 Piper nigrum Linn. (Piperaceae), Kurumulaku, fresh leaves, Stem
Formulation 6
1 Adhatoda vasica Nees (Acanthaceae), Adalodakam, fresh mature leaves
2 Calycopteris floribunda Lam. (Combretaceae), Pullanji, fresh leaves
3 Careya arborea Roxb. (Lecythidaceae), Pezhu, dried bark
4 Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn. (Verbenaceae), Peruvelam, fresh leaves
5 Musa paradisica Linn. (Musaceae), Vazha, fresh mature leaves
6 Quassia indica Nooteboom. (Simaroubaceae), Karinjotta, mature leaves
7 Tamarindus indica Linn. (Caesalpiniaceae), Puli, mature leaves
Formulation 7
1 Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Veppu, mature leaves
2 Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (Nyctaginaceae), Thazhuthama, root
3 Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae), Erukku, mature leaves
4 Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae), Manjal, mature leaves, dried rhizome
5 Ficus bengalensis Linn. (Moraceae), Peral, dried bark
6 Ficus gibbosa Blume (Moraceae), Ithi, dried bark
7 Ficus glomerata Roxb. (Moraceae), Athi, dried bark
8 Ficus religiosa Linn. (Moraceae), Arayal, dried bark
9 Pandanus odoratissimus Linn.f. Lam. (Pandanaceae), Kaitha, tender leaves
10 Psidium guajava Linn. (Myrtaceae), Pera, mature leaves
11 Tribulus terrestris Linn. (Zygophyllaceae), Njerinjil, root
Formulation 8
1 Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae), Plavu, fresh leaves
2 Cocos nucifera Linn. (Arecaceae), Thengu, rachis
3 Curcuma longa Linn. (Zingiberaceae), Manjal, fresh leaves, rhizome
4 Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) Correa (Rutaceae), Panchi, fresh leaves
5 Ixora coccinea Linn. (Rubiaceae), Thechi, leaves
Kurukkumarunnu
Kurukkumarunnu, a nutraceutical type, is a form of medicines used in natal treatment. In this, the plant parts like
root, stem, inflorescence etc. are used either as decoction/ juice/ in the form of a lehya. After delivery, this
http://www.niscair.res.in/sciencecommunication/researchjournals/rejour/ijtk/Fulltextsearch/2010/January%202010/IJTKVol%209%20(1)%20January%20… 4/6
11/21/2016 A study on traditional mother care plants of rural communities of South Kerala
preparation is helpful for rejuvenating the body and also to avoid stomach pain or back pain. In the study, different
formulations of Kurukkumarunnu documented are:
Formulation1
Equal quantities of the Hemidesmus indicus (Linn.) R. Br. (Naruneendi) outer root bark and barks of Erythrina
stricta Roxb. (Murukku) and Moringa oleifera Lam. (Muringa) are crushed along with equal quantity of Leucas
aspera (Willd.) Link (Thumba) leaves and the juice thus obtained is taken 3 teaspoonfuls daily. The juice is also
mixed with dried ginger, pepper, jaggery, ghee and taken in little coconut oil. Or this mixture is boiled till a semisolid
form, Lehya is obtained. It is given 2 teaspoon daily before food to avoid stomach pain or for blood purification after
delivery.
Formulation 2
Leaf juice of Gossypium herbaceum Linn. (Kuruparuthi) is mixed with rice flour (Oryza sativa Linn.) and palm
jiggery (Borasus flabellifer Linn.) to prepare the kurukkumarunnu in ghee. It is given to the mother for alleviating
body pain after delivery one teaspoon twice daily before food.
Formulation 3
Juice of equal quantities of Mimosa pudica Linn. (Thottavadi) and Borasus flabellifer Linn. crushed together is
taken with Karupotti (palm jaggery) and ghee. This kurukku (semi solid form), is given one spoonful daily before food
to women after delivery in order to cure body pain.
Formulation 4
Equal quantities of juice obtained from leaves of Cissampelos pareira (Buch.Ham. ex DC.) Forman (Malathangi),
Azima tetracantha Lam. (Yeasanku), and Thespesia populnea (L.) Soland. ex Corr. (Seelanthi), and then taken with
Borasus flabellifer Linn. (Karipotti/palm jaggery), and Cocos nucifera Linn. (coconut oil). Or it is prepared in the form
of a Lehya (Kurukkumarunnu) in coconut oil. This is administered to women to avoid over bleeding after delivery.
Formulation 5
The rhizomes of Curcuma longa Linn. are ground and mixed with Cocos nucifera Linn. (coconut milk), Ghee and
administered orally as kurukkumarunnu to the mother in early morning 1 spoon for 23 days to avoid worm infection.
In addition to these formulations, different preparations like Jeeraka kanji, Njavarayari kanji, Uluvakanji and
Elakanji are also taken by mothers
as a remedy for pre and post natal problems.
Main ingredients of these preparations are dried
seeds of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecium L.), cardamom [Elataria
cardamomum (L.) Maton], leaves of Coleus aromaticus Benth., palm jaggery, rice and coconut milk. This is given to
the mother after 15 days of delivery in early morning. These preparations are very effective against urinary problems,
strengthening mother’s body after delivery, remove stomach pain, avoid excess bleeding, etc.
Conclusion
In the study, information on 52 plant species in 49 genera coming under 38 families used for various treatments are
documented. The informants with the age group 6080 yrs are capable of giving most of the information. The 52
species are applied or administered through different media. Water is found as the main and important medium. Out
of 52 species, 23 spices are administered orally while others are applied both externally and internally. An analysis of
the officinal parts used for treatment shows variation from species to species, almost all parts are used in treatment
such as leaves, stem, root (rhizome, tuber) flower, fruits, seeds etc. (Fig. 10). Leaves are the main useful part and 27
species are employed in different treatments. Barks of 10 species and roots of 4 species are used in pre and post natal
treatment. Out of 52 plants species, roots, rhizome and flowers are used very less. Twelve species of whole plants
are significantly used for various preparations.
Acknowledgement
Authors take this opportunity to express their
heart felt gratitude to the local people especially, Traditional Knowledge holders of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and
Pathanamthitta districts, who gave the valuable information and their consent. Authors are grateful to Dr Ashok K
Chauhan, the Founder President AIHBPD, for his advice and encouragement. Authors express their gratitude to Prof
P Pushpangadan for providing the facilities to conduct this work. Authors also thank Smt SD Vijayalakshmi and Shri
PS Nandakumar, for computer assistance.
References
1 Singh V & Pandey RP, Ethnomedicinal plants used for veneral and gynecological diseases in Rajasthan, J Econ Tax Bot, Additional series, 12
(1996) 154 165.
2 Dubey G & Shukla R, Ayurveda and primary healthcare with special reference to maternity and childcare, Proc Gujarat Ayurveda University,
Jamnagar, 2000.
3 Austin DF & Cox PA, Notes on Guyana medical Ethnobotany, J Econ Bot, 46 (3) (1992) 293298.
http://www.niscair.res.in/sciencecommunication/researchjournals/rejour/ijtk/Fulltextsearch/2010/January%202010/IJTKVol%209%20(1)%20January%20… 5/6
11/21/2016 A study on traditional mother care plants of rural communities of South Kerala
4 Binu S, Ethnobotany of Pathanamthitta district, PhD Thesis, (University of Kerala, Trivandrum), 1999.
5 Chawdhary, Some plants in folk medicine of Rajasamand district (Rajasthan), J Ethnobot, 13 (1992) 3648.
6 Pushpangadan P, Ethnobiology in India, A Status Report, (Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, New Delhi), 1994.
7 Pushpangadan P & Atal CK, Ethnomedicobotanical investigations in Kerala, Some primitive tribals of Western Ghats and their herbal
medicine, J Ethnopharmacol, 11(1984) 5977.
8 Raghavendra Babu, Mother and Childcare, J Amruth, 2 (6) (1998) 98102.
http://www.niscair.res.in/sciencecommunication/researchjournals/rejour/ijtk/Fulltextsearch/2010/January%202010/IJTKVol%209%20(1)%20January%20… 6/6