Quantitative analyses on ethnogynecological remedies used by <i>Lodhas</i> of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore and document medicinal plants frequently utilized by <i>Lodha</i> women of Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal (India) for the treatment of common gynecological ailments. In this present paper four polyherbal and six monoherbal preparations are documented utilizing 29 plant species for the treatment of 11 common gynecological disorders. The data were analyzed using Fidelity Level (FL) and Relative frequency of citation (Rfc). In this investigation, the most useful species ranked according to their Relative frequency of citation (Rfc) and high fidelity level (FL) are: <i>Hemidesmus indicus</i> (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. for leucorrhea, <i>Solena</i> <i>amplexicaulis</i> (Lam.) Gandhifor dysmenorrhea<em>, </em><i>Asparagus</i> <i>racemosus</i> Willd. for infertility in women, <i>Musa</i> <i>×</i> <i>paradisiaca</i> L. for menorrhagia, <i>Euphorbia fusiformis </i>Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don for poor lactation and <em>Cassia fistula</em>L. for post-partum body swelling and temperature control<em>, </em><i>Chrysopogon zizanioides </i>(L.) Robertyfor constipation <em>and </em><i>Shorea</i> <i>robusta</i> Gaertn. for diarrhea during pregnancy. Roots (53 %) are found the highest amount among plant parts; dried and powder forms (16) are most frequent among preparation of ethnomedicine for ethnogynecological disorders. A total of 18 medicinal plants for seven gynecological disorder and six preparations for the treatment are reported for the first time from India.