2016, Vol. 4, Issue 6, Part D

author(s)
Dr. Kedarnath Dash and Charan Sebak Satapathy

abstract
The people of Munda community in Jajpur district of Odisha still depend to a large extent upon plants for gynecological ailments. The folk knowledge of plant medicine and its significance has been accumulated and transmitted through a process of experience over hundreds of years. In this paper a survey for documentation of medicinal plants used for gynecological disorder among Munda community has been conducted during May, 2014 to June, 2015. A total 25 species of medicinal plants belongs to 23 genera and 22 families were recorded as remedies for gynecological problem among them. On the basis of ethnographic fieldwork with the help of standard anthropological methods, it has been revealed that the Munda people uses the plant medicine commonly for smooth delivery, retention of pregnancy, menstrual disorder such as Leucorrhea, Dysmenorrheal, Menorrhagia, Oligomenorrhea, Menstrual cramps, Lactation etc. Documentation of traditional knowledge on ethno-medicinal uses of these plants is essential for conservation efforts for the plant resources and new drug development.