Knowledge of Traditional Healers on Utilization of Medicinal Plants Used for Menstrual Disorders in Krabi and Songkhla Provinces, Thailand

Authors

  • Katesarin Maneenoon Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
  • Bodin Chatawatee
  • Chomkhwan Damkhong
  • Natthaphon Khiankhan
  • Nongluk Kunworarath

Abstract

A study on the utilization of traditional knowledge for the treatment of menstrual disorders used by 11 experienced traditional healers in Krabi and Songkhla provinces. Data was obtained by using semi - structured interview and participant observations in the making of remedies for menstrual disorders, the selection of medicinal plants for each prescription and the traditional diagnostic method. Plant specimens were collected and identified according to the plant taxonomic method except common species were identified in the study sites. Nine groups of menstrual disorders were found, along with the 115 formulas to treat these maladies. The most frequently mentioned uses were treatment of oligomenorrhea (33 formulas). According to the study, 284 materia medica were found, including animals (6 species), minerals (10 kinds) as well as 268 species of medicinal plants which belonging to 84 families. The most represented family was Fabaceae (22 species). Two plant species were used by all traditional healers were Caesalpinia sappan L. and Piper nigrum L.. The highest use values (UV) were calculated for Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Piper retrofractum Vahl. (UV=5.091). The highest Informant consensus factor (ICF) was recorded for the treatment of oligomenorrhea (ICF=0.91). The underground parts were the most frequently used to make the prescription for healing and the decoction was the main mode of preparation. The study is the first report of traditional knowledge of traditional healers in Krabi and Songkhla provinces. The study indicates that women in the rural areas have been relied on the healing properties of medicinal plants and the treatment of experienced traditional healers. Keywords: medicinal plants, Menstrual Disorders, Krabi, Songkhla 

Author Biography

Katesarin Maneenoon, Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand

  

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Published

2017-09-22