Medicinal Plants Used for the Management of Fertility by Ethnic People of Manipur, Northeast India

Abstract

Traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used for the management of human fertility by different ethnic groups of Manipur state is discussed in the article. Ethnobotanical data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire from 46 informants. Collected data was analysed using quantitative indices like Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index, Use Value and Fidelity Level. The Shannon-Wiener index value was higher at 3.15 for elderly group (n=26, 57% of total respondents) compared to older adults 3.003. However, it was higher for female respondents (3.23) compared to male respondents (2.75). This study documented 46 plant species representing 41 genera and 31 families used for the management of fertility. The plant parts used by them included leaves (28.26%), rhizomes (21.74%), fruits/seeds (15.22%), and whole plants (6.52%). Habits of the plants belong to three broad categories: woody trees (23.9%), shrubs (21.7%) and herbs (54.3%). Alpinia galanga was found to be the most commonly used plant for with highest Use Value (0.6), as well as Fidelity level (60%). Healers have also reported that plants which are used as Abortifacient and contraceptive are also eaten as food. There is pressing need to conserve ethnobotanical wealth of indigenous people before the loss of such local wisdom becomes irretrievable.