A REVIEW ON TRADITIONALLY USED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF ETHNOGYNECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE IN VARIOUS STATES OF INDIA

Abstract

Ethnogynecology is a new branch of Ethnobotany. Ethnogynecology, the research field of science, has been extensively practiced to record local ethnic groups' knowledge pertaining to use plants to provide a list of valuable plant species. The current review article is an effort to compile data on a variety of plant parts used in curing gynaecological diseases, particularly in women. In this review article, notable plants are used in treating some gynaecological disorders such as leucorrhoea, contraceptives, menorrhagia, utero-vaginal issues, abortion, menstrual trouble, dysmenorrhoea, menstrual bleeding, irregular periods, lactation, postpartum, induce sexual potency, infertility, etc. are covered. In this review paper, 91 plant species that are historically used to treat female healthcare were collated and studied, along with ethnobotanical and ethnogynecological data from 38 review publications globally. Additionally, gynecologically linked diseases were also examined. Several ethnic communities identified the most commonly observed species as belonging to the most reported families, which included Amaryllidaceae, Apiaceae, Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Solanaceae, and Zingiberaceae. It looked at the roots, leaves, and petals of many plants that are utilised in formulations to treat certain ailments.