Use of ethnomedicinal plants for prophylaxis and management of postpartum complications among the Marwari community of Jodhpur District of Rajasthan

Abstract

The days and weeks following childbirth, the postpartum period, is a critical phase in the lives of mothers and newborn babies due to risk of postpartum complications associated with mother. Ethnomedicinal plants have been used judiciously during pregnancy to assist childbirth and for postpartum care in various ethnic communities around the world. They are extensively used for prophylaxis and management of postpartum complications in the Jodhpur District of Rajasthan, India. The aim of this study was to document use of such ethnomedicinal plants. Survey was conducted to document the use of ethnomedicinal plants. The selected plants were searched for reports on their pharmacological activities on Scopus and Google scholar Use of eighteen ethnomedicinal plants was documented for the prophylaxis and management of postpartum complications from local community. Zingiber officinale, Asparagus racemosus, Trapa natans, Acacia senegal, Trachyspermum ammi, Piper longum, and Symplocos racemosa possessing galactagogue, uterine tonic, diuretic, antiemetic, and wound healing activity were found to be most commonly used ethnomedicinal plants.