DOCUMENTATION OF ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS USED FOR MATERNITY CARE BY THE PAITE TRIBE OF MANIPUR, NORTH-EAST INDIA

This paper aims to study about the ethnobotanically important plants used by the Paite tribe of Manipur, India. The present work is an effort to document and explore various therapeutic applications of plants used during pregnancy, parturition and postpartum recovery among the Paite tribe of Churachandpur district of Manipur. Data pertinent to the objective was collected from mainly women, herbal practitioners and elder persons. Interview based survey along with informal discussions and field visits were used to procure the information pertaining to local names of ingredients, medicinal uses and detailed mode of administration. From the present investigation, a total of 21 medicinal plant species were reported to be commonly used by the local people in traditional maternal health care system of the study area. The parts of the plant species are being used according to the nature of the ailment. Plant parts like leaf, seed and roots in the form of paste, decoction, massaging are used. Proper documentation and awareness about the uses of the medicinal plants should be taken up at the earliest because these valuable plants are in threat due to urbanization, deforestation, etc.