Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Available online 18 April 2015

In Press, Accepted Manuscript — Note to users

Past, present and perspectives of Manipur Traditional Medicine: A major health care system available for rural population in the North –East India

• Lokesh Deb^{a, , ,} ,
• Laishram Surbala^a,
• Khumukcham Nongalleima^a,
• Ningthoukhongjam Dhaneshwor^a,
• Nameirakpam Surjit Singh^a,
• Amitabha Dey^a,
• Moirangthem Dinesh Singh^a,
• Narayan Chandra Talukdar^a,
• Ningthoukhongjam Tombi Raj^b,

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.12.074

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Abstract

Background

Traditional health care practices are still being followed extensively in Manipur, North East India. This is the major or the only medical facility available in some rural areas of Manipur. Cross cultural ethno-pharmacological survey was conducted to document traditional health care practices by Maiba-Maibi (male-female traditional health care practitioners of Manipur).

Materials and methods

All together 59 traditional practitioners belonging to 12 ethnic communities in nine districts of the Manipur state was interviewed. A predesigned questionnaire was used for interviews, which included queries for type of ailments treating, symptoms, bioresources used, method of preparation, dosage forms, formulation, unit doses. The entire interviews done in the residence of respective Maiba-Maibi, their patient handing and preparation of medicinal formulations were documented in written and audio-visual format.

Results

The survey recorded traditional knowledge on 949 formulations used for 66 human ailments. Five hundred forty six plant products, 42 animal products and 22 organic/inorganic materials were found to be used in these 949 formulations. Five plant species- Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae), Cocos nucifera (Arecaceae), Oroxylum indicum (Bignonaceae), Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae) and Allium sativum (Liliaceae) used by maximum number of Maiba and Maibi in maximum number of formulations.

Recommendation

This particular method of documentation keeps traditional knowledge alive. The WHO estimated perspective of traditional medicine across the world. These observations support therapeutic worth of Manipur Traditional medicines (MTM). Having generated a large database in course of this survey, next focus targeted for the scientific justification of MTM with an aim to develop commercially viable products.

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Graphical abstract

Keywords

• Traditional health care practice;
• Manipur;
• North east india;
• Traditional knowledge;
• Maiba and Maibi

Corresponding author at: Scientist (Pharmacology) Medicinal Plants and Horticultural Resources Division Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) (Department of Biotechnology, Government of India) Takyelpat Institutional Area, Imphal - 795001. Manipur, India. Tel.: +913852051278x255; Mobile: +919436890969; fax: +913852051277.

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