THE ROLE OF MANIPURI WOMEN ON MEDICINAL PLANTS SECTOR
DR. LEIMAPOKPAM PROMILA DEVI
JOINT DIRECTOR/MEMBER SECTRETARY
MANIPUR STATE MEDICINAL PLANTS BOARD
DIRECTORATE OF AYUSH, LAMPHELPAT,
IMPHAL WEST, MANIPUR—795004
The population of Manipur originally comprised of the Meiteis / Meeteis who
dwell in the Imphal Valley, and the tribals or hill peoples. In the seventeen-eighteen
century Muslims (Pangals) and Brahmins and formed representing a mosaic of plural
cultures. The history of Manipur framed by different writers are not mentioned
thoroughly on pre-historic era, may be because of uncertainty mainland structure. But,
the ancestry history is something different. There are several examples of women who
have succeeded in cracking the ceiling despite all odds. But the majority of women are
not empowered in the true sense of the term various ethnic group belonging to the hilly
and plain area of Manipur have some distinctive capability to contribute in many
complexities like women's war (Nupilal) - 1904. And mention may be made some
important lists of active participation of Queen Laisna wife of Nongda Lairen
pakhangba who throne at Kangla in 33-154 Ce. Queen Linthoinganbi (1432 - 1467 Ce)
and many others which I cannot mentioned all. Despite, there are some contribution of
women Torch bearer "Meira paibi" and Nisha Bandhs to the well being of society in
different role apart from historical events.
*The role of Amaibi (Healer Lady)
There are some categories of Amaibi like Tarang Laipao Maibi who give spiritual
messages on health care and other information of the happens to be occurred in life.
They are the divine healer group. They use spiritual process along with medicinal herbs
to cure the condition of ailment.
Ametpa Loisang "Institute of Women Physiotherapy" were established during the
King's period for health care management. At present there are many women healers in
Manipur based of plants products apart from the spiritual dimension. The extension and
upgradation of their effort to serve society mainly on health care and food products are
necessary to encourage them in an enterprising manner. These systems are to be a
prioritize providing them with probable technical help in support to render their
services. These may lead to help a big economy background to run their family
requirements. It is also a big an equivalent right of living.
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*Some important steps to follow by women on Medicinal Plants.
1.Identification of medicinal and aromatic plants that grows at the garden yards
and their utilization for healing aids.
2.To learn cultivation, collection and good storage practices of different
medicinal plants species with proper quality grading techniques.
3.To give them knowledge about wild edible plants and their method of using as
food.
4.Identification of toxic plants grows in an around homestead and locally
available plants species.
5.To know the medicinal properties and food values of some common edible
plants that easily available at local areas or found in the market.
6.To have the ideas of Primary healing practice to solve self economy problems
and other humanity services.
*Some edible plants and medicinal properties.
1.
Emblica officinalis Gaertn.
Eng.: Emblic myrabolan, Indian gooseberry; Hindi: Amla; Beng.: Amla; Asm.:
Amlaki; Mizo: Sunhlu Nep.: Aonla; Mani.: Heikru.
Tree, ca 5 – 15 cm high. Leaves compound of small leaflets, puts bipinnate. Flowers
small, yellowish white, borne in cluster. Fruits roundish in varying sizes.
Fl.& Fr.: August – October.
Distrib. : Mostly in tropics.
Parts uses: Whole plant.
Clinical properties: Diuretic, expectorant, laxative, antidote, antiemetic and tonic.
Uses: Fruits are edible, used in making pickles. Fruit juice is prescribed in the case
of nervine disorders, tongue paralysis, lost of appetite, indigestion, thirst, constipation,
urinary disturbances and checked vomiting. The pounded of fruit is used in treating
cough, asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, piles, liver complaints, gastritis, vaginal complaints,
leucorrhoea and recommended for all kinds of above disorders. The infusion of bark is
used in the case of dysentery and checked inflammation of mucus membrane of
alimentary tracts. The decoction of leaf is also considered in treating diabetes. In
veterinary practice, leaf is used in treating gastrointestinal complaints. The paste of bark
is applied over the burns. The paste of leaf is used over the insect bites.
Doses:
i. 2-3 gm pounded of fruit 2-3 times in a day.
ii. 2-3 teaspoon of fruit juice is taken with honey 2-3 times in a day.
iii. 60 ml decoction of leaf 2-3 times in a day.
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2.
Centella asiatica
Eng.: Indian penny wort; Hindi: Bramhi, Bramha manduki; Beng.: Beng pata; Asm.:
Manimuni; Nep.: Thankhuni; Mani.: Peruk.
Annual prostrate herbs, extended rooting at the nodes. Leaves kidney-shaped or fanshaped, 2 – 3 cm in diameter with slender stalk. Fruits small, lobed, compressed on
axillary spikes.
Fl.& Fr.: March – June.
Distrib.:
Mostly in tropics and sub-tropics upto 6000 ft.
Parts uses: Whole plant.
Clinical properties: Laxative, haemostatic, diuretic, expectorant and tonic.
Uses: The infusion of whole plant is used in treating gastric flatutence, dysentery,
liver complaints, cough, fever, cardiac weakness and gastrointestinal disorders in
children. The decoction of whole plant is also recommended in treating the same above
cases. The infusion of leaf is used in treating acnes, constipation, sexual weakness, loss
of appetite and checked memory power. Externally, the paste of leaf is applied over the
cuts and skin infection. The pounded of whole plant is also used in treating the above
cases. Whole plant is used as vegetable.
Doses:
i.
ii.
iii.
20-30 gm infusion of whole plant at least 2 times a day.
100-200 ml decoction of whole plant 2-3 times a day with
a little common salt.
3-5 gm pounded of whole plant at least 2 times a day.
3. Allium cepa L.
Eng.: Onion; Hindi : Piaj; Beng.: Pianj; Asm.: Pias; Mizo.: Purum; Bhu.: Ochong;
Mani.: Tilhou.
Bulbous herbs. Leaves subdistichous, fistular. Flowers white, clustered on top end.
Herbs, cultivated for vegetable and culinary purposes.
Fl. & Fr.: September – October.
Distrib.: Cultivated everywhere up to 2000 m altitude.
Parts use : Whole plant.
Clinical properties : Expectorant, febrifuge, diuretic and tonic.
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Uses : Whole plant is edible. The paste of bulb is applied over the forehead in the
case of fever and it is also applicable over the insect bites. The juice of bulb is applied
over the eye complaints and baldness. The infusion of bulb is used in cough, fever,
gastritis, constipation, cholera, liver complaints, bronchitis, impotence, kidney stone and
induced flow of urine. The decoction of bulb is used in irregular menses and purified
blood. The pounded of bulb is also considered for the above disorders.
Doses :
i. 3-4 teaspoon infusion of bulb at least two times a day.
ii. 1gm pounded of bulb at least 2 times a day.
iii. 100ml decoction two times a day.
4. Allium Sativum L.
Eng.: Garlic; Hindi : Lahsun; Beng.: Lasun; Bhu.: Gogo; Asm.: Lahan; Mizo : Purun var;
Mani.: Chanam.
Herbs, up to 30 cm across. Leaves flat, lanceolate, spathes long-beaked. Flowers
small, white and clustered. Underground bulbs white or purplish.
Fl. & Fr.: June – September.
Distrib.: Mostly in tropics and sub-tropics up to 5000 feet altitude.
Parts uses : Whole plant.
Clinical properties : antidote, expectorant, anthelmintic and tonic.
Uses : Whole plant is edible. The poultice of bulblet is used with a little honey in
the case of tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia and expelled body worms. The bulblet are
lightly heated over a fry pan, it is taken in treating cardiac weakness, hypertension and
stomach disorder. Externally, the poultice of bulblet is applied over the scorpion bites
and other poisonous bites. Garlic soup is recommended in treating impotence and
checked cholesterol level. The strong decoction of bulblet is used as gargle in the case
of sore throat and tonsillitis with a little common salt. The paste of bulblet is applicable
over the leprosy.
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Doses :
i. 1gm crushed of raw bulblet at least 2 times a day with honey.
ii. 5-6 bulblets are heated and taken at least 2 times a day.
iii. The paste of fresh bulblet is applied 2-3 times a day over the affected
parts of leprosy.
5. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.)
Hindi: Suran, jamikand; Beng.: Aol; Mani.: Lincheisumanbi; Asm.: Jangali alu
Erect herbs, 50 – 70 cm hight. Leaves large, many lobed, spathe 50 – 60 cm long.
Flowers yellowish underground corms edible.
Fl. & Fr.: July – November.
Distrib.: Mostly in tropics.
Parts uses: young stem and corm.
Clinical properties: Antidote, laxative, expectorant, anthelmintic and tonic.
Uses: Young stems and underground corms are edible, used as vegetable. Corm is
used in treating throat complaints, asthma, constipation, piles, cholera, gastritis,
rheumatism, gastric balls, dysentery, body obesity and expelled body worms.
Externally, the poultice of corm is applied with honey over the painful parts. In
veterinary practice, it is prescribed in gastrointestinal complaints.
Doses:
I.
II.
3-5gm pounded of corm at least 2 times a day.
About 100gm corm or young stem is taken in the form of curry.
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