Ethnopharmacology of Women-Centric Medicinal Plants
Abstract
Ethnopharmacology is a multidisciplinary field that explores the therapeutic use of natural resources, particularly medicinal plants, within traditional healthcare systems and evaluates their biological effects using modern scientific methods. Women's health has long occupied a central place in traditional medical systems, as women undergo complex physiological and hormonal changes across puberty, menstruation, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, menopause and ageing, each presenting specific health concerns. This chapter presents a comprehensive examination of the ethnopharmacology of women-centric medicinal plants, focusing on their traditional uses, phytochemical composition, pharmacological activities and therapeutic relevance in women's health. It reviews the concept of women-centric medicinal plants and the botanicals documented in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Unani, Kampo and indigenous healing traditions for managing menstrual irregularities, infertility, reproductive tract infections, pregnancy-related discomforts, postpartum recovery, lactation difficulties and menopausal symptoms. The chapter highlights bioactive constituents such as phytoestrogens, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and steroidal saponins, and emphasises the need for standardization, quality assurance, safety evaluation, robust clinical validation and conservation to support the integration of these plants into evidence-based healthcare systems.
Author Affiliations
- 1 Rajarambapu College of Pharmacy, Kasegaon, Tal. Walwa, Dist. Sangli, Maharashtra, India.