- Visibility 268 Views
- Downloads 210 Downloads
- Permissions
- DOI 10.18231/j.jpmhh.v.11.i.1.5
-
CrossMark
Knowledge and use of traditional herbal home remedies among rural households in Paniv and surrounding areas, Maharashtra
- Author Details:
-
Pankaj Khuspe
-
Sujit Desai
-
Abhijeet Survase
-
Kiran Ingole
-
Vinay Gaikwad *
Pankaj Khuspe
Sujit Desai
Vinay Gaikwad *
Traditional herbal home remedies continue to play a significant role in primary healthcare practices among rural communities in India. This review investigates the knowledge, use, and transmission patterns of herbal home remedies among households in Paniv and nearby villages in Maharashtra. India, home to one of the world's oldest medicinal traditions, sees over 70% of its rural population relying on traditional medicine for their health needs, often due to limited access to modern healthcare. The review explores the commonly used medicinal plants, their therapeutic applications, and the sociocultural factors influencing their use. Data were gathered through structured interviews, household surveys, and focus group discussions conducted in Paniv and its adjacent villages, ensuring a diverse representation of the community. Notably, herbs such as Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Neem (Azadirachta Indica), Adulsa (Justicia Adhatoda), and Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) emerged as frequently utilized for treating respiratory ailments, skin infections, digestive issues, and minor wounds. The transmission of this knowledge predominantly occurs through oral traditions, with elderly women acting as primary custodians of ethnomedicinal practices. Despite the benefits, challenges such as inconsistent dosing, potential toxicity, and lack of scientific validation present limitations to widespread adoption. This article emphasizes the importance of integrating ethnobotanical wisdom with modern healthcare systems and the need for further pharmacological validation of these remedies. It advocates for policy frameworks that protect indigenous knowledge while promoting safe, effective, and culturally sensitive healthcare practices in rural India.
References
- Pandey MM, Rastogi S, Rawat AK. Indian Traditional Ayurvedic System of Medicine and Nutritional Supplementation. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat Med. 2013, 2013, 376327.
- Ravishankar B, Shukla VJ. Indian Systems of Medicine: A Brief Profile. Afr J Tradit Complement. Altern Med. 2007;4(3):319–37. 27 Gaikwad et al. / Journal of Preventive Medicine and Holistic Health2025;11(1):23-27
- Ekor, M. The Growing Use of Herbal Medicines: Issues Relating to Adverse Reactions and Challenges in Monitoring Safety. Front Pharmacol. 2014;4:177.
- Srinivasa R, Sugumar VR. Spread of Traditional Medicines in India: Results of National Sample Survey Organization’s Perception Survey on Use of AYUSH. J Evid Based Comp Altern Med. 2017;22(2):194–204..
- Government of Maharashtra. Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2012–13. https://mahades.maharashtra.gov.in/files/publication/esm_2012- 13_eng.pdf (accessed July 16, 2025).
- Shahane MK, Devarkar VD. Ethnobotanical Study of Solapur District[Maharashtra. Sci Park Res J. 2015;2(52):1-3.
- Sharma PK. Singh A, Sharma NKA. Socio-Ecological Critique on India’s Local Health Traditions Amidst Rising Incidence of Global Pandemics. J Herb Med. 2022;34:100578.
- Ugargol AP, Mukherji A, Tiwari R. In Search of a Fix to the Primary Health Care Chasm in India: Can Institutionalizing a Public Health Cadre and Inducting Family Physicians Be the Answer?. Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia. 2023;13:100197.
- Saravanan R. Das M. Medicinal Plants Industry in India: Challenges, Opportunities and Sustainability. Med Plants - Int J Phytomed Relat Ind. 2024;16(1):1–14.
- Dey A, De J. Ethnobotanical Survey of Purulia District, West Bengal, India for Medicinal Plants Used Against Gastrointestinal Disorders. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012;143(1):68–80.
- Sukanya K, Sukeerthi T, Sujatha D, Kalpana S. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Survey on Traditional Systems of Medicine Among the University Students. Int J Health Sci. 2022;6(7):5563–82.
- Srinivasan R, Sugumar VR. Spread of Traditional Medicines in India: Results of National Sample Survey Organization’s Perception Survey on Use of AYUSH. J Evid Based Complemen Altern Med. 2017;22(2):194–204.
- Kessler CS, Perera PK. Puthiyedath R, Dhruva A. Editorial: The Increasing Relevance of Traditional Medicine Systems for the Primary Health Care Sector and General Practice: Global Research Perspectives. Front Med. (Lausanne). 2025;11:1533361.
- Agyei-Baffour P, Kudolo A, Quansah DY. Integrating Herbal Medicine into Mainstream Healthcare in Ghana: Clients’ Acceptability, Perceptions and Disclosure of Use. BMC Comp Altern Med. 2017;17:513.
- Kumar, S.; Singh, R.; Kampani, S.; Gopal, K. M. Policy Mandates for Ayush in National Health Policy-2017: Achievements, Impediments, and Future Prospects. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2025;14(5):1597–603.
- Torri M. Mainstreaming Local Health Through Herbal Gardens in India: A Tool to Enhance Women Active Agency and Primary Health Care? Environ Dev. Sustain. 2012;14(3):389-406.