Volume 9, Issue 5

In Umuahia, malaria constitutes a major public health problem just like in other part of Nigeria but, until now, the population still mostly relies on herbal medicines for healing. This study aimed to document medicinal plants used for malaria therapy in Umuahia, and for search of new antiplasmodial herbal medicines (HMs) for further investigation. Semi-structured questionnaire interviews were used to gather ethnobotanical and sociodemographic data from traditional healers of the study area. A total of 37 plant species belonging to 25 families were mentioned by respondents that cure malaria. Rutaceae, Asteraceae and Apocynaceae families, with 3 species each were the most represented, followed by Lamiaceae, Gentianaceae, Fabaceae and Costaceae with 2 species each. For the rest, 18 families were represented by only one species. The calculated RFC (Relative frequency of citation) indicated that species such as Sarcocephalus latifolius (RFC = 0.33), Cymbopogon citratus (RFC = 0.33), Carica papaya (RFC = 0.27), Azadirachta indica (RCF = 0.27), Chromolena odorata (RFC = 0.27) and Uvaria cheame (RFC = 0.27) were the most used in the treatment of malaria by traditional medicine healers in Umuahia. Investigations results had identified 36 species commonly used in Umuahia traditional medicine to treat malaria. Traditional Medicines Practitioners - TMPs of Umuahia understand and treat malaria using the available plant diversity from their huge forest and the herbal gardens within. The healers are very keen at plant conservation which is a good practice. Species like Uvaria chaeme may be investigated further for antiplasmodial assays to justify its efficacy. Plant parts used could either be the barks, roots, leaves, or whole plants. The recipes also could be a combination of various species of plants or plant parts.

Gingivitis is common periodontal disease. The symptoms present are swollen gums, pain and bleeding. Main cause is lack of maintenance of proper oral hygiene. In ayurveda it comes under danthamoolagata rogas. A case series on management of gingivitis is discussed. Twenty patients in the age group of 15 to 50 yrs from both sexes were included and the patients having fungal infections, oral carcinoma, leukaemia, dental carries were excluded. The patients were advised to apply the paste of Eranda taila (castor oil) and Karpoora (camphor) twice a day for 20 minutes for 7 days and were and to maintain proper oral hygiene. The assessments of symptoms were done at the end of 7 days and follow up after 15 days and 1 month. The pain, swelling and bleeding was also considerably reduced. The combination of these two shows considerable relief in patients having gingivitis.

Darunaka is a common relapsing scalp condition that negatively effect the quality of life of the sufferer. It is a kapha vata predominant condition and kandu, twak sputana, rukshata and keshachuti are the symptoms explained in classics. Different procedures and medication are mentioned in Ayurveda for the treatment of the disease Darunaka. This is a pre and post study to evaluate the efficacy of Darunakaroganashaka arka mentioned in Arkaprakasha for the management of Darunaka. Arka is prepared out of Haritaki, Amrabeeja majja and goksheera and is applied externally over the scalp to reduce the condition. The study was effective in reducing the symptoms of Darunaka with less reoccurrence rate and easy application. REFERENCES 1. Sri Dalhanaacharya, Sushruta Samhita with Nibandha Sangraha commentary, Varanasi Varanasi, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan. Nidhana Sthana , 2013, chapter 13, sloga no. 3, page no 318. 2. Pt.Hari Sadashiva Shastri Paradakara(ed), Ashtanga Hridaya, Varanasi. Chaukhambha Sanskrit sansthan, Reprint 2015, Uttara sthana, Chapter 23, Sloka number 20, Page number 859. 3. Lankapathiravana, Arkaprakasha, 1st ed, Varanasi; Chaukambha Krishnadas academy,1995. 4. Veerayya R Hiremath, M.V Subramanya, Vasant Patil, A Clinical study of Gunjataila and Tilataila Shiroabhyanga in the Management of Darunaka, AYUSHDHARA, 2016;(4):792 796

Ayurveda, the science of healthful living is most rational & scientific amongst the ancient systems of medicine, which has struck its deep & permanent roots in the minds of the people of this country about its capacity to provide effective cure for all types of diseases. Rasa-shastra is a branch, which deals with herbs, minerals and metals to produce the drugs with higher efficacy in lower doses with good palatability. Bhasmas are unique dosage form of Rasa-shastra. The selected work of Pravalpanchamrita rasa is the most significant contribution of ‘Yogratnakar’. All the constituents of Pravalpanchamrita rasa are from the marine origin. It is mainly used in Anaha, Gulma, Shwas, Kasa, Agnimandhya, Meha, Mutraroga and Grahani. This study includes the standardization of Pravalpanchamrita rasa with the help of ayurvedic analysis (panchendriya pariksha) & modern analysis (physico-chemical analysis). In this study, three samples of Pravalpanchamrita rasa will be prepared for analytical studies.