| Abstract Detail
Economic Botany Section Coe, Felix G. [1]. Rama Midwifery in eastern Nicaragua. Rama midwives in eastern Nicaragua use a wide array of plants in providing health care to women and infants. A total of 162 plant species, in 125 genera and 62 families were documented as useful in midwifery, over five years of fieldwork. Most (59%) medicinals are obtained from second-growth forest, and are used to treat more than 35 human ailments. Over 90% have some bioactive principle, most are trees 40%) or herbs (31%), and leaves are the most frequently used plant part. Most herbal remedies are prepared as decoctions and are administered orally. Most midwifery species are wild, but many important species are introduced domesticates native to the NW and OW tropics. This study is important because it is the first systematic study of midwifery in eastern Nicaragua and particularly of Rama midwifery. Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - University of Connecticut, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 85 Lawler Road, West Hartford, CT, 06117, USA
Keywords: Rama midwifery Eastern Nicaragua Midwifery medicinals Maternal-infant health.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for BSA Sections Session: 42 Location: Magpie B/Cliff Lodge - Level B Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 Time: 11:15 AM Number: 42005 Abstract ID:271 |