Ethno medicine “The uses of ‘Aju-Mbaise’ in post partum care

Abstract

A survey of the plants used in post partum care in Mbaise and its environs popularly known as Aju Mbaise was carried out. A series of unstructured interview was used to elicit information from about 36 participants made up of the old women and herbalists who dispense the wraps especially that are used in post-partum treatment. This work aimed at unraveling and documenting the plants that are found within the wrap for post-partum care and on the claim for its potency for treatment in parturition. The wrap is prepared from different plant parts which include leaves, flowers, fruits, twigs, barks, roots and even buds and administered as a decoction. At the end it was found that the wraps had plants drawn from 13 different families. These families include Acanthaceae, Menispermataceae, Ceasalpinoideae, Commelinaceae, Annonaceae, Convulvulaceae, Leguminosae, Euphorbiaceae, Sapotaceae, Asparagaceae and Myrtaceae. The range of treatments include high blood pressure, detoxification, oedema, erectile dysfunction and most especially in post-partum treatment. The plants from these families are wrapped together in one pad. In conclusion ethno-botanical survey revealed that decoction of ‘Aju Mbaise’, enhances quick recovery after child birth.