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Table 1 Kry medicinal plants used in women's healtcare

From: Traditions and plant use during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery by the Kry ethnic group in Lao PDR

Scientific name

Lao name

Kry name

Vouchers

Part used

Preparation

Medicinal use

Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae

Nga Kiou

Peuale Hoey; Peuale Kiou

VL 1445; VL 1571; VL 1758; VL 1842; Kool 501; Kool 518; Kool 634; Kool 653

Roots

Decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st phase: Perineal healing; Retraction of the uterus

Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. Zingiberaceae

Kha

Prorbe, Prai

VL1748; VL 1383; VL 1776; VL 1854

Rhizome; Leaves; Pseudostems

Roast-Eat; Decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st phase; Postpartum diet; Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Anaemia (dizziness, headache); Mild puerperal fever; Lactagogue

Amaranthus spinosa L. Amarantaceae

Hom Nam

Kouad Pri

VL 2148

Roots

Cold-infusion-drink

Postpartum varicella

Amomum microcarpum C.F. Liang & D. Fang Zingiberaceae

Makneng Kham

Pray Makneng Didi

VL 1371; VL 1763; VL 1828; VL 2039; Kool 503; ELLA 13; ELLA 16

Leaves; Pseudostems

Decoction-wash

Infant fever, reduces temperature

Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. Moraceae

Mak Mi

Mak Mi

VL 2125; Kool 472; ELLA 50

Powdered Bark; Leaves

Cold apply; Decoction-drink

Neonatal navel healing; Lactagogue

Barringtonia longipes Gagnep. Lecythidaceae

Nomngan

Nomngan

VL 1485; VL 1757

Leaves

Roast-warm poultice or massage

Lactagogue; Painful or hard breasts; Improve flow of milk

Bischofia javanica Blume Euphorbiaceae

Somphat

Jalangdeum; Kreuale Somphat

VL 1752; VL 2043

Leaves

Roast-poultice or massage; Crush-cover or poultice

Lactagogue; Painful or hard breasts; Improve flow of milk; Neonatal navel healing

Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. Asteraceae

Nad

Tring

VL1751; VL 1824; Kool 614; ELLA 49; ELLA 57; ELLA 78

Leaves; Stems

Decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase; Perineal healing; Retraction of the uterus; Miscarriage recovery

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. Fabaceae

Kheua Sai Xang

Ksi Sai Xang

VL 2133

Leaves

Cold infusion-drink

Infant diarrhoea

Calamus rudentum Lour. Arecaceae

Boun

Ksi Pieule

VL 1756; Kool 668

Shoots

Roast-eat

Postartum recovery 1st phase; Postpartum diet; Lactagogue

Callicarpa arborea Roxb. Verbenaceae

Kapha

Kapha

VL 2036

Sapwood; Innerbark

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase; Expel lochia; Postpartum abdominal pain; Perineal healing; Retraction of the uterus

Castanopsis indica (Lindl.) A.DC. Fagaceae

Ko Nam

Kreuale Ko

VL 1468

Leaves

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Postpartum secondary haemorrhage; Perineal healing; Retraction of the uterus

Catunaregam spathulifolia Tirv. Rubiaceae

Maksak; Mak NamKhak

Makkhak

VL 1340; VL 1463; VL 1514; VL 1552

Stems; Sapwood

Roast-decoction-drink; Cold-infusion-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Expel lochia; Perineal healing; Retraction of the uterus; Abdominal pain; Varicella

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. Apiaceae

Pak Nok

Kouad Tchoknok

VL 1817; VL 1393; Kool 523; Kool 553

Whole plant

Crush-poultice

Infant high fever, reduces temperature

Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) B.L.Burtt & A.W.Hill Anacardiaceae

Mak Meua

Mak Meua

VL 2039; VL 1770a

Inner bark; Stems

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st phase: Expel lochia; Perineal healing; Retraction of the uterus; Postpartum secondary haemorrhage; Postpartum recovery 2nd phase: Anaemia (dizziness, headache); Mild puerperal fever

Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. King & H.Robinson Asteraceae

Nga Frang

Peuale Ngeuraman

VL 1787; Kool 540; Kool 632; Kool 648

Roots

Decoction-drink

Premenstruation pain; Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Perineal healing; Retraction of the uterus; Expel lochia

Cissus repens Lam. Vitaceae

En On

Ksi En On

VL 1843; VL 1346; VL 1484; VL 1564

Twigs; Leaves

Roast-warm poultice or massage

Infant is late to learn walking

Diospyros apiculata Hiern Ebenaceae

Kheuateuan

Kheuateuan

VL 1465; VL 1536

Ripe fruits

Fresh-eat

Abortifacient

Dracaena angustifolia (Medik.) Roxb. Agavaceae

Khonkhen

Pong Khonkhen

VL 1449; VL 1535

Leaves

Boil-steamsauna

Postpartum recovery 2nd phase: Restorative/aperative; Puerperal fever; Physical recovery

Embelia ribes Burn. Myrsinaceae

Kheua Leuat

Ksi Leuad

VL 1739; VL 2035; Kool 500

Stems; Roots

Decoction-drink; Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st phase: Abdominal pain, Expel lochia; Postpartum recovery 2nd phase: Postpartum bleeding; Perineal healing; Retraction of the uterus; Physical recovery

Ficus hispida L.f. Moraceae

Deuapong

Keuale Deuapong

VL 1810; VL 1548; VL 1821; Kool 511

Stems

Cold-infusion-drink; cold-infusion-wash

Neonatal rash after high fever

Glochidion eriocarpum Champ. Euphorbiaceae

Kambosouk

Kreuale Kambosouk

VL 1779; VL 1404; Kool 469

Roots; Twigs; Leaves

Decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phases: Anaemia (dizziness, headache); Mild puerperal fever; Abdominal pain

Gonocaryum lobbianum (Miers) Kurz Icacinaceae

Kanleuang

Sengmouang

VL 1396; VL 1424; VL 1516; Kool 470

Twigs; Leaves

Roast-warm poutice or massage

Lactagogue; Painful or hard breasts; Improve flow of milk

Hedychium sp. Zingiberaceae

Sayheuan

Langyang

VL 1745; VL 1829; VL 2031; Kool 506

Rhizome; Shoots

Decoction-drink; Fresh crush-drop in mouth of infant

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phases: Anaemia (dizziness, headache); Mild puerperal fever; Lactagogue; Infant oral candida; Infant fever

Houttuynia cordata Thund. Saururaceae

Khaothong

Kouad Khaothong

VL 1381

Whole plant

Crush-poultice

Infant fever, reduces temperature

Lagerstroemia calyculata Kurz Lythraceae

Lan, Peuay

Ka Rong Prou

VL 1809; Kool 547; Kool 679

Innerbark

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phases: Expel lochia; Perineal healing; Retraction of the uterus

Macaranga denticulata (Blume) Müll.Arg. Euphorbiaceae

Po Houxang

Ta Yuathoh

VL 1754; VL 1553

Stems; Wood

Decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 2nd phase: Postpartum emmenagogue; Postpartum first menstruation (3rd phase)

Maesa spp. Myrsinaceae

Deuan

Deuan

VL 1861; VL 1869; VL 2041 Kool 543; Kool 842

Leaves; Stems

Roast-cold infusion-drink; Roast-decoction-drink

Infant diarrhoea; Infant fever

Mallotus barbatus Müll.Arg. Euphorbiaceae

Po Hou

Tchirang Tua Yua

VL 2049

Roots

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Postpartum abdominal pain, Postpartum secondary haemorrhage; Infant sprue

Musa acuminata Colla Musaceae

Mak Pi, Pi Kouay

Makpi; Ta Lou Ma La

VL 1755

Inflorescences; Young pseudostems

Roast-eat; Soup-eat

Pospartum recovery 1st phase: Postpartum diet; Lactagogue; Pregancy diet for easy delivery

Neonauclea purpurea (Roxb.) Merr. Rubiaceae

Saco

Tako

VL 1750; VL 1782; VL 1832

Leaves; Bark

Roast-decoction-drink

Infant fever, reduces temperature; Infant diarrhoea

Phoebe lanceolata (Nees) Nees Lauraceae

Phayven

Kreul Phaiven

VL 1353; VL 1511; Kool 538; Kool 619

Leaves

Warm poutice; Massage

Lactagogue: Painful or hard breasts; Improve flow of milk

Polyalthia cerasoides Benth. & Hook. Annonaceae

Namtaonoi

Namtaonoi

VL 1504; Kool 513; Kool 575

Stems

Decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Anaemia (dizziness, headache); Mild puerperal fever

Psidium guajava L. Myrtaceae

Mak Sida

Sida

VL 1344

Shoots; Leaves

Cold infusion-drink

Infant diarrhoea

Psychotria sarmentosa Blume Rubiaceae

Vanchod

Kreuale Vanchod

VL 1762; VL 1332; VL 1500; VL 1737; VL 1820; VL 1860; VL 2045; Kool 468

Roots; Stems

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Physical recovery; Lactagogue; Perineal healing; Retraction of the uterus

Rhapis laosensis Becc. Arecaceae

Sane

Koile Jule

VL 1439; VL 1481; Kool 571

Roots; Stems

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st phase: Anaemia (dizziness, headache), Puerperal fever, Blood loss, Weakness; Expel lochia; Miscarriage recovery: Miscarriage bleeding

Rubus cochinchinensis Tratt. Rosaceae

Katoum Deng

Ksi Katoun Noi

VL 1744; VL 1373; VL 1494; VL 1803; Kool 574

Roots

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Anaemia (dizziness, headache); Mild puerperal fever

Rubus tonkinensis F.Bolle Rosaceae

Katoum Khao

Katoum Nhai

Kool 552; Kool 631

Roots

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Anaemia (dizziness, headache); Mild puerperal fever

Smilax glabra Wall. ex Roxb. Smilacaceae

Ya Houa

Ya Houa

Kool 550; Kool 774; Kool 782; Kool 824

Tuber

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Anaemia (dizziness, headache); Mild puerperal fever

Syzygium antisepticum (Blume) Merr. & L.M.Perry Myrtaceae

Samek

Kouad Khamek

VL 1376; VL 1768

Innerbark

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Puerperal fever, Anaemia, Blood loss, Weakness

Tacca chantrieri André Taccaceae

Phiaphane

Toui

VL 1738; VL 1786; VL 1822; VL 1859; VL 2033; VL 2046; Kool 505

Whole plant

Decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st phase: Postpartum secondary bleeding; Perineal healing, Retraction of the uterus; Expel lochia; Abdominal pain

Tamarindus indicus L. Fabaceae

Mak Kham

Kham

VL 2126

Stems; Leaves

Steambath; Decoction-wash

Postpartum recovery 2nd phase: Varicella, Mild puerperal fever; Neonatal rash after high fever

Tetracera scandens (L.) Merr. Dilleniaceae

Sandin

Ksi Borlor

VL 2048; VL 1408

Roots

Roast-decoction-drink; Fresh- chew

Postpartum recovery 1st phase: Postpartum secondary haemorrhage, Aperative; Infant oral candida

Trevesia palmata (Lindl.) Vis. Araliaceae

Tang

Kreuale Tang

VL 2032; VL 1740; VL 1835

Stems; Roots

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Perineal healing, Retraction of the uterus; Expel lochia; Abdominal pain; Physical recovery; Lactagogue

Uncaria macrophylla Wall. Rubiaceae

Kho Bet

Ksi Kho Bet

VL 1795; VL 1875

Stems; Leaves

Decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st phase: Postpartum apertive

Zea mays L. Poaceae

Sali

Sali

Cultivated

Corn

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st phase: Delivery abdominal pain; Expel lochia

Zingiber officinale Roscoe Zingiberaceae

Kingdeng, Pidin

Tai Sheure

VL 1827

Leaves

Decoction-drink; Roast-poultice-message

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Anaemia (dizziness, headache), Mild puerperal fever; Lactagogue; Lactagogue, Painful or hard breasts, Improve flow of milk

Ziziphus funiculosa Ham. Rhamnaceae

Kamlang Seuakong

Kamlang Seuakhong

VL 1347; VL 1426; VL 1563; VL 2044; Kool 546

Bark; Roots

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Anaemia (dizziness, headache), Mild puerperal fever; Physical recovery

Ziziphus oenoplia (L.) Mill. Rhamnaceae

Lep Miou

Ksi Lep Miou

VL 1365; Kool 680

Stems

Roast-decoction-drink

Postpartum recovery 1st and 2nd phase: Expel lochia; Postpartum abdominal pain; Perineal healing, Retraction of the uterus; Physical recovery