By R. Bourdeix, XXXX and XXXX.
In construction
Plants have been used as medicines throughout the world in ancient times and in countries like PNG they are very much in use today by the indigenous people. Papua New Guinea has a rich heritage of traditional knowledge of the uses of plants as medicines. It is through trial and error process that people selected the plants for their medicinal values.
Over 600 medicinal plants have been reported identified in PNG (Holdsworth 1977), of which 448 have been botanically described. Some 324 plants have been completely identified to the species level which represents 175 different species. Some of these plant species may have been found to be used for similar ailments in other parts of the world. Papua New Guinea is so diverse in traditions, social norms, customs and the general way of living. The use of medicinal plants and the kind of plant species used also vary from one area to another.
It would be very lengthy to try and list down all medicinal plant species that are found and used in PNG. There are plants available in the country for treating snake, scorpion and insect bites, burns, sore throats, toothache, constipation, dysentery and diarrhoea, tropical ulcers, skin rashes and boils. Number of plants are used as contraceptives and some are used to promote easy childbirth and regulate menstruation. Plants such as Zingiber zerumbet Sm can also be used for sterility.
In construction
Plants have been used as medicines throughout the world in ancient times and in countries like PNG they are very much in use today by the indigenous people. Papua New Guinea has a rich heritage of traditional knowledge of the uses of plants as medicines. It is through trial and error process that people selected the plants for their medicinal values.
Over 600 medicinal plants have been reported identified in PNG (Holdsworth 1977), of which 448 have been botanically described. Some 324 plants have been completely identified to the species level which represents 175 different species. Some of these plant species may have been found to be used for similar ailments in other parts of the world. Papua New Guinea is so diverse in traditions, social norms, customs and the general way of living. The use of medicinal plants and the kind of plant species used also vary from one area to another.
It would be very lengthy to try and list down all medicinal plant species that are found and used in PNG. There are plants available in the country for treating snake, scorpion and insect bites, burns, sore throats, toothache, constipation, dysentery and diarrhoea, tropical ulcers, skin rashes and boils. Number of plants are used as contraceptives and some are used to promote easy childbirth and regulate menstruation. Plants such as Zingiber zerumbet Sm can also be used for sterility.
