Traditional Reproductive Health Care Practices and Knowledge A Case of the Thadou of Manipur

The paper broadly deals with the traditional knowledge regarding reproductive health care among the Thadou, a tribe of Manipur. Thadous believe in traditional method of care and treatment for reproductive illness like vaginal discharge and other “diseases” during pregnancy and post partum. Certain eatable items are restricted during pregnancy and breast feeding period. Various plants and plant products are used for treating certain reproductive health problems. Many elderly persons of the village and experienced women have and still guard their knowledge, transmitted orally down through ages. They still believe in such traditional practices. It is found from a study, done by the author recently, that, though the modern reproductive health services are generally affordable and easy to access, the traditional practices are still in vogue. Due to the process of urbanization and culture contact, wide spread western medicine services available in the State, a threat to the indigenous knowledge emerges gradually, giving rise to a situation of medical pluralism.