Rama midwifery in eastern Nicaragua

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Traditional Medicine
• Indigenous Health Practices

Background:

• Rama midwives in eastern Nicaragua possess extensive knowledge of medicinal plants.
• This knowledge is crucial for women's and infants' healthcare within the community.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically document the medicinal plants used by Rama midwives on Rama Cay.
• To record the ethnobotanical heritage of the Rama people, particularly concerning midwifery.

Main Methods:

• Field investigations over 5 years, including semi-structured interviews with eight midwives.
• Collection of voucher specimens for plant identification.

Main Results:

• 162 plant species across 62 families were documented for midwifery use.
• Medicinal plants are sourced from second-growth forests and used for over 35 ailments.
• Most plants (over 90%) possess bioactive principles; trees and herbs are most common, with leaves being the primary plant part used.

Conclusions:

• The study represents the first systematic documentation of Rama midwifery practices and their associated ethnobotany.
• Despite cultural changes, the Rama people continue to rely on traditional midwifery, underscoring the importance of preserving this knowledge.
• Medicinal plant use in Rama midwifery is diverse, incorporating both wild and introduced species.