Maternity and medicinal plants in Vanuatu. I. The cycle of reproduction.

Ethnobotanical data collection to select pharmacologically active species was carried out within a clearly defined therapeutic context: those plants used during the course of a woman's reproductive life. Extensive bibliographical and field data collection and cross-examination of the information thus gathered have provided us with a clearer picture of the effectiveness of these plant species. Various concepts, behaviours and practices relating to menstruation, pregnancy, birth and birth control were examined in detail from an ethnopharmacological point of view. A list of selected species of particular interest is proposed for further study.