An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for primary male infertility in Vijayapur district, Karnataka, India

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey of Vijayapur district, comprising five tehsils, was conducted from February 2018 to September 2025. The main purpose of this survey was to document the traditional use of medicinal plants for male primary infertility in the Vijayapur district. A total of 15 species belonging to 15 genera and 12 families were found to be used to treat primary male infertility. Interviews were conducted among indigenous people, and practical knowledge of treating male infertility using local plants were documented. Male infertility, which affects 20–30% of infertility cases, is influenced by systemic diseases, hormonal imbalances, and lifestyle choices. Traditional medical practices in India, particularly in the Vijayapur district, utilize approximately 15 medicinal plant species to enhance sperm count and motility, including members of the Solanaceae family, including various herbal remedies prepared as decoctions and juices. Notable plants such as Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa and Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. have shown potential benefits, and M. pruriens shown to improve sperm parameters in stressed infertile men. Other plant species, such as Myristica fragrance Houtt. and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal., also contribute positively to reproductive health. The research highlights the need for further studies on local medicinal plants used for male infertility in the region.