Traditional wisdom unveiled: an ethnobotanical exploration of medicinal bath plants for postpartum and infant healthcare among the Hakka people in Guangdong, China

BACKGROUND: Medicinal baths are an important component of traditional Chinese medicine and are widely used for postpartum recovery, neonatal care, and general health maintenance. Although medicinal bathing practices among ethnic groups such as the Yao and Tibetan have been relatively well documented, ethnobotanical research on Hakka medicinal baths in Guangdong remains limited, despite their widespread use among postpartum women and newborns. METHODS: Field investigations were conducted in 19 Hakka settlements in northern Guangdong from 2023 to 2024. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, individual consultations, and field observations involving 138 Hakka informants. Fidelity Level (FL) and Informant Consensus Factor (FIC) were used to evaluate the cultural importance of medicinal bath plants and the degree of agreement among informants. RESULTS: A total of 108 medicinal bath plant species were documented, most of which were herbaceous. The most frequently used plant parts were the whole plant, leaves, and stems. Knowledge of medicinal bath practices was mainly concentrated among older women, who play a central role in postpartum and neonatal care. These plants were reported to be used for the prevention and management of more than 30 health conditions. FIC values ranged from 0.61 to 0.87, with the highest agreement observed for postpartum recovery, respiratory diseases, and skin diseases. Ten plant species had a Fidelity Level (FL) of 100%, indicating high cultural recognition and importance. Compared with the medicinal bath practices of neighboring Yao communities, Hakka practices are characterized by milder remedies, simpler formulations, and a stronger emphasis on family-based healthcare, particularly for mothers and infants. CONCLUSION: Hakka medicinal baths reflect intergenerational knowledge transmission, practical healthcare strategies, and culturally embedded healing practices. This study systematically documents the medicinal bath plants used by the Hakka in Guangdong and provides a basis for the conservation of traditional knowledge and the sustainable use of medicinal plant resources. The findings also highlight the relevance of Hakka medicinal bath practices in postpartum care, infant healthcare, and community-based complementary healthcare.