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Use of Leeches to Cure Diseases by a Folk Herbalist of Tangail District, Bangladesh

Nafisa Rounak Rongon
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Nusrat Kamal
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Sharmin Akter
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Adity Hossain
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Zahura Binte Hoque
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mohammed Rahmatullah
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Leeches have been used in traditional medicinal practices from ancient times and is making a comeback in modern medicine in recent days. The objective of this study was to document the therapeutic practices of a folk herbalist (FH) in Tang ail district, Bangladesh who used a combination of leeches and plant-derived oil mainly to treat various types of pain. However, interestingly, leeches were not used by the FH for sucking blood; rather, leeches were fried or decomposed in olive or coconut oil, and the oil used for the treatment of various types of pain and skin disorders. This type of particular use of leeches is novel and to our knowledge not previously reported from Bangladesh. The practice also suggests that leeches might possess chemical substance(s) in their body, which can assuage pain and skin infections.

Keywords: Folk herbalist, Leech, Tangail, Bangladesh

Location: Korotia village, Purbo Para, Tangail district, Bangladesh.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to document this hirudotherapy combined with phytotherapy practices of a folk herbalist in Tangail district, Bangladesh.

Methodology:

The information was obtained from a folk herbalist (FH), namely Md. Shukur Ali, male, 57 years age, Korotia village, Purbo Para, Tangail district, Bangladesh. Prior informed Consent was obtained from the FH. He mentioned that his specialty is hirudotherapy, where he uses fried or fermented leeches to assuage pain and several skin disorders. The type of leech that he used was a species of cattle leech, mostly found in buffaloes since they wallow in the mud where leeches are plentiful. Hence the local name of the leech was moisha jok, moisha being the Bengali for buffaloes and jok the Bengali for leech. The two plant oils that he used with the leeches were olive and coconut oil, both oils as well as the leech species very commonly available in Bangladesh and so could be identified with certainty easily. Consent was obtained from the FH to disseminate the provided information in any way that the authors desired.

Source of Information: Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2019; 7(3): 01-04

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

However, interestingly, leeches were not used by the FH for sucking blood; rather, leeches were fried or decomposed in olive or coconut oil and the oil used for the treatment of various types of pain and skin disorders. This type of particular use of leeches is novel and to our knowledge not previously reported from Bangladesh. The practice also suggests that leeches might possess chemical substance(s) in their body, which can assuage pain and skin infections.

Knowledge Management: Journal