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The Use of Plants in Traditional Health Care Practice of the Shaiji Community in Southwestern Bangladesh

M. Abdul Halim
Department of Forestry, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

M. S. H. Chowdhury*
Department of Forestry, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

A. I. Wadud
Department of Forestry, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

M. S. Uddin
Department of Forestry, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

S. K. Sarker
Department of Forestry, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

M. B. Uddin
Department of Forestry, School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The Shaiji, a religio-cultural community of southwestern Bangladesh, have an indigenous medication system using locally grown plants. A total of 36 individuals were interviewed using questionnaire. The Shaiji, living in the interior or near bushy habitats for the sake of meditation and other spiritual activities, were found to be totally dependent on herbal medicines for treating ailments ranging from casual cold to diabetes. As this indigenous knowledge is handed down orally from generation to generation, there is a great possibility that the knowledge will be lost over time. A total of 47 plant species were used by the Shaiji for medicinal purposes. They mainly used leaves, either taken orally or used externally. They used the plant species in a sustainable manner and also cultivated some. Thus, they play an important role in biodiversity conservation.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, Shaiji, Indigenous knowledge

Location: Kustia, Chuadanga and Meherpur

Start Date: 00-01-2006

End Date: 00-05-2006

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

This study was undertaken to ascertain their indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants in Kustia and adjacent regions.

Methodology:

Although the Shaiji are distributed sporadically all over Bangladesh, three districts, namely Kustia, Chuadanga and Meherpur, were selected because most of them live in these areas. The study was conducted from January till May 2006. In each district, one sub-district was selected. These were Kumarkhali from Kustia, Alamdanga from Chuadanga and Meherpur Sadar from Meherpur. A list of key respondents (mostly elders) was prepared based on their expertise in using medicinal plants. There was no gender consideration. Twelve Shaiji from each subdistrict were randomly selected from the list to maintain a sampling frequency of 25%. They were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to ascertain the plants they use, parts they use, for what diseases, sources they prefer, the reason for cultivating any plant and the eagerness of the younger generation in this regard. The plant species used for medicine were firstly identified by local names. The scientific names were obtained by consulting the literature (BARC 1972–1992, Chopra et al. 1992, Chevallier 1996, Das & Alam 2001). A final list of the species used for medicinal purposes was prepared based on the study by Dey (2006). The method of utilization of plant species was obtained from skilled and experienced older members of the community. A random study was conducted to ascertain the dependency of the Shaiji people on medicinal plant for treating different diseases. In this case, 100 respondents of > 20 years old were asked whether they use medicinal plants and the number was noted down.

Source of Information: Journal of Tropical Forest Science 19(3): 168–175 (2007)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The dependency of the Shaiji on plants for health care showed a particular pattern of forest resource exploitation. While there is issue regarding the conservation of biological diversity all over the world, this community is using plants for their health care in a sustainable manner. They cultivate plants that seem to be rare and ultimately have developed arboretum for conserving plants. For a complete understanding of the traditional medicinal knowledge of the Shaiji community, chemical analysis of the respective plant parts should be undertaken. This may provide clues for the treatment of even noncurable diseases. Besides, the young generation should be motivated to acquire this traditional medicinal knowledge.

Knowledge Management: Journal