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Preventive Medicinal Plants Consumed by the Rural Population of Bangladesh – a Randomized Survey of Silakhana Village in Bagerhat District

Anita Paul
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Md. Hasan Al Arif
Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.

Muhammad Tazul Islam
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Sujit Biswas
Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.

Sadique Mohammad Arif
Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.

Sarder Arifuzzaman
Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.

Alok Kumar Paul
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Mohammed Rahmatullah
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Plants have always served human beings not only as medicines, i.e. for treatment of diseases, but also for prevention of diseases. That ‘prevention is better than cure’ is something that is readily agreed to by both doctors and patients. Bangladesh rural population on one hand lacks access to modern medical amenities like doctors and clinics, and on the other hand suffers from various diseases due to lack of proper sanitation and the lack of proper drinking water. In fact gastrointestinal disorders and respiratory tract infections are quite common among the rural population of Bangladesh. As such, they consume different plants at different times of the year, which according to them as well as practitioners of folk medicine can serve as effective preventions against various clinical disorders. Modern science has also recognized the importance of various plants and their constituents as viable factors towards prevention or at least reducing the incidences of ailments like cardiovascular disorders and cancer. The objective of the present study was to conduct a survey among the population of a randomly chosen village, namely Silakhana in Bagerhat district, Bangladesh. It was observed that the village population sixteen plants or plant parts for prevention of diseases like helminthiasis, gastrointestinal disorders like dysentery, diarrhea or constipation, loss of memory, loss of appetite, leucorrhea, menorrhagia, diabetes, weakness, headache, and respiratory tract infections. The plants merit potential for further scientific studies, for if the villager’s claims are proved to be accurate, these plants can serve as an effective means for prevention of various common diseases and contribute to considerable savings in the people as a whole on their medical-related costs.

Keywords: Preventive medicinal plants, Functional food, Silakhana, Bangladesh.

Location: Silakhana village in Bagerhat district of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

The objective of the present survey was to document the preventive medicinal plants consumed by the rural people of Silakhana village in Bagerhat district of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Silakhana village in Bagerhat district of Bangladesh was randomly chosen for the present survey. Consumtion of preventive medicinal plants is quite common among the rural population of bagerhat district as determined in an initial survey. It was found out that both folk medicinal practitioners, otherwise known as Kavirajes, prescribe preventive medicinal plants, and the rural people are quite cognizant of the preventive values of some plant species, which they consume at regular intervals throughout the year or while in season. They believe that consumption of such plant species helps in the prevention of a number of diseases, the most frequent of which are gastrointestinal disorders and respiratory tract infections. The total population of Silakhana village was estimated at around 2,000. Randomized surveys were conducted among the people with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. With the help of the questionnaire, the people surveyed were asked about whether they consume any preventive medicinal plants, and if the answer was in the affirmative, they were requested to show the plants and describe the mode and purpose of such consumption. Plant specimens were procured through the field-walk method, where the people surveyed took the interviewers on guided field-walks through areas from where they collected those plants, pointed out the plants and described their uses. Plant specimens were photographed and collected on the spot, dried, and brought back for complete identification at the Bangladesh National Herbarium at Dhaka.

Source of Information: American-Eurasian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 6(4): 276-280, 2012 ISSN 1995-0748

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

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Achievement/Findings:

The uses of several other plants have been scientifically validated. Bacopa monnieri has been shown to enhance human memory (Roodenrys et al., 2002). Analgesic activity of stem bark of Spondias pinnata extract has been reported (Panda, 2009). From the already validated plant species, it is expected that the other plants or plant parts used by the Silakhana villagers as preventive medicines may also be validated following appropriate scientific research. Such validation could prove enormously beneficial to particularly the poor segments of the population of the whole world, those who are unable to meet the treatment costs for diseases, or lacks access to modern medicinal facilities.

Knowledge Management: Journal