Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Medicinal Plants of a Folk Medicinal Healer of Rangpur District, Bangladesh

A.K. Azad
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Md. Rubel Mahmud
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Afsana Parvin
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Amit Chakrabortty
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Farzana Akter
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Sumaya Islam Moury
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Inin Pervin Anny
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Syeda Rehnoma Tarannom
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Shahriar Kabir Joy
Sadia Yeasmin Chowdhury Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Sadia Yeasmin Chowdhury
Sadia Yeasmin Chowdhury Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Shahina Akter
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Mohammed Rahmatullah*
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka1209, Bangladesh, India.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Folk medicinal healers (Kavirajes) of Bangladesh use a variety of medicinal plants to treat diseases and the selection of medicinal plants differs widely between Kavirajes of even adjacent areas. Thus, it is important to document the medicinal plants and formulations of individual Kavirajes. The objective of this study was to document the plants and formulations of a Kaviraj of Rangpur district, Bangladesh. The study was carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided filed-walk method. The Kaviraj was observed to use a total of 17 plants distributed into 15 families in his formulations. The plants were used to treat various types of pain, fever, respiratory tract disorders, jaundice, skin disorders, liver disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, abscess, and chicken pox. Since ethnomedicinal observations can lead to further scientific research and discovery of new drugs, the medicinal plants used by the Kaviraj merit scientific attention.

Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Kaviraj, Rangpur, Bangladesh, Medicinal plants

Location: Rangpur district, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

The objective of the present study was to document the medicinal practices of a Kaviraj of Rangpur district, Bangladesh which is in the northern part of the country.

Methodology:

The village had one practicing Kaviraj named Md. Acher Ali, and 58 years of age. Visits were made to the village and the Kaviraj to create mutual understanding and a sense of kinship with the villagers and the Kaviraj.

Prior Informed Consent was first obtained from the Kaviraj. He was thoroughly apprised as to the nature of our visit and consent obtained to disseminate any information both nationally and internationally. It may be mentioned that the Kaviraj was at first reluctant about divulging his medicinal plant knowledge, but after several meetings was convinced to the extent that he agreed to disclose everything that he knows about medicinal plants to the interviewers. Actual interviews were conducted in the Bengali language, which was spoken fluently by the Kaviraj as well as the interviewers. The interviews were conducted with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided filed-walk method of Martin and Maundu. In this method the Kaviraj took the interviewers on guided field walks through areas from where he collected his medicinal plants, pointed out the plants, and describe their uses. All plant specimens were photographed and collected on the spot, pressed, dried and brought back to Bangladesh National Herbarium in Dhaka for identification. Voucher specimens were deposited with the Medicinal Plant Collection Wing of the University of Development Alternative.

Source of Information: Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2014; 2(5): 46-50

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Taken together, the various plants used by the Kaviraj have to a lesser or greater extent can be seen to be scientifically validated in their uses. Not only this suggests the medicinal plant knowledge of the Kaviraj, but it further points out to the importance of scientifically studying the medicinal plants used by the Kavirajes of Bangladesh, which can possibly result in discovery of lead compounds and novel drugs.

Knowledge Management: Journal