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Folk Medicinal Practices in Keraniganj Upazila, Dhaka District, Bangladesh

Amirunnesa
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Sultana Koli
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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

Shipa
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

SM Shatil Shahriar
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mohammed Rahmatullah*
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Folk medicinal practitioners (FMPs) of Bangladesh are un-registered traditional medicinal practitioners who are not required to undergo any formal training and registration before they can practice. Their major mode of treatment is with plants. Contrary to popular beliefs, FMPs can be found practicing in cities, even Dhaka city, the capital of Bangladesh with a population of 15 million people. Although the practices of rural FMPs have been dealt in a few reports, urban and specially Dhaka district FMPs have more or less gone unnoticed. The objective of this study was to document the phytotherapeutic practices of a FMP, who practices in Keraniganj Upazila in Dhaka district. To be noted is that this Upazila adjoins Dhaka city and for most practical purposes is considered a suburb of the city. The FMP was found to use a total of 10 plants distributed into 9 families in his treatment. The formulations were extremely simple, all formulations being moon herbal. The diseases treated included tonsillitis, headache, loss of appetite, heart disorders, sexual problems, low hemoglobin concentration, prickly heat, bone fracture, eczema, toothache, and helmintic infections. Some of the uses of the present FMP are novel and previously unreported, thus presenting a researcher to conduct appropriate pharmacological studies towards discovery of new drugs.

Keywords: Ethnomedicine, folk medicine, Keraniganj, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Location: Keraniganj Upazila, Dhaka district, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

We had been documenting the medicinal plants of Bangladesh as used by folk medicinal practitioners (FMPs) and tribal medicinal practitioners (TMPs) on a systematic basis. Since information on the practices of urban or semi-urban FMPS is rare, the objective of the present study was to document the phytotherapeutic practices of a FMP practicing in Keraniganj Upazila (sub-district) adjoining Dhaka city in Dhaka district, Bangladesh.

Methodology:

The survey was conducted in July 2017 with one FMP practicing in Keraniganj Upazila in Dhaka district, Bangladesh. The FMP was named Md. Johirul Islam, male, age 35 years and had been practicing for the last ten years. He mentioned that his phytotherapeutic information was obtained from his father.

Prior Informed Consent was first obtained from the FMP. He was thoroughly apprised as to the nature of our visit and consent obtained to disseminate any information including his name both nationally and internationally. Actual interviews were conducted in the Bengali language, which was spoken fluently by the FMP as well as the interviewers. The interviews were conducted with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method of Martin and Maundu. In this method, the FMP took the interviewers on guided field walks through areas from where he collected his medicinal plants, pointed out the plants, and described their uses. All plant specimens were photographed and collected on the spot, pressed, dried and brought back to Bangladesh National Herbarium at Dhaka for identification. Voucher specimens were also deposited with the Medicinal Plant Collection Wing of the University of Development Alternative.

Source of Information: Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2018; 6(1): 89-91

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The diseases treated included tonsillitis, headache, loss of appetite, heart disorders, sexual problem, low hemoglobin concentration, prickly heat, bone fracture, eczema, toothache, and helmintic infections. At least two of the uses appear to be novel, namely the use of Tiliacora racemosa leaf to treat bone fracture and the use of Streblus asper bark to treat anemia and low hemoglobin. The Tharu tribe of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh, India use Tiliacora racemosa for treating malaria. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of Tiliacora racemosa to treat bone fracture. Streblus asper is considered an antifilarial plant; this is possibly the first reported use of the plant against anemia. Streblus asper leaves have previously been reported to be used against diabetes in Kishoreganj district, Bangladesh. The use of Ficus racemosa fruits against prickly heat also appears to be a novel use (previously unreported) by the FMP. Dried fruits have previously been reported to be used against debilityand diabetes. Thus it appears that although the FMP used few plants, at least some of the uses are novel and merit scientific attention for appropriate pharmacological studies leading to possible discovery of new and effective drugs.

Knowledge Management: Journal