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Investigation Into the Indigenous Knowledge and Use of Medicinal Plants in a Marma Community of Pantola, Bandarban, Bangladesh

Dr. Animesh Biswas*
Associate Professor Department of Botany University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman
Professor Department of Botany University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Moungeyaching Marma
M. Sc. Student Department of Botany University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Arshadul Islam
M. Sc. Student Department of Botany University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An investigation was done into the use of medicinal plants by Marma tribe live in Pantola, Bandarban, Bangladesh. A thorough field survey was carried out and information was obtained through plant interviews. A total of 40 plant species in 22 families and 31 genera were reported in the treatment of 21 body complaints. Common life form of the plants was herb. Asteraceae family ranked top representing 17.5% of the documented plant species. Leaves (60%) were the most frequently used parts in preparing herbal remedies. Common mood of preparation and administration of herbal medicines were paste (57.5%) and external use (52.5%) respectively. Cuts and wounds were the mostly treated disease.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, Indigenous knowledge, Marma, Pantola, Bandarban

Location: Bandarban, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-12-2014

End Date: 00-03-2015

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

Therefore, it is essential to restore the knowledge of medicinal plants used by the Marma communities residing in Chittagong Hill Tracts and other plain lands in Bangladesh. Indigenous knowledge may vary within the same community due to isolation or distance barrier so, the present study was carried out in a Marma community at Pantola, a remote hilly area of Bandorban district, to document their indigenous knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants.

Methodology:

The investigation was conducted during December 2014 to March 2015. A thorough survey was done in the village thickets, its surrounding forest areas and adjacent plain lands. Data were collected following plant interview. Plant specimens were collected and bring it to the house of the informants for getting information. Three informants, two male and one female, were participated in the interview process. The informants were 1. Hla Moung Marma (Age 40, male) - identified 25 medicinal plants, 2. O Mra Khing Marma (Age 55, female) - identified 5 plants and 3. Kyawtheree Marma (Age 45, male) - identified 10 plants). Taxonomic identification of the collected medicinal plants were done with the help of authentic literatures.

All information is summarized in tabular form and arranged according to plant’s scientific name, family, local name, habit, habitat, parts used, mode of use, ailment/s treated. Global Positioning System (GPS) of each collected species was recorded. In some cases scientific names of plant species were checked for accuracy according to The Plant List database (www.plantlist.org). Voucher specimens and photographs have been deposited in the Department of Botany, University of Chittagong.

Source of Information: Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2017; 5(5): 209-216

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The tribal communities of Chittagong Hill Tracts live in close contact with nature. Due to remoteness, their livelihood is completely dependent on natural resources available in their vicinity. For the treatment of different diseases, they use plant-based medicines. This knowledge is inherited from generation after generation by oral instructions. We should restore this type of indigenous knowledge for better use of medicinal plants in the future. The diversity of medicinal plant species in the studied area and the related indigenous knowledge are of great value to the local community. The information regarding therapeutic uses of the documented plants provides basic data for further pharmacological studies and conservation of the important plant species.

Knowledge Management: Journal