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

Some Medicinal Plant Uses of a Santal Community at Malar Para Village in Dinajpur District, Bangladesh

Sweety Rani Saha
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Faruk Hossain
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Ramjan Sarder
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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

Nazma Hasan
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Zahura Binte Haque
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Emranul Haque Apu
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Audity Hossain
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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

Ishita Malek
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:

The Santal community represents the largest and possibly the oldest tribal community inhabiting the northwestern regions of Bangladesh. Due to their long acquaintance with their habitat, the Santal tribal medicinal practitioners have been found to be quite knowledgeable about therapeutic uses of medicinal plants. In recent years, however, because of loss of habitat and conversion of the community to other religions, the Santal medicinal practitioners have become dispersed and so is their phytotherapeutic knowledge, which is on the verge of becoming lost. Since plants have from ancient times formed excellent sources of modern drugs, the objective of the present study was to document the phytotherapeutic knowledge of a Santal medicinal practitioner (SMP) at Malar para village in Dinajpur district, which is at the northwestern part of Bangladesh. Although the SMP was found to use only eight plants distributed into eight families, the phytotherapeutic uses of the plants were quite novel thus justifying the need to document the medicinal practices of indigenous people. The various plants were used to treat ailments like respiratory tract disorders, pain, fever, diabetes, heart disorders, skin diseases, night blindness, and spleen disorders. The plants used for treatment of diabetes and heart disorders can prove useful in the treatment of these two complicated ailments. Cumulatively, the plants may prove useful in the discovery of new drugs.

Keywords: Santal, Phytotherapy, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Location: Dinajpur 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 some medicinal plants used by a Santal medicinal practitioner (SMP) at Malar para village in Dinajpur district, Bangladesh. The Santals form the largest and possibly the most ancient tribal community and are presently scattered in various districts in the northwestern part of Bangladesh. They have a rich tradition of their medicinal practices, which is rapidly being forgotten because of loss of habitat and conversion of the tribe to other religions.

Methodology:

Information was obtained from the SMP Abraham (male, following conversion was given the name Abraham by Christian missionaries). Informed Consent was obtained from him to publish or disseminate the obtained information. 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 SMP took the interviewers on guided field-walks through areas from where he collected his medicinal plants, pointed out the plants, and described their uses. Local plant names as given were in the Santal language. The plants were photographed, and voucher specimens collected, dried and identified by a competent botanist at the Bangladesh National Herbarium at Dhaka and accession numbers obtained. Plant specimens were deposited with the Medicinal Plant Collection Wing of the University of Development Alternative.

Source of Information: Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2018; 6(5): 110-113

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The leaves of Ocimum sanctum were used against common cold, cough, dysentery and wound by the SMP. The antitussive action of the plant has been reported. Activity of the plant against a number of enteric pathogens has been reviewed, suggesting that the plant may prove useful against gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhea and dysentery. Anti-microbial activity has been observed with Adiantum caudatum extracts, a plant used by the SMP against cough, fever, and skin diseases. Spermacoce hispida is considered an important herb in Siddha medicine of India, where among other uses the plant is also used for the treatment of inflammation. The SMP also used the plant as an anti-inflammatory agent. The SMP also used the plant against spleen disorders and more studies are needed to validate this particular use. Boehmeria nivea was used by the SMP as a diuretic and for the treatment of fever. Boehmeria species are rich in antioxidants and so can prove useful in a variety of disorders.

Taken together, it becomes evident that age-old practices of indigenous medicinal practitioners have in recent years being continually validated through scientifically obtained evidences. Ethnopharmacology has become a valuable tool in the possibly forever quest for discovery of better drugs. As such, practices of indigenous medicinal practitioners, instead of being discarded, must be carefully documented before they get irretrievably lost.

Knowledge Management: Journal