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Medicinal Plants of the Santal Tribe Residing in Rajshahi District, Bangladesh

Md. Shahidullah
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh

Md. Al-Mujahidee
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh

S.M. Nasir Uddin
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh

Md. Shahadat Hossan
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh

Abu Hanif
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh

Sazzadul Bari
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:

The Santals form the largest tribal group living in several districts in northern Bangladesh. They are the descendants of Austric-speaking Proto-Australoid race. The Santals, particularly their traditional healers are well known for their knowledge of medicinal plants, which they use to treat ailments of both humans and cattle. In fact, settlers residing in the region but belonging outside the Santal tribe seek out Santal traditional healers to treat various ailments. We undertook an ethnobotanical survey of the Santals living in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh. Information was obtained on the medicinal plants, ailments for which the plants were prescribed, formulations, and dosages. Field trips were conducted in which the traditional healers pointed out the plants and described their uses. Plants were photographed and identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. Information was obtained on 26 medicinal plants distributed into 21 families. The plants (with ailments treated given in parenthesis) include Achyranthes aspera (severe stomach pain, excessive bleeding after menstruation), Aerva sanguinolenta (blood in urine), Amaranthus viridis (snake bite), Crinum sp. (stomach pain), Centella asiatica (lack of breast milk after childbirth), Asparagus racemo sus (tuberculosis), Capparis zeylanica (pain in hands or feet, paralysis), Cuscuta reflexa (excessive bleeding after menstruation), Leucas aspera (headache), Litsea sp. (debility), Abrus precatorius (tuberculosis, throat pain), Cajanu s cajan (jaundice), Dalbergia sissoo (diarrhea), Strychnos nux-vomica (paralysis, fever), Dendrophthoe falcata (rheumatism), Hibiscus rosa sinensis (excessive loss of weight in women), Marsilea quadrifolia (lack of breast milk after childbirth), Tinospora cordifolia (dripping of saliva from mouth, loss of movement of tongue), Ficus benghalensis (excessive loss of weight in women), Polygonum orientale (headache), Madhuca indica (debility, blood purifier), Scoparis dulcis (blood dysentery), Datura metel (throat pain in children), Solanum virginianum (tuberculosis), Vitex negundo (pain on one side of the forehead), and Cissus quadrangularis (bone fracture).

Keywords: Ethnobotanical survey, Santals, Bangladesh, Medicinal plants

Location: Rajshahi District, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

We are in the process of conducting an extensive ethnobotanical survey of the Santals, who currently number over two hundred thousand and are spread through a large area. The objective of the present study was to conduct an ethnobotanical survey of the Santals living in Rajshahi district, which form one of the districts within the Rajshahi division.

Methodology:

Ethnobotanical methods like semi-structured interviews were employed to obtain the necessary information. The basic method employed is termed as guided field walk, which as per Martin (1995) and Maundu (1995) involves observation while interviewing the informant. Typically, the informant (ojha) was taken on field trips to forest areas from where he usually collected his medicinal plants. Plants were pointed out by the ojha and their local name, ailments for which they were prescribed, part of the plant used, formulations and dosages were noted down by the researcher. Information was also obtained on any specific time or month when the plant was collected, the maturity of the plant when it was deemed suitable for medicinal use, and any other plants that were being used concomitantly in the preparation of remedies. Plant specimens were photographed as well as collected, pressed and dried in the field. Local names of the plants were obtained from the informant and double-checked with other members of the Rakhain community. Plant specimens were identified at the Bangladesh National Herba Rum, where voucher specimens were deposited.

Source of Information: American-Eurasian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 3(2): 220-226, 2009 ISSN 1995-0748

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The Santals have a well-established system of administration of traditional medicine based mainly on plants by their traditional healers or ojhas for treatment of diverse ailments. This study forms part of our ongoing studies on the Santals, and gives the results of our ethnobotanical survey of the Santals of Rajshahi districts. The study is already providing enough information for further scientific studies to be conducted on medicinal plants used by the Santals, since the use of a number of plants has already been validated through modern scientific research. The once densely forested regions that the Santals inhabited are largely gone, and efforts need to be made by all quarters to save what is left of these fast dwindling medicinal plant resources.

Knowledge Management: Journal