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Ethnomedicinal Practices Among a Minority Group of Christians Residing in Mirzapur Village of Dinajpur District, Bangladesh

Mohammed Rahmatullah
Faculty of Life Sciences University of Development Alternative Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh

A.A.B. Tajbilur Kabir
Faculty of Life Sciences University of Development Alternative Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Md. Mahfuzur Rahman
Faculty of Life Sciences University of Development Alternative Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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

Zubaida Khatun
Faculty of Life Sciences University of Development Alternative Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mst. Afsana Khatun
Dept. of Pharmacy Lincoln College Mayang Plaza, Block A, No 1, Jalan SS 26/2, Taman Mayang Jaya, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Rownak Jahan
Faculty of Life Sciences University of Development Alternative Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Christians form a minority group within the overall Muslim population of Bangladesh and comprises less than 0.5% of the total population. The majority of Christians belong to the various tribes, while non-tribal pockets of Christian population, who have converted to Christianity from Hinduism or Islam are spread around the country. The objective of the present survey was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey among one such pocket of Christianity in Mirzapur village of Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. It was observed that the group depends on their own folk medicinal healers or Kavirajes for their primary health-care needs. After obtaining informed consent of the Kavirajes, interviews were conducted with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Data was obtained on the medicinal plants or plant parts used, ailments treated, formulations and administration. All plant specimens as pointed out by the Kavirajes were collected, dried and identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. It was observed that 41 medicinal plant species distributed into 28 families were used by the Christian Kavirajes for treatment of various ailments. The ailments treated included pain, gastrointestinal disorders, urinary tract infections, hepatic problems, cuts and wounds, sexual disorders, kidney and gall bladder stones, diabetes, heart disorders, tumor, elephantiasis, rheumatism, edema, epilepsy, nerve weakness, respiratory tract disorders, paralysis, fever, helminthiasis, and debility. Overall, it may be concluded that the medicinal plants used by the Kavirajes can be of excellent potential for further scientific studies and discovery of newer and effective drugs. At the same time, the importance of conservation of these medicinal plants must be emphasized for it was observed that a considerable number of the plants are fast disappearing from the wild because of over-exploitation and lack of conservation measures.

Keywords: Christians, Mirzapur, Medicinal plants, Bangladesh

Location: Mirzapur Village of Dinajpur District, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

In a preliminary survey, it was observed that the Christians residing in Mirzapur village are administered to by their own folk medicinal practitioners, who use medicinal plants for treatment of various ailments. The objective of this study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey among the Christian Kavirajes of Mirzapur village.

Methodology:

2.1 Area of survey Dinajpur district is one of the northern-most districts of Bangladesh and lies roughly between 88^o 20' - 89^o 20' E and 25^o 10' - 26^o 05' N. There are thirteen sub-districts within Dinajpur district with the present study being conducted among the Christian community at the village of Mirzapur in Dinajpur Sadar sub-district. Unlike other villages of Dinajpur Sadar with a predominantly Muslim population, Mirzapur is distinguished through having a sizeable Christian community residing within the village. Agriculture is the main occupation of the Christian community residing at Mirzapur.

2.2 Data collection and mode of survey Informed consent was obtained of the Kavirajes prior to the survey. The Kavirajes was explained as to the purpose of the visit and it was also mentioned that the survey results may be disseminated both nationally and internationally. The Kavirajes had no objections to disseminating the survey results. Interviews were conducted in the Bangla language (spoken by both interviewers and those who were interviewed) with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. The basic method employed was that of Martin (Martin, 1995) and Maundu (1995), where the Kavirajes took the interviewers on guided field-walks during day time through the areas from where they collected their medicinal plants, pointed them out, and described their uses. All information was noted down carefully and cross-checked with the Kavirajes in evening sessions. Plant specimens were collected and identification completed at the Bangladesh National Herbarium.

Source of Information: Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences, 4(1): 45-51, 2010 ISSN 1995-0748

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

A random review of the scientific literature clearly indicates that the medicinal plants used by the folk medicinal healers of Mirazapur, Bangladesh have medicinal properties and that a number of folk medicinal uses have been validated through scientific studies. It is apparent that folk medicinal use of plants is an area that cannot be neglected and appropriate importance should be given to the medicinal plants used by the healers for scientific studies towards discovery of newer drugs. At the same time, the conservation needs of these medicinal plants cannot be forgotten for it was observed that even in Mirzapur, a number of medicinal plants that are used are on the verge of extinction and quite difficult to obtain. It is therefore of utmost importance to initiate cultivation and conservation of these medicinal plants as quickly as possible.

Knowledge Management: Journal