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A Comparative Analysis of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders in Two Sub-districts of Greater Khulna Division, Bangladesh

Mohammed Rahmatullah
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Md. Ariful Haque Mollik
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Alok Kumar Paul
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Rownak Jahan
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, 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.

Syeda Seraj
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Anita Rani Chowdhury
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

A.B.M. Anwarul Bashar
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

S.M. Riajul Wahab
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

M. Taufiq-ur-Rahman
Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road CB2 1PD, Cambridge, UK

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Folk medicinal practitioners (Kavirajes) form the primary health-care providers to a substantial section of the rural and urban population of Bangladesh. They utilize various medicinal plants for treatment of ailments. The knowledge attained by an individual Kaviraj is closely guarded and confined to the immediate members of the family and passed on from generation to generation. As a result, there is wide variation between the medicinal plants utilized by Kavirajes for treatment of any specific ailment or symptom, which variation can be observed in Kavirajes of adjoining areas or even villages. The objective of the present study was to conduct a comparative survey on medicinal plants for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders among Kavirajes of Paikgacha sub-district (which lies within Khulna district) and Rampal sub-district (which lies within Bagerhat district). The two areas are close to one another; possess identical flora and climatic conditions, and falls within the greater Khulna Division. Interviews of the Kavirajes were conducted with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided-field walk method. All plant samples shown by the Kavirajes were collected and identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. It was observed that although Paikgacha and Rampal are close to each other, the medicinal plants used to treat various types of gastrointestinal disorders differ totally among the Kavirajes of the two areas. A total of 38 plants were used by the Kavirajes of the two areas for gastrointestinal disorders, which included indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, piles, helminthiasis, colic, and gastritis. The extensive differences between the medicinal plants used in the two areas were not only confined to species and genera, but also extended to plant family levels. Discussions with the Kavirajes indicated that the observed differences can be attributed partly to Kavirajes attaining their knowledge from different teachers (gurus) and partly to a Kavirajes’ individual experimentation with plants and then keeping the knowledge to himself. The study suggests that to get a comprehensive view of the folk medicinal practices in Bangladesh, surveys need to be conducted at the village level throughout all the villages of the country.

Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Medicinal plants, Khulna, Bagerhat, Bangladesh

Location: Two sub-districts of Greater Khulna Division, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

The objective of the present survey was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey among the Kavirajes of Paikgacha and Rampal sub-districts (lying respectively in Khulna and Bagerhat districts of Khulna Division) on medicinal plants used for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders or symptoms. Khulna and Bagerhat district adjoins each other; in fact they were not too long ago considered as a single district. Both districts lie in the south-western part of Bangladesh, contains major portions of the Sunderbans forest (with its rich diversity of mangrove species), have similar floral and faunal species and similar climatic conditions. In other aspects, the districts are akin to each other in that they are in close proximity to the Bay of Bengal and contain substantial amount of estuarine areas.

Methodology:

Area of survey Paikgacha sub-district is a part of Khulna district and lies approximately between 89^o 15' - 89^o 25' E and 22^o 28' - 22^o 43' N. The annual average temperature of Khulna district ranges between a minimum of 12.5^o C to a maximum of 35.5^o C. Annual rainfall of Khulna district averages 1710 mm. The main occupation is agriculture and agricultural laborer and the main crops are paddy, jute, and vegetables. Rampal sub-district is a part of Bagerhat district and lies approximately between 89^o 35' - 89^o 55' E and 22^o 30' - 22^o 42 N'. The annual average temperature of Bagerhat district ranges between a minimum of 12.5^o C to a maximum of 33.5^o C. Annual rainfall of Bagerhat district averages 1710 mm. The main occupation is agriculture and agricultural laborer and the main crops are paddy, jute, sugar cane and potatoes.

Data collection and mode of survey Extensive interviews were conducted of the Kavirajes with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. A group of Kavirajes were chosen in both Paikgacha and Rampal area based on questioning common people of the two areas and noting down which Kavirajes were most frequently visited by them. Prior to the actual survey, in preliminary meetings with the Kavirajes, a list of gastrointestinal disorders or symptoms were prepared, which were the common gastrointestinal disorders treated by the Kavirajes in the two survey areas. Informed consent was obtained from each Kaviraj prior to the actual questioning. The Kavirajes were informed as to the purpose of the survey and consent obtained from them that the data may be disseminated in national or international conferences and scientific journals. The basic survey method followed was that of Martin (1995) and Maundu (1995), which is known as the guided field-walk method. In this method, the Kavirajes took the interviewers through guided field-walks to places from where they usually collected their medicinal plants. Plants were pointed out by the Kavirajes and local names and gastrointestinal disorders treated by the plants were given along with plant parts used and any other information, which the Kavirajes considered important. All data were cross-checked with the Kavirajes in later informal sessions attended by Kavirajes and any other interested people of the area. Plant specimens as pointed out by the Kavirajes were collected, pressed and dried on the field. All plant species collected were identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium.

Source of Information: Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences, 4(1): 22-28, 2010 ISSN 1995-0748

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The observed diversification of plant species between the Kavirajes of Paikgacha and Rampal to treat gastrointestinal disorders, which is a common occurrence throughout the country, highlights the importance of conducting ethnomedicinal surveys amongst Kavirajes of as many regions as possible throughout Bangladesh. It is possible that all plant species used by the Kavirajes may not prove suitable for treatment of the specific gastrointestinal ailment that they are used for by the Kavirajes. It is necessary to conduct proper scientific studies on the efficacy of a particular plant. On the other hand, the diversity of plant species used to treat gastrointestinal disorders provides a rich data-base from which potentially many lead compounds can be discovered to fight gastrointestinal disorders, which are prevalent throughout the world and particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh with improper hygienic conditions, poor sanitary systems, and lack of good quality potable water. If plants found in the common neighborhood or immediate vicinity can become a proven source for treatment of common sicknesses like gastrointestinal disorders, not only it can provide the patients with a cheap and accessible source of cure, but also spur efforts toward conservation of medicinal plants, which are fast becoming endangered throughout the world.

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