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Medicinal Plants and Formulations of a Unani Folk Medicinal Practitioner of Bhola District, Bangladesh

Ahmed Abrar Muttaki
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh

Zobayer Ahmed
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh

Mohd. Shahidul Islam
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh

Sabbir Ahmed Opu
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh

Maksuda Khaton Sonda
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh

K. M. Istieake Ahmed
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh

Protiva Rani Das
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh

Md. Tabibul Islam
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh

Mohammed Rahmatullah*
Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Unani form of traditional medicine is prevalent in Bangladesh, whose practitioners are known as Hakims. The objective of the present study was to document the medicinal plants and formulations of a Unani folk medicinal practitioner in Bhola district of the country. This type of practitioners are not registered and do not have training from established Unani colleges but practice on the basis of their own experience and study of available Unani treatises. The Hakim was observed to use a total of 38 plants distributed into 31 families in his formulations, some of which were simple and some exceedingly complex polyherbal formulations. The Hakim treated a wide variety of diseases including helminthiasis, fever, respiratory tract disorders, bleeding from nose and mouth, gastrointestinal disorders, weakness of nerves, cuts and wounds, skin disorders, loss of memory, leprosy, paralysis, rheumatism, piles, toothache, diabetes, hoarseness of voice, burns, decreased urinary output, swellings of hands or legs, kidney and gall bladder stones, liver and spleen disorders, pain, jaundice, sexual disorders, snake bite, leucorrhea, and hysteria. The use of multiple plants in formulations to treat diverse diseases suggests that the Hakim possessed a good knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants, both singly and in combination.

Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Unani, Folk medicine, Bhola, Bangladesh

Location: Bhola district, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-2014

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

The objective of the present survey was to document the medicinal plants and formulations of a folk medicinal practitioner, who called himself a Hakim and practiced in Bhola district in the southern part of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Prior informed consent was obtained from the Hakim, Md. Motassim Billah, age 42 years, practicing in Bhola Sadar of Bhola district, Bangladesh. The Hakim was fully informed of the nature of our visit and consent obtained to disseminate any information provided both nationally and internationally. Interviews were conducted during the first two months of 2014 in Bengali language, which was spoken by both the Hakim as well as the interviewers. Actual interviews were conducted with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided filed-walk method of Martin and Maundu. In this method, the Hakim took the interviewers on guided field-walks through areas from where he collected his medicinal plants, pointed out the plants, and described their uses. Plant specimens were photographed, collected, pressed and dried and brought to Dhaka, where they were identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. Voucher specimens were deposited with the Medicinal Plant Collection Wing of the University of Development Alternative.

Source of Information: Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2014, 6(10):231-238 ISSN : 0975-7384 CODEN(USA) : JCPRC5

Article Link (Online Journal): Available online www.jocpr.com

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Folk medicinal practitioners in Bangladesh often practice as Ayurvedic Kavirajes or Unani Hakims without obtaining proper accreditation from Ayurveda and Unani colleges. In their practice, they occasionally improvise on established Ayurvedic and Unani formulations. Scientific validation of these improvisations can be beneficial to patients and pave the way for discovering new drugs.

Knowledge Management: Journal