Abstract

ETHNOMEDICINAL PRACTICES OF CHAKMA AND GARO TRIBAL MEDICINAL PRACTITIONERS AT MADHUPUR OF TANGAIL DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Md. Rifat Khan, Nashid Azad, M.A. Rashed, Mumfarin Sarker, Maitripa Das Tushi, Ishita Malek and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. The Garo tribal people are a fairly large tribe residing in various districts of Mymensingh Division, Bangladesh. The Chakma tribe is the major tribe in the Chittagong Division; in recent years, they can also be found in various districts of Mymensingh Division. The objective of the present study was to document the use of medicinal plants by Garo and Chakma tribal medicinal practitioners (TMPs) practicing in Madhupur of Tangail district, Bangladesh. Methods. Interview of the TMPs were carried out with the help of a semistructured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Results. The three TMPs interviewed used a total of 17 plants for treatment. The various diseases treated included gastrointestinal disorders, helminthiasis, cuts and wounds, Alzheimer’s disease, fever, pain, arthritis, urinary tract infection, hypertension, insomnia, pain, ringworm infections, snake bite, cold and coughs, eye infections, and skin disorders. One plant was also used as a female contraceptive. Conclusion. The medicinal plants used by the TMPs include some plants, which can prove scientifically interesting, especially plants used for treatment of hypertension, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

Keywords: Tribal medicine, medicinal plants, Garo, Chakma, Tangail, Bangladesh.