Abstract

PLANTS, ANIMALS, BIRDS, INSECTS, MINERALS – ALL ARE MEDICINES TO A FOLK MEDICINAL PRACTITIONER IN NILPHAMARI DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Samsun Nahar and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Folk medicine practice is quite common in Bangladesh. Although most folk medicinal practitioners (FMPs) rely on medicinal plants for treatment, some also use animals, birds, insects and minerals alone or in combination with medicinal plants. Since these sort of FMPs are comparatively rare, it was of interest to document the practices of a FMP from Nilphamari district, Bangladesh. Methods. Interview of the FMP was carried out with the help of a semistructured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Results. The FMP interviewed used a total of 61 plants distributed into 39 families for treatment. Besides plants, he also used one bird species, two animal species, one insect species, and six different minerals in his formulations. The minerals were used in combination with various plant parts. The various plant and other formulations used were quite unique to the FMP. Conclusion. It is of interest to scientifically validate the unique formulations of this FMP as they may provide fresh insights into treatment for both common and complicated disorders.

Keywords: Folk medicine, medicinal plants, animals, Nilphamari, Bangladesh.