Abstract

ETHNOMEDICINAL PRACTICES IN NATORE DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Jobaida Akhter, Rahima Khatun, Shahnaz Akter, Sharmin Akter, Taslima Tanzil Munni, Ishita Malek and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Folk medicine is a less documented but a well-established system of traditional medicinal practice in Bangladesh. It is believed that folk medicinal practitioners are the most numerous of the traditional medicinal practitioners within the country. Since the folk medicinal practices within Natore district has not been adequately documented, it was of interest to document such practices. Methods. Interview of two Natore folk medicinal practitioners (FMPs) was carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Results. FMP1 interviewed used a total of 10 plants distributed into 9 families for treatment. FMP2 also used a total of 10 plants distributed into 9 families for treatment. However, the diseases treated by FMP1 differed quite markedly from those treated by FMP2. Conclusion. The results suggest that individual FMPs have their unique treatment methods; consequently, it should be fruitful to document the medicinal practices of as many FMPs as possible.

Keywords: Folk medicine, medicinal plants, Natore, Bangladesh.