Abstract

DO FOLK MEDICINAL PLANTS HAVE SCIENTIFIC VALIDITY BEHIND THEIR USES? SOME NOTES ON PLANTS USED IN JESSORE DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Md. Maruf Hasan, Md. Atikur Rahman, Ruhul Amin, Mst. Hachhina Akter, Nusrat Norin, Tanjina Nargis, Protiva Rani Das, Md. Tabibul Islam, Md. Shahadat Hossan, and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background: Folk medicine, although widely practiced by Kavirajes of Bangladesh, is usually disparaged by the scientific community as based on myths and superstitions. The objective of this study was to determine the scientific validity of medicinal plant uses by two Kavirajes of Jessore district of the country. Methods: Interviews of the Kavirajes were carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Results: The Kavirajes used a total of 39 plants distributed into 30 families for treatment. The various diseases treated included fever, helminthiasis, respiratory tract disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, pain, sexual disorders, heart disorders, jaundice, eye diseases, insomnia, cuts and wounds, mental disorders, cancer, bile stone and bone fracture. Conclusion: A number of the medicinal plants could be scientifically validated in their uses based on existing pharmacological studies.

Keywords: Kaviraj, medicinal plants, Jessore, Bangladesh.