Abstract

HOME REMEDIES OF A RURAL HOUSEWIFE IN JAMALPUR DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

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

ABSTRACT

Background. Home remedies as practiced by rural housewives form an integral part of the folk medicinal system in Bangladesh. Evidences suggest that especially elderly women of families can possess considerable knowledge of medicinal properties of plants. It was of interest to document the medicinal plant used by a rural housewife in Jamalpur district, Bangladesh. Methods. Interview of the housewife was carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Results. The housewife used a total of 15 plants distributed into 12 families for treatment. The various diseases treated included pain, gastrointestinal disorders, fever, jaundice, coughs, and urinary problems. Conclusion. The medicinal plant knowledge of rural housewives, following scientific validation, can be beneficial in treating ailments at an affordable cost.

Keywords: Rural housewife, medicinal plants, Jamalpur, Bangladesh.