Abstract

ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE SHING TRIBE OF MOULVIBAZAR DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Sahara Akter, Akmal Hosain Nipu, Humayra Naz Chyti, Protiva Rani Das, Md. Tabibul Islam, Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Documentation of indigenous medicinal practices has resulted in the discovery of a number of important allopathic drugs. The objective of this study was to document the ethnomedicinal practices of tribal healers of the Shing tribe residing in Moulvibazar district, Sylhet Division, Bangladesh. Methods. Interviews of the tribal healers were carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Results. Altogether 15 plants distributed into 11 families were observed to be used by the tribal healers. These plants were used for treatment of pain, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory tract disorders, skin disorders, and infertility in women. A review of the scientific literature showed that the use of a number of plants can be justified on the basis of available scientific reports on pharmacological activities of the plants. Conclusion. The plants used by the Shing tribal healers merit further scientific studies towards discovery of potentially efficacious bioactive compounds from the plants.

Keywords: Shing tribe, indigenous medicine, Moulvibazar district, Bangladesh.