Md. Hasan Shahriar, A.S.M. Homaun Kabir Chowdhury, Md. Sadekur Rahman, Md. Palash Uddin, Md. Al-Amin, Md. Mizanur Rahman, Md. Towhid Ahmed Bhuiyan, Shadia Afrin, Shuly Chowdhury, Md. Masud-ur-Rahman, A.K. Azad,
Mohammed Rahmatullah*
ABSTRACT
Background. Folk medicinal practitioners (Kavirajes) form the primary health-care providers among the rural population of Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to document the medicinal plants used by a Kaviraj practicing in Chuadanga district, Bangladesh and to scientifically validate the use of the plants based on available scientific reports. Methods. Interviews of the Kaviraj were carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Available scientific literature was obtained through searches made in different data bases. Results. The Kaviraj used 14 plants distributed into 11 families in his formulations. Available scientific reports on the pharmacological properties of the plants validate the uses of a number of the plants. Conclusion. The study
suggests that the use of medicinal plants for treatment of diseases by the Kaviraj of Chuadanga district have scientific rationale even though the Kaviraj was not aware of such reports. It is concluded that Kavirajes can possess extensive knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants without having access to scientific literature.
Keywords: Folk medicine, Kaviraj, Chuadanga, Bangladesh.
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