Abstract

FOLK MEDICINAL USES OF SOME PLANTS IN TANGAIL DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Zahid Kamal, Jacklin Jui Bairage, Moniruzzaman, Protiva Rani Das, Md. Tabibul Islam, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Md. Rashedul Islam, Prashanta Kumer Paul,
Sadia Moin Mou, Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background Folk medicine is an important feature of traditional medicinal practices in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to document the medicinal uses of plants by a folk medicinal practitioner (Kaviraj) of Tangail district, Bangladesh. Methods Interviews of the Kaviraj were carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Results The Kaviraj used 12 plants distributed into 12 families in his formulations. Available ethnomedicinal and scientific reports show that the plants used by the Kaviraj can be validated in their uses on the basis of either ethnomedicinal consensus or pharmacological activity studies. Conclusion The study suggests that the medicinal plants used by the Kaviraj of Tangail district merit scientific attention towards new drug discoveries.

Keywords: Folk medicine, Kaviraj, Tangail, Bangladesh, ethnomedicinal consensus.