Abstract

ETHNOMEDICINAL WISDOM OF SEVERAL FOLK HERBALISTS OF DINAJPUR DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Taskina Rahman, Mahjabin Marzia, Mashiwat Noshine, Simtia Afrin, Shahnaj Akter Sheela, Faria Sultana, Tamanna Islam Mouri, Md. Tabibul Islam, Protiva Rani Das, Md. Shahadat Hossan, Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background: Medicinal plants are used by folk herbalists of Bangladesh. These herbalists can be considered as part-time folk medicinal practitioners. The objective of this study was to document the practices of several folk herbalists of Dinajpur district of the country. Methods: Interviews of the folk herbalists were carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Results: The folk herbalists used a total of 25 plants distributed into 17 families for treatment. The various diseases treated included respiratory tract disorders, lack of milk in nursing mother, burning sensations during urination or in the body, hypertension, insomnia, cataract, pain, bone fracture, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, rheumatic fever, paralysis, skin diseases, fever, diabetes, leucorrhea, anemia, aging, heart disorders, and jaundice. Conclusion: The medicinal plants particularly used to treat hypertension, paralysis, heart disorders, diabetes, and cancer merit further attention from scientists towards discovery of potentially efficacious drugs.

Keywords: Folk herbalist, medicinal plants, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.