Abstract

DOCUMENTATION OF SOME FOLK MEDICINAL PRACTICES IN SYLHET AND MOULVIBAZAR DISTRICTS, BANGLADESH

Sanjida Akter, Md. Khairuzzaman, Sayed Musab Saleem, Fahmida Sattar, Iqbalur Rahman, Mst. Sultana Yesmin, Ishita Malek, A.B.M. Anwarul Bashar, Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Folk medicinal practice is common in Bangladesh. It was of interest to document the practices of folk medicinal healers in Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts, Bangladesh. Methods. Interview of the healers was carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Results. The three healers used a total of 40 plants distributed into 34 families for treatment. The various diseases treated included respiratory tract disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, jaundice, paralysis, diabetes, gonorrhea, wounds, urinary tract infections, leprosy, psoriasis, tumor, spleen disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, eye disorders, baldness, tooth and gum problems, gout, spleen disorders, hypotension, diabetes, rheumatism, anemia, chicken pox, ringworm, hypertension, heat stroke, epilepsy, impotency, pain, helminthiasis, amoebiasis, cholera, menstrual problems, cancer, heart diseases, edema, fatigue, pneumonia, and pain. Conclusion. Documentation of these folk medicinal practices can lead to extensive scientific studies on proper investigation of the roles of various plants used in the treatment of various diseases.

Keywords: Folk medicine, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Bangladesh.