Abstract

ETHNOMEDICINAL PRACTICES OF A FOLK MEDICINAL PRACTITIONER IN PABNA DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

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

ABSTRACT

Background: Folk medicine forms the primary tier of health-care practices in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to document the medicinal uses of plants by a folk medicinal practitioner (Kaviraj) of Pabna 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 29 plants distributed into 22 families in his formulations. The formulations were used to treat diverse diseases like respiratory tract disorders, leucorrhea, depression, conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal disorders, skin disorders, pain, fever, burns, infertility, and cuts and wounds. Conclusion: The study suggests that the medicinal plants used by the Kaviraj of Pabna district needs to be scientifically studied towards discovery of useful drugs.

Keywords: Folk medicine, Kaviraj, Pabna, Bangladesh.