Abstract

ETHNOMEDICINAL PRACTICES OF FOLK MEDICINAL PRACTITIONERS IN TWO VILLAGES OF JAMALPUR DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Khosnur Jannat, Mahbuba Akter, Suraiya Sharmin, Ummay Rukaiya, Maria Afrin, Protiva Rani Das, Md. Tabibul Islam, Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Folk medicinal practitioners (FMPs or Kavirajes) provide primary health care to the mostly under-privileged people in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to document the ethnomedicinal practices of four FMPs practicing in Jamalpur district of the country. Methods. Interviews of the FMPs were carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Results. The four FMPs between themselves used a total of 32 plants distributed into 24 families for treatment. The various diseases treated included urinary problems, uterine prolapse, respiratory problems, pain, gastrointestinal disorders, leucorrhea, conjunctivitis, diabetes, gonorrhea, skin diseases, jaundice, hypertension, excessive menstruation, fever, toothache, and rheumatism. Conclusion. The study suggests that the FMPs treated both common disorders like gastrointestinal or skin problems, but also treated complicated ailments like diabetes, hypertension, rheumatism, and uterine prolapse. As such, the formulations of the FMPs merit further scientific studies.

Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Kaviraj, Jamalpur, Bangladesh.