Abstract

A CASE STUDY OF AN URBAN GARO TRIBAL MEDICINAL PRACTITIONER IN MYMENSINGH DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Marufa Yeasmin, Shibu Karmaker, Md. Sakhawath Hossain, Sajal Ahmed, Ashrika Tabassum, Ishita Malek, Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. The Garo tribal people are a fairly large tribe residing in various districts of Mymensingh Division, Bangladesh. The objective of the present study was to document the use of medicinal plants by a Garo tribal medicinal practitioner (TMP) practicing in Mymensingh town in Mymensingh Division, Bangladesh. Methods. Interview of the tribal medicinal practitioner was carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. Results. The tribal medicinal practitioner used a total of 17 plants distributed into 14 families for treatment. The various diseases treated included gastrointestinal disorders, burns, snake bite, jaundice, pain, helminthiasis, skin diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, eye diseases, impotency, bone fracture, high cholesterol, asthma, piles, diabetes and arthritis. One plant was used as a cardiotonic. Conclusion. The medicinal plants used by the Garo medicinal practitioner comprise some unusual plants not usually used for treatment by tribal or folk medicinal practitioners of Bangladesh and so deserve scientific attention.

Keywords: Tribal medicine, medicinal plants, Garo, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.