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A Comparative Analysis of Medicinal Plants Used by Folk Medicinal Healers in Three Districts of Bangladesh and Inquiry as to Mode of Selection of Medicinal Plants

Md. Ariful Haque Mollik
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, BANGLADESH

Md. Shahadat Hossan
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, BANGLADESH

Alok Kumar Paul
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, BANGLADESH

M. Taufiq-Ur-Rahman
Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1PD, Cambridge, UNITED KINGDOM

Rownak Jahan
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, BANGLADESH

Mohammed Rahmatullah
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, BANGLADESH

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An ethnomedicinal survey conducted in two sub-districts (upazillas) each of three districts of Bangladesh revealed that there is both inter- and intra-district variation between the choices of medicinal plants selected by folk medicinal healers (kavirajes) to treat any specific ailment. The variations cannot be accounted for by differences in climate or plant availability for most of the plants used by the kavirajes are available in all six upazillas where the survey was conducted. Most kavirajes claimed that they obtained information on medicinal plants either from ‘gurus’ or from elderly members of their family. However, it was also revealed by the kavirajes that further modes for acquiring medicinal plant knowledge were through initial experiments conducted on animals and poultry, dreams, and a perceived similarity between plants or plant parts and human body features. It is concluded that such selections are, and were, primarily made through initial experiments by traditional healers on animals and birds. Dreams and perceived similarities between plant parts and human body parts may also play an important role in such selection.

Keywords: Medicinal Plants, Folk Medicinal Healers, Bangladesh

Location: Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, BANGLADESH

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

This raises the question as to how do the kavirajes of Bangladesh select medicinal plants for treatment of any ailment? This is an important ethnomedicinal question to which, to our knowledge no definitive answer is yet to be found. This question is further important from the view point that an understanding of how and why medicinal plants are selected by traditional medicinal healers can lead the way towards a better linking between traditional knowledge with biomedical science (Berlin & Berlin 1994, Browner et al. 1988). We conducted surveys among kavirajes of two upazillas each in three districts of Bangladesh (Bagerhat, Brahmanbaria, and Rajshahi in order to address the above question.

Methodology:

Mode of information collection Interviews of the folk medicinal healers were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. In a preliminary survey, the kavirajes of the surveyed areas were asked about ailments they commonly treat. On the basis of their answers, we prepared a list of 54 ailments or disorders, which were most commonly treated. Inquiries were subsequently made about the plants, plant parts or plant combinations used to treat those ailments. The basic method followed was one of guided field work (Martin 1995, Maundu 1995). Healers were taken during daytime on field trips to areas from where they usually collected plants, while at the same time questions were asked and information noted. Information collected from the kavirajes consisted of medicinal plants or plant parts used, ailments treated, formulations, dosages and side-effects, if any. Information was also collected about whether combinations of plants were used to treat any particular ailment or if any single plant was used to treat multiple ailments. The information was noted down during daytime interviews and later cross-checked with the same individuals in evening or night-time meetings. Evening or night-time meetings were usually conducted in the presence of the healers, village elders and any other interested local persons (usually 10-15 people altogether). Informed consent was obtained from every healer prior to the interview. No intellectual property right agreement with individual healers was signed; however, it was agreed that if ever any financial benefits were obtained by us as a result of this information, the benefits would be distributed among the healers. Interviews were conducted in the Bangla (Bengali) language, which apart from the tribal people is spoken throughout Bangladesh. Plant specimens were photographed as well as collected, pressed and dried in the field. Local names of the plants were obtained from the informant and double-checked with other members of the community, who professed to know the plant names with accuracy (on average three persons). Plant specimens were identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium, Dhaka (DACB), where voucher specimens were deposited. Location of sites and selection of kavirajes or vaidyas Three districts were selected, Bagerhat, Brahmanbaria, and Rajshahi, on the basis of their locations in southwestern, east-central and north-western Bangladesh. It was felt that cumulatively, the locations of these three districts could give an overall picture ranging from the north to the south of the country. Two upazillas were selected in each district. Within each upazilla, the survey was conducted with kavirajes of the upazilla or union headquarter and/or adjoining villages: i.e., Bagerhat Sadar and adjoining areas of Bagerhat Sadar Upazilla; Rampal and adjoining areas of Rampal Upazilla; Shohagpur and Aabidpara villages (adjoining the upazilla headquarter Ashuganj) of Ashuganj Upazilla; Brahmanbaria Sadar and adjoining areas of Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazilla; Bagha and Puthia along with adjoining areas of Bagha and Putia Upazillas in Rajshahi district. It should be pointed out in this regard, that upazilla/union headquarters are basically villages with a few houses present (serving as various government offices) and can scarcely be identified as towns. The total number of kavirajes selected in the six upazillas was 24. Four kavirajes were selected in Bagerhat Sadar and two in Rampal Upazilla. Two kavirajes were selected from Ashuganj Upazilla, and one from Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazilla. Seven kavirajes were selected in Bagha Upazilla, and eight in Puthia Upazilla. The selections were made on the basis of local assessment about the treatment offered by the kavirajes. Fifty to one hundred persons in each area were asked about which kavirajes they visited for treatment of ailments during the past six months to a year. Kavirajes who received the highest ratings per patient satisfaction were chosen for the survey. Following selection of kavirajes of any particular upazilla, all of the selected kavirajes of that upazilla was interviewed as a group instead of one-on-one interviews.

Source of Information: Ethnobotany Research & Applications 8:195-218 (2010)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Taken together, our results indicate that a primary factor behind the diversity of medicinal plant use by the kavirajes of different upazillas may be the result of by-gone or on-going experimentation by the kavirajes of any particular medicinal plant’s efficacy. Once an efficacious plant is found, the kaviraj tends to keep the knowledge within the immediate family or disciples. This has led over time to a greater diversification of medicinal plant selection between kavirajes of adjoining upazillas than would be dictated by simple logic of cross-border linkages and dissemination of information. A similar explanation has been hypothesized by Vandebroek et al. (2003) in their studies of traditional healers’ medicinal plant knowledge in the Bolivian Andes and Amazon. The authors hypothesized that a background of extensive family in traditional medicine play an important role in transmission and survival of knowledge on medicinal plants. Further surveys are being conducted by us at present in more areas of Bangladesh to determine the cause(s) of selection by a kaviraj of any particular plant for treatment of a given ailment. Since this is a first-time study of its kind in Bangladesh (to our knowledge), we believe that any answers found can greatly advance our knowledge of ethnopharmacological practices of the region.

Knowledge Management: Journal