Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology Shahin Mahmud et.al ISSN: 2321-5674(Print); 2320 – 3471(Online) A Survey on medicinal plant usage by folk medicinal practitioners in different villages of Haluaghat , District, Fatama Tous Zohora, Neaz Mahmud, Antora Kar, Shahin Mahmud*, Abu Zaffar Shibly Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh *Corresponding author: E-Mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT Medicinal plants are an important and often the only component in the formulations used by the folk medicinal practitioners of Bangladesh for treatment of various ailments. Folk medicinal practitioners (Kavirajes) are possibly the most ancient practitioners of traditional medicine in Bangladesh. In general they are the primary health-care providers to a majority of the rural population and a substantial segment of the urban population in the country. The Kavirajes rely almost exclusively on medicinal plants for treatment of various ailments. It was the objective of the present study to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey among the selected Kavirajes of different villages at situated in , Bangladesh because such information is important for the people of this district. After obtaining informed consent from the Kavirajes, a semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview the various Kavirajes practicing within this Upazilla. Ethnobotanical methods like guided field walks were undertaken, where the informants showed the medicinal plants used by them from areas where they usually collected them and at the same time mentioned their names and described their uses. Plant specimens were collected and dried on the field and later brought back and identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. It was observed that the Kavirajes of the five villages surveyed used mainly 80 plant species distributed into 51 families. The Fabaceae family provided the largest number of species (5) followed by Rutaceae, Araceae, Liliaceae families provide 4 plants. The Lamiaceae and cucarbitaceae families provided 3 plants each. The Piperaceae, Apocynaceae, Musaceae, Verbenaceae, Asteraceae, Lauraceae, Lythroceae, Anacardiaceae, Moraceae families provided 2 plants each. The rest of the families contain single plant. Leaves constituted the major plant part used (39.1%), followed by fruits (20.65%), root (13.04%), bark (5.43%), seed (7.6%), flower (5.43%), and stem (8.6%). The percentage of whole plant used in treatment is 8.75%. This medicinal plant or plant part are used to treat various common disease like respiratory tract problems (cough, mucus), fever, helminthiasis, debility, skin disorders (itches), gastrointestinal disorders (dysentery, bloating, indigestion), pain, bleeding from cuts and wounds, animal bites, insomnia and tooth problems. This alignment are also used to treat some complicated ailments like diabetes, cancer or tumor, cardiovascular problems, hepatic disorders, spleen disorders, mental disease, epilepsy, piles, leprosy and nerve disorders. Key words: Folk medicine, medicinal plants, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. 1. INTRODUCTION that plants chemicals are effective therapeutic agents Plants are sources of resource, besides without any or minute side effects. providing nutrition they also provide woods, fuel, Bangladesh has over 86,000 villages spread oxygen and also provide most important chemical throughout the various regions of the country5. Most of compounds, which can be used as medicinal purpose. the people of our country live in this village. The people Human are using the knowledge of medicinal value of are using various forms of medicine. The traditional plant more than five thousand years1. Now plants are form of medicine practicing is homeopathy, ayurvedic, important source of chemical compounds like aspirin, unani and folk medicinal practitioners simply known as ephedrine, digoxin, quinine and tubocurarine etc drugs2. Kavirajes. Several factors have contributed to the It is true that the original source of many important prevalence of folk medicinal practice in our country. pharmaceuticals is only plant3. The people who have a The population of Bangladesh is poor, and a large vast knowledge on medicinal plant, edible plant and number of people cannot bear the cost of modern plant part, they are using plant as primary treatment. It treatment. On the other hand the Kavirajes use simple has been reported that about 64% of the total global formulations of medicinal plants, which are easy to be population remain dependent on traditional medicine taken by the people. Also the village does not have and medicinal plants for provision of their health-care clinics, hospitals, abundant allopathic doctors and needs4. In recent years traditional medicine has become modern treatment facilities. The poor transport system more popular to both scientists and mass people because also makes it difficult to bring people from rural areas of the scarcity of hospitals in rural area, cost to cities to accept modern treatment. But the Kavirajes effectiveness and low bioavailability, side effect and resides in the village and the villagers find him toxicity of allopathic drugs. Now a day’s people realize whenever they want. The Kavirajes serve the primary

IJRPB 4(5) www.ijrpb.com September-October 2016 Page 200 Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology Shahin Mahmud et.al ISSN: 2321-5674(Print); 2320 – 3471(Online) treatment of rural people. The formulations are also income. We also tried to know about the source of their simple being usually decoctions, paste or simply juice knowledge on this treatment process and most of them extracted from crushed or macerated whole plant or are learned it from their parents. During the interviews, different plant parts. These medicines are now using in the kavirajes took us on guided field- walks in the day the treatment of malaria, diabetes, hypertension, heart time through the areas from where they collected the disease, skin disease and some are used as anti-cancer medicinal plants they use. From there we pointed out or anti-tumor agent. the plants, there local name and their uses. The We have conducting our ethnomedicinal survey interviews were conducted on Bengali language for in Haluaghat upazila resides in Mymensingh district in both the kavirajes and the interviewers. The plants Bangladesh to gather information about the medicinal samples were collected and dried on the field and then plants used in diverse medication. The objective of this brought back to Bangladesh National Herbarium at study is, documentation of a large number information for complete identification. about medicinal plants and usages of those important 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION information to the development of pharmaceutical Plants and their distribution into families: In our purpose. survey we found that the Kavirajes of Haluaghat upazila 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS area used more than 80 plants. They used these plants Study area: Haluaghat upazilla resides in the northern to treat diverse types of diseases. The collected plants district Mymensingh. It is bounded by the Meghalaya are distributed into 51 families. The Fabaceae family state of India on the north, on the south, provided the largest number of species (5) followed by on the east and on Rutaceae, Araceae, Liliaceae families provide 4 plants. the west. Total population of this upazila is 2693725. The Lamiaceae and Cucarbitaceae families provided 3 Among them 50.68% were male and 49.32% constitute plants each. The Piperaceae, Apocynaceae, Musaceae, female. The literacy rate of this area is 32.4%6. The Verbenaceae, Asteraceae, Lauraceae, Lythroceae, survey was conducted in and around the Haluaghat Anacardiaceae, Moraceae families provided 2 plants upazila. each. The rest of the families contain single plant. Plants Data collection and sampling techniques: A number were obtained from both wild and cultivated area. The of visits were made on Haluaghat upazila and each visit fruits and spice are used for consumption as well as consists 1-2 days. Total 9 kavirajes were interviewed commercial purpose. one or more times for this survey. From them one was Uses of plant parts for ailment of diseases: The female and the rest were male. All the information kavirajes used most of the plant parts in the treatment of included here was collected from the interviews of diseases. These parts include leaves, flowers, stems, kavirajes. The purpose of the survey was explained to barks, rhizomes, roots, fruits, seeds, tubers, wood, them in details and they were told that the survey had shoot, spikes etc9. In the table, a whole plant of 7 species no other intentions apart from documentation of their is used to treat various kind of illness. In the survey of medicinal plant usage and this information may be these selected plants, leaves form the most frequently disseminate nationally or internationally. The used part (39.1%), followed by fruits (20.65%), root interviews were conducted on semi-structured (13.04%), bark (5.43%), seed (7.6%), flower (5.43%), questionnaire and the guided field-walk method as and stem (8.6%). The percentage of whole plant used in described by Martin7 and Maundu8. We focused on the treatment is 8.75%. It was also observed that the medicinal plant they used and their preparation towards particular plant parts are used by the kavirajes in several the interviews. We also asked them about their name, ways. age, family member, income source and monthly Table.1.Medicinal plants used by the folk medicinal healers (Kavirajes) of different village at Haluaghat Upazilla in , Bangladesh Sl. Scientific Family Local Part(s) Ailment no. name name used 1 Anthocephalu Rubiaceae Kadam Leaves, It is used as an Ayurvedic medicine for uterine s chinensis timber disorders, blood diseases and leprosy. Juice of bark is used to lower the body temperature. 2 Colocasia Araceae Kachu Corm, It is used in asthma, arthritis, diarrhea, internal esculenta leaves hemorrhage, neurological disorders, and skin disorders. The juice of CE corm is widely used for treatment of body ache and baldness. 3 Achyranthes Amaranthaceae Bilai Whole Antiperiodic, diuretic, purgative, laxative, aspera acra plant antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic and various other important medicinal properties 4 Azadirachta Meliaceae Neem Leaves, Leaf is used in leprosy, eye problem, epistaxis, indica Stems anorexia, skin ulcer. Fruits are useful in piles,

IJRPB 4(5) www.ijrpb.com September-October 2016 Page 201 Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology Shahin Mahmud et.al ISSN: 2321-5674(Print); 2320 – 3471(Online) intestinal worms, diabetes etc. Bark used in analgesic, cough. 5 Annona Annonaceae Aata Fruits, Ground seeds and leaf decoctions are used muricata Seeds against head lice, and as pesticides. The juice of the ripe fruit is said to be diuretic. 6 Averrhoa Oxalidaceae Kamran Fruits Fruit and its juice is often recommended in many carambola ga folk medicine as a diuretic (to increase urine output), expectorant, and to suppress cough. 7 Artocarpus Moraceae Khatal Fruits All parts of the plant have medicinal properties. heterophyllus The root is a remedy for skin diseases and asthma and the extract is taken in cases of fever and diarrhea. 8 Mangifera Anacardiaceae Aam Fruits, The various parts of the plant are used as an indica leaves antiseptic, astringent, dentifrice, diaphoretic, vermifuge, laxative, diuretic and laxative. It has the capacity to relieve dysentery, diarrhea, asthma, cough, bronchitis, hypertension, insomnia, anemia, rheumatism, hemorrhage, piles and leucorrhoea. 9 Stephania Menispermacea Gao Whole Leaves and roots are bitter and astringent; used in japonica e phata plants fever, diarrhoea, urinary diseases and dyspepsia. Root paste is taken for vertigo and dysentery. 10 Lawsonia Lythraceae Mahedi Leaves Plant pest are used in baldness, headaches, skin inermis disease. Seeds are useful in dysentery, liver disorder. Vaginal suppositories or pessaries prepared from the seeds and leaves of henna (Lawsonia) are used in relieving vaginal discharges, excessive menstruation, leucorrhoea and excessive white discharge. 11 Allergia Leguminoceae Karai Leaves It is mostly used in allergy, hay fever, and the procena common cold. These symptoms include rash, itching, watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose/throat, cough, runny nose, and sneezing. It is also used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness caused by motion sickness. 12 Acacia Fabaceae Babla Leaves It can relief diarrhea, tonsillitis. It is extremely nilotica effective in keeping the gums and the teeth healthy. It is also used in relieving the genital disorder Leucorrhea. 13 Litsea Lauraceae Kharajo Leaves It cans relief constipation, dysentery, indigestion. monopetala ra Leaves are soaked in water and the water taken orally 14 Hibiscus Malveaceae Joba Flowers, The decoction, juice, and extracts, prepared from rosachinensis leaves the leaves, flowers or roots of this plant are used as diuretics, contraceptives, antidiarrheals, aphrodisiacs, cough suppressants. 15 Pyllanathus Phyllanthaceae Citka Leaves, Bark is used as astringent and diuretic. Leaves are reticulatus fruits antidiarrheal and roots are used for asthma. Fruit of the plant is used in treatment of inflammation. 16 Syzygium Myrtaceae Jaam Fruit, Ripe fruits are used for diabetes treatment which cumini leaves is orally taken, leaves paste also effective against chronic dysentery, vomiting, excessive bleeding, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, constipation, hepatitis, burns, anemia and tonic.

17 Ziziphus Rhamnaceae Boroi Fruits, To treat waist pain. The soil around the plant is at oenoplia leaves first loosened on all sides. Then, facing east, the plant is plucked in one breath on a Saturday evening. The roots are put inside an amulet made from seven metals and the amulet is tied to the waist.

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18 Aegle Rutaceae Bel Fruits, Gastrointestinal disorders. Leaves are rubbed on marmelos seeds, a piece of stone and the emerging juice is taken leaves orally. Jaundice. Fruit pulp is taken with water like a sherbet. 19 Ampelopteris Thelypteridacea Deki Whole Oral lesions. Paste of whole plant is taken orally. prolifera e shak plant 20 Ageratum Asteraceae Fulkuri Whole It is used to treat fever, rheumatism, headache, conyzoides plant and colic. Aqueous extracts of leaves or whole plants have been used to treat colic, colds and fevers, diarrhea, rheumatism, spasms, or as a tonic. 21 Psidium Myrtaceae Payera Fruits, Unripe fruits are used for foods, ripe and unripe guajava leaves fruits are also effective for dysentery, constipation, peptic ulcer, digestive aid, loss of appetite, piles, tuberculosis. 22 Glycosmis Rutaceae Aste Stems, Stems and roots of plant are used on ulcers. Paste pentaphylla leaves of leaves, with a bit of ginger, applied to eczema and other skin diseases; also, applied over the navel for worms and other bowel disorders. 23 Abroma Sterculiaceae Olotka Roots Use in many gynecology diseases, such as— augusta mbal irregular menstrual cycle, painful menstrual cycle, leucoria etc, also to treat piles. 24 Allium cepa Liliaceae Piyanj Converted Remove the catarrh, cough, weariness and roots fatigue, and dandruff. 25 Allium Liliaceae Roshun Converted To treat wound, septic, hypertension, diabetes, sativum roots also increase the power of heart. 26 Asparagus Liliaceae Satamul Roots, To treat meho (denoting physical weakness racemosus i stems, arising from leaves racemosus willd. meho). Juice extracted from macerated roots is taken twice daily for 7 days. 27 Curcuma Zingiberaceae Holud Rhizomes To treat Jaundice, tumor, sprain, dermatitis, domestica conjunctivitis, small pox, colic. 28 Datura metel Solanaceae Dhutura Seeds, Use in hypotonic (lacking normal tone or tension leaves in muscles or arteries), helminthiasis, snake bite, sedative, anti-spasmodic, burn. 29 Mentha Lamiaceae Pudina Leaves Use to recover malnutrition in newly delivered arvensis pata mother. Leaves and stems of Amaranthus viridis are mixed with leaves and stems of Aerva sanguinolenta and leaves of Mentha spicata and taken. 30 Moringa Moringaceae Sajna Leaves, To treat jaundice. Juice obtained from crushed oleifera gachh fruit leaves and stems is taken orally. 31 Ocimum Labiatae Tulshi Leaves Remove cough, cold, catarrh, many kinds of skin sanctum disease, pimple, and pierce. 32 Zingiber Zingiberaceae Aada Converted To treat pain of belly, gastric, ulcer, indigestion officinale roots and many other stomach disorders /evil wind. 33 Carica Caricaceae Pepe Fruit, The softening qualities of papain have been taken papaya leaves in the treatment of warts, corns, sinuses, chronic forms of scaly eczema, cutaneous tubercles and other hardness of the skin produced by irritation. Papain is also used to treat arthritis. 34 Citrus Rutaceae Lebu Fruit Fill up the lacking of Vitamin C, remove scurvy, aurantiifolia bruise of mouth and palate, dandruff. It is also used in sexual stimulant.

IJRPB 4(5) www.ijrpb.com September-October 2016 Page 203 Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology Shahin Mahmud et.al ISSN: 2321-5674(Print); 2320 – 3471(Online) 35 Clerodendru Verbenaceae Baradi Young To treat stomach pain, acidity. The young leaves m viscosum leaves are blended with salt and molasses. A small amount is taken thrice daily on an empty stomach. 36 Coccinia Cucurbitaceae Telakus Leaf Juice is used for diabetes treatment, cordifol Whole constipation, gonorrhea, wounds healing,

plant dysentery, leucoderma, eczema, stomach pain, flatulence, skin eruptions, cataract, jaundice and tumor etc. 37 Solanum Solanaceae Bon Stem Intestinal bleeding. Juice from crushed stems is sisymbrifoliu kata administered orally till cure. m 38 Bombax Bombacaceae Shemul Root To treat wet dreams, physical weakness as a ceiba L. result of meho, to increase libido. Juice from macerated roots of non flowering plants is taken for wet dreams or meho. Juice from macerated roots of flowering or non flowering plants is taken to increase libido. 39 Clerodendru Verbenaceae Bandi Young To treat stomach pain, acidity. The young leaves m viscosum gach leaves are blended with salt and molasses. A small amount is taken thrice daily on an empty stomach. 40 Punica Lythraceae Dalim Leaves To treat flatulence, abdominal pain from granatum intestinal worms. Leaf juice is taken as remedy for flatulence and abdominal pain from intestinal worms. 41 Cassia Fabaceae Kashun Leaves, To treat itch, appetizer, anti- inflammatory, occidentalis di flower, asthma, whooping cough, leucoderma (partial or seed total loss of skin pigmentation, often occurring in patches). 42 Centella Apiaceae Thanku Leaves, Stomach disorders (stomach pain, flatulency). asiatica ni stem Juice obtained from crushed leaves and stems is taken orally. 43 Piper longum Piperaceae Pipolti Bark, fruit Uncontrolled bleeding during menstruation, colds, coughs, fever, hemorrhoids. 44 Typhonium Araceae Ghatkol Leaves, Blood dysentery. trilobatum stem 45 Momordica Cucurbitaceae Korola Leaves Severe diarrhea, dysentery, acidity, blood charantia purifier. Two tea spoonful of juice obtained from macerated leaves is taken orally for 7 days. 46 Ficus hispida Moraceae Dumur Fruit Persistent itching, skin irritation, swelling, inflammation. Gum is topically applied to affected areas. Fruits are cooked and eaten as vegetable. 47 Musa Musaceae Bicha Base To stop bleeding from cuts and wounds. If sapientum kola bleeding does not stop following cuts or wounds, the rotten base of the plant is applied to the place of bleeding. 48 Leucas Lamiaceae Dontok Stem Diarrhea, blood purifier, loss of appetite, aspera olosh indigestion. Stems of Leucas aspera are mixed with leaves of Azadirachta indica and leaves and fruits of Coccinia cordifolia are taken. 49 Hemigraphis Acanthaceae Buripan Leaves Headache, passing of semen in urine. hirta 50 Mimosa Fabaceae Lazzabo Leaves Pain in gum. Leaves are boiled in water. The pudica ti water is kept inside the mouth for some time and then spitted out.

IJRPB 4(5) www.ijrpb.com September-October 2016 Page 204 Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology Shahin Mahmud et.al ISSN: 2321-5674(Print); 2320 – 3471(Online) 51 Borassus Arecaceae Tal Root Urinary problems arising from endocrinological flabellifer disorders or diabetes (referred by the Kavirajes as meho). Juice from ½ kg roots is taken once in the morning on an empty stomach.

52 Scoparia Scrophulariacea Chini Leaves Dysentery. Leaves are soaked in water followed dulcis c pata by drinking the water for 2-3 days. 53 Unripe fruits are orally taken. Used for dysentery, Spondias pinnataAnacardiaceae Amra Bark, fruit dyspepsia, skin disorders, gastrointestinal

disorders, smooth digestion, wounds healing and

piles.

54 Aloe vera Liliaceae Gritaku Whole Hair loss, loss of skin texture. Paste of whole mari plant plant is topically applied to scalp or skin.

55 Ananas Bromeliaceae Anarosh Fruit juice Increase appetite, remove gastrointestinal comosus disorders, helps to digest, destroy the worms. 56 Areca Palmae Shupari Seeds Remove lekoria, sickness of uterus, irregular catechu menstrual cycle, inflammation of uterus. 57 Bambusa Graminae Bash White It is a stimulant for male, encouraging, increase arundinaceae extract of the energy of the penis. young bamboo 58 Cassia Caesalpiniaceae Sonapat Leaves Remove many skin disease, bruise, itching (dad) angustifolia a gach and blood pollution. 59 Citrus Rutaceae Jambura Root Malaria, febricity, anthelmintic, cough, appetizer, grandis gach hypotonic stomach ache, epilepsy, antiseptic. 60 Cocos Arecaceae Narical Fruits It concentrates the semen; remove sexual nucifera instability, longer the time of intercourse. 61 Coriandrum Umbelliferae Dhonia Leaves Increase the appetite, provide minerals, clean the sativum pata cough of the throat, and remove the anorexia. 62 Momordica Cucurbitaceae Corolla Fruits Treatment for diabetes, used as antioxidant, charantia remove gout, heart problem, used as anticancer agent. 63 Musa Musaceae Kola Fruits Remove constipation, stomach disorder, sapientum gach malnutrition, provides vitamins and minerals. 64 Nymphaea Nymphaeaceae Shapla Flowers Cough inflammation of the vocal cord, catarrah. nouchali 65 Phyllanthus Euphorbiaceae Amloki Fruits Biliary problem (bile turns the color of blood), emblica diabetes, tri-dosh nashok (alleviation or prevention of respiratory, stomach and hepatic problems) (fruit), fatigue, thirst, burning sensations in the body especially in the palms of hands or soles of feet, vomiting tendency, insanity (fruits pulp). 66 Piper betle Piperaceae Pan Leaves Increase the sexual power of the male, penis make strong; remove the bad smell of the mouth. 67 Portulaca Portulacaceae Nune Leaves, To remove the pain of belly, increase the activity oleracea shak Young of stomach. stems 68 Tagetes Asteraceae Gada Flowers Used as antiseptics, stop bleeding. patula 69 Terminalia Combretaceae Arjun Barks A wonderful treatment for heart disease. arjuna 70 Dalbergia Fabaceae Shisu Leaves, Leaves are used for eye pain, swelling, painful sissoo bark urination. Barks are used in bleeding disorders. 71 Cinnamomum Lauraceae Tejpata Leaves Excessive sexual desire, coughs, bloating, piles, tamala loss of appetite, sexual disorder.

IJRPB 4(5) www.ijrpb.com September-October 2016 Page 205 Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology Shahin Mahmud et.al ISSN: 2321-5674(Print); 2320 – 3471(Online) 72 Aristolochia Aristolochiacea Ishwar Leaves, Allergy, skin diseases. Leaves and roots are indica e mul root boiled together to extract juice. Juice is applied twice daily for 7 days. 73 Trigonella Fabaceae Methi Areal parts, Used to treat demulcent and diuretic, rheumatic foenum- seeds, roots affections gonorrhea and chronic dysentery. graceum 74 To increase frequency of urination. Root juice is Persicaria orientalis Hatisur Root orally taken. Polygoaceae

Polygoaceae

75 Hyptis Lamiaceae Tokma Fruit Fruits use for the treatment of flatulence, acidity, suaveolens gastric troubles. 76 Rauvolfia Apocynaceae Sharpag Bark of Remove hypertension, insomnia and high level serpentina anda roots cholesterol of blood. Swertia Gentianaceae Chirota Whole Sonnipath fever (Kaviraj term usually, denoting

77 chirata plant typhoid), blood purifier, acne, itches. Decoction of powdered plant is taken with a little sugar as

remedy for sonnipath fever. Decoction of powdered plant is taken with water to purify blood. Powdered plant is mixed with mishri (crystallized sugar) and the decoction taken for acnes and itches. 78 Calotropis Apocynaceae Akondo Gum Leucorrhea. Gum is mixed with honey and gigantea topically applied to affected areas of the skin.

This is done for several days. Warm leaves are applied as poultice on painful areas. 79 Kalanchoe Crassulaceae Pathork Leaves Diarrhea (symptoms: frequent and watery bowel pinnata uchi movements), irregular urination, urinary tract infection (symptoms: sudden abdominal pain, burning sensations in urinary tract). Juice obtained from macerated leaves is taken orally with salt in the morning on an empty stomach thrice daily for 21 days. 80 Cynodon Poaceae Dubla Leaves To stop bleeding from cuts and wounds. Crushed dactylon gash or chewed leaves are applied to area of bleeding.

Table.2. Percentage use of various plant parts by Kavirajes of different traditional healers in Haluaghat Upazilla, Bangladesh No Plant Part Percent 1 Leaves 39.1% 2 Fruits 20.65% 3 Seed 7.6% 4 Flower 5.43% 5 Root 13.04% 6 Stem 8.6% 7 Bark 5.43%

Figure.1. Percentage use of various plant parts by Kavirajes of different traditional healers in Haluaghat Upazilla, Bangladesh

IJRPB 4(5) www.ijrpb.com September-October 2016 Page 206 Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology Shahin Mahmud et.al ISSN: 2321-5674(Print); 2320 – 3471(Online) Medicinal plants are invaluable property of a 5. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics; Cultural survey country. This is the natural resource of a country. These report of Haluaghat Upazila, 2012. medicinal plants contribute enormously to the health 6. "Population Census Wing, BBS", Archived from the care system of the country. Several studies are now original on 2005-03-27. Retrieved November 10, 2006. conducted on phyto-chemicals and pharmalogocial activities of one or more medicinal plants. These 7. Martin GJ, Ethnobotany: A People and Plants scientific methods validated the traditional use of Conservation Manual. Chapman and Hall; London, several medicinal plants33. Several pharmaceutical 1995, 228. companies are conducting their research on medicinal 34 8. Maundu P, Methodology for collecting and sharing plants and they also using it as a source of medicine . indigenous knowledge: a case study. Indigenous The plants are one of the best sources of secondary Knowledge and Development Monitor, 3, 1995, 3–5. metabolites35. So proper utilization of these medicinal plants is very necessary and it should be done in a 9. Prasad LV, Indian System of Medicine and systematic way. We can use modern agricultural Homoeopathy Traditional Medicine in Asia. WHO- methods for their cultivation. The agricultural scientists Regional Office for South East Asia, 2002, 283-286. can run research work for improving their quality and 10. Prajapati R, Kalariya M, Umbarkar R, Parmar S, protect them. In our survey we tried to show the Sheth N, Colocasia esculenta: A potent indigenous importance of medicinal plants, there uses and the plant. International Journal of importance of documentation of the information. The Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases, 1(3), survey also highlighted the importance of gathering 2011, 90–96. such ethno-medicinal information for effective conservation of medicinal knowledge and medicinally 11. Gayathri DS, Archanah A, Abiramasundari P, Priya important plant species. V, Uma K, Abirami T, Nutrition and diseases-an overviews. Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, 4. CONCLUSION 46(12), 2009, 485-490. Overall, the scientific reports when available as to the plants used by the Kavirajes of the present survey 12. Sharma S, Kumar S, Phyllanthus reticulatus poir. – area have validated the traditional uses of these plants. An important medicinal plant: a review of its It is reasonable to expect that since the medicinal plants phytochemistry, traditional uses and pharmacological have a long history of usage by the Kavirajes, they will properties. International Journal of Pharmaceutical also be validated in their traditional uses when the Sciences and Research, 5(3), 2013, 33-44. relevant scientific experiments on their 13. Nath P, Arun K. Yadav P, Anticestodal properties pharmacological activities are performed. The plants, as of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (Malvaceae): an in vitro such, can potentially be valuable sources of newer and and in vivo study against Hymenolepis diminuta more efficacious drugs. (Rudolphi- 1819), a zoonotic tapeworm. Journal of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT parasitic diseases, 16(4), 2015, 112-127. The authors thank to all of the teachers in the 14. Rahmatullah M, Mollik MAH, Khatun MA, Jahan Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, R, Chowdhury AR, Seraj S, Hossain MS, Nasrin D, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology Khatun Z, A Survey on the Use of Medicinal Plants by University, Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh, for Folk Medicinal Practitioners in Five Villages of Boalia their valuable cooperation during the survey and this Sub-district, District, Bangladesh. Advances article proceeding. in Natural and Applied Sciences, 4(1), 2010, 39-44. REFERENCES 15. Jahan FI, Islam MT, Hasan MRU, Chowdhury AR, 1. Sofowora A, Medicinal Plants and Traditional Seraj S, Aziz MS, Jahan R, Khatun MA, Freedman R, Medicinal in Africa. John Wiley and Sons, New York, Rahmatullah M, A Survey on Non-conventional Plant 1982, 256. Parts Consumed during Monga– a Seasonal Famine 2. Gilani AH, Rahman AU, Trends in which Affects the Northern . ethnopharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, American-Eurasian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 100, 2005, 43- 49. 4(2), 2010, 230-236. 3. Balick JM, Cox PA, Plants, People and Culture: the 16. Rahmatullah M, Mollik MAH, Azam ATMA, Islam Science of Ethnobotany. Scientific American Library, MR, Chowdhury MAM, Jahan R, Chowdhury MH, New York, 1996, 228. Rahman T, Ethnobotanical Survey of the Santal Tribe Residing in Thakurgaon District, Bangladesh. 4. Cotton CM, Ethnobotany: Principle and Application. American-Eurasian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1996, 399. 3(4), 2009, 889-898.

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