Biodiversity of Medicinal Plants in Bangladesh: Prospects and Problems of Conservation and Utilization

International Journal of Minor Fruits, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 1(1) 2015:

REVIEW ARTICLE Biodiversity of Medicinal Plants in Bangladesh: Prospects and Problems of Conservation and Utilization

M. M. Rahman and M. S. A. Fakir* Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

Accepted: 25 January 2015

Abstract: Bangladesh contains about 5,700 species these wild and semi-wild plant species, medicinal of higher plants being situated in a larger part of and aromatic plants have been used over the mil- South-Asian center of plant genetic diversity. Of lennia for human welfare in the promotion of which 260 species are cultivated and the rest of the health and as drugs and fragrance materials. In species are virtually left on growing in natural vege- Bangladesh, the importance of medicinal plants tation in forests and in village thickets. Chittagong needs no mention. Even today, use of medicinal Hill Tracts posses the largest tropical rain forest of plants in primary health care systems is very Bangladesh, which includes a vast amount of plant important, especially in remote rural commu- resources. Majority of the tribal communities of the nities and poorly accessible areas. Wild collec- country live in this area and depend on the plant re- tions of herbs mainly by the poor are a livelihood sources for their food, fuel, fruit, vegetables and activity and often a major source of cash income medicine. The use of wild plants forms part of their for these groups. Ayurvedic and Unani compa- traditional or indigenous systems of knowledge and nies (phytopharmaceuticals) use large number of practice that have accumulated and developed over medicinal plants species as traditional medicines generations. The widely used medicinal plant species since ancient times. Most important medicinal are – Neemada (Buddleja asiatica), Mondessa plants are: Terminalia arjuna (Arjun), T. che- ( Campanumoea celebica ), Kanphutki bula (Hartaki), T. bellirica (Bohera), Aegle (Cardiospermum halicacabum), Pahari bichuti marmelos (Bael), Withania somnifera (Cnesmone javanica), Pidaghi (Cratoxylum sum- (Aswagandha), Cassia angustifolia (Sonapata), stranum), Madanmasta (Dehaasia kurzii), Chotra- Saraca asoca (Ashok). But unfortunately, the pata (Laportea crenulata), Mughal mani gach loss of habitats and overharvesting has threatened (Nelsonia campestris), Kulla (Desmos longiflorus) the availability of the medicinal plants that will etc. Also, a vast majority of forests of Bangladesh undermine the productivity in herbal medicines lies in Sylhet division in the Northeast Bangladesh and will ultimately lead to irreversible biological Ecological Zone located on a series of low hills on loses and a high socio-economic price. Consider- the southern and southeastern parts of Habiganj and ing the threats from the loss of plant species, the Moulavibazar districts. Sylhet forests alone have Botanical Garden of Bangladesh Agricultural 790 species of flowering plants distributed in 95 University has strengthened collection and families. The most significant fact is that 25 of 95 conservation of threatened medicinal plant spe- families in this region are each represented only by cies of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and Sylhet a single taxon. Plant species which are becoming Forests. In Bandarban (CHT), out of targeted 37 rare in Sylhet Region are: Kumbhi (Carea arbo- species, a total of eight plant species have so far rea), Kalija (Cordia dichotoma), Pani-hijal (Salix been identified and located with the help of the tetrasperma), Kurta (Plaquium polyanthum) etc. Of local tribal herbal practitioners. The species

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

02 are: Fernandoa adenophylla, Cratoxylum sum- plants grown in wetlands are significant in stranum, Phlogacanthus curviflorus, Hedyotis rural economy for providing fodder, fuel, scandens, Breynia retusa, Laportea crenulata mat, thatching materials and fencing (Basu and Gynura nepalensis. The rest 29 species have and Manna, 1997). Numerous other wild re- not yet been located in natural habitats. Re- source species, e.g. orchids, bromeliads, an- peated search are being made with the help of thuriams, heliconias, bulbs, cacti and succu- the local people and the herbal practitioners to detect their occurrence in natural habitat. In Syl- lents are also available in the forests. het forests, a total of 29 species have been col- Of these wild and semi-wild plant species, lected out of targeted 45 species, and 16 other medicinal and aromatic plants have been species have not yet been collected due their used over the millennia for human welfare disappearance from the locality. Some of the in the promotion of health and as drugs species are: Olea dioica, Alphonsea ventricosa, and fragrance materials. According to the Atropa beladona, Canarium bengalense, Pa- World Health Organization (WHO), medici- jnelia longifolia, Cryptoronia paniculata, nal plants form the basis of traditional and Vernonia arborea, Cinchona officinalis. indigenous health systems used by the majority of the population of most developing Keywords: Medicinal plants, Biodiversity, Con- countries. In recent years, there has been a servation, Utilization. growth of interest in traditional medicine, in part driven by the interest in complementary INTRODUCTION medicine in industrial countries, and in part resulting from the interests of the Bangladesh being situated in a sub-tropical international pharmaceutical industries. zone constitutes a larger part of South-Asian Modern pharmacopeia still contains at center of plant genetic diversity, sharing least 25% drugs derived from plants and with India. It is rich in field crops, fruits, many others which are synthetic analogues nuts and forest plants covering a wide array built on prototype compounds isolated from of species, genera and families with enor- plants. China, India, Sri Lanka and a few mous genetic diversity. About 5700 species other countries have officially recognized the of higher plants have been recorded so far, use of traditional medicines in health care and of these, some 160 species are used as delivery systems. The system of Unani crops (Mondal, 1990). The rest of the spe- and Ayurvedic Medicine was also brought cies are virtually left on growing in natural under the National Drug Policy of Bang- vegetation in forests and in village thickets, ladesh in 1982 to ensure availability, com- which have been an important source of nu- mercial manufacturing and marketing of merous non-wood forest products, like fruits quality Unani and Ayurvedic Medicine and and nuts, medicine and aromatics, fuel, fod- Drugs (Ahsan et al., 1997). der, bamboo, rattans, palms, and ornamen- tals. Some 60 species of both minor and un- In Bangladesh, the importance of medicinal derutilized fruit and nut species are common plants needs no mention. Medicinal plants in the forests and the village thickets. More have been used in Bangladesh by a large than 500 species of medicinal plants have number of industries and companies. Phar- been listed from the undergrowth vegetation maceutical companies use medicinal plant of the forests and village groves. There are materials for the isolation of single puri- at least 18 species of bamboo and 8 species fied drugs, e.g. digitoxin extracted from of rattans occurring both wild in the forests Digitalis, vincristine from Catharanthus and cultivated in rural households (Banik, roseus, senna from Cassia senna. Ay- 1990; Alam, 1988). About 29 species of urvedic and Unani companies

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International Journal of Minor Fruits, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 1(1) 2015: 03 (phytopharmaceuticals) use large number changing concept after the proclamation of medicinal plants species as traditional adopted in the Convention of Biological Di- medicines since ancient times. Most im- versity (CBD) in 1993, many universities, re- portant medicinal plants are: Terminalia search institutes and NGOs in both developed arjuna, T. chebula, T. bellerica, Aegle and developing countries have strengthened ex marmelos, Withania somnifera, Cassia an- -situ (off site) conservation of rare and endan- gustifolia, Saraca asoca. gered plants through botanic gardens, arbore- tum, horterium, field gene-banks and seed Even today, use of medicinal plants in pri- banks in order to save them from extinction. mary health care systems is very important, These institutes are not only cultivating and especially in remote rural communities and maintaining most of the germplasm of wild poorly accessible areas. Wild collections of and semi-wild species in their ex-situ gene- herbs mainly by the poor are a livelihood banks for conservation, but also providing fa- activity and often a major source of cash in- cilities for education and research with ready come for these groups. Wild medicinal access to a wide range of plant genetic materi- plants, therefore, play an invaluable role in als which is not possible with remote and dis- the health services and the very livelihood of persed population. In addition to collection majority of the rural population. The system and conservation activities, these institutes are of Unani and Ayurvedic medicine was also also involved in cultivation and utilization of brought under the National Drug Policy of rare and endangered species and species of Bangladesh in 1982 to ensure availability, local importance at village levels involving commercial manufacturing and marketing local people/farmers based on their local of quality Unani and Ayurvedic Medicine knowledge and cultural diversity. and Drugs (Ahsan et al., 1997). An inexpensive and sustainable method of The loss of habitats and overharvesting has plant conservation and cultivation could be threatened the availability of the medicinal established through outreach activities at vil- plants that will have a direct effect on the lage levels by building a new capacity with lives of poor people, particularly the poor little efforts and inputs if an interactive net- women as they are directly involved with working is developed with the resource poor the management of daily household af- farmers. Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic fairs relating to food, family health care plants in their home gardens and in agro- and nutrition, treatment and income etc. If forestry systems can directly contribute to the situation continues unabated, the decline the economic betterment of the rural people of diversity in medicinal plant genetic re- through providing the resource poor with mul- sources will undermine productivity in tiple sources of food, fruit, herbal medicine herbal medicines that will ultimately lead to and income. This program will also help in- irreversible biological loses and a high socio- crease biodiversity in the farmers’ field that economic price. So, immediate attention is will help pressure off the forests. most needed to save the medicinal and aromatic plant genetic resources in protected Overview of medicinal and aromatic plants areas and regenerate and multiply them in farmers’/users’ field to enhance biodiver- The forests and the village thickets have al- sity and to sustain and support the cen- ways been the major sources of medicinal and tury old traditional medicinal heritage of aromatic plant genetic resources. Wild species Bangladesh. Considering the threats from with enormous genetic potentials are the fun- the loss of plant species, particularly with damental basis of food security and health. In

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Bangladesh, Chittagong Hill Tracts possess southeastern parts of Habiganj and Mou- the largest tropical rain forest of Bangla- lavibazar districts. Small patches of hill for- desh, which includes a vast amount of plant ests are also situated in the northeastern part resources. A total of 700 plant species are of Sylhet district. On the other hand, the known to be used as medicine by Tribal northern part of Sylhet and Sunamganj dis- people for treatment of some 302 ailments trict has extensive tracts of freshwater (Uddin, 2006).Majority of the tribal com- swamp forests reaching up to Garo Hills. munities of the country live in this area and Broad-leaf evergreen trees in association depend on these plant resources for their with some deciduous species are found on food, fuel, fruit, vegetables and medicine. hills while swamp forest species are typical The use of wild plants forms part of our tra- of low-lying areas. Sylhet forests alone have ditional or indigenous systems of knowl- 790 species of flowering plants distributed edge and practice that have accumulated in 95 families (Alam, 1988). The most sig- and developed over generations. A good nificant finding is that 25 of 95 families in number of wild plant species that occur this region are each represented only by a naturally in the wild have been the major single taxon. This fact indicates the urgency sources of vegetables. These are, among that the representative populations of the others- Ghamani gach (Archidendron plant species are to be maintained and con- bubalinum), Danti (Baliospermum monta- served with maximum protection in order to num), Barojangali (Boehmeria malabarica), save them from extinction from the forests. Janggali shak (Ampelygonum chinense), Plant components which are becoming Hamussa gach (Breynia retusa), Ludi sola rare in Sylhet Forest Region are: (Byttneria pilosa), Saing maning kak Kumbhi (Carea arborea), Kalija (Cordia (Evolvulus nummularius), Kaowatuti dichotoma), Pani-hijal (Salix tetrasperma), (Fernandoa adenophylla), Ataiho koga Kurta (Plaquium polyanthum), etc. Majority (Hedyotis scandens) etc. Majority of the of the rural poor, particularly the tribal com- tribal people also use some wild plants as munities of the country living in this area folk medicine (Uddin, 2006). This is a di- depend on these plant resources for their verse system specific to ecosystem and eth- food, fuel, fruit, vegetables and medicine. nic community. Folk medicines are used for home remedies, food and nutrition related Sal Forests in plain land are composed of weaknesses and common ailments. The many medicinal and aromatic species of widely used medicinal plant species are: plants of diverse habits extending from trees Ban-jamir (Acronychia peduculata), Noga and shrubs to herbs and climbers. The me- Kola (Alphonsea venticosa), Jangli-badam dicinal tree species are: Hartaki (Terminalia (Alseodaphne petiolaris), Ban Kamla chebula), Bohera (T. belerica), Arjune (Atalantia monophylla), Ori Gab, Gulul (T. arjuna), Ashok (Saraca indica), Kur- (Diospyros rammiflora), Ban Bakul chi (Holarrhena antidysentrica), Parul (Drypetes assamica), Thisuru (Garcinia (Stereospermum suaveolens), Palash lanceaefolia), Sumomukhi (Homalium nep- (Butea monosperma), Muchkundo/Moos alense) (Bangladesh National Herbarium, (Pterospermum acerifolium), Chal-mugra 2006). (Hydnocarpus kurzii) Sona (Oroxylon indi- cum), Kharajora/Bijal-ghata (Litsea mo- A vast majority of forests of Bangladesh nopetala), Neem (Azadirachta indica), lies in Sylhet division in the Northeast Rakto-chandan (Pterocarpus santilinus), Bangladesh Ecological Zone located on a Ganiari (Premna integrifolia), Bael series of low hills on the southern and

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International Journal of Minor Fruits, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 1(1) 2015: 05 (Aegel marmelos), Bhela (Semicarpus Importance of Medicinal and Aro- anacardium), Barun (Crataeva nurvala), matic Plant Genetic Resources Sonalu (Cassia fistula), Chatim (Alstonia scholaris). Among the climbers, the species Wild and semi-wild medicinal and aromatic of medicinal importance are: Bhui-kumra plant species have been used over the millen- (Ipomea digita), Gulancha (Tinospora to- nia for human welfare in the promotion of mentosa), Shayma-lota (Ichnocarpus frutes- health and as drugs and fragrance materi- cens), Ananta-mool (Hemidesmus indicus), als. According to the World Health Or- Kumari-lata (Smilax zeylanica), Shoto- ganization (WHO), medicinal plants form muli (Asparagus recemosus), Gandha- the basis of traditional and indigenous health bhadulia (Paederia foetida), Peepul (Piper care needs used by the majority of the longum), Choi (Piper chaba), Alkushi world’s population. This trend of using me- (Mucuna pruriens), Makal (Hodgsonia dicinal plants does not occur only in devel- macrocarpa), Nata (Caesalpinia bonduc), oping countries but also present in developed Telakucha (Coccinea cordifolia), Dio- countries as well. In recent years, there has scorea spp. etc. The forests and village been a growth of interest in traditional groves are also rich in magnificent and medicine due to increase in interests in luxuriant growth of undergrowth vegeta- complementary medicine in industrial tion. The Burma type, the Tidal forests and countries as well as the interests of the the low level plain "Sal" forests of Bangla- international pharmaceutical industries. desh have such undergrowth vegetation Modern pharmacopeia still contains at least of medicinal importance. The most im- 25 % drugs derived from plants and many portant undergrowth medicinal herb species others, which are synthetic analogues built are: Berela (Sida cordifolia), Bhringoraj on prototype compounds isolated from plants (Wedelia calendulacea), Kontakari (Silva, 1997). (Solanum xanthocarpum), Punarnaba (Boerhaavia diffusa), Ashwa-gandha Two of the largest users of medicinal plants (Withania somnifera), Sarpa-gandha are China and India. Traditional Chinese (Ravolfia serpentina), Josti-madhu Medicine (TCM) uses over 5,000 plant spe- (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Kalo-megh cies; India uses some 7,000 species. In (Andrographis paniculata), Brahmi-sak China, sales of traditional medicines have (Herpestis monniera), Pudina (Mentha more than doubled in the last five years. Use spicata), Apang (Achyranthus aspera), of Traditional Chinese Medicine- Ayurveda, Bach (Acorus calamus), Ekangi (Zingiber Unani and Sidda has also been growing at a zerumbet) etc. There are also some other rapid rate in Western countries. In Britain the important shrub species, like Basak use of TCM has increased tremendously, (Adhatoda vasica), Nishinda (Vitex ne- especially for the treatment of eczema- gundo), Akando (Calotropis procera), In- an estimated 1.0 million TCM prescrip- drojob (Wrightia tinctoria), Sona-mukhi tions were written in 1995 and the number of (Cassia angustifolia), Dhutura (Datura TCM doctors has doubled in the past five metel), Gajo-peepul (Scindapsus offici- years. China has about 2,50,000 traditional nalis), Olat-kamboal (Abroma augustifo- medical doctors, and in 1990, TCM doctors lia), Cassia senna etc. More than 500 used some 7,00,000 tones of plant materials. species of medicinal plants have so far India has about 4,60,000 traditional medicine been listed by the Bangladesh National doctors, and export trade in medicinal plants Herbarium (BNH) from the undergrowth in it has risen almost three times during the vegetation of the forests and village groves. last decade, and it is booming. Latin Amer-

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ica, home of a third of the world’s plants, are on the point of extinction due to degra- has also a long-standing tradition of use of dation and loss of habitats. Bangladesh sta- plants as medicine, especially among the tistics show a total forest area of 1,559 sq indigenous peoples. Nearly 2,000 species km or about 12.8 percent of the total land used in the Colombian Amazon for me- area (BBS, 1994). However, estimates of dicinal purposes. The use of herbal remedies other sources reveal that the forest area of is also booming in developed countries. In Bangladesh shrank from 16.5 % in 1971 to Germany, over 80% of all physicians regu- 6.0 % in 1982. A recent study however larly use herbal products. Indeed, most of shows that the forest area does not exceed 5 Europe (except Britain and Ireland) has -6 % of the total land area. An estimated never lost its herbal tradition. In USA, herbal 73,000 hectares of Bangladesh forest have remedies are worth $1.6 billion, and it is ris- been lost through encroachment for agricul- ing. The situation is similar in Japan (Suk, ture and aquaculture during the last two 1998). decades. It is also estimated that a loss of about 8,000 hectares of forests occurs annu- In Bangladesh, medicinal and aromatic ally due to industrialization and urbaniza- plants have been used in Ayurvedic and folk tion. A number of papers reported that medicine since ancient times. Even today, herbalists now having to walk increasingly use of medicinal plants in primary health greater for herbs that once grew almost out- care systems is very important, especially in side the door. Data on threatened species remote rural communities and poorly acces- are scarce but a large number of medicinal sible areas. In many parts of the country, plants are reported to be disappearing rap- particularly in adjoining forest area, wild idly in Bangladesh due to destruction of collections of herbs mainly by the poor are a natural habitats (FAO, 1984). It has been livelihood activity and often a major source reported that 24 vascular plant species of cash income for these groups. Wild me- have been threatened in Bangladesh of dicinal plants, therefore, play an invaluable which 1 species is extinct/endangered, 21 role in the health services and the very species vulnerable, 1 rare and 1 indeter- livelihood of majority of the rural popula- minate (Walter and Gillett, 1998). Some tion. Given the importance of herbal medi- 45 forestry species are currently threatened cines, the Government of Bangladesh has with extinction (Khan, 1991; Haq and brought the system of Unani and Ay- Banik, 1992). Some medicinal plants have urvedic Medicine under the National also been reported as endangered by Dr. N. Drug Policy in 1982 to ensure availabil- Ahmed (Pers. comm.). The species are Sag- ity, commercial manufacturing and market- ittaria platyphylla (Kawatukri), Zingiber ing of quality Unani and Ayurvedic Medi- spectabile (Bonada), Vitex trifolia (Sagar cine and Drugs (Ahsan et al., 1997). nishinda), Melastoma melabathricum Depletion of medicinal plant species (Bon tejpata), Leea alata (Bon chalida). The Bangladesh National Herbarium has The bulk of the medicinal and aromatic very recently listed 106 plant species as en- plants are still wild harvested and only a dangered (Khan, 1991), of them, some 35 very small number of species is cultivated. plant species have been mentioned for me- The over-exploitation and destructive har- dicinal purposes. It has also been known vesting of medicinal plants in the wild by the from personal communications that some escalating human populations have lead other important wild medicinal plant spe- many plant species to become rare and some cies are now at risk of being lost in all or

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International Journal of Minor Fruits, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 1(1) 2015: 07 part of their distribution ranges because of is not jeopardized. Hence, immediate atten- reduction in their population numbers due to tion is most needed to save the medicinal and habitat destruction and over collecting. The aromatic plant genetic resources in protected species are: Aglaia roxburghiana (Pironga), areas and regenerate and multiply them in Arbus precatorius (Rati), Bixa orellana farmers’/users’ field to enhance biodiversity (Doigota), Caesalpinia bonduc (Nata), Ipo- and to sustain and support the century's old moea digita (Bhuikumra), Mollotus philipin- traditional medicinal heritage of Bangladesh. ensis (Sinduri), Piper chaba (Choi), Vetive- The World Health Assembly has passed a ria zizanioides (Ghandhabena), Terminalia number resolution in response to a resur- belerica (Bohera), Terminalia. chebula gence of interests in the study and use of tra- (Haritaki), Terminalia arjuna (Arjune), ditional medicine in health care, and in the Holarrhena antidysentrica (Kurchi), Rau- recognition of the importance of medicinal volfia sarpentina (Sarpagandha), Litsea mo- plants to the health systems of many devel- nopetala (Kharajora) etc. oping counties (FAO, 1997). In answer to WHO’s call, many developing countries have The threats from the loss of medicinal decided to take traditional forms of medicine plant resources more seriously and to explore the possibility of utilizing them in primary health care. East The loss of habitats and overharvesting has Asian countries such as Japan, China, Tai- threatened the availability of the medicinal wan and South Korea have officially recog- plants that are used as the first and last resort nized the use of traditionally inherited medi- for health care by many rural populations. cines and folk medicine in health care deliv- The loss of medicinal plant resources and ery systems in their own countries (Suk, biodiversity will have a direct effect on the 1998). lives of poor people, particularly the poor women as they are directly involved with the Enhancement of medicinal plant biodiver- management of daily household affairs relat- sity ing to food, family health and nutrition, treatment and income etc. In addition, the Collection and conservation of medicinal traditional Ayurveda and Unani physicians plants in Botanic Garden also use substantial quantities of medicinal plants who get their supplies mostly from the The Botanical Garden of Bangladesh Agri- wild. With the increasing demand for me- cultural University is playing an important dicinal and aromatic plant species, there is a role in collection and conservation of rare strong likelihood that the medicinal and aro- and endangered plant species, specially the matic plant species will become rare and ul- medicinal plants. Germplasm of threatened timately extinct due to exhaustive and de- wild plant genetic resources are collected structive collection practices. This decline of from different parts of the country according diversity in medicinal plant genetic re- to their distribution sources. Collected seeds sources will undermine productivity in are germinated and multiplied for growing herbal medicines and the environment plants as live collections in the garden for that will ultimately lead to irreversible conservation and future use. The gardens are biological loses and a high socio-economic also involved in species recovery and resto- price. So, it is important to ensure that the ration programme through multiplying and large diversity of medicinal plants used reproducing rare and threatened plant species by people living in different ecosystems, for reinforcement of reduced populations and mainly the rural communities and the tribal, for restoration of degraded habitats.

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dysenterica, Hydnocarpus kurghii, Litsea Conservation and cultivation in farmers’ glutinosa, L. monopetala, Madhuca indica, homesteads/ fields Mimusops elengi, Phyllanthus embelica, Schleichera oleosa, Terminalia arjuna, T. The main objective of this activity is the chebula, T. belirica etc. conservation of rare and endangered plant species, and species of local importance through cultivation at home gardens and in CONCLUSION crop land through agroforestry systems. Un- der his program, the local people may be Bangladesh is enriched with a vast re- involved through raising awareness and sources of medicinal plants scattered in for- providing necessary seedlings/saplings of ests, particularly in village jungles and rare and locally important medicinal and shrubberies. But unfortunately, widespread aromatic plant species for cultivation in habitat loss and overexploitation has threat- their own lands. Cultivation of medicinal and ened the availability of medicinal plants. aromatic plant species will directly contrib- So, immediate attention is needed to save ute to the economic benefit of the rural and conserve the medicinal plants in-situ people through earning income by sale and ex-situ. Networking to these effects, proceeds. On the other hand, it will help en- involving all the stakeholders, could have a rich the biodiversity outside the protected great impact in conservation and sustainable areas, which will intern help pressure off the utilization of medicinal plants. Domestica- forests. The cultivation programme may in- tion of a wide variety of medicinal plants clude: Acorus calamus, Aegle marmelos, and their introduction into sustainable agri- Aloe indica, Andrographis paniculata, cultural and forestry systems can play a vi- Artemisia niligirca, Asparagus recemosus, tal role to support the century old traditional Azadirachta indica, Bacopa monniera, medicinal heritage of Bangladesh. Careya arborea, Gloriosa superba, Helic- tyres isora, Phyllanthus embelica, Piper chaba, P. longum, P. nigrum, Rauvolfia sar- REFERENCES pentina, Terminalia arjuna, T. chebula, T. bellirica, Tinospora cordifolia, Withania 1. Ahsan ATMK, Shabuddin M, Choudhuri K, somnifera, Woodfordia fruticosa etc. Shahriar M, Huda AN and Chowdhury Z (1997) Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization Conservation and cultivation through com- of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Plant Genetic munity plantations Resources-Bangladesh Perspective. Proceedings of National Workshop on Plant Genetic Re- sources. 26-29 August, 1997. Bangladesh Agric. Community plantations will have an impor- Res. Council, Farm Gate, Dhaka. tant bearing especially in reference to the 2. Alam MK (1988) Annotated Checklist of the primary health care needs of the country Woody Flora of Sylhet Forests. Bulletin 5. Plant that will help increase the supply of me- Taxonomy Series, Bangladesh Forest Research dicinal herbs for traditional medicines. Institute, Chittagong, 153 p. 3. Banik RL (1992) Bamboo Cultivation and Man- Cultivation of herbal medicines can be un- agement in Bangladesh. Bulletin 1. Bamboo Re- dertaken at the community level with the search Series, Bangladesh Forest Res. Inst., Chit- plants listed here: Aegle marmelos, Aquil- tagong. laria agallocha, Azadirachta indica, Bixa 4. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) (1994) orellena, Casia fistula, Cinnamomum cam- Statistical Year Book of Bangladesh, Ministry of phora, C. zeylanicum, Holarrhena anti-

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