Research Article: Phytotherapeutic practices of a female Hajong tribal healer of Bangladesh
Shornaly Akther, Gopal Paul, Prianka Roy Chowdhury, Ishita Malek, Mohammed Rahmatullah
Abstract
Documentation of indigenous uses of plants for medicinal purposes can be a basis of further research, which in turn can lead to discovery of newer and more effective drugs. The objective of the present study was to document the plants used by a female Hajong tribal healer in Sunamganj district, Bangladesh. Interviews of the healer were carried out through a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. The healer used 6 plants in her formulations, which were distributed into 6 families. The plants were used for treatment of leucorrhoea, urinary disorders, diabetes, allergy, helminthiasis, intermittent fever, burning sensations during urination, and bone fracture. Female tribal healers are rare in Bangladesh and their use of plants for therapeutic purposes can be quite novel. From
that viewpoint, the plants used by the Hajong tribal healer possess considerable merit for further research leading to possible discovery of new drugs.
Keywords: medicinal plants, Hajong, tribal medicine, Sunamganj, Bangladesh
Shornaly Akther, Gopal Paul, Prianka Roy Chowdhury, Ishita Malek, Mohammed Rahmatullah
Abstract
Documentation of indigenous uses of plants for medicinal purposes can be a basis of further research, which in turn can lead to discovery of newer and more effective drugs. The objective of the present study was to document the plants used by a female Hajong tribal healer in Sunamganj district, Bangladesh. Interviews of the healer were carried out through a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. The healer used 6 plants in her formulations, which were distributed into 6 families. The plants were used for treatment of leucorrhoea, urinary disorders, diabetes, allergy, helminthiasis, intermittent fever, burning sensations during urination, and bone fracture. Female tribal healers are rare in Bangladesh and their use of plants for therapeutic purposes can be quite novel. From
that viewpoint, the plants used by the Hajong tribal healer possess considerable merit for further research leading to possible discovery of new drugs.
Keywords: medicinal plants, Hajong, tribal medicine, Sunamganj, Bangladesh
