2018, Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part B

author(s)
Md. Nadim Hossain, Razia Sultana and Dr. Mohammed Rahmatullah

abstract
Folk medicine and folk medicinal practitioners (FMPs) constitute an important part of the health-care sector in Bangladesh. FMPs are distinguished not only by their knowledge of medicinal plants but also their apparent success in treatment of many complicated diseases, which are difficult to treat with allopathic medicines. Researchers can benefit greatly from documenting the practices of FMPs towards discovery of new medicines. The objective of this survey was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey and document the phytotherapeutic practices of three FMPs in Dinajpur district, which is located in the northwestern part of Bangladesh. It was observed that the FMPs used a total of 10 plants distributed into 8 families for treatment. The diseases treated included cancer, hypertension, fever, diabetes, bleeding, pain, eye disorders, respiratory difficulties, heart disorders, liver disorders, rheumatism, constipation, piles, biliary disorders, vomiting with blood, acne, leucorrhea, weakness, flatulence, hookworm infections, and skin infections.