2019, Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A

author(s)
Shahanaj Eatimony, Khairun Nahar Urmee, Nargis Ara and Mohammed Rahmatullah

abstract
Folk medicinal practices are the most common form of traditional medicinal practices in Bangladesh. Since folk medicinal practitioners (FMPs) do not need any formal training for their practices, anybody can start practicing as a FMP. Consequently, their practice methods and ingredients used for disease treatment are diverse. It is important to document such practices for a number of FMPs in Bangladesh have a large number of patients; among them are the literate and the wealthy, which groups for the most part shun FMPs. The objective of this study was to document the practices of a female FMP in Hatirdiya village in Bangladesh, who used plants in her formulations for disease treatment. The FMP was observed to use a total of 8 plants distributed into 6 families in her treatment. The plants were used to treat diabetes, cancer, cuts and wounds, pain, skin disorders, gastrointestinal complaints, epilepsy, fever, and genitourinary disorders. Scientific validation of the phytotherapeutic uses can provide affordable and locally available means for treatment of both common and several complicated ailments.