Abstract Detail

Society for Economic Botany/BSA Economic Botany Section

Mollik, Md. Ariful Haque [1], Rahman, Md. Mahafuzur [1], Ferdausi, Dilara [1], Azam, Md. Nur Kabidul [1], Rahman, Md.Sahidur [1], Ahmed, Ahasan [2], Chowdhury, Majeedul H. [3], Jahan, Rownak [4], Rahmatullah, Mohammed [1].

A medicinal plant study of Koira region in Khulna district: First hand information from field investigation in Bangladesh.

Traditional medicinal practitioners known commonly as Kavirajes fulfill the medical needs of most rural as well as a significant section of the urban population of Bangladesh. It is the objective of this ongoing study program to find out more information on medicinal plant usage amongst various Kavirajes, since such usage varies between Kavirajes of different regions. The present survey was conducted amongst the Kavirajes of Koira region in the southern district of Khulna, Bangladesh. Interviews were conducted of the Kavirajes with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. Medicinal plant specimens as pointed out by the Kavirajes were photographed, collected and identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. Information on the use of thirty-nine medicinal plants or plant parts was obtained. The medicinal plants (with ailments treated given in parenthesis) included Clerodendrum infortunatum (malaria, dermatitis), Nymphaea nouchali (atherosclerosis), Phyla nodiflora (rheumatoid arthritis, eczema), Barringtonia acutangula (cancer), Wrightia antidysenterica (tuberculosis, tumor, spleen enlargement), Shorea robusta (syphilis), Vanda tessellata (rheumatoid arthritis), Callicarpa americana (dermatitis, tumor), Phragmites karka (jaundice, malaria), Pongamia pinnata (wound, dermatitis), Curculigo orchioides (infertility, fever), Xanthium italicum (tumor, headache, dermatitis), Ludwigia hyssopifolia (eczema), Abutilon indicum (tuberculosis), Sonneratia apetala (gonorrhea, malaria), Melia azedarach (cancer, rheumatoid arthritis), Heritiera fomes (diabetes, diarrhea, pain), Persicaria minor (sedative), Terminalia arjuna (hypertension, bone fracture), Asparagus racemosus (snake-bite), Cynodon dactylon (tonsillitis, atherosclerosis), Terminalia chebula (leucorrhea, tumor, tuberculosis), Swertia chirata (bronchitis, diuretic), Terminalia bellirica (diuretic, leprosy), Ageratum conyzoides (indigestion, impotency), Alternanthera sessilis (colic), Dendrocnide sinuata (dermatitis, stomachache), Zingiber officinale (cancer, liver diseases, paralysis), Leucas aspera (edema, snake-bite), Cymbopogon citratus (myopathic spasm), Bombax ceiba (leucorrhea, pneumonia, snake-bite), Aloe vera (asthma, cancer, gonorrhea), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (cold), Blumea lacera (diarrhea, edema), Solanum virginianum (asthma, snake-bite), Phyllanthus niruri (typhoid, diabetes), Wedelia chinensis (alopecia, cancer), Tamarindus indica (jaundice, anti-inflammatory), and Piper longum (cholera, tetanus, hypertension). It is to be noted that the above medicinal plants included mangrove species like Heritiera fomes and Sonneratia apetala, the medicinal uses of which are very little available or known.

Broader Impacts:

1 - University of Development Alternative, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, 80 Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
2 - University of Development Alternative, Pharmacy, 80 Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
3 - New York City College of Technology, Biological Sciences, 300 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
4 - University of Development Alternative, Molecular Medicine and Bioinformatics, 80 Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh

Keywords:
Kavirajes
Medicinal plants
Bangladesh.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Khorassan Ballroom/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 5:45 PM
Number: PEN008
Abstract ID:25