Abstract Detail

Society for Economic Botany/BSA Economic Botany Section

Hossan, Md Shahadat [1], Seraj, Syeda [2], Khudha, Md. Monjur-E- [2], Aporna, Sadia Afrin [2], Khan, Md. Shamiul Hasan [2], Jahan, Rownak [3], Rahmatullah, Mohammed [4].

Medicinal plants used in amulets by the Bede community of Savar, Bangladesh for prevention of diseases.

The Bedes are otherwise known as the River Gypsies of Bangladesh. They live in boats and travel throughout the year within the country, residing for a few days to a few weeks at different river-side villages. They have their own healers, who prescribe medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes, as well as prescribe medicinal plants to be worn in amulets for prevention of various diseases or other types of disorders. The objective of the present study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey among a large Bede community, who resides in Savar, which falls within Dhaka district, Bangladesh to gather information on medicinal plants prescribed to be worn in amulets by the Bede healers. After obtaining informed consent from the healers, the actual survey was conducted with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field walk method. In this method, the healers showed various medicinal plants that they used within the amulets, and mentioned their local names and uses. All plant specimens were identified at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. The various plant species used in the amulets (with diseases given in parentheses) included Helicteres isora (unconsciousness in children), Ruellia ciliosa (mental tension due to disagreements between husband and wife), Adenanthera pavonina (excessive bleeding during menstruation), Sapindus mukorossi (prevent evil eye from children), Elaeocarpus ganitrus(bed wetting in children), Musa sapientumand Bryonopsis lacinosa (infertility in women), Martynia arnua (waist pain), Bixa orellana (injury), and Alstoniascholaris (wet dream).

Broader Impacts:

1 - University of Bedfordshire, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Postgraduate Medical School, 3B Oxgate Gardens, London, NW2 6EA, United Kingdom
2 - University of Development Alternative, Pharmacy, 80 Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
3 - University of Development Alternative, Molecular Medicine and Bioinformatics, 80 Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
4 - University of Development Alternative, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, 80 Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh

Keywords:
Bedes
Ethnomedicine
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: PEN016
Abstract ID:461