Ethnomedicinal plants of the Nag clan, Rai Ghatual, Moulvibazar.

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Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Ethnomedicinal plants used by the Nag clan of the Rai Ghatual tribe of Moulvibazar district, Bangladesh
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:

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Author:

Protiva Rani Das, Md. Tabibul Islam, Rownak Jahan, Mohammed Rahmatullah


Ancient Science of Life:

(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)

Full text available for: Ethnomedicinal plants used by the Nag clan of the Rai Ghatual tribe of Moulvibazar district, Bangladesh

Year: 2013

Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

The medicinal practices of indigenous tribes in Bangladesh are crucial to understanding traditional medicine, yet they remain largely un-documented. This study focuses on the Nag clan of the Rai Ghatual tribe in Moulvibazar district, aiming to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey to document their traditional healing practices. The Nag clan, consisting of approximately 700 members, has a small number of tribal healers who continue to use traditional medicinal knowledge to treat various ailments. By investigating their practices, this study contributes to the broader understanding of ethnomedicine in Bangladesh.

The Efficacy of Traditional Remedies

The healers of the Nag clan utilize a diverse set of 28 plant species from 22 families to treat a range of ailments, including fever, gastrointestinal disorders, and pain management. Notably, they employ a complex formulation made from several plants, including Andrographis paniculata and Ocimum tenuiiflorum, among others, highlighting their extensive knowledge of plant properties. Many of these plants have their medicinal benefits supported by scientific literature, showcasing the potential of traditional knowledge to inform modern medicine. The findings indicate that the remedies used by these healers not only reflect a rich cultural heritage but also possess qualities that can be substantiated through scientific inquiry.

Conclusion

The study of the Nag clan's traditional medicinal practices provides valuable insights into their ethnomedicinal knowledge and highlights the importance of documenting such practices for potential integration into modern healthcare. The observed use of various plants, many of which have recognized pharmacological effects, suggests that indigenous knowledge can play a significant role in discovering new medicinal sources and promoting conservation of these plants. Continued research in this area is essential to unlock the full potential of traditional remedies, which might otherwise be at risk of being lost in the face of modernization.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What was the aim of the ethnomedicinal study?

The aim of the study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey among the Nag clan of the Rai Ghatual tribe in Bangladesh, documenting their traditional medicinal practices and the plant species used for various ailments.

How many plant species were identified in the study?

A total of 28 different plant species from 22 families were identified by the Nag clan healers, utilized for treating ailments such as fever, dysentery, jaundice, and more.

What types of ailments did the Nag healers treat?

The Nag healers treated various ailments including fever, loss of appetite, male infertility, gastrointestinal disorders, lower abdominal pain during menstruation, jaundice, burning sensations during urination, and general bodily pain.

What is the significance of the study's findings?

The findings highlight the extensive knowledge of the Nag healers regarding medicinal plants, with several plants showing validation in their uses through existing scientific literature. This underscores the potential for further scientific studies on these plants.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Ethnomedicinal plants of the Nag clan, Rai Ghatual, Moulvibazar.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Science (Scientific):
Science relates to the systematic study of the natural world and the validation of traditional healing practices. The integration of ethnomedicine with scientific research enhances our understanding of gastrointestinal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pyretic properties of plant-based remedies, potentially leading to new therapeutic discoveries.

2) Activity:
Activity in the context of this study relates to the biological effects of the medicinal plants used by the Nag clan. It is crucial to understand how these plants exhibit pharmacological effects, such as analgesic or anti-inflammatory activities, contributing to their utility in addressing various ailments among tribal populations.

3) Fish:
Fish represents a dietary component that tribal healers often contraindicate when treating specific ailments. For instance, the Nag healers advise against consuming certain types of fish during treatments for jaundice and lower abdominal pain, underlining the importance of diet in enhancing the efficacy of medicinal plant formulations.

4) Drug:
Drug refers to any substance used for medical purposes, including the plant-based remedies employed by the Nag clan. Understanding traditional healing practices enhances our comprehension of healthcare, potentially guiding the development of new pharmaceuticals derived from the active components of these medicinal plants.

5) Burning sensation:
Burning sensation is a symptom that may indicate underlying health issues, such as urinary tract infections. The Nag clan's treatments include specific plant formulations aimed at alleviating this discomfort, showcasing indigenous knowledge on symptom identification and remedies, which could be relevant for modern treatments and pharmacological research.

6) Knowledge:
Knowledge in this context pertains to the extensive understanding that the Nag healers possess regarding the medicinal properties of plants. This empirical wisdom is critical for the preservation of cultural practices and offers insight into potential pharmacological applications of traditionally used herbs in contemporary medicine.

7) Substance:
Substance encompasses both the medicinal plants used in treatments and the active biochemical compounds found in them. Identifying these substances is imperative for scientific research to ascertain their health benefits and establish appropriate therapeutic applications within modern medicinal frameworks.

8) Medicine:
Medicine refers to the field concerned with maintaining health and curing diseases. The Nag clan utilizes ethnomedicinal practices that contribute to this broader understanding of health care, where traditional knowledge may complement and enhance contemporary medical treatments through validated herbal remedies.

9) Sour:
Sour designates a taste and dietary element that the Nag healers instruct patients to avoid while undergoing treatment, particularly for certain conditions. Dietary restrictions are integral to traditional medicine, emphasizing how food can influence the effectiveness of medicinal plant formulations.

10) Trigonella foenum-graecum:
Trigonella foenum-graecum, known as fenugreek, is a medicinal plant used by the Nag clan for treating specific ailments. Its inclusion in traditional remedies demonstrates its therapeutic potential, which aligns with scientific findings on its array of health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

11) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological refers to the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. The exploration of pharmacological properties of the plants used by the Nag clan is essential to validate their traditional applications, offering a pathway for integrating traditional knowledge with modern drug development.

12) Allium sativum:
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is noted for its medicinal properties and is among the plants indicated by the Nag healers for treating ailments such as fever. Its historical and contemporary use highlights its significance in both traditional and modern medicinal contexts, including antimicrobial effects.

13) Phytochemical:
Phytochemical refers to the chemical compounds found in plants that have biological activity. Identifying phytochemicals in the plants utilized by the Nag healers is crucial for scientific exploration and validation of their therapeutic properties, allowing for potential integration into modern medicine.

14) Alleviation:
Alleviation pertains to the relief or reduction of symptoms experienced by patients. The Nag clan employs a variety of plant-based formulations aimed at alleviating discomfort associated with ailments, emphasizing the importance of traditional practices in the management of health issues.

15) Discussion:
Discussion denotes the section of research where results and implications are analyzed. In the context of the Nag clan's ethnomedicinal practices, the discussion serves to connect traditional knowledge with scientific insights, validating the efficacy of the plants used and proposing further research directions.

16) Vomiting:
Vomiting is a clinical symptom that can indicate various health conditions. The Nag healers address this sign through specific plant-based remedies, underscoring the importance of symptom recognition in traditional medicine for effective treatment modalities tailored to individual ailments.

17) Turmeric:
Turmeric is a widely known medicinal herb, often used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The interaction between turmeric and treatments provided by the Nag clan can offer insights into the comprehensive benefits of traditional remedies and their scientific validation.

18) Swelling:
Swelling is a pathological condition often linked to inflammation or injury. In traditional practices, including the Nag clan's healing methods, addressing swelling through herbal formulations signifies a profound understanding of symptom management and the therapeutic roles that plants can play in mitigating such conditions.

19) Jealousy:
Jealousy is described in the traditional context of the Nag clan as an emotional state believed to contribute to conditions like 'evil eye'. This cultural perspective illustrates how psychological factors are integrated into traditional health beliefs, influencing the treatment and understanding of various ailments.

20) Cina:
China is noted as the place where some traditional medicinal plants, such as Andrographis paniculata (used by the Nag clan), have been utilized for centuries. This connection emphasizes the global heritage of ethnomedicine and the relevance of cross-cultural plant uses in understanding medicinal properties.

21) Tila:
Tila refers to Tanki Tila, the specific tea estate location where the Nag clan resides in Moulvibazar district. The geographic context is essential in understanding the cultural and environmental background in which the clan's traditional medicinal practices have developed and continue to thrive.

22) Hari (Harin):
Hari refers to the Bish Hari puja, a significant festival for the Nag clan, which reflects the cultural and spiritual dimensions of their community. Festivals are integral to the social structure of tribes, often intertwining with traditional healing practices as community health events.

23) Diet:
Diet plays a crucial role in traditional medicine as it relates to health and the effectiveness of treatments. The Nag clan emphasizes specific dietary restrictions during medicinal treatments, underscoring the holistic approach where nutrition is interlinked with health management.

24) Meat:
Meat, as a dietary component, is often subject to restrictions by the Nag healers during treatment regimens. The context of meat consumption reflects the cultural dietary practices and their impact on health, illustrating how indigenous knowledge intertwines with holistic wellness.

25) Salt (Salty):
Salt is highlighted as a dietary element that can influence health, particularly in the context of treatments employed by the Nag clan. Restrictions on salt intake emphasize the nuanced understanding of diet's role in enhancing or compromising the efficacy of traditional remedies.

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Ethnomedicinal plants of the Nag clan, Rai Ghatual, Moulvibazar.’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Scientific literature, Traditional medicine, Ethnobotany, Plant species, Ethnomedicinal plant, Dietary restriction, Analgesic properties, Traditional Medicinal Practice, Semi-structured questionnaire, Bio active compounds, Tribal healers, Medicinal practices documentation, Anti-pyretic properties.

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