Folk medicinal practices in Debashur, Gopalganj, Bangladesh.
Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: A study of folk medicinal practices in debashur village, gopalganj district, bangladesh
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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Nupur Mondol, Samiun Alam Patwary, Meem Mustarin Shandhi, Tania Khatun, Khoshnur Jannat and Mohammed Rahmatullah
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)
Full text available for: A study of folk medicinal practices in debashur village, gopalganj district, bangladesh
Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research
Doi: 10.20959/wjpr20195-14691
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The use of folk medicinal practices is widely prevalent in Bangladesh, where folk medicinal practitioners (FMPs) often serve as primary health care providers. These practitioners may not possess formal medical training but have developed extensive knowledge of plant-based treatments passed down through generations. This study aims to document the phytotherapeutic practices of a specific FMP in Debashur village, Gopalganj district, Bangladesh, and to elucidate the potential of these practices in drug discovery.
Importance of Plant-Based Medicine
Folk medicine utilizes a variety of plant species to treat various ailments. In the case of the FMP studied, 17 plants belonging to 15 different families were used to address a myriad of health issues, including gastrointestinal disorders, helminthiasis, and malaria. Notably, the FMP employed both monoherbal and polyherbal formulations, showcasing a sophisticated understanding of the therapeutic properties of these plants. For instance, he distinguished between male and female leucorrhea, indicating a nuanced application of botanical remedies.
Unique Formulations
Several of the herbal formulations documented in this study were novel and previously unreported. For example, the FMP’s usage of Calotropis procera to treat bone fractures is noteworthy, as this plant is less commonly associated with such treatments in Bangladesh compared to others like Cissus quadrangularis. Furthermore, the application of crushed Annona squamosa leaves for constipation signifies the potential for discovering new therapeutic uses for familiar plants. These unique applications illustrate the rich repository of knowledge that folk medicine represents.
The Role of FMPs in Drug Discovery
FMPs contribute significantly to the understanding of medicinal plants and their applications, potentially leading to the discovery of new pharmaceuticals. In this study, the FMP combined leaves of Azadirachta indica, Aegle marmelos, and Vitex negundo to create treatments for typhoid and malaria. The properties of these plants, such as anti-fungal and anti-pyretic effects, underscore the importance of evaluating folk remedies scientifically. The information gleaned from these traditional practices could have important implications for modern medicine, especially in the face of drug-resistant diseases.
Conclusion
The documentation of folk medicinal practices, particularly those of the FMP in Debashur village, highlights the significance of traditional knowledge in addressing contemporary health challenges. By preserving and scientifically investigating these practices, there lies a substantial opportunity for drug discovery and the development of effective treatments for diseases such as malaria and typhoid. The knowledge embedded within these folk practices is not only valuable for local communities but also for global health agendas.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the primary aim of the study conducted in Debashur village?
The study aimed to document the phytotherapeutic practices of a folk medicinal practitioner (FMP) in Debashur village, Gopalganj district, Bangladesh, focusing on their use of medicinal plants for treating various ailments.
How many plants were identified for medicinal use by the FMP?
The folk medicinal practitioner used 17 plants belonging to 15 different families to treat diseases such as helminthiasis, gastrointestinal disorders, and more.
What methods were employed in the research for data collection?
Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire, complemented by guided field walks to observe and identify the medicinal plants used by the FMP.
What types of ailments can the documented plants treat?
The documented plants can treat various ailments, including bone fractures, wounds, typhoid, malaria, cholera, and gastrointestinal disorders, showcasing a versatile use of traditional medicine.
What significance do the findings have for drug discovery?
The plants used in folk medicine have potential for discovering new drugs, particularly important in combating drug-resistant diseases like malaria and typhoid, guiding future research.
What was unique about the FMP's formulations used in treatment?
The FMP used unique plant combinations for treatment, some of which were previously undocumented, indicating the richness of local knowledge in folk medicinal practices.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Folk medicinal practices in Debashur, Gopalganj, Bangladesh.”. 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) Azadirachta indica:
Azadirachta indica, commonly known as Neem, is a significant medicinal plant noted for its various therapeutic properties, including anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-malarial effects. Its inclusion in folk medicine formulations indicates its perceived efficacy against ailments like typhoid and malaria, highlighting traditional healers' reliance on plant-based solutions for healthcare.
2) Medicine:
Medicines are substances used to treat, cure, or prevent diseases, typically administered in various forms such as tablets or liquids. Both modern pharmaceuticals and traditional remedies are essential in health care, with folk medicines providing alternative treatment options that often leverage local biodiversity.
3) Disease:
Diseases refer to a wide range of health disorders affecting individuals, encompassing both physical and mental health conditions. The documentation of folk medicinal practices provides insight into how local communities address various diseases with plant-based remedies, contributing to the broader understanding of traditional healthcare systems.
4) Pain:
Pain is a complex sensory experience often serving as a signal of underlying health issues or injuries. In folk medicine, addressing pain effectively is a common focus, with various plant-based treatments employed to alleviate discomfort. Understanding traditional pain management approaches can enrich modern therapeutic practices.
5) Drug:
Drugs encompass a variety of substances designed for use in medicine to treat diseases or alleviate symptoms. The discovery and use of traditional plant-based drugs underscore the importance of ethnopharmacology in identifying effective treatments, driving the integration of traditional knowledge into modern therapeutic frameworks.
6) Aegle marmelos:
Aegle marmelos, known as Bael, is recognized for its medicinal properties, particularly in digestive and respiratory health. Its role in folk remedies underlines the integration of local flora into healthcare practices. The study of such plants can unveil potential therapeutic applications and enrich the pharmacological repository.
7) Village:
A village represents a small community predominantly engaged in agriculture or traditional occupations. Studying villages like Debashur provides critical insights into local folk medicinal practices and the various roles traditional healers play within their communities, fostering a deeper understanding of cultural health systems.
8) Male:
Male refers to the gender typically associated with biological traits in species, including humans. In the context of folk medicine, understanding gender differences in health perceptions, issues like male leucorrhea, guides the development of targeted treatment strategies that respect and address specific male health needs.
9) Knowledge:
Knowledge represents the understanding and information shared within a community, particularly regarding medicinal practices and plant uses. Documenting indigenous and folk medicinal knowledge is vital not only for preserving cultural heritage but also for guiding future research and drug development through traditional wisdom.
10) Fever:
Fever is a common symptom indicating an underlying infection or illness, often requiring effective treatment. The reliance on traditional remedies in coping with fever, especially in the context of malaria, reflects the importance of integrating herbal treatments into patient care to tackle disease outbreaks efficiently.
11) Study (Studying):
Study in this context refers to the systematic investigation of folk medicinal practices and their applications. Ethnobotanical studies aim to bridge traditional knowledge with scientific research, enhancing our understanding of medicinal plant uses while contributing to broader pharmacological and ethnopharmacological fields.
12) Solanum melongena:
Solanum melongena, or Eggplant, is frequently mentioned in traditional treatments. Its medicinal properties are invoked in various formulations, emphasizing the rich diversity of plant applications in folk medicine. Understanding the roles of such plants can aid in discovering new therapeutic potentials.
13) Bengali:
Bengali refers to the language and culture of the people from the Bengal region, encompassing Bangladesh and parts of India. The cultural context delineates the practices of folk medicine, revealing how language and tradition influence the transmission of medicinal knowledge and practices across generations.
14) Itching:
Itching is a common symptom associated with various skin conditions and infections. Treatments derived from local plants often target symptoms like itching, illustrating the role of traditional remedies in addressing common health complaints that may not always receive attention in conventional medicine.
15) Table:
In the context of this study, a 'table' presents organized data—such as the medicinal plants, their parts used, and ailments treated—which aids in systematically documenting the knowledge of folk medicinal practices and facilitates comparison between different plant uses in traditional and modern contexts.
16) Field:
Field refers to the natural environment where medicinal plants are gathered and studied. Knowledge of local botany and practicing fieldwork is crucial for ethnopharmacological research, as it directly informs the understanding of how traditional healers collect and utilize plants for health benefits.
17) Tinospora cordifolia:
Tinospora cordifolia, known for its health benefits, especially in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, is included in many formulations for its immunomodulatory and anti-malarial properties. Its significance in folk practices reflects the integration of this plant in health management across diverse cultures.
18) Asparagus racemosus:
Asparagus racemosus, or Shatavari, is a significant medicinal herb valued in traditional systems for its nutritional and therapeutic properties, particularly in women's health. Its inclusion in folk medicine highlights the importance of local knowledge in promoting natural treatments alongside conventional methods.
19) Science (Scientific):
Scientific refers to the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation. Understanding folk medicinal practices through a scientific lens enables the validation and integration of traditional knowledge into modern health care and pharmacological research.
20) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine that emphasizes the balance of bodily systems and the use of natural remedies primarily based on plants. Integrating Ayurvedic principles into studies of folk medicine can enhance comprehension of holistic approaches to health and wellness prevalent in various cultures.
21) Nishinda (Nisinda):
Nishinda, or Vitex negundo, is a plant used extensively in folk medicine for various ailments, including inflammation and pain. Incorporating its usage into medicinal practices showcases the plant's therapeutic properties and highlights the role of indigenous plants in local healthcare practices.
22) Activity:
Activity refers to the observable effects and actions of medicinal plants within therapeutic contexts. Understanding the biological activities of herbal remedies, their applications, and interactions in folk medicine is critical for evaluating their efficacy and safety in both traditional and modern medical practices.
23) Training:
Training involves the process of acquiring knowledge and skills in a specific area, such as medicinal plant usage in folk medicine. Training traditional healers enhances their ability to provide effective treatments while preserving cultural practices and supports the sustainable development of local herbal knowledge.
24) Language:
Language serves as a vital medium for communicating medicinal knowledge and practices. The multilingual context of folk medicine emphasizes the importance of language in the preservation and dissemination of traditional healing practices, particularly through oral traditions in communities like those found in Bangladesh.
25) Learning:
Learning in the context of folk medicine pertains to the acquisition and transmission of traditional knowledge across generations. Effective learning practices ensure the survival of indigenous health systems and highlight the importance of documenting and integrating this knowledge into broader healthcare discussions.
26) Chandra:
Chandra is a common name and in this context refers to Kiron Chandra Mondol, the folk medicinal practitioner studied. His expertise and practices illustrate the significance of individual knowledge and experience in the broader tapestry of traditional medicine and its contributions to modern health care.
27) Jessore:
Jessore is a district in Bangladesh known for its diverse flora and traditional medicinal practices. Study of ethnomedicine in areas like Jessore reveals unique local treatments and highlights how geographical variations influence the use of medicinal plants in traditional healing.
28) Sandhi (Shandhi, Samdhi):
Shandhi is one of the authors contributing to the study of folk medicinal practices. The involvement of diverse researchers emphasizes the collaboration necessary for documenting and analyzing traditional health systems, ensuring that multiple perspectives enrich the understanding of folk medicine.
29) Wounded:
Wounded refers to individuals with injuries requiring care. Folk medicine often includes treatments for wounds, showcasing traditional healing methods and the use of local plants in addressing physical injuries, which remains significant in areas with limited access to modern medical facilities.
30) Jaggery:
Jaggery is a natural sweetener made from sugarcane or palm sap, often used in traditional remedies. Incorporation of jaggery in folk medicine highlights the melding of dietary practices with health treatments, and its role in enhancing the palatability and efficacy of herbal formulations.
31) Animal:
Animal refers to the biological classification of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms. In medicine, studying animals and their health behaviors, including self-medication, informs our understanding of natural remedies and can lead to discoveries that enhance human medical treatments, drawing links across species.
32) Family:
In botanical terms, family groups categorize plants based on shared characteristics. The concept of plant families is crucial in ethnobotanical studies, as it aids in understanding the relationships between different species and the potential medicinal uses based on their shared properties.
33) Nature:
Nature embodies the complex interactions within ecosystems and the diverse organisms residing within them. Exploration of natural resources for medicinal applications allows traditional healers to engage with their environment, forging a connection that emphasizes sustainability and indigenous knowledge's role in health care.
34) Indian:
Indian pertains to the cultural, geographical, and historical contexts associated with India, where traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and historical reliance on plants for health originated. Recognizing these roots contributes to understanding medicinal practices and their evolution across diverse cultures.
35) Dhatu:
Dhatu, the term represents the essence or constituents in Ayurvedic medicine, often linked to bodily functions or fluids. In traditional folk medicine, understanding these concepts helps practitioners contextualize health issues and determine appropriate treatments based on individuals' imbalances within their bodily constitution.
36) Water:
Water is essential for life and serves multiple roles in health, including as a solvent for medicinal preparations. The significance of water in traditional practices underscores its importance in sanitation and hydration, further reinforcing the connection between holistic health and natural resources.
37) Visit:
Visit refers to going to the location of the folk medicinal practitioner to study or engage with their practices. Such visits are critical for gathering firsthand information, preserving cultural knowledge, and establishing relationships that support the documentation and understanding of traditional health systems.
38) Moha:
Moha, translating to 'Moha-shomudro', relates specifically to the medicinal plant Barringtonia racemosa. Knowledge of local plant names enriches the context of ethnobotanical research, emphasizing the importance of culturally relevant terminology in documenting and preserving traditional medicinal practices.
39) Alam (Alaṁ):
Alam refers to Samiun Alam Patwary, one of the co-authors involved in the study of folk medicinal practices. His participation symbolizes the collaborative effort in documenting and analyzing traditional knowledge systems to enhance our understanding of diverse health practices and promote further research.
40) Neem:
Neem refers to the Azadirachta indica plant, extensively used in traditional practices for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Its standing as a significant medicinal source in folk medicine reflects the importance of integrating indigenous botanical knowledge into contemporary health discussions and therapies.
41) Curd:
Curd refers to a dairy product that serves medicinal purposes in various cultures, often included in folk remedies. Its use in traditional practices signifies the blending of dietary customs with health strategies, demonstrating how local ingredients contribute to holistic approaches in treatment practices.
42) Salt (Salty):
Salt is a mineral essential for bodily functions and is often incorporated into traditional medicinal preparations. Its role extends beyond nutrition, being used in various remedies to balance health conditions, indicating the integration of commonplace ingredients in diverse folk medical practices.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Folk medicinal practices in Debashur, Gopalganj, Bangladesh.’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Medicinal plant, Disease Condition, Disease treatment, Polyherbal formulation, Traditional medicine system, New drug discovery, Voucher specimen, Health care provider, Ethnomedicinal survey, Medicinal practices documentation, Therapeutic uses of plants.
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