A SURVEY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY KAVIRAJES IN THE RAUMARI AREA, KURIGRAM DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Abstract

Raumari area falls within Kurigram district in the north of Bangladesh. There are several villages within the area known as Dantbhanga, Kauniar Char, Batergram, Dhormopur, Horindhora and Shaulmari. The rural populations of these villages lack access to modern medical facilities and have traditionally relied on traditional medicinal practitioners known as Kavirajes for cure of various ailments. The area, being comparatively sparsely populated, is also known for its diversity of medicinal plant species. We conducted an ethnobotanical survey amongst the Kavirajes to gather information on the medicinal plants they use for treatment. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. The information collected included plant, disease or symptoms for which they are used, medicinal formulations, dosage and side-effects. Each plant as pointed out by the Kaviraj was photographed and specimens sent to the Bangladesh National Herbarium for identification. A total of 27 plants belonging to 22 families were identified as to their frequently being used by most Kavirajes. The plants or plant parts are used to treat coughs, fever, asthma, bronchitis, allergy, body ache, weakness, jaundice, dysentery, diarrhea, acidity, skin disorders, heart disorders, impotency, syphilis, bleeding from nostril, headache, tuberculosis, paralysis, diabetes, coagulation of blood in eyes, elephantiasis, cancer, bone fracture and inflammation of vaginal area. Taken together, the results present some interesting prospects of scientifically validating plant use for the treatment of fatal and chronic diseases like cancer, tuberculosis, paralysis and diabetes.