Folk medicinal practice in Noakhali district, Bangladesh: A scientific appraisal

Abstract

Folk medicine is an important part of the traditional health-care system in Bangladesh. The objective of the present study was to document the phytotherapeutic practices of a folk medicinal practitioner (FMP) in Noakhali district, who used some unique formulations to treat some diseases difficult to cure with allopathic medicine. Interviews of the FMP regarding his phytotherapeutic practices were carried out with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. The FMP used a total of 19 plants distributed into 15 families in his 10 formulations. The diseases treated included leech bite, external cuts and wounds, piles, poisoning, kidney stone diabetes, paralysis, erectile dysfunction, bone fracture, and pain. The FMP used plant-based formulations to cure several diseases, which either need surgical treatment or cannot be cured with existing allopathic medicine(s). As such, the formulations of the FMP merit further scientific studies toward discovery of lead compounds and new drugs.