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ISSN 2277-4289 www.gjrmi.com International, Peer reviewed, Open access, Monthly Online Journal Research article MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY KABIRAJ OF FOURTEEN VILLAGES IN JHENAIDAH DISTRICT, BANGLADESH Masum Gazi Z H 1, Sharkar Priyanka 2, Nayeem Md. Abu 3, Rahman M Mafizur 4, Rahman M Mizanur 5 * 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh. *Corresponding author: Email: mmrahmanbtg79@hotmail.com; Phone: +8807162201-6 ext 2306; Fax: + 887154400; Cell: +8801712562730 ABSTRACT Received: 06/12/2012; Revised: 05/01/2013; Accepted: 07/01/2013 Medicinal s use simple formulations of whole or parts from medicinal s for treatment of various ailments. The objectives of this study were to identify native medicinal s, their uses, type of conservation measures and evaluation of their contribution to income generation of participating farmers and Kabiraj. Data were collected from the beneficiaries local people and Kabiraj through direct interview, group discussion and visit to the gardens of medicinal s from 14 villages Jhenaidah district. A total of 121 medicinal species belonging to 64 families have been identified. The most frequently used families are Apocynaceae with 7 and Asteraceae with 6 species followed by Moraceae, and Solanaceae with 5 species. Among the selected species the maximum contribution was recorded for herbs with 48 species (40%) followed by the trees with 39 species (32%), shrubs with 25 species (21%) and the climbers with 9 species (7%). These species are utilized by local peoples against various a liver complaints, digestive problems, jaundice, asthma, bronchitis, anemia, piles, mental disorder, cancer, general weakness, diabetes, gonorrhoea, sexual disorders, syphilis, leprosy and insect-bites. It was noted that if proper marketing facility could be ensured, there would be greater scope of income generation and better chances of biodiversity conservation through regular cultivation of these native medicinal s. This survey signifies ethno-medicinal values of species that occur in Jhenaidah district. KEY WORDS: Medicinal s, Kavirajas, ethno-medicinal, Jhenaidah district. Cite this article: Masum Gazi Z H, Sharkar P, Nayeem Md. Abu, Rahman M, Rahman M. M (2013), Medicinal Plants Used by Kabiraj of Fourteen Villages in Jhenaidah District, Bangladesh, Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med., Volume 2(1): 10 22

INTRODUCTION Medicinal s serve as important therapeutic agents as well as valuable raw materials for manufacturing numerous traditional and modern medicines. They offer alternative remedies with tremendous opportunities to generate income, employment and foreign exchange for developing countries (Rawat and Uniyal, 2004). Many traditional healing herbs and their parts have been shown to have medicinal value and can be used to prevent, alleviate or cure several human diseases (Dhar et al., 1999). It is estimated that 70 80% of people worldwide rely chiefly on traditional, largely herbal medicine to meet their primary healthcare needs (Farnsworth and Soejarto, 1991; Pei Shengji, 2001). It has further been observed that a number of modern pharmaceuticals have been derived from s used by indigenous people (Balick and Cox, 1996; Rahmatullah et al., 2010). Important modern drugs that have been derived from observations of traditional curing methods of indigenous people include aspirin, atropine, ephedrine, digoxin, morphine, quinine, reserpine and tubocurarine (Gilani and Rahman, 2005; Rahmatulla et al., 2010). Out of the 350,000 species identified so far, about 35,000 (some estimate up to 70,000) are used worldwide for medicinal purposes and less than about 0.5% of these have been chemically investigated (Comeran, 1996). In Bangladesh, medicinal s are found to grow naturally in the forest, bushes and marginal land along the canal and in other places and, a long tradition of indigenous herbal medicinal systems, based on the rich local diversity, are considered as very important component of the primary health care system. Bangladesh has over 5,000 floral species and many of them are in use by the Kabirajas in folk medicine. The previous ethnomedicinal studies conducted among folk and tribal medicinal practitioners of the country have noticed considerable variation between the medicinal s selected by different Kabirajas for treatment of a given ailment (Nawaz et al., 2009; Hasan et al., 2010; Hossan et al., 2010; Mollik et al., 2010a; Rahmatullah et al., 2010a; Jahan et al., 2011). These variations exist even between Kavirajas practicing in adjoining villages with identical flora. There are over 87,000 villages in Bangladesh and most villages have one or two practicing Kabirajas. The inescapable conclusion is that if one has to obtain a comprehensive picture of the medicinal s used by the folk medicinal practitioners, then as many Kavirajas as possible need to be interviewed to learn about the diseases treated, medicinal s used, and the formulations of their administration. Knowledge of medicinal used by the Kavirajas of Bangladesh can be a good source for further scientific studies in the quest for better drugs from the medicinal s used and with lesser side-effects (Rahmatulla et al., 2010). The objective of the present study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey among the Kavirajas of fourteen villages of Jhenaidah district, which lies in the South-western region of Bangladesh. METHODS AND MATERIALS Study Area The study was conducted in Jhenaidah district, the south-western part of Bangladesh. The study area is in Table 1 covers fourteen villages in Jhenaidah Sadar and Harinakundu upazilas. It was observed that Kavirajas of that area often collect their raw materials from these villages. Albeit this region is found to be a rich source of a variety of medicinal s, no systematic study conducted yet. Time and procedure of data collection Data for this study were collected through personal interview by the researchers themselves during 29 th April to 20 th June 2012 using questionnaires prepared earlier. The collection of data through interviews of Kavirajas and local people were conducted with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method of Martin (1995) and Maundu (1995). Briefly, in this method, the Kavirajas and others took the interviewers on field-walks to Jhenaidah where

they usually collected their medicinal s, pointed out the s and described their uses. All provided information was double-checked with them in later evening sessions. Excellent cooperation was obtained from all the respondents during data collection. Identification of spices The medicinal s were identified with the help of National Herbarium, Mirpur, Dhaka- 1216, Bangladesh, where the voucher specimen has been deposited. Table 1 Studied area of different villages under Jhenaidah district SL No. Villages Unions Upazila 1 Rajapur Paglakanai JhenaidahSadar 2 Kulfadanga Mahajpur 3 Kisnopur Ganna 4 Rasnagar Kumabarai 5 Nagarpathan Kumabarai 6 Mohespur Kumabarai 7 Kusiarchar Kanchanpur 8 Kutirhat Kanchanpur 9 Charpara Raghunathpur Harinakunda 10 Porahati Raghunathpur 11 Tola Raghunathpur 12 Raghunathpur Raghunathpur 13 Mandera Raghunathpur 14 Horispur Bhayna RESULTS AND DISSCUSION Present status of medicinal species grown in study area A total of 121 medicinal s belonging to 62 families were documented from the study area. The documented medicinal s and their ethno-medicinal uses along with common name have been summarized (Table 2). Major families contributing species towards treatment of various diseases included, Apocynaceae, Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae, Piperaceae, and Poaceae families (Table 3). Among the selected species ethno-medicinally, the maximum contribution was recorded for herbs with 48 species (40%) followed by the trees with 39 species (32%), shrubs with 25 species (21%) and the climbers with 9 species 7% (Fig 1). Fig 1 Habit pattern of medicinal s in the study area 21% 7% 32% 40% Herb Tree Shrub Climber

Serial No. Table 2 Medicinal s used for treatment of various ailments by Kavirajas of fourteen villages surveyed in Jhenaidha district, Bangladesh. Scientific Name Family Name Local Name Distri bution Part used Medicinal Uses 1 Aloe barbadensis Mill. Aloaceae Gheetokumari Herb Leaf Leaf pulp - lung disease, stomach disorders, skin burns. 2 Aegle marmelos L. Rutaceae Bel Tree Fruit Fruit pulp-diarrhoea, dysentery. 3 Acacia catechu (L. f.) Fabaceae, Khayar Tree Bark Bark powder -intestinal pain. Bark paste - skin diseases 4 Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae Fulkuri Herb Whole Leaf - boils as a poultice. Leaf and stem - skin disease. Flower buds cure cancerous growth 5 Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Acanthaceae Kalomegh Shrub Whole 6 Acacia nilotica L. Mimosaceae Babla Tree Whole Used in liver complaints, constipation, cholera, dysentery, diabetes. Bark-cough, bronchitis, gumsexual debility,leaf-eucoderma, gonorrhoea 7 Areca catechu L. Arecaceae Supari Tree Root Root paste-toothache. 8 Abutilon indicum L. Malvaceae Potari Shrub Whole Whole - fever, cough, piles, stones in bladder. 9 Averrhoa carambola L. Oxalidaceae Kamranga Tree Fruit Fruit pulp - Cold, cough, dandruff. 10 Artocarpus heterophyllus Moraceae Kathal Tree Gum Gum - dry cracked heels, Lam. hemorrhoids. 11 Asparagus racemosus Willd. Liliaceae Satamuli Herb Root Tuberous roots are used as aphrodisiac, alterative, tonic, and demulcent, diuretic. 12 Alstonia scholaris L. Apocynaceae Chatim Tree Bark Bark - swellings of mouth, scurvy, ulcer. 13 Anthocephalus chinensis (Lam.) Rubiaceae Kodom Tree Leaf Leaf juice - fever. 14 Azadirachta indica A. Juss Meliaceae Neem Tree Whole 15 Adhatoda vasica Nees. Acanthaceae Basak, Shrub Whole 16 Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Apang Herb Whole Various parts of the are used in inflammation of gums, gingivitis, sores, fever, spleen complaints, tumors, smallpox. The root, bark and leaves are useful in cough, asthma. Whole used in coughs, pneumonia, piles, kidney stone and colic. 17 Abroma augusta L. f. Sterculiaceae Ulotkombol Tree Bark Bark -menstrual problems, urinary troubles. 18 Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennel Scorphulariace Braham, Herb Whole 19 Boerhaavia diffusa L. Nyctaginaceae Punarnav, Gandhaprna Herb 20 Borassus flabellifer L. Arecaceae Tal Plam tree 21 Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Willd 22 Blumeala cera (Burn.f.) DC. Whole Fruit Poaceae Bans Tree Whole Asteraceae Shealmoti Herb Whole Plant juice is given orally as diuretic, cardiac tonic and memory enhancer. Root and leaf juice is effective as diuretic in anasarca and dropsy. Leaves and roots are also useful in jaundice, anaemia, ascites ophthalmia, gonorrhea. Fruit juice - coughs and pulmonary affection. stem-blood, leucoderma leafcough, cold, roots- joint pains Leaf juice-bleeding piles, bronchitis; Roots cholera. Rhizomes -dysentery

23 Brassica nigra (L.) Koch. Brassicacee KaloSarisha Herb Seeds Seeds are emetic; powdered seeds are used as vesicant and rubefacient 24 Buettneria pilosa Roxb Sterculiaceae Harjora Climber Stem Paste of stem used in fractured bones. 25 Borreria articularis (L. F.) F. N. Will. Rubiaceae Madnabata Herb Whole Whole -inflammation of eye, diarrhoea, dysentery 26 Bombax ceiba L. Bombacaceae, Shimul Tree Root Root decoction is given as tonic, anti-dysenteric and in urinary troubles. 27 Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don Apocynaceae Noyontara Herb Leaf Leaf -Cancer, diabetes, fungal infection 28 Centella asiatica (L) Apiaceae, Thankoni Herb Whole 29 Calotropis gigantea (L) W.T Apocynaceae Akand, Shrub Whole 30 Canna indica L. Cannaceae Kalaboti. Herb Whole Plant-in skin diseases, leprosy, and mental disorder. Leaf juice - indigestion. Extracts of roots and leaves - abdominal tumors, boils, syphilis, leprosy, skin diseases, piles, wonds and insect-bites. Root-fevers, dropsy. Seed juice - relieves earaches. Rhizomeringworm. 31 Carica papaya L. Caricaceae Papa Shurb Latex Fever, blood dysentery. 32 Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. Rutaceae, Labu Shurb Leaf Leaves are chewed to expel intestinal worms. 33 Capsicum frutescens L. Solanaceae KachaMorich Herb Fruit Fruit -gastric problems, ulcer. 34 Convolvulus obscurus L. Convolvulaceae Ban kalmi Climber Leaf Leaf juice - aphthous affection. 35 Coccini agrandis (L.) J. Voigt Cucurbitaceae Telakachu Climber Leaf Leaf juice -hypertension, diabetes, indigestion. 36 Carissa carandas L. Apocynaceae Koromcha Tree Fruit Fruit- Cold, cough 37 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Poaceae, Durba grass Climbers Whole Cissus ouadrangularis L. Vitaceae Harjod Shrub Whole Plant paste-cuts, wounds. Rootbleeding piles, indigestion. Plant juice-earache. Whole - bone fracture. Wound healing 38 39 Cyperus rotundus L. Cyperaceae, Mutha gas Herb Tuber Tuber infusion, with sugar/salt is given orally in dysentery. 40 Dalbergia sissoo Roxb Fabaceae Shissu Tree Whole Bark and leaf juice -Diarrhoea, dysentery and gonorrhea. 41 Datura metel L. Solanaceae Dhutura Herb Whole Seeds, leaves and roots are used in insanity, fever with catarrh, diarrhoea, skin diseases and cerebra 42 Dillenia indica L. Dilleniaceae Chalta Tree Fruit Sex stimulant 43 Dendrophthoe alcata (L. f) Etting. 44 Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Loranthaceae Manda Tree Bark Bark -Skin diseases, asthma, menstrual Problems Woodsiaceae Dhekishak shrub Leaf Fever. Leaves and stems are cooked and Eaten as vegetable. 45 Euphorbia tirucalli L. Euphorbiaceae Latadaona, Tree Stem Stem is useful in gonorrhoea, whooping cough, asthma, d, leprosy, enlarged spleen, dyspepsia.

46 Zingiber officinale Roscoe Zingiberaceae Ada Herb Rhizome Cough, cold, fever, indigestion, and constipation, bronchial infections. 47 Eclipta prostrata L. Asteraceae Kesraj Herb Leaf Leaf juice - hair fall, bronchitis, itching, night blindness. 48 Eichhornia crassipes (M.)Solms Pontederiaceae Kochuripana Herb Whole Plant juice - fever, goiter. 49 Euphorbia antiquorum L. Euphorbiaceae Bojbaran, Shrub Latex Latex -rheumatism, toothache, nervine diseases, 50 Enhydra fluctuans Lour. Asteraceae Helencha, Herb Whole Whole -inflammation, biliousness; 51 Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Apiaceae Muhori, Herb Seeds Seed-cures eye diseases, amenorrhoea, cough and asthma. Seed oil- hook-worms 52 Ficus racemosa L. Moraceae Dumur Shrub Fruit Jaundice, diabetes. Fruits are cooked with mustard oil and taken as vegetable 53 Ficus rumphii Blume. Moraceae Ashok, Pakur Tree Bark Hematuria (passing of blood with urine).juice obtained from crushed bark is taken with honey. 54 Ficus hispida L.f. Moraceae Joggodumur Tree Fruit Fruits are taken for diabetes 55 Ficus benghalensis L. Moraceae Bot Tree Gum Kidney pain. 56 Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr. Flacourtiaceae Boichi, Tree Whole Fruits - jaundice and enlarged spleen. Bark -eczema. Root - nephritic colic. Gum - cholera 57 Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Apiaceae Pan Muhori Herb Seed Seed -diseases of the spleen, kidney, amenorrhoea, cough and asthma. 58 Gloriosa superba L. Liliaceae Karihari Climber Rhizome Rhizome paste ringworm, skin diseases. 59 Glycosmis arborea (R.) A. DC. Rutaceae Matmati Herb Whole Leaf juice ascaris, liver complaints.. Roots - low fever, 60 Gastrochilus longiflorua Wall. Zingiberaceae Shoti Herb Rhizome Rhizome - fore head to cure cataract. 61 Heliotropium indicum L. Boraginaceae Hatishur Herb Leaf Leaf juice-conjunctivitis. 62 Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. 63 Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Link. Apocynaceae Anantamul, Shrub Root Root-leucoderma, paralysis, cough, asthma Rubiaceae Titkuipata Herb Whole Whole - jaundice, and liver complaints. 64 Hibiscus rosa sinensis L. Malvaceae Jaba Shurb Flower Flower juice - acute dysentery, hair fall. 65 Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Lamiaceae Tokma Herb Leaf Leaf paste - used in cancer and tumor 66 Ipomoea batatus (L.) Lamk. Convolvulaceae MistiAlu. Herb Whole 67 Ipomoea reptans Poir. Convolvulaceae KalmiShak. Herb Whole Whole -low fever, skin diseases. Root - strangury and diarrhoea Leaf juice -arsenic. Leaves and seeds cooling. Buds -ringworm. Flower - inflamed eyes as a drop. The root juice -diarrhoea. 68 Ixora cuneifolia Roxb. Rubiaceae Musea Shrub Leaf leaf is given in fevers 69 Ixora coccinea L. Rubiaceae Rangan Shurb Whole 70 Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. Convolvulaceae Vuikumra Shrub Leaf Sexual disorders Root -fever, gonorrhoea, a dysentery; flower - bronchitis; leaf - diarrhoea 71 Justicia adhatoda L. Acanthaceae Asuro Shrub Leaf Leaf -treat asthma, cough. Juice of leaf is inhaled in bleeding nose.

72 Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. 73 Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. 74 Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr. Crassulaceae Patharkuchi, Herb Leaf Leaf -bronchial affections, kidney stones, blood dysentery, gout and jaundice. Crassulaceae Heamkancha Herb Leaf Leaf juce-cold, polyuria (excessive urination), Abdominal pain. Anacardiaceae Jiga tree Bark Bark juice Diabetes. 75 Linumusi tatissimum L. Linaceae Tishi Herb seed Seed and seed oil - burns and boils. Seed poultice - rheumatic and swellings. 76 Lawsonia inermis L. Lythraceae Mehedi, Shrub Leaf The leaves are emetic, diuretic given in jaundice. 77 Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. Lamiaceae Dulfi. Herb Whole Plants -snake insecticide. Leaf juice -psoriasis, chronic skin. 78 Lantana aculeata L. Verbenaceae Chotra Shrub Leaf Leaf juice - measles, malaria and tetanus. 79 Mimosa pudica L. Fabaceae, lajjaboti Herb Whole Leaf paste is applied on hydrocele. Leaf and root - piles. 80 Mimusop selengi L. Sapotaceae Bokul Tree Bark Coughs, toothache 81 Moringa oleifera Lam. Moringaceae Sajnagach Tree Leaf Leaf juice-diabetes, acidity, hypertension. 82 Musa sapientum L. Musaceae kola Herb Leaf Diarrhea, diabetes, blood purifier, coughs, dysentery, insect bite. 83 Menispermum cordifolium Willd. Menispermacea e Gulancha Climber Whole Whole - pimples, gonorrhoea, cough, fever, skin affections 84 Momordica charantia L. Cucurbitaceae Usta climbers Fruit Diabetes, cancer, headache, skin Disorder. 85 Mesua nagassarium (Burm. F.) Kosterm. Clusiaceae Nageshwar Herb Flower Fever. 86 Mangifera indica L. Anacardiaceae Aam Tree Leaf Diarrhea, headache 87 Nerium indicum Mill. Apocynaceae Korobi Shrub Whole Leaf - itch,.flowers- headache, scabies. Root and root barkcancer, ulcers, Roots and leaf-skin diseases and leprosy 88 Nicotiana tabacum Solanaceae Tamak, Tobacco. Herb Leaf Used for the treatment of rheumatic swellings, skin diseases. 89 Nigelia sativa L. Ranunculacee Kalojira, Herb Seeds Purgative drugs; good in cough, jaundice and piles. 90 Nyctanthes arbortristis L. Oleaceae Shefali Tree Whole Leaves - rheumatism. Bark -cures bronchitis. Flowers -lessen inflammation. Seeds -skin diseases. 91 Nymphaea nouchali. Burm. F. Nymphaeaceae Shapla Herb Whole 92 Ocimum tenuiflorum L. Lamiaceae. KaloTulsi Herb Whole 93 Opuntia elatior Mill. Cactaceae Phanimansa Shrub Whole 94 Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae Amrul Herb Whole 95 Piper betel L. Piperaceae Pan, Betel-leaf, 96 Phyllanthus acidus L. Euphorbiaceae Arboroi, Harbori,. Flower- cough, bile, vomiting, worms ; filament- pile; seed - cutaneous disease is given in fever, cough, cold, headache, nausea and skin diseases. Whole juice - whooping cough, ashma and gonorrhea Whole juice fever, anaemia. Climbers Leaf Leaf juce-sexual problems, indigestion, colic, diarrhea, headache. Tree Fruit Used in bronchitis, biliousness, urinary concretions and piles; useful in thirst, vomiting and constipation.

97 Phyllanthus emblica L. Euphorbiaceae. Amaloki Tree Fruit Fruits decoction is given orally in shore throat and as tonic. 98 Physalis micrantha link. Solanaceae Phutka Herb Fruit Fruit -gonorrhea and spleen disorder 99 Phoenix sylvestris L. Arecaceae Khajur Palm Juice Juice gonorrhea, cough, fever. tree 100 Polygonum orientale L. Polygonaceae Bishkatali Herb Whole Whole - healing wounds. 101 Punicagra natum L. Lythraceae Dalim Shrub Bark Bark juice-dysentery. 102 Piper nigrum L. Piperaceae Golmorich Shrub Fruit Cold, jaundice, Rabies, gastric problems, ulcer, dysentery. 103 Psidium guyava L. Myrtaceae Peyara Tree Whole Fruits-diarrhea and dysentery, Young leaf extract -antibacterial and antifungal properties 104 Paederia foetida L. Rubiaceae Gondhovadal, Herb Leaf Indigestion, gout and Urinary stone. 105 Rauvolfia serpentina Benth.exKurz Apocynaceae, Sarpagandha Shrub Whole Reduce high blood pressure. Root infusion is given orally in intestinal disorders. Leaf - galactagogue, headache. Seeds paste- counter irritant. 106 Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae Bherenda Shrub Whole 107 Santalum album L. Santalaceae Shetchondon Tree Stem Dysentery. Beauty 108 Shorea robusta C.F. Gaertn., Dipterocarpacea e, 109 Smilax zeylanica L. Smilacaceae Kumrakhata Climbers Whole Shal Tree Bark, Bark juice is used as eardrop in earache. Sexual problems 110 Solanum violaceum Orteg. Solanaceae Tit baegun Herb Fruit Snake bite, itches 111 Saccharum officinarum L. Poaceae Kushul, Aakh Herb Stem Indigestion. Jaundice 112 Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Myrtaceae Jam Tree Whole Bark, Leaf and seed powder is given orally to reduce sugar level in blood 113 Tamarindus indica L. Caesalpiniaceae Tetul, Tree Fruit Used in asthma, fever, and topically for loss of sensation in paralysis. 114 Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight &Arn. Combretaceae Arjun Tree Bark Low sperm count, dysentery, heart Disease. 115 Terminalia belerica (Gaertn.) Roxb. 116 Terminalia chebula Retz. Combretaceae Bohera Tree Whole Combretaceae. Horitoki Tree Whole Bark juice-cut, wounds, and skin diseases. Fruits powder- cough, cold, respiratory problems. Bark - urinary problems. Fruits - cough, cold, respiratory troubles, fever. 117 Terminalia catappa L. Combretaceae. Kath badam Tree Leaf Leaf juice-skin disorder 118 Typhonium trilobatum (L.) Araceae Ghetkol Herb Whole Whole - stomach complaints Schott. 119 Vitex negundo L. Vitaceae, Nishindagach Shrub Leaf Leaf juice is given orally in cough, cold, sinusitis, fever, stomach problems. 120 Wedelia chinensis (O.) Merr. Asteraceae Kesraj Herb Leaf Leaf juice - orally in cough, cold; bark paste - applied on boils 121 Xanthium indicum Koenig. L. Asteraceae Ghagra Herb Whole Roots-cancer. Fruits cooling, demulcent. Seeds-swelling. Leaf - malaria

Family Plants no Table 3: Family of the medicinal species Family Plants no Family Plants no Family Acanthaceae 3 Cactaceae 1 Linaceae 1 Polygonaceae 1 Aloaceae 1 Caricaceae 1 Lythraceae 2 Poaceae 3 Amaranthaceae 1 Combretaceae 4 Loranthaceae 1 Pontederiaceae 1 Anacardiaceae 2 Convolvulaceae 4 Malvaceae 2 Ranunculacee 1 Annonaceae 1 Crassulaceae 1 Menispermaceae 1 Rubiaceae 6 Apocynaceae 7 Cucurbitaceae 2 Meliaceae 1 Rutaceae 3 Araceae 2 Cyperaceae 1 Mimosaceae 1 Sapotaceae 1 Arecaceae 3 Clusiaceae 1 Moraceae 5 Scorphulariaceae 2 Apiaceae 2 Cannaceae 1 Moringaceae 1 Solanaceae 5 Vitaceae 2 Dilleniaceae 1 Musaceae 1 Sterculiaceae 1 Woodsiaceae 1 Dipterocarpaceae 1 Myrtaceae 2 Santalaceae 1 Asteraceae 6 Euphorbiaceae 5 Nymphaeaceae 1 Smilacaceae 1 Brassicaceae 1 Fabaceae 3 Nyctaginaceae 1 Verbenaceae 1 Bombacaceae 1 Flacourtiaceae 1 Oleaceae 1 Zingiberaceae 2 Boraginaceae 1 Lamiaceae 3 Oxalidaceae 2 Caesalpiniaceae 1 Liliaceae 2 Piperaceae 2 Plants no Sources of medicinal The study was reported in Table 4 that 58.6% of the respondents collected different medicinal s species from fallow land and road side. This is naturally grown. On the other hand, 20.7%, 13.8%, and 6.7% of the respondents collected medicinal s from local market, vesoj nursery sources and neighbor s house, respectively. Medicinal value of different species Among the selected species, parts used wise contribution was maximum for whole with 46 species (38%) followed by the leaf with 26 species (22%), fruit with 15 species (12%), bark with 10 species (8%), seeds with 5 species (4%), root and stem with 4 species (3%), rhizome with 3 species (2%), gum, latex and flower with 2 species (2%), juice and tuber with 1 species 1% respectively (Fig 2). Ornamental with 25 species (21%), fruit with 23 species (19%) and timber with 22 species (18%) were documented (Fig 3). Use of medicinal s against different diseases The medicinal s were reported to be effective against diarrhea, cough and cold, skin diseases, cuts and wounds, joint pain, headache, consumption, eye disorders, antidote for harmful insect bites, stomach disorders, urinary troubles, liver complaints, digestive problems, jaundice, asthma, bronchitis, inflammations, anemia, piles, mental disorder, abdominal pain, bone fracture, paralysis, impotency, indigestion, cancer, general weakness, skin burns, diabetes, fungal infection, gonorrhoea, gastric problems, sexual disorders, syphilis, leprosy, wounds and insectbites by the responding Kavirajas and local inhabitants. However, various parts from the same were observed to be used to treat different diseases. A single part also would be used for treatment of multiple diseases. For example, Seeds of Datura metel L. are used to treat skin rashes, ulcers, bronchitis, jaundice and diabetes (Khaton and Shaik, 2012).To cite one instance of each, the bark of Lannea coromandelica was used for treatment of diabetes. The barks of Mangifera indica were used for treatment of diarrhea, while young leaves of the same were used for treatment of headache. The leaves of Aloe barbadensis were used for treatment of two highly different ailments like dysuria and constipation. Paste of leaves of Glycosmis arborea with ginger is used in eczema and skin affections. Leaf juice of Nyctanthes arbortristis with honey the juice is given in chronic

fever. The anti-diabetic activities of whole s or parts of Catharanthus roseus, Ficus racemosa, Moringa oleifera, Musa sapientum, and Syzygium cumini have also been reported which goes very well with previous surveys conducted by Rasineni et al., 2010; Islam et al., 2009; Hafizur et al., 2011; Sangsuwan et al., 2004; Ahmed and Urooj, 2010; Jaiswal et al., 2009; Adewoye et al., 2009; Pandey and Khan, 2002. The scientific validation of medicinal usage by the Kavirajas that could be helpful to modern science for extensive investigation of the s used. Table 4 Sources of ing materials of medicinal species Sources Respondent Percentage (%) Rank No. Fallow land and road side 17 58.6 1 Local market 6 20.7 2 Vesojnursery 4 13.8 3 Neighbors house 2 6.7 4 Fig 2 Useable parts of medicinal in this area 3% 8% 3% 2% 4% 12% 2% 2% 2%1% 1% 22% 38% Whole Leaf Fruit Bark Seed Root Stem Rhizome Gum Latex Fig 3 Different medicinal species in this area

18% 21% Ornamental Fruit Timber 19% Threatened medicinal species It is identified that 28 medicinal s which are under threat now in Bangladesh. In the study area, we found amloki, arjun, helencha, mander, shefali, lajjaboti, kathbadam hatishur and bel are likely to be threatened. CONCLUSIONS There were many important medicinal species available in the study area and these could be promising source of manufacturing modern medicine in Bangladesh and source of income generation to the rural households. The common people were found to encourage using medicinal s for ailments of common and frequently caused illnesses, especially for fever, cough, pain, catarrh etc. This was mainly because of awareness created among the farmers on the value of medicinal s for their livelihood and its impact on biodiversity conservation. Finally, it can be concluded that timely availability of native medicinal species, development of rural and community based resources could be useful for restoring the eco-biodiversity processes and for generating income for resource poor farmers and village practitioners. REFERENCES Adewoye EO, Taiwo VO, Olayioye FA (2009). Anti-oxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activities of Musa sapientum root extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Af. J. Medicine Med. Sci. 38: 109 117. Ahmed F, Urooj A (2010). In vitro studies on the hypoglycemic potential of Ficus racemosa stem bark. J. Sci. Food Agri. 90: 397 401. Balick JM, Cox PA (1996). Plants, People and Culture: the Science of Ethnobotany, Scientific American Library, New York. pp. 228. Comer M, Debus E (1996). A partnership: Biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals and biodiversity. In. Biodiversity. Science and development. (Di Castri, F. and Younnes, T. eds.), CAB International, Oxford, pp. 488 499. Dhar U, Rawal RS, Samant SS, Airi S, Upreti J (1999). People s participation in Himalayan biodiversity conservation: a practical approach. Current Sci. 76: 36 40. Farnsworth NR, Soejarto DD (1991). Global importance of medicinal s. In The conservation of medicinal s (ed. O.

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