Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants Used by Rakhine Indigenous Communities in Patuakhali and Barguna District of Southern Bangladesh

Abstract

An extensive study has been made to identify, document, and investigate the ethnomedicinal plants used by Rakhine ethnic minorities in Patuakhali and Barguna District of southern Bangladesh for the term of April 2018 to June 2019. In this article, we have focused on the Rakhine population trends, management concerns, and some actions for conserving the Rakhine population diversity in the study area. In this study, we have identified the locations where Rakhine population lives in Patuakhali and Barguna districts. A total of 86 plant species belonging to 71 genera and 43 families were reported to be used for treating more than 57 various physical ailments under 14 illness categories from the study area. For each of the species, the botanic name, common name, Rakhine name, family, habit, parts used and traditional medicinal uses of the plant species have been presented. The maximum numbers of ethnomedicinal plant species were utilized to treat gastrointestinal complaints (43) taken after by the treatment of dermatological issues (36). The highly cited (75.60%) plant species were found to be Ananas comosus and Aegle marmelos used for gastro-intestinal (Stomach pain, indigestion, and dysentery) digestive disorders and subsequently followed by Colocasia esculenta (70.73%) used for cut, bleeding and wound healing. The results of this study have shown that Rakhine indigenous communities still depend on conventional plant-based medication to remedy various diseases and therapeutic purposes in the study area. Our findings have also shown that despite there have adequate phytodiversity in the natural habitat of the study area but the number of Rakhine population has been declining significantly day-by-day. As an ultimate result, we have lost the plant-based traditional medicinal knowledge of Rakhine indigenous communities in Bangladesh. As a rich source of traditional knowledge and cultural diversity, it calls for urgent initiatives to conserve the cultural heritage of the Rakhine community as well as the diversity of Rakhine ethnic group.

Ethnobotanical survey among the Nubian and south eastern tribes of Egypt

“…Psidium guajava is used by Bisharia in the treatment of cough. This is similar to what was documented by other authors Abouzid & Mohamed (2011) and Aparicio et al, (2021), while Islam et al, (2020) docu-mented its usage for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera. Syzygium aromaticum was used by Nubian and Rashayda with use values 95.6% and 93.3% respectively in the treatment of dental pain while Islam et al, (2020) recorded it in the treatment of stomach upset, chills, and impotence and Davison and Frank (1935) as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and dental pain.…”

“…This is similar to what was documented by other authors Abouzid & Mohamed (2011) and Aparicio et al, (2021), while Islam et al, (2020) docu-mented its usage for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera. Syzygium aromaticum was used by Nubian and Rashayda with use values 95.6% and 93.3% respectively in the treatment of dental pain while Islam et al, (2020) recorded it in the treatment of stomach upset, chills, and impotence and Davison and Frank (1935) as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and dental pain. The high use values of some species by the different tribes were significantly reflecting the indigenous inhabitants believe in the utilization of these recipes for different ailments and naturally the efficacy of these treatments.…”

“…The ethnomedicinal utilization of the species is recorded in many previous works. Coffea arabica (AbouZid and Mohamed, 2011), Nigella sativa (Tiwari et al, 2004;AbouZid and Mohamed, 2011;Mandaville, 2011;Abouri et al, 2012;Islam et al, 2020) and Zingiber officinale (Davison & Frank, 1935;Tiwari et al, 2004;AbouZid and Mohamed, 2011;Abouri et al, 2012;Islam et al, 2020;Nigussie et al,, 2021;Aparicio et al, 2021). In addition to the cultivated Lawsonia inermis (Mandaville, 2011;Islam et al, 2020;Nigussie et al, 2021).…”

“…Coffea arabica (AbouZid and Mohamed, 2011), Nigella sativa (Tiwari et al, 2004;AbouZid and Mohamed, 2011;Mandaville, 2011;Abouri et al, 2012;Islam et al, 2020) and Zingiber officinale (Davison & Frank, 1935;Tiwari et al, 2004;AbouZid and Mohamed, 2011;Abouri et al, 2012;Islam et al, 2020;Nigussie et al,, 2021;Aparicio et al, 2021). In addition to the cultivated Lawsonia inermis (Mandaville, 2011;Islam et al, 2020;Nigussie et al, 2021). The other three species that are wild include Acacia nilotica that is scattered open vegetation in the main channel of wadis as indicated by Boulos (2008).…”

“…The other three species that are wild include Acacia nilotica that is scattered open vegetation in the main channel of wadis as indicated by Boulos (2008). Its utilization as an ethnomedicinal plant is cited by many authors (Bandeira et al, 2001;Tiwari et al, 2004;Mandaville, 2011;Andersen et al, 2014;Islam et al, 2020). Solenostemma argel that recorded the highest usage and is used in the treatment of 7 different diseases among the 4 tribes is cited by many authors for its benefits in the treatment of gastrointestinal cramps, purgative properties, or kidney diseases (Osborn, 1968;Goodman and Hobbs, 1988;AbouZid and Mohamed, 2011).…”