Medicinal plants and formulations used by the Soren clan of the Santal Tribe in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh for treatment of various ailments

Abstract

The Santals form the largest tribal community in northern Bangladesh reside primarily in Rajshahi and Rangpur Divisions, where they live in the districts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, and Panchagarh. Although they are fast losing their traditional medicinal practices, they still have their own medicinal practitioners who rely mostly on medicinal plants for treatment of a variety of ailments. The traditional medicinal practices vary quite extensively between the twelve clans of the Santals. The objective of the present study was to conduct an ethnomedicinal survey amongst the Soren clan of the Santal community residing in two villages of Tanor Santal Para in Rajshahi district to collect information on their use of medicinal plants. Interviews were conducted of the two existing Santal traditional medicinal practitioners of the Soren clan with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire and using the guided field-walk method. Plant specimens as pointed out by the practitioners were collected and pressed on the field and identification completed at the Bangladesh National Herbarium. Information on 53 medicinal plants distributed into 32 families was obtained in this survey. Ailments treated by these plants included skin disorders, respiratory tract disorders, gastro-intestinal disorders, sexual dysfunctions, sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, helminthiasis, pain, urinary problems, filariasis, leprosy, tuberculosis, epilepsy, snake bite, enlarged heart, and paralysis. The medicinal plants used by the Santals merit further scientific studies for some of their formulations are used to treat diseases like diabetes, paralysis, enlarged heart, tuberculosis, and filariasis for which modern medicine has no known cure or medicines have developed resistant vectors.

Snake Bite as a Public Health Problem: Bangladesh Perspective

“…12 A number of medicinal plants are used for snake bites by the traditional healers in different parts of Bangladesh. [19][20][21] The economic impact of snakebite can be considerable. 12 Most of the victims are active adults, sometimes the only earning member of the family; death or handicap of the snake bite victim may deprive the family of regular livelihood.…”

The importance of botanical treatments in traditional societies and challenges in developing countries

“…In Bangladesh, the 'Santals' are considered one of the largest traditional with an estimated 100,000 people belonging to twelve clans [55]. They are spread out in the northern part of Bangladesh, are animistic nature-worshippers, and are believed to be descendants of the Austric-speaking Proto-Australoid race.…”

“…For the treatment of epilepsy, approximately 20 ml of juice obtained from fresh leaves of Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers. (Leguminosae) is taken with powdered black peppers twice daily for 15-20 days [55]. This plant however has not been validated using modern scientific techniques, unlike Justicia adhatoda used by the Sorens for treatment of asthma [56] and the gastroprotective effects of Benincasa hispida used in Soren traditional medicine for treatment of colic pain and flatulence [57].…”

Screening of antidepressant activity and estimation of quercetin fromCoccinia indicausing TLC densitometry

“…Recently, natural product researchers are investigating plants based on their use in traditional systems of medicine to develop newer and safer drugs (Dhawan, 1995;Oliver-Bever, 1983). Coccinia indica Naud (Cucurbitaceae), known as Ivy Gourd, has a long tradition of use in the treatment of mental disorders such as depression and stress (Ahmed & Azam, 2014;Khare, 2007;Rahmatullah et al, 2012). The plant is also used as an antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic (Anonymous, 2005;Chopra et al, 1956).…”