Wedelia trilobata (L Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 14(2): 117-128, 2007 (December) SOME TRIBAL MEDICINAL PLANTS OF CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS, BANGLADESH MOHAMMED YUSUF1, M.A. WAHAB, MD. YOUSUF, JASIM UDDIN CHOWDHURY AND JARIPA BEGUM BCSIR Laboratories, P.O. Chittagong Cantonment, Chittagong 4220, Bangladesh Key words: Hill Tracts, Medicinal plants, Traditional knowledge, Bangladesh Abstract A survey was carried out in different localities of Rangamati and Bandarban Districts of Bangladesh between 2001 and 2002 to document medicinal plants. A total of 69 medicinal plants under 40 families were documented during this work, which the tribal use to treat about 50 diseases. Scientific names, tribal names of the plants, parts used, names of the diseases and names of the user communities are mentioned. Introduction Chittagong Hill Tracts, consisting of Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban Districts and occupying 13,184 sq km of south-eastern part of Bangladesh, is rich in floral diversity. The forest composition could be broadly classified into 1) tropical semi- evergreen to wet-green, 2) deciduous, 3) bamboo brakes and grasslands (Khan 1977). At least 12 ethnic communities live in this region of which Chakma is the largest tribe concentrating in the Chakma circle of Rangamati and part of Khagrachhari Districts. They are followed by the Marma who are almost evenly distributed in all three districts. Tripura are concentrated in Khagrachhari. The other smaller ethnic communities are concentrated in Bandarban District (Roy et al. 2000). Most of the tribal people still depend on local medicinal plants for the treatment of different diseases using the knowledge of herbal treatment they have inherited from their forefathers. But this ethno-medicinal knowledge and also the medicinal plants are depleting at an alarming rate due to availability of modern medical facilities and other socio-economic factors. On the other hand, this knowledge is valuable in searching new medicine for human welfare. In recent years interest in herbal medicines has increased considerably both at home and abroad as they are believed to be comparatively less toxic than the synthetics. So far a limited work has been done to document ethno-medicinal plants in Chittagong Hill Tracts, namely Alam (1992), Rahman (1997), Rahman et al. (1998), Yusuf et al. (2002), Chakma et al. (2003), Rahman et al. (2003), Uddin and Rahman (1998), Uddin et al. (2004), Yusuf et al. (2005, 2006). Keeping this in mind, the present 1Corresponding author. E-mail: ctglab@spenetctg.com 118 YUSUF et al. attempt has been undertaken to contribute to the documentation of this valuable knowledge and information from the area before these are totally lost. Materials and Methods The study was carried out in different localities of Marissa and Rajsthali belonging to Rangamati District and Lama of Bandarban and adjacent areas of Bandarban Sadar between 2001 and 2002. Information was documented in ethnobotanical data sheet by interviewing nine local Baiddas (tribal healers) and 11 elderly people and verified as far as possible by repeated queries and from other tribal healers. Voucher specimens were preserved at the herbarium of BCSIR (Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) Laboratories, Chittagong. Results and Discussion Results have been presented in a tabular form in Table 1. Species are arranged alphabetically by their scientific names, followed by their family names in parenthesis and voucher numbers. Voucher number of some of the species could not be cited, because they were destroyed or lost, but their identities were confirmed. Tribal users and tribal names of the plants, localities, names of the diseases, and modes of uses have been given in different columns of the Table 1. A total of 69 plant species have been documented during this investigation, which are used by the tribal peoples against about 50 diseases. Most of the plants are used in common diseases like, diarrhoea, dysentery, cough, catarrh, asthma, fever, headache, skin diseases, sore, boil, arthritis, leucorrhoea, menstrual problem, indigestion, constipation and stomachache. Only one plant, Kuchbihari (Solanum sp.) was found, according to the Chakma tribal healers (Baidda) of Toolaban area, to be used for the treatment of cancer. This plant has a very characteristic fruit. It is rare and found only under cultivation in the home garden of Baidda at Toolaban of Marissa. Uses of Alpinia conchigera, Anisomeles indica, Baliospermum montanum, Centella asiatica, Costus speciosus, Jasminum scandens, Kaempferia galanga, Kaempferia parviflora, Kalanchoe pinnata, Maesa montana, Mikania cordata, Ocimum gratissimum, Oroxylum indicum, Plumbago indica, Plumbago zeylanica, Sterculia villosa, Typhonium trilobatum, Urena lobata and Zingiber montanum match with the uses reported by different authors consulted here. Most of the previous authors only mentioned the name of the disease, whereas some of the authors mentioned the method of use. But they did not mention the dose. We have mentioned the tentative doses of use, but we do not encourage following them without verification. About 46% of the documented plant species are herbs followed by 31% shrubs, 13% trees and 10% climbers. Table 1. Description of the tribal medicinal plants recorded from different localities of Rangamati and Bandarban along with their users, locations to be found, diseases treated, modes of use and doses. Scientific name, (family name), voucher number Users & their tribal name Locality Disease/ ailment Mode of use & dose 1. Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1186 Tanchongya - Lengragach Naramuk, Rajsthali Dog & fox bite The root paste is applied over the bite area as a preventive medicine against hydrophobia. It is applied once, immediately after bite. 2. Acorus calamus L. (Acoraceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1174 A Tanchongya - Boch Naramuk, Rajsthali Stomachache, burn sore Rhizome paste is given orally in stomachache; 1 teaspoonful, twice in a day. Rhizome paste is also applied as a poultice on burn sore, twice daily till cure. 3. Adiantum lunulatum Burm. (Adiantaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1120 Chakma - Bandortala Toolaban, Marissa Boils Paste of the plant is applied over boils to burst. It is applied 2/3 times a day. 4. Aloe indica L. (Liliaceae) Tanchongya- Ghrittakumari Naramuk, Rajsthali Constipation, indigestion Leaf juice is prescribed orally; 1 tablespoonful, twice daily for 3 days. 5. Alpinia conchigera Griff. (Zingiberaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1131 Wahab & Yousuf 1174 Chakma - Khetranga Tanchongya - Ketranga Toolaban, Marissa Naramuk, Rajsthali Gastric pain Diarrhoea, dysentery Piece of the rhizome is chewed or paste is swallowed with little salt; a small piece of rhizome or 1 table- spoonful of paste, 2/3 times a day. Rhizome juice is given orally; 1 teaspoon, thrice daily for 3-4 days. 6. Annona mouricata L. (Annonaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1388 Marma - Penchi Hangshamapara, Bandarban Pain in hand & leg Warm leaves are rubbed on hand and leg to get relief from pain. 7. Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze. (Lamiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1155 Chakma - Harinsingh Toolaban, Marissa Fever, whoo- ping cough of children Leaf juice is given orally; 1 teaspoonful, twice daily for 4-5 days. 8. Antidesma ghasembilla Gaertn. (Euphorbiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1377 Marma - Sapangseye Balaghata, Bandarban Madness Pills made from the bark are given orally; 2 pills, thrice daily till cure. (Contd.) Table 1. (Contd.) Scientific name, (family name), voucher number Users & their tribal name Locality Disease/ ailment Mode of use & dose 9. Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Boj. (Convolvulaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1146 Chakma - Bijtarak Tooaban, Marissa Bone fracture Paste of twigs and young leaves applied on fractured area and wrapped with cloth, which is changed after every 2-3 days. 10. Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell.-Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1151 Chakma - Subonpan Toolaban, Marissa Eczema, sore in mouth & lip Leaf paste is applied on affected areas; twice daily till cure. 11. Cassia occidentalis L. (Fabaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1126 Chakma - Khetrang Toolban, Marissa Oliguria Decoction of the leaves is prescribed orally; half a cup, thrice daily for 3 days. 12. Celosia cristata L. (Amaranthaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1188 Tanchongya - Moragful Naramuk, Rajsthali Body swelling (dropsy) Ash of the leaves is rubbed on the body and its juice is given orally as diuretic along with rice washed water; 1 tablespoon, thrice daily for 1week. 13. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. (Hydrocotylaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1178 Tanchongya - Menmuni sak Naramuk, Rajsthali Blood dysentery Leaf juice is given orally along with Opium, 1 tablespoon, thrice daily for 1 week. 14. Clerodendrum viscosum Vent. (Verbenaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1121 Chakma - Veg gach Toolaban, Marissa Roundworms with indiges- tion, pain & vomiting Paste of leaves and roots given orally; 2 teaspoons, twice daily for 3-4 days. 15. Clitoria turnetea L. (Fabaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1154 Chakma - Aingoful Toolaban, Marissa Arthritic pain & wounds Paste of leaves applied topically on affected area; twice a day. 16. Costus speciosus Sm. (Costaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1132 Chakma - Ketoki Toolaban, Marissa Pus in ear along with earache Ear is cleaned with 2-3 drops of leaf juice and leaf paste is applied around the ear. 17. Croton caudatus Geisel. (Euphorbiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1134 Chakma - Sholokjara Toolaban, Marissa Arthritis, paralysis Root and leaf paste is applied topically for 1 week in arthritis, and for paralysis, for about a month or more. (Contd.) Table 1. (Contd.) Scientific name, (family name), voucher number Users & their tribal name Locality Disease/ ailment Mode of use & dose 18. Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf. (Poaceae) Tonchongya - Dhansabrang Naramuk, Rajsthali Stomach burning Juice of leaves and roots is given orally; 1 teaspoon, thrice daily. 19. Cynoglossum lanceolatum Fotsk. (Boraginaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1386 Marma - Langio Lama, Bandarban Inflation of belly Leaf juice along with other ingredients is given orally; 1 tablespoon, thrice daily. 20. Desmodium triquetrum (L.) DC. (Fabaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1145 Chakma - Rulimatakher Toolaban, Marissa Impotency, leucorrhoea Pills made from the leaves along with the leaves of Aloe indica are given orally; 1 pill, 2-3 times a day. 21. Dysophylla auricularia Bl. (Lamiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1175 Wahab & Yousuf 1188a Tanchongya - Kongmain, Krongmain Naramuk, Rajsthali Bellyache & discomfort in belly, tetanus For bellyache and discomfort, warm leaf poultice is prescribed. In tetanus, leaf juice is given orally; 2 teaspoons, once at a time. 22. Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. (Asteraceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1179 Tonchongya - Kalasuna Naramuk, Rajsthali Bleeding from nose and mouth Leaf juice is given orally and as a drop in the nostril; 1 or 2 drops and 1 tablespoon, 2-3 times a day for 1 or 2 days. 23. Emilia sp. DC. (Asteraceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1144 Chakma - Sidirabaisa Toolaban, Marissa Naramuk, Rajsthali Dysentery, diarrhoea, paralysis Boil Leaf juice given orally; 2-3 times a day, for a week. Leaf paste is applied as a rub in paralysis. Leaf paste is applied as cataplasm for suppuration of boil. 24. Eupatorium odoratum L. (Asteraceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1184 A Tonchongya - Demrapata gach Naramuk, Rajsthali Bleeding Leaf paste applied on cut to stop bleeding. 25. Gelonium multiflorum (Euphorbiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1383 Marma - Mainsingh Hangshamapara, Bandarban Boil Fruit paste is applied on boil for suppuration. (Contd.) Table 1. (Contd.) Scientific name, (family name), voucher number Users & their tribal name Locality Disease/ ailment Mode of use & dose 26. Grewia laevigata Vahl. (Tiliaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1143 Chakma - Monsimais Toolaban, Marissa Paralysis, pain Pills made from the bark, root and leaf is prescribed orally; 1 pill, thrice daily till cure. 27. Gynura nepalensis DC. (Asteraceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1140 Chakma - Dhup baisak Toolaban, Marissa Arthritic pain, paralysis, bur- ning of body Pills made from the leaves are given orally; 2 pills, thrice daily. 28. Haemanthus multiflorus Martyn (Amaryllidaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1383 Marma - Bolungbay Hangshamapara, Bandarban Fever Juice of the bulb is given orally; 1 tablespoon, thrice daily for 3 days. 29. Helminthostachys zeylanica Hook. (Ophioglossaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1383 Marma - Simakrangkhi Lama, Bandarban Jaundice Root juice with other ingredients given orally; 1 teaspoon, twice daily for 10 days. 30. Hymendictyon excelsum Walp. (Rubiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1384 Tanchongya - Fulgamari Naramuk, Rajsthali Lama, Bandarban Stiffness of belly Jaundice Root juice given orally and hot poultice of bark applied on belly for 2-3 days. Bath in the morning with leaf boiled water is prescribed for 10 days. 31. Jasminum scandens (Oleaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1122 Chakma - Moriccha lodi Toolaban, Marissa Red eyes (Red cataract) Leaf juice is used as a drop; 2 drops, twice daily till cure. 32. Justicia gendarusa L. (Acanthaceae) Wahab & Yousuf-1112 &1152 Chakma - Basok Babupara, Marissa Cough, catarrh, fever Leaf juice given orally, alone or with honey; 1 tablespoon, 2-3 times a day for 1 week. 33. Kaempferia galanga L. (Zingiberaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1154 A Chakma - Bhojoraphul Toolaban, Marissa Headache, paralysis of arms and legs Rhizome paste is given as poultice in headache and as rub in paralysis, twice daily. (Contd.) Table 1. (Contd.) Scientific name, (family name), voucher number Users & their tribal name Locality Disease/ ailment Mode of use & dose 34. Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker (Zingiberaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1181 Tonchongya - Kalahalood Naramuk, Rajsthali Diarrhoea along with vomiting Rhizome juice given orally; 1 teaspoon, 2-3 times a day for 3 days. 35. Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. (Crassulaceae) Tanchongya - Rockkia pangpo Naramuk, Rajsthali Cough & asthma of children Leaf juice dipped with red iron is given orally; 2 teaspoon, thrice daily for a week. 36. Leea indica (Burm.f.) Merr. (Leeaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1130 Chakma - Hashkura Toolaban, Marissa Sore, leprosy, eczema, itching, bone fracture, sprain Leaf paste used topically, 2-3 times a day for a week. For fracture and sprain, paste is applied as a poultice. 37. Leea macrophylla Roxb. (Leeaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1176 Tonchongya - Baggach Naramuk, Rajsthali Boil, arthritis Leaf juice is rubbed on affected area and heated with warm cloth. Leaf paste is applied on boil to burst. 38. Leucas zeylanica (L.) R.Br. (Lamiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1378 Marma - Sarakao Balaghata, Bandarban Burning urination Leaf paste is given orally; 1 tablespoon, once a day. 39. Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) Rob. (Lauraceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1125 Chakma - Surja gach Toolaban, Marissa Boil, sore, itching Leaf paste applied topically; twice daily. 40. Maranta arundinacea L. (Marantaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1135 Chakma - Ararut Toolaban, Marissa Scanty urination along with pain in abdomen Rhizome paste given orally; 1 tablespoon, 2-3 times a day. Also given to lactating mother to increase milk flow. 41. Measa montana A. DC. (Myrsinaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1124 Chakma - Medri Toolaban, Marissa Arthritis, boil Paste of the bark is applied as a poultice for arthritis, twice daily for 5 days. Applied on boil and kept whole day to hasten suppuration. (Contd.) Table 1. (Contd.) Scientific name, (family name), voucher number Users & their tribal name Locality Disease/ ailment Mode of use & dose 42. Micromelum minutum (Forst. f.) Wt. & Arn. (Rutaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1128 Wahab & Yousuf 1390 Chakma - Songramarich Marma - Kakobai Toolaban, Marissa Hangshamapara, Bandarban Fever along with headache Dog bite Leaf and root juice is given orally in fever; 1 cup, thrice daily for 5 days. Fruit paste is applied on bite area. 43. Mikania cordata (Burm.f.) Rob. (Asteraceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1184 A Tanchongya - Asamlata Naramuk, Rajsthali Bleeding Leaf paste is applied on cut area to stop bleeding. 44. Morinda sp. (Rubiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1379 Marma - Khujai Balaghata, Bandarban Fever along with catarrh Paste of young leaves along with black pepper and garlic is rubbed on the chest, twice a day. 45. Morinda persicaefolia Ham. (Rubiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1380 Marma - Khujai Balaghata, Bandarban Cough, asthma Leaf juice is given orally along with sugar; 1 teaspoon, thrice daily for 4-5 days. 46. Nelsonia campestris R.Br. (Acanthaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1184 Tanchongya - Chitpatang Naramuk, Rajsthali Fever, tetanus Leaf juice is rubbed on the body for several days. 47. Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1142 Chakma- Midareissa Toolaban, Marissa Cough, catarrh, headache, gout Leaf juice along with honey or sugar is prescribed orally; 2 teaspoons, thrice daily for 3-5 days. 48. Oroxylum indicum Vent. (Bignoniaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1118 Chakma- Khona Babupara, Marissa Jaundice Juice of the fruit and bark is given orally; half a cup, thrice daily for 5 days. (Contd.) Table 1. (Contd.) Scientific name, (family name), voucher number Users & their tribal name Locality Disease/ ailment Mode of use & dose 49. Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L.) Poit. (Euphorbiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1147 Chakma- Barakut Toolaban, Marissa Headache, impotency and seminal weakness Paste of the plant is applied on forehead in headache. Pills made from the paste are given in impotency and seminal weakness; 2 pills, thrice daily. 50. Perilla ocymoides L. (Lamiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1136 Chakma- Nagaghoissa Toolaban, Marissa Cut, sore, bruises Seed-paste is applied as an ointment; twice daily for healing. 51. Phrynium imbricatum Roxb. (Marantaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1149 Chakma- Pitulipata Toolaban, Marissa Cough, catarrh, asthma, headache Pills made from leaves are prescribed orally; 1 pill, 2-3 times a day. 52. Phyllanthus sp. (Euphorbiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1385 Marma- Saykhoi Lama, Bandarban Sexual weakness Pills made from dry flowers along with other ingredients are given orally; 1 pill at night. 53. Plumbago indica L. (Plumbaginaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1187 Tanchongya - Agnichita Naramuk, Rajsthali Anaemia, irregular menstruation, leucorrhoea, skin disease In skin disease, leaf and root juice is applied topically, in other cases juice is given orally; 1 teaspoon, once daily for 5 days. It is also given orally to develop sterility in women; 1 tablespoon, daily for consecutive 3 days. Roots are used to induce abortion. 54. Plumbago zeylanica L. (Plumbaginaceae) Chakma- Chita Toolaban, Marissa Leucorrhoea, menstrual problem, jaundice Root paste is given orally; 1 teaspoon, twice daily for 7 days. 55. Podocarpus nerifolia Don. (Podocarpaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1115 Chakma- Bajpata gach Babupara, Marissa Gastric Juice of the root and leaf is given orally; half a cup, 2-3 times daily. (Contd.) Table 1. (Contd.) Scientific name, (family name), voucher number Users & their tribal name Locality Disease/ ailment Mode of use & dose 56. Rauwolfia serpentina Benth. (Apocynaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1137 Chakma- Sursan Tanchongya - Bombaraja Toolaban, Marissa Naramuk, Rajsthali Snakebite, headache Heart disease, stomachache Root paste is given orally; half a teaspoon, twice daily. Half a teaspoon, once daily for a month for heart disease and 1 teaspoon, at a time for stomachache. 57. Sarcochlamys pulcherrima Gaud. (Urticaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1387 Marma- Masada Lama, Bandarban Boil, sore Leaf paste is applied topically; once a day for 3 days. 58. Scoparia dulcis L. (Scrophulariaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1183 Tanchongya - Postanoipata Naramuk, Rajsthali Stomachache Leaf juice is given orally; 1 tablespoon, twice daily. 59. Solanum sp. (Solanaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1141 Chakma- Kuchbihari Toolaban, Marissa Cancer, sore, wounds Paste of the fruit is applied topically; 2-3 times a day. 60. Spillanthes sp. (Asteraceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1177 Tanchongya - Osonsak Naramuk, Rajsthali Threadworm Leaf juice is given orally; half a cup, once or twice a day. 61. Stahlianthus involucratus (King ex Baker) R.M. Smith (Zingiberaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1189 Tanchongya - Eskain Rajsthali, Rangamati Fever, tetanus of children Rhizome juice is given orally; 1 teaspoon, thrice daily for 5 days. 62. Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers. (Menispermaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1153 Chakma- Thandamanik Marissa, Rangamati Facial paralysis Leaf paste is applied topically over affected areas; twice daily for 7 days. 63. Sterculia villosa Roxb. (Sterculiaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1139 Chakma-Udal Marissa, Rangamati Impotency Pills made from the root along with the root of Bombax ceiba and leaves of Aloe indica is prescribed orally; 1 pill, thrice a day for 3 weeks. (Contd.) Table 1. (Contd.) Scientific name, (family name), voucher number Users & their tribal name Locality Disease/ ailment Mode of use & dose 64. Thunbergia grandiflora Roxb. (Acanthaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1180 Tanchongya - Botualodi Rajsthali, Rangamati Red eyes Air blown through the cut hollow stem into the eyes; done for 3 days. 65. Typhonium trilobatum (L.) Schott. (Araceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1138 Chakma- Harbaj Marissa, Rangamati Enlarged liver Pills made from the corm along with black pepper are prescribed orally; 1 pill, thrice daily for 1 month. 66. Uraria picta Desv. (Fabaceae) Chakma- Bilailengur Marissa, Rangamati Suppuration of boil Leaf paste is applied topically on boil to burst. 67. Urena lobata L. (Malvaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1185 Tanchongya - Lengragach Rajsthali, Rangamati Snakebite, bite of dog and fox Root paste is applied on bite area as a poultice and 1 tablespoon of paste is given orally. 68. Vitis sp. (Vitaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1119 Wahab & Yousuf 1129 Chakma- Koishanglota, Khoijang Marissa, Rangamati Toolaban Broken bones Cough, catarrh, fever with convulsion Leaf paste is applied as a poultice on broken area and changed after a week. Root juice mixed with water is given orally; half a cup, thrice daily for 4-5 days. 69. Zingiber montanum (Koenig) Dietr. (Zingiberaceae) Wahab & Yousuf 1182 Tanchongya - Paley Rajsthali, Rangamati Amenorrhoea Rhizome juice is given orally; 1 tablespoon, 1-2 times a day for 2-3 days. 128 YUSUF et al. 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