Wedelia trilobata (L Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 13(1): 55-61, 2006 (June) ETHNO-MEDICO-BOTANICAL KNOWLEDGE FROM KAUKHALI PROPER AND BETBUNIA OF RANGAMATI DISTRICT MOHAMMED YUSUF, MD. ABDUL WAHAB, JASIM UDDIN CHOWDHURY AND JARIPA BEGUM BCSIR Laboratories, P.O. Chittagong Cantonment, Chittagong-4220, Bangladesh Key words: Ethno-medico-botany, Kaukhali, Betbunia, Rangamati Abstract A survey was carried out between July 2001 and June 2002 in Kaukhali proper and Betbunia area of Rangamati district to document the medicinal plants of that area and their uses. During this work 34 species representing 23 genera and 17 families were found, which are used by the Chakma and Marma tribes and the Bangalis living there for the treatment of 31 diseases. Botanical and tribal names of the plants, parts used, name of the diseases, and name of the users have been mentioned. Introduction Kaukhali proper is about 10 km west to Rangamati town. Betbunia is a Union under Kaukhali P.S. situated about 9 km south of Kaukhali proper and about 18 km south-west to Rangamati town. Being a hilly area they are rich in floral diversity. Inhabitants of those areas are mostly tribal, dominated by Chakma and Marma. Many of them still depend on local medicinal plants for the treatment of different diseases. A good number of Bangali families are also living there. They also use quite a good number of medicinal plants for the treatment of different diseases. In recent years due to development of good communication, modern doctors and medicines have reached there, resulting decline in the use of traditional medicine. Therefore the knowledge of traditional use of medicinal plants by the local people is likely to be lost in near future, and for this it is necessary to document as much as possible the existing available information. Only a limited work has been done on the tribal folk medicine in the Chittagong Hill- Tracts i.e., Alam 1992, Chakma, et al. 2003, Rahman et al. 1998; Rahman and Uddin 1998, Rahman 2003, Uddin 2001, Yusuf et al. 2002. Keeping this in mind this survey was done to document those valuable ethno-medico-botanical knowledge. The survey was carried out for about a year. During this work 34 species representing 23 genera and 17 families were documented which are used for the treatment of 31 diseases. Local names of those plants, parts used, method of use and doses are mentioned. 56 YUSUF et al. Materials and Methods Uses of medicinal plants have been documented on ethnobotanical data sheet by interviewing tribal healers and elderly people of the study areas, namely, Kaukhali and Betbunia. The study was made for about one year, between July 2001 and June 2002 by repeatedly visiting the areas in different seasons to get the information on the plants. The information were verified by repeated inquiries and asking the tribal healers as far as possible. The voucher specimens of most of the species have been collected, identified and preserved in the herbarium of BCSIR Laboratories, Chittagong. Plants are arranged alphabetically by their botanical names followed by tribal names, family names and voucher number. In case of most common and well-known plants voucher number has not been mentioned. Results and Discussion Data collected on the uses of medicinal plants by the tribes and Bangali of the study areas are given below in the tabular form (Table 1) Uses of the following 18 plants described above viz., Abrus sp., Alocasia cuculata, Alstonia scholaris, Asparagus acerosus, Boreria articularies, Clerodendrum indicum, Costus speciosus, Desmodium triquetrum, Pavetta sp. Leucas zeylanica, Leucas aspera, Mitracarpus hirtus, Ocimum americanum (citral type), Plumbago zeylanica, Pouzolzia zeylanica, Scoparia dulcis, Sida orientalis, Synedrilla nodiflora do not match with the reports consulted. Probably the usage is new so far known. Additional uses along with the reported one was documented in case of Achyranthes aspera, Acorus calamus, Amaranthus spinosus and Rauvolfia serpentina (Kirtiker and Basu1975, Alam et al. 1996, Khan et al. 2002, Chakma et al. 2003). In case of Cassia fistula same use was reported for bark and wood (Kirtiker 1975) instead of fruit pulp as recorded here. Marma tribe uses the root of Plumbago zeylanica in case of suppression of menses. It has a rational basis, because “plumbagin” contained in the root has stimulant effect on muscular tissue of uterus and on nervous system (Kirtikar and Basu 1975). It was observed during the investigation that tribal of Betbunia and Kaukhali generally use single plant for the preparation of medicine, rarely two or more than two plants. But the Bangalis in Kaukhali were found to use a number of plants instead of single plant. Moreover, they use some minerals also, which was not found in tribal preparations. Probably this is due to the influence of Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine on them. The local people reported during the investigations that the number of tribal practitioners has declined to only a few now-a-days than in the past. Table 1. Ethno-medico-botanical data from Kaukhali proper and Betbunia of Rangamati. Scientific name, family name, voucher number Local name Locality Diseases Uses Abrus precatorious L. (Leguminosae) Voucher No. 1190 Bengali.- Kunch, Rati, Jostimadhu Kaukhali Gastric pain Dry roots of this plant along with the dry leaves of Coccinea cordifolia, Cassia angustifolia and whole herb of Ipomea quamoclit, Cleome viscosa and Clitoria ternatea are pounded together and pills (size of a small marble) made from this is given orally. Dose: 1 tablet daily in the morning with water (Users: Bangali). Abrus sp. (Leguminosae) Voucher No. 1098 Marma- Yattaripru Betbunia Urinary arrest/ Oliguria Root paste mixed with rice-socked water is prescribed orally. Dose: 1 cup twice daily for 3 days (Users: Marma). Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae) Marma- Chainchi Betbunia Impotency, Jaundice, Dropsy Root paste is given orally with honey for impotency. Dose: 1 teaspoonful once daily for 3-4 days. In jaundice and dropsy, necklets made of root pieces worn on head and kept till cure (Users: Marma). Acorus calamus L. (Araceae) Voucher No.1106 Marma- Laonochi Betbunia Paralysis, Epileptic faint Rhizome paste along with the bile of Python and fruits of Myristica fragrans is rubbed on the affected parts in paralysis. Bruised leaves are put before nose of the patient of epilepsy for relief (Users: Marma). Albizia procera Benth. (Leguminosae) Chakma- Sadakoroi Betbunia Thread worm Fresh leaves or paste of the young leaves are prescribed orally along with rice. Dose: Teaspoonful of paste twice daily for 2-3 days (Users: Chakma). Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) Chakma- Rasun Betbunia Localized baldness (Alopecia) Blood of Monopterous cuchia is applied over head after cleaning and then paste of garlic is applied along with the jhul i.e., spider net along with dirt (Users: Chakma). Alocassia cuculata Schott.( Araceae) Voucher No. 1104 Marma- Sapposraku Betbunia Hardness of Abdomen (Peterdhola) Rhizome paste is swallowed along with ripe banana. Dose: About a tablespoonful once daily for 2-3 days (Users: Marma). Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. (Apocynaceae) Voucher No. 1100 Marma- Chailoi Betbunia Arthritic pain Leaf paste is warmed and applied as a poultice twice daily over affected parts. (Users: Marma). Amaranthus spinosus L. ( Amaranthaceae) Chakma- Kata marish Betbunia Fever and Ranikhet disease in chicken Root extract along with the fruit of Myristica fragrens is given in fever along with rice soaked water. Dose: Half glass twice daily for three days. Infant dose is half. In ranikhet of chicken root juice mixed with boiled rice and cow dung is prescribed. Dose: Half teaspoon 2-3 times a day (Users: Chakma). Scientific name, family name, voucher number Local name Locality Diseases Uses Asparagus acerosus Roxb. (Liliaceae) Voucher no. 1097 Marma- Saktichara, Chulanopay Betbunia Arthritis, leucorrhoea, abdominal pain Paste of the roots along with other ingredients is given orally. Dose: One teaspoon twice daily for a week for arthritis and leucorrhoea and one table spoon twice for one day in abdominal pain (Users: Marma). Borreria articularies (L.f.) F.N.Will. ( Rubiaceae) Voucher no. 1162 Bengali – Ekdaira Kaukhali Bronchitis Dried leaves of this plant along with the leaves of Nyctanthes arbortristis is grind together and tablet (size of a pea) made and given orally. Dose: 1 tablet twice daily for 15 days (Users: Bangali). Cassia alata L. (Leguminosae) Chakma- Dadgach Betbunia Thread worm Decoction of the leaves is prescribed orally before meal at night. Dose: One glassful for 2 days (Users: Chakma). C. fistula L. (Leguminosae) Marma- Miaopiga Betbunia Dysentery Inner portion of the young fruit is prescribed orally. Dose: Small amount (5-6 gms) twice daily for a week (Users: Marma). C. occidentalis L. (Leguminosae) Voucher No. 1101 Marma- Kajor Betbunia Respiratory problem Decoction of the leaves is prescribed orally. Dose: Half cup of decoction twice daily for 2-3 days (Users: Marma). Clerodendrum indicum (L.) Kuntze. (Verbenaceae) Voucher No. 1196 Bengali- Ekdaira gach Kaukhali Carbuncle Leaves of the plants along with the whole herb of Commelina diffusa, Cynodon dactylon and Plumbago indica is made into paste and applied over the carbuncle. It is applied after washing with warm water and continues for a week (Users: Bangali). C. viscosum L. (Verbenaceae) Voucher No. 1096 Marma- Vegach Betbunia poisonous insect bite Paste of few young leaves is applied as a poultice on the affected area (Users: Marma). Costus speciosus (Koinig) Sm. (Costaceae) Marma- Kedogi Betbunia Pus in ear Juice of the roasted stem of the plant is squeezed out and given as a drop in ear. Dose: few drops 2-3 times a day for three days (Users: Marma). Cyathula prostrata Bl. (Amaranthaceae) Voucher no. 1086,1163 Chakma & Bangali – Uphutlengra Betbunia and Kaukhali Urinary calculi, Headache In Betbunia, red iron dipped in to the juice of the root and the juice is prescribed orally for urinary calculi. Dose: Half cup of juice twice daily. In primary stage 3 doses only. In Kaukhali garland made from the root pieces is tie on head to get relief from headache (Users: Chakma & Bangali). Scientific name, family name, voucher number Local name Locality Diseases Uses Desmodium triquetrum DC. (Leguminosae) Voucher no. 1092 Marma- Pha loy joy Betbunia Threadworm, bleeding piles Decoction of the fresh leaves is prescribed orally. Dose: 2 teaspoon 2-3 times a day for 2-3 days in both the cases (Users: Marma). Holarrhena pubescens (Buch.- Ham.)Wall. (Apocynaceae) Chakma- Kuruch Betbunia Dysentery Paste of the bark is prescribed along with curd. Dose: 1 table spoon twice daily for three days (Users: Chakma). Kaempferia parviflora L. (Zingiberaceae) Voucher no. 1089 Chakma- Kala halud Betbunia Poisonous insect bite Paste of the rhizome and leaf is applied as poultice on bite area. K. rotunda L. (Zingiberaceae) Voucher no. 1105 Marma- Bhujuraphul Betbunia Scabies, wound Paste of the rhizome along with some other ingredients (untoled) is applied as a poultice. It is applied once daily for a week. Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. (Lamiaceae) Voucher no. 1164 Bengali – Shetadron, Donkalash Kaukhali Earache, arthritic pain Slightly wormed leaf juice is pour into ear to cure earache. For arthritic pain leaves are cooked and taken as vegetables. L. zeylanica (L.) R.Br. (Lamiaceae) Voucher no. 1095 Marma- Paichangcha Betbunia Convulsion due to fever Necklet made with the pieces of roots are tie on arms and legs and kept till cures. Melia sempervirens (L.) All. (Meliaceae) Voucher no. 1157 Bengali - Ghoranim Kaukhali Skin disease Leaf paste of this plant along with camphor, copper sulfate, alum and borax is applied superficially. It is applied twice daily until cure. Mitracarpus hirtus (Rubiaceae) Voucher no. 1161 Bengali – Padmamukhi Kaukhali Blood dysentery Dried herb, dried mango seed kernel, dried green fruit of Aegle mermelos and fruits of Terminalia balerica is grind together and tablet (size of a pea) made from the powder is prescribed orally. Dose: 2 tablets thrice daily for 5 days. Ocimum americanum L.- Camphor type (Lamiaceae) Voucher no. 1159 Bengali – Tulsi Kaukhali Cataract Juice of this plant along with Ludwigia hyssopifolia is given in eye as a drop. Dose: Two drops thrice daily for 7-8 days. Scientific name, family name, voucher number Local name Locality Diseases Uses Ocimum americanum L.- Citral type (Lamiaceae) Voucher no. 1090 Chakma- Sabrang Betbunia Eye disease of chicken Leaves rubbed on eyelids 2-3 times daily for 4-5 days. Pavetta sp. (Rubiaceae) Voucher no. 1102 Marma- Sangraimay Betbunia Menstrual irregularity Root paste of this plant along with the root of Clerodendrum viscosum and Plumbago zeylanica is prescribed orally. Dose: 1 tablespoonful 2-3 times a day for a week. Plumbago zeylanica L. (Plumbaginaceae) Voucher no.1099 Marma- Kaincho apru Betbunia Suppression of menses Paste of the root along with the root of Clerodendrum viscosum is prescribed orally. Dose: About a tablespoonful once daily for 2-3 days. Pouzolzia zeylanica (L.) Benn. (Urticaceae) Chakma- Biskatali Betbunia Pustules Paste made from the leaves of this plant along with the leaves of Sida rhombifolia is applied as a poultice over pustules to hasten suppuration. Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth.ex Kurz. (Apocynaceae) Voucher no. 1093 Chakma- Surchan Betbunia High blood pressure, respiratory problem Fresh root juice or dried root powder soaked in water is prescribed orally. Dose: 1 teaspoonful twice daily. Scoparia dulcis L. (Scrophulariaceae) Voucher no. 1165 Bengali - Bondhoinna Kaukhali Jaundice Tablet (size of a pea) made from the whole plant along with cardamom, black pepper and borax are prescribed orally. Dose: 2 tablet twice daily for 2 weeks. Sida orientalis Cav. (Malvaceae) Voucher No. 1167 Bengali - Bailodi Kaukhali Tumor in the uterus Tablet ( size of a marble) made from the leaves of this plant along with the leaves of Melochia chorchorifolia, Ludwigia hyssopifolia and the flower of Nelumbo nucifera are prescribed orally. Dose: 2 tablet daily until cure. Synedrilla nodiflora Gaertn. (Asteraceae) Voucher no.1094 Marma- Ochonsagor biai Betbunia Scabies Water boiled along with the leaves of this plant is used as a bath for seven days. Tagetis erecta L. (Asteraceae) Bengali- Genda Kaukhali Piles Leaves of this plant are pounded along with the fruits of Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula, T. belerica and roots of Glycirhyza glabra and the juice is expressed out. This juice is given orally in piles. Dose: 1-2 tablespoonful once daily for 20-21 days. Zingiber montanum (Koenig) A.Dietr. (Zingiberaceae) Marma- Paley Betbunia Flatulance Rhizome paste is prescribed orally. Dose: 1 teaspoon 2-3 times a day. ETHNO-MEDICO-BOTANICAL KNOWLEDGE 61 Acknowledgement The authors are grateful to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, for providing financial support to carry out this investigation. Thanks are also due to the Director, BCSIR Laboratories, Chittagong for his generous co-operation and encouragement during the work. References Alam, M. K. 1992. Medical ethnobotany of the Marma Tribe of Bangladesh. Economic Botany 46(3): 330- 335. Alam, M. K., Choudhury, J. and Hassan, M.A. 1996. 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