Use of plants in healthcare: a traditional ethno-medicinal practice in rural areas of southeastern Bangladesh

This is an electronic version of an article published in International Journal of Biodiversity Science & Management, Volume 5, Issue 1 March 2009 , pages 41 - 51 . International Journal of Biodiversity Science & Management is available online at http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=journal&issn=1745-1590This study considered traditional ethno-medicinal practices of rural people of Feni district, Bangladesh, focusing on their utilization of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Ninety households were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Plant resources are used to treat 26 different ailments ranging from simple cuts to diabetes. In total, 46 medicinal plants are as used, of which a third are trees. Homesteads are the primary source and few medicinal plants are cultivated. Aboveground plant parts are most used, particularly leaves. The diverse patterns of use of different medicinal plant parts shows the considerable indigenous knowledge of rural people and is generally widely available