Ethnomedicinal Flora Utilized in Traditional Healthcare Practices by Local Inhabitants of Mymensingh, Bangladesh

The present study demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of the medicinal flora utilized by the local healers in the several villages i.e. Sadar Upazila, Tarakanda, Haluaghat and Goforgaon of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. An extensive empirical surveys and interviews were carried out with the local healers between March, 2023 and March, 2024. Documentation was done on the basis of the principles of traditional applications of medicinal plants. In total, 80 plant species belonging to 51 families were identified as having ethnomedical uses in the treatment of various ailments, including skin conditions, dysentery, diarrhoea, asthma, and gonorrhoea, piles and stomach pains. The study reveals that Apocynaceae family is the most frequently used followed by Caesalpiniaceae, Lamiaceae and others. The several plant parts included leaves (37%), fruits (13%), stems (11%), roots (11%), barks (9%), seeds (6%), flowers (3%), shoots (3%), and rhizomes (2%) in addition to whole plants (3%). As well, the most frequent mode of medicine preparation is juice (38%) and paste (26%) of the plant parts in those areas. Care must be taken with regard to those species, especially those having ethnomedicinal significance, as their survival is in danger nowadays. The results and information obtained from this study will be helpful for any upcoming ethnopharmacological research aimed at finding novel medications. This study has the potential to encourage future generations to adopt traditional therapeutic methods and preserve the indigenous knowledge of traditional use of medicinal plants.