Unraveling traditional healing practices for jaundice among adults in Bangladesh: a multicenter qualitative and ethnographic study

Abstract Traditional healing practices hold significant social and cultural significance in Bangladesh. While numerous traditional jaundice treatments exist across the country, detailed documentation of these methods is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and examine the various traditional healing methods used to treat jaundice in Bangladesh. The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved interviewing 400 jaundiced patients at two healthcare facilities, while the second phase consisted of overt naturalistic observations of traditional healers in their practice settings. Among the 400 jaundiced patients, 211 (52.75%) sought treatment from traditional healers. The study revealed a diverse range of traditional healing practices for jaundice, spanning ritualistic and spiritual approaches to physical interventions. The healing procedures were categorized as either noninvasive or invasive. Common noninvasive procedures included scalp and hand cleansing rituals, jaundice garlands, talismans or amulets, chewing herbs, roots, bark, or leaves, liver katano , ear candling, pet tana, and the application of chanted substances such as bananas, coconut water, or lemons. Two invasive procedures— liver khilano and cauterization—were found to cause dry burns on the skin, leading to severe complications. Upon thorough investigation, certain healing techniques appeared to result from chemical reactions or the application of physical processes rather than being supported by scientific evidence of their medical effectiveness. Understanding these practices is crucial for modern healthcare providers to facilitate culturally sensitive communication with patients and guide communities toward scientifically validated jaundice treatments. Further research is recommended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these traditional methods from a scientific perspective.