| Description |
Bangladesh and a significant part of South Asia possess a vibrant and thriving medical pluralism. Medical pluralism has been turned into an intrinsic feature of its medical system in historical and contempo-rary contexts (See, Rashid, 2017, Misra, 2010, Leslie, 1980, Banerji 1981; Sujatha 2003, Sujatha& Abraham, 2009). Multiple medical systems such as Biomedicine (the term used for allopathic medicine), Ayurvedic, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Naturopathy, Kaviraji and other folk traditions are widely practiced in this region for primary health-care. Traditional medical practices (TMPs) involving the use of different medicinal plants vary greatly from place to place, region to region and community to community, as they are influenced by factors such as economy, culture, religion, education, ethnicity and environment. The cultural phenomena of super natural belief also plays a significant role in building different perceptions among different rural and ethnic om-munities on various statuses and conditions of their health, as many of these people view their illness as possession by evil spirits. Visits to shrines or shamans (a person who acts as an intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, using magic to cure illness) for folk methods of healing, are still observed in many places. Research shows that whether educated or not, rich or poor; some people still use folk medicine for specific diseases. |
