Cumilla University’s medicinal garden to preserve herbal heritage
Zakir Azad, Cumilla
Medicinal plants are inseparable from the history of human medicine. Long before modern hospitals, medicines or medical technology, people used to seek refuge in nature when they were sick. Various types of herbal medicine were prepared using the leaves, bark, roots, flowers, fruits and seeds of plants.
In addition to the long tradition of Ayurveda in ancient India or South Asia, numerous plants including neem, tulsi, haritaki, behera, amla, arjuna have become important in folk medicine.
Despite the revolutionary changes in medical science over time, that tradition has not been completely lost. Rather, modern science is researching the chemical components and potential medicinal efficacy of various plants. As a result, a new connection has been created between ancient herbal knowledge and modern scientific research.
The use of medicinal plants in Bangladesh is also very old. The presence of these plants is still visible in the daily lives of the people of rural Bengal. Herbal knowledge passed down from generation to generation is used for various common ailments, from colds and coughs to various other ailments. Especially in remote areas, due to the limitations of medical services, many people primarily rely on locally known plants.
Keeping this long tradition and potential in mind, a medicinal garden has been established in the Pharmacy Department of Cumilla University. In 2014, a plan was taken to establish a medicinal garden on the university premises.
The following year, in 2015, the work of beautifying the garden and planting trees began. The garden gradually began to flourish with the initiative of the Pharmacy Society, an associate organization of the Pharmacy Department. Currently, there are more than 50 medicinal plants here.
This garden, established in the green environment of the campus, has various species of trees including Hasnahena, Haritaki, Chuijhal, Camphor, Pencil Cactus, Amalaki, Bay Leaf, Pomegranate, Cinnamon, Tamarind, White Jawa, Neem, Arjuna. Many of these familiar plants are part of our food and culture, and are also used in folk medicine.
This garden, established in the green environment of the campus, has various species of trees including Hasnahena, Haritaki, Chuijhal, Camphor, Pencil Cactus, Amalaki, Bay Leaf, Pomegranate, Cinnamon, Tamarind, White Jawa, Neem, Arjuna. Many of these familiar plants are part of our food and culture, and are also used in folk medicine.
However, the idea that herbs mean completely safe is not correct. It is important to know scientifically how, how much, and under what circumstances a plant can be used. There may be a risk of harm if used incorrectly or excessively.
With the medicinal garden, pharmacy students are also benefiting from the lab and academic fields. Yabid Al Ijaz, a student of the department for the 2023-24 academic year, said, "The importance of medicinal plants in pharmacy education is immense. In the classroom, we learn theoretically about the medicinal properties, active ingredients and uses of these plants.
Our medicinal plant garden has created an excellent opportunity to link theoretical knowledge with the real world of plants. If it is further enriched in the future, it can play an important role in education, research and conservation of medicinal plants."
Dr. Jannatul Ferdous said, "The biggest problem of the medicinal plant garden is the growth and maintenance of the plants. Lack of light and air and lack of adequate protection are hindering the normal growth and protection of medicinal plants.
A plan has been taken to build a new medicinal garden by ensuring modern facilities and adequate light and air in the new campus.
