The study was conducted at Haluaghat upazila of Mymensingh district to identify the existing medicinal plant species, their uses and their contribution to the socio-economic development of the household. Data were collected from the selected respondents by using structured questionnaires during September to October 2004. About 90 useful medicinal species were identified; among them 30 were tree species, 29 shrubs and 31 herbs. The prevalent tree species with medicinal value in the study area

more »

... e Amloki (3.20), Neem (3.13), Nishinda (2.66), Kharajora (2.56), Sheora (2.01), Arjun (1.92), Chalta (1.87) etc. Most prevalent medicinal shrub species were Cassava (4.56) followed by Bashak (2.09), Akanda (1.98), Papaya (1.67), Dhalim (1.12) etc. and most prevalent medicinal hurb species were Vat (23.80), Bonhalud (13.67), Patharkuchi (6.41), Apung (6.30), Lajjabati (4.81), Pumonava (4.74) etc. Economically potential species were Arjun, Amloki, Horitaki, Ulotkombal, Ghritakanchan etc. The relationship between socio-economic condition with selected characteristics such as age and homestead area was found insignificant; while the rest characteristics like education level, family size, farm size, overall annual income, income from medicinal plants, knowledge on medicinal plants, preference towards medicinal plants of the respondents were found statistically significant which motivated them to raise the medicinal plant species in their homestead area. From the socio-economic point of view, medicinal plants provided a critical source of income for many rural communities, especially landless poor and marginalized farmers. The plant species having high commercial value may be utilized as a source of income for the rural farmers. It was noticed that the respondents reduced health care cost by using this indigenous trees, shrubs and herbs. Moreover, the people who took kavirazi as a profession and contributed in rural health care were well known and given higher respect from the society. Unfortunately, medicinal plants are increasingly threatened by various environmental, socioeconomic and institutional problems. Most of the respondents opined that their problems were mainly related to lack of land, time, inputs, proper knowledge, economic support and unwillingness to cultivate and conserve medicinal plants. However, proper training with adequate supply of desired medicinal plant species are required and credit facilities would be helpful for large scale cultivation of medicinal plants.