ETHNOMEDICINES OF HIGHLY UTILIZED PLANTS IN THE TEMPERATE HIMALAYAN REGION

Authors

  • Shaheen Begum Fatima Jinnah Women University
  • Naser M AbdEIslam Arriyadh Community College, King Saud University
  • Muhammad Adnan Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan
  • Akash Tariq Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan.
  • Azra Yasmin Fatima Jinnah Women University
  • Rukiya Hameed Fatima Jinnah Women University

Keywords:

Medicinal plants, Traditional knowledge, Diseases, Rural livelihood

Abstract

Background: Himalayan region of Pakistan has been known as a rich source for valuable medicinal plants. The present work is the documentation of indigenous knowledge of highly utilized plants as natural remedy by the local inhabitants of the northwest part of the country. Methodology: Data on highly utilized medicinal plants were collected during May-September 2012 using semi-structured questionnaire from the elders, local herbalists and medicinal plants collectors. Results: In total about 53, plants belonging to 38, families were highly utilized in the study area, of which majority of those (43), were medicinal plants. The most frequent part used in preparation of different medicinal remedies is leaves (53%). Most of the medicinal plant species (14) were used as antipyretic. The inhabitants of the study area were producing ethno-medicines mostly in crushed form (26%). Most of the remedies (74%), were taken orally within the study area. Ten species were found most valuable from the local’s perspective such as Bergenia ciliata, Hedera nepalensis and Viola canescens. Conclusion: In conclusion, traditional healers depend largely on naturally growing medicinal plant species, which are under severe threat. This study can provide a basis for further phyto-chemical and pharmacological studies on the region’s medicinal plants. Moreover, documentation of indigenous recipes would serve as preservation of the knowledge for the generations to come.

Author Biographies

Shaheen Begum, Fatima Jinnah Women University

Environmental Sciences, Assistant Professor

Muhammad Adnan, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan

Department of Botany, Lecturer

Akash Tariq, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan.

Department of Botany, Researcher

Azra Yasmin, Fatima Jinnah Women University

Environmental Sciences, Professor

Rukiya Hameed, Fatima Jinnah Women University

Environmental Sciences, reasercher

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Published

2014-03-29

How to Cite

Begum, S., AbdEIslam, N. M., Adnan, M., Tariq, A., Yasmin, A., & Hameed, R. (2014). ETHNOMEDICINES OF HIGHLY UTILIZED PLANTS IN THE TEMPERATE HIMALAYAN REGION. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 11(3), 132–142. Retrieved from https://athmsi.org/journals/index.php/ajtcam/article/view/2050

Issue

Section

Research Papers

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