English

Tariq Habib

doi:10.5897/ajps12.116

Abstract

The folklore of 43 species of ‘medicinal plants’ belonging to 27 families was recorded form Leepa Valley, Muzaffarabad. Out of 43 medicinal plants, 4 gymnosperms, 38 angiosperms and 01 fern species were used against different diseases. The major problems cured by ‘medicinal plants’ were digestive problems (24 spp), dermal system problems (13 sp), hepatic problems (11 spp) and respiratory problems (7 spp). Further, 4 species were used as spices and vegetables and six species recorded have biological activities; whereas joint problems and cardiac problems were treated by 3 species each. Most of the medicinal plants were uprooted by the inhabitants for selling or for local use. The results also indicated that among the recorded species, 44% were used as ‘medicinal food plant’, 23% as ‘medicinal gathered food plant’ and ‘orally administrated medicinal plant’ were 32.56%. The utility of these plants for different purposes posses a great threat to the plant resourses in the area. Huge quantities of MPs were lost every year owing to lack of proper collection, over exploitation and deforestation. Key words: Medicinal plants, folk uses, over exploitation, local residents, cure.

Highlights

Man has always been dependent upon the plants for food, shelter, health fragrance, cosmetics, dyeing agent, soap and body care since the prehistoric times
Extensive field surveys were undertaken during 2011, to gather ethnomedicinal information on vegetation of Leepa Valley and the traditional uses of medicinal plant species across various localities in the Leepa Valley to document their indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants
Information was gathered using semistructured questionnaires about the types of ailments treated by the traditional use of medicinal plants from 8 target villages namely; Rashian, Moji, Banamula, Leepa, Gheekot, Hanjna, Chananian and Mandakuli

Summary

Full Length Research Paper

The folklore of medicinal plants recorded from Leepa Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The folklore of 43 species of ‘medicinal plants’ belonging to 27 families was recorded form Leepa Valley, Muzaffarabad. Out of 43 medicinal plants, 4 gymnosperms, 38 angiosperms and 01 fern species were used against different diseases. The results indicated that among the recorded species, 44% were used as ‘medicinal food plant’, 23% as ‘medicinal gathered food plant’ and ‘orally administrated medicinal plant’ were 32.56%. The utility of these plants for different purposes posses a great threat to the plant resourses in the area.

INTRODUCTION

Literacy level Illiterate Primary Middle Secondary University

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS

Folk uses

Poultice powder Juice Edible decoction