Abstract
BackgroundBeing an isolated locality and having a tough mountainous terrain, strong ethnomedicinal practices still prevail in Dhirkot and its allied areas, which have been rarely explored yet. The present study was intended with the aim to document and compare the traditional knowledge of local communities on botanical taxa of Dhirkot, Azad Jammu, and Kashmir.MethodologyEthnomedicinal data were collected from 74 informants using a semi-structured questionnaire in addition to field observation and group discussion. Various indices were also used to evaluate the ethnomedicinal data. Furthermore, the present findings were compared with previous reports to assess data novelty.ResultA total of 140 medicinal plant species belonging to 55 families were recorded, which are used by local communities to treat 12 disease categories. Asteraceae was dominating with 20 species, followed by Poaceae, Lamiaceae, and Rosaceae (14, 11, and 10 species, respectively). Herbs were leading with 66% contribution, whereas leaves were the most utilized plant part with 29% utilization and decoction was the common mode of administration. Viola canescens depicted the highest use value and relative frequency of citation (1.7 and 0.92, respectively). Maximum informant consensus factor (0.88) was calculated for digestive and liver disorders. Five plant species including Berberis lycium Mentha arvensis Pyrus malus, Taraxacum officinale, and Viola canescens had 100% fidelity level.ConclusionDhirkot and its allied areas harbor rich botanical and cultural diversity because of its unique geography and diverse climatic conditions. However, mostly, traditional ethnobotanical knowledge is restricted to healers, midwives, and older people, and could be extinct in the near future. Therefore, such documentation not only conserves traditional knowledge but may also contribute significantly to novel drug resources.
Highlights
Being an isolated locality and having a tough mountainous terrain, strong ethnomedicinal practices still prevail in Dhirkot and its allied areas, which have been rarely explored yet
Pakistan has about 6000 species of higher plants, and among them, 10–30% of the flora is used for medicinal purposes in various areas [10, 11]
The tradition of using medicinal plants in Pakistan for the treatment of various ailments is very mature, based predominantly on the Unani system of medicine. This traditional medicine sector has become an important source of health care, especially in rural and tribal areas of the country where it is considered as first-line treatment [12]
Summary
Being an isolated locality and having a tough mountainous terrain, strong ethnomedicinal practices still prevail in Dhirkot and its allied areas, which have been rarely explored yet. Medicinal plants are an important element of aboriginal curative systems This knowledge is considered as a part of cultural assets [1] many indigenous groups fail to sustain and preserve this communal knowledge [2] that is why the systematic evaluation of this knowledge in order to contribute to health care in marginalized areas has been sighted in programs of national and international organizations [3]. The tradition of using medicinal plants in Pakistan for the treatment of various ailments is very mature, based predominantly on the Unani system of medicine This traditional medicine sector has become an important source of health care, especially in rural and tribal areas of the country where it is considered as first-line treatment [12]
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