Abstract
This study aimed to document, compare, and highlight the ethnobotanical significance of medicinal plants in treating various diseases. The study involved interviewing 158 informants (19 females and 139 males), including traditional health practitioners, using semi-structured questionnaires and open-ended interviews. The study documented demographic information about the informants and gathered data on aspects such as the life form of the plants, specific plant parts used, methods of preparation, application modes, and the ethnomedicinal uses of the plants. Data analysis focused on important locally known medicinal plants, using quantitative indices such as Relative Frequency Citation (RFC), Use Value (UV), Informants Consensus Factor (ICF), and Fidelity Level (FL) to assess the validity and consistency of the collected ethnomedicinal data. The agreement and homogeneity of the data were evaluated among the present and previous studies and within indigenous communities using the Jaccard Index (JI). A total of 140 plant species from 98 genera and 65 families were collected, identified, and ethnobotanically evaluated. The reported ailments (30) were categorized into 23 disease categories based on the ICF values. Gastrointestinal and respiratory tract disorders had the highest number of reported plant species for treatment. The families Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the most frequently reported. Herbs were the most commonly used life form (78 reports), followed by shrubs (32 reports). Leaves were the most commonly used plant part (53 reports), and decoction was the most common administration method (78 reports), followed by powder (25 reports). Eight plant species exhibited a 100% fidelity level due to their frequent use. UV ranged from 0.42 to 0.01, while Relative Frequency Citation (RFC) ranged from 0.98 to 0.75. The studies showed a maximum similarity JI of 46.5, followed by 35.6. Major conservation concerns included urbanization, browsing, overgrazing, invasion of exotic species, fuel-related activities, and lack of public awareness. In conclusion, the diverse range of medicinal plant species and associated traditional knowledge are integral to primary healthcare. Identifying plant species with high RFC and UV values is crucial for comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological studies. Preserving and globally promoting ethnobotanical heritage is vital for analyzing phytochemicals and facilitating future drug discovery. Recognizing the value of this heritage enables us to harness its potential in advancing healthcare and pharmaceutical research.
Published Version
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