Indigenous wild plants and fungi traditionally used in folk medicine and functional food in District Neelum Azad Kashmir

Abstract

Western Himalaya where District Neelum is situated is the most important source of flora and fauna, which provides handy species for the local people. The purpose of the present study was to document indigenous wild plants and fungi along with traditional uses, this combined study was conducted for the first time in District Neelum. The field study was completed during three years 2017–2019 continuous observation; information on ethnobotanical uses of plants and fungi was gathered through questionnaires, group discussion and semi-structured interviews with knowledgeable local informants. Plants were identified with the help of authentic taxonomic literature floras and online plant list database. Calculations were made using different indices fidelity level (FL), informant consensus factor and use value. For this purpose, 100 informants were selected randomly. In this study, 66 wild taxa (59 higher plants and seven fungi) belonging to 35 families (30 tracheophytes families and five fungi families) were reported in the research area, in which 51 were found herbs, seven mushrooms, five shrubs, one tree and one epiphyte. All 66 reported taxa are medicinally important used in 17 disease categories, of them 32 taxa 48% were used for food purposes, nine taxa have been exploited commercially who have a significant role in the local economy. Root and leaves parts are used regularly in folk medicine, respectively, but the selection of leaves and aerial parts in food was common. The decoction was a common method of drug preparation, and the majority of drugs were administered orally. The area was conquered by herbs (77%) most exploited plants. The Compositae (8 species) Lamiaceae (5 species) Polygonaceae (4 species) were leading families in the study area. The prime time of collection, consumption and preservation was recorded from April to August. Some taxa with high FL value were Morchella esculenta (96), Aconitum heterophyllum (94), Aucklandia costus (94), Bergenia stracheyi (94), Geranium wallichianum (94), Ajuga bracteosa (92), Impatiens glandulifera (92), Mentha longifolia (92), Berberis lycium (88), Senecio analogus (84), Pleurotus ostreatus (82), Swertia ciliata (80), Taraxacum oblongatum (80), Arnebia benthamii (74), Dolomiaea megacephala (74) and Lavatera cachemiriana (70). The people of District Neelum used folk medicine for health care on priority basis than cure. The native people of District Neelum are rich in understanding traditional knowledge. The current study highlights important medicinal plants and fungi by validating their traditional uses. Many taxa can improve local economies through perfect harvesting, adequate management, sustainable uses, and development of modern techniques to maximize their use.