Medicinal uses of selected plants of Tehsil Munda District Lower Dir KPK, Pakistan

Abstract

A comprehensive survey of medicinal plants was carried out in Tehsil Munda. A total of 50 plant species were collected from March to September along with their local name, botanical name, family, habit, part use and ethno-botanical use. Herbaceous cover was dominated with 20 species (40%) followed by trees with 17 species (34%) and then by shrubs with 13 species (26%). medicinal plants are the main basic source of the phytochemicals i.e., alkaloids, tannins, Phlobatannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, phenols, saponin, cardiac glycosides, proteins, glycosides and terpenoids. The phytochemical analysis of the medicinal plants is also important and have commercial interest in both pharmaceuticals companies and research institutes for the formation of the new medicine for treatment of several diseases. The anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiuretic, anti-viral, anticancer, anti-malarial and anti-fungal activities of the medicinal plants are due to the presence of the above present phytochemicals. The local area (Dir Lower) is rich in medicinal plants and can be used for curing different diseases instead of using imported medicines. The extraction of different chemicals from the local plants can also be done to support Pakistan’s health issues and economy. But unfortunately due to unawareness of the indigenous peoples these plants are going to be endangered because they uproot and demolish these plants for burning purposes mostly. Indigenous knowledge regarding medicinal plants collection and their proper mode of administration should be collect from the local people to preserve these plants properly.