Ethnobotanical Study of Indigenous Medicinal Plants of District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Ethnobotanical Study of Indigenous Medicinal Plants of District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Huma Gul1*, Iqra Anwar2, Khair Ul Ibrar3, Anwar Hussain3 and Maira Fazal2
ABSTRACT
An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in district Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan to investigate medicinal flora of the study area. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews with traditional healers and local residents. Interviews with eighty informants showed that medicinal plants were used to cure forty different ailments. Factors such as informant characteristics, plant types, parts used, and preparation methods were analyzed and the processes involved in making the medications. A total of 115 plant species belong to 55 families and 97 genera were collected and identified from various grouping and communities. The dominant plant family was Poaceae, with 10 species recorded. Followed by family Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae with 7 species, Brassicaceae and Solanacaeae with 6 species respectively. The most commonly used parts were leaves, seeds, whole plants, stems, fruit, root, flower, latex, gums, bulb, bark and Pulp. The information was analyzed using the Relative Frequency Citation (RFC), and other quantitative indices. Highest and lowest relative frequency citation value were noted. The species which have highest relative frequency citation value are Peganum harmala L. (0.80) and the species which have lowest relative frequency citation value was Cannabis sativa L. (0.05). Our results showed that medicinal plants have been used to treat a wide range of conditions including coughing, sneezing, chest and back pain, asthma, stomach problems, constipation, skin problems, fever, diabetes, blood purification, digestive and stomach problems, throat infections, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, ulcers and liver problems. It is concluded that Swabi is recognized as one of the potential site for medicinal flora in District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, this is the first tentative assessment of the quantitative analysis of the medicinal flora of these therapeutic plants. Proper documentation and taxonomic identification of medicinal plants are essential to preserve this historical medical heritage and ensure its continuation.
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