Research Article

Ethnobotanical Study of Munda Khazana, District Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Rehan Ullah1, Fazli Rahim1, Muhammad Sajid1, Shakir Ullah2*, Shahab Ali2, Lubna Shakir3, Mohammad Sohail4 and Ghani Subhan5

1Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 2State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany (LSEB), Institute of Botany Chines Academy of Science China Beijing; 3Department of Botany, Govt. Post Graduate Degree College, Timergara Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 4Department of Botany, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 5College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.

Received | February 08, 2024; Accepted | September 15, 2024; Published | September 27, 2024

*Correspondence | Shakir Ullah, State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany (LSEB), Institute of Botany Chines Academy of Science China Beijing; Email: [email protected]

Citation | Ullah, R., Rahim, F., Sajid, M., Ullah, S., Ali, S., Shakir, L., Sohail, M. and Subhan, G., 2024. Ethnobotanical study of Munda Khazana, District Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research, 30(3): 105-120.

DOI | https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.PJWSR/2024/30.3.105.120

Keywords | Ethnobotany, Biodiversity conservation, Medicinal plants, Invasive flora, Munda, Dir Lower

Copyright: 2024 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Introduction

Lower Dir is situated in the Malakand region at coordinates 34°30’10.95”N latitude and 71°54’16.43”E longitude (or 34.503041 and 71.904565, respectively). It represents the lower part of the Dir district. Historically, the region was under the leadership of Shah Jehan Khan in 1947 and was known for its monastic heritage. Lower Dir was annexed to Pakistan in 1969, and in 1970, it was established as a separate province, subsequently divided into Upper Dir and Lower Dir (Abdin et al., 2022). The district, covering a total area of 1,583 square kilometers, is characterized by its hilly terrain. It is bordered by Swat to the east, Afghanistan to the west, Bajaur to the south, and Chitral and Malakand to the north (Abdullah et al., 2021). District Dir comprises six tehsils and 37 union councils (UCs), with representatives in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly. Peshawar is accessible from Dir via Charsadda and Malakand, while another route connects through Mardan and Malakand (Ullah, 2017).

Topography, tribes ethnic groups, and languages

The regions feature hills and mountains from the southern Hindu Kush, with the highest peaks located in northern Dir. The lower valleys of Dir include Timergara, Medan, Jandool, and Chakdara (Ahmad et al., 2019). The Pashto language is the mother tongue of a monastery, and Kohistan and Roma speak the language of Roma and Kohistani. Some people speak Hindko (an alternative to Punjabi, Gujjari, and Khowar Chitrali). Most of the inhabitants of this region belong to the Izazai and Ismail Zai tribes (Ullah et al., 2019a; Ahmad et al., 2018).

Climate, land and water

The province’s area ranges between 1,200 and 2,800m at the top of sea level. The region largely depends on the height. July is the hottest month with temperatures from 15.76 to 32.62 ℃. January as well as February are the chilliest months and temperatures are Commonly down to the sub-zero point. The maximum temperature is 11.22 ℃, and the minimum is about 2.39℃ (Akhtar et al., 2013). The chilly period starts from mid-November to March. In January, the humidity peaks in February, August, and December. Most of the rain started in March (242.22 mm) and rarely rained in July, October, and November. Snow falls from December to June as well as July in elevated peaks, accumulating the good looks of the valley (Amjad et al., 2020). The climate features mild temperatures, with snowfall in winter and heat in May and June. Northern regions are typically colder and receive more precipitation, while southern areas face significant degradation (Aziz et al., 2021). Annual precipitation ranges from 700 mm to 1200 mm (Ullah et al., 2019b), with 55% falling from December to April and 35% from July to September. Maximum temperatures can reach 38℃, while minima can drop to 0℃. Except for small southwest areas, Dir is a challenging mountainous region, with elevations ranging from 5,000 meters (16,000 feet) in the northeast to 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) along watersheds, bordered by Swat to the east and Afghanistan and Chitral to the west and north, respectively (Bano et al., 2013). Lower Dir villages face severe drinking water shortages due to the closure of water supply networks (Ullah et al. 2023a).

Agriculture

Agriculture is the primary livelihood for over 85% of the population in Dir, with many directly or indirectly reliant on it. The main sources of income are remittances from abroad and agricultural products, although fluctuations in local markets pose challenges for farmers. Additionally, tobacco is cultivated in a small area in the lower region of the province (Bibi et al., 2014; Ullah et al., 2024).

Ethnobotany

It is the study of association as well as the connection between plants and people in space with time (Hussain et al., 2021). The ethnobotanical definition can be making a shower in four words vegetation, persons, use, and association. The origin of ethnobotany is attached to basic botany because the botanical study was initiated to use vegetation for the cure of diseases (Shah et al., 2023). Humans cannot live without plants. Without plants, no life on the earth is possible (Hussain et al., 2022). The villagers have more knowledge of the advantages of plants. Poverty is common here so; they use plants for medical purposes (Hussain et al., 2023). Herbal medicine uses plant leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, stems or bark, gum, and roots to treat various ailments (Irfan et al., 2018). Worldwide, herbal medicines are utilized to treat, prevent, and promote diverse ailments at an early age (Sajid et al., 2023). According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2001), sixty percent (60%) of the world’s population depends on conventional drugs as well and eighty percent (80%) of the populace of mounting countries depends almost wholly on conventional medical practices, especially herbal medicine, in basic health care (Ullah et al., 2019c). While synthetic drugs are effective, they can have side effects. Consequently, interest in herbal medicine has grown recently (Ullah et al., 2021a; Khan et al., 2015). The current research work is designed to attain the following objectives: To construct a checklist of valuable plants in the research area. To investigate local recipes for the remedial plant in the research area, describe its ethnobotanical significance, and create a comprehensive record of the plant’s local applications. Employing various statistical tools will ensure the authenticity and reliability of the ethnobotanical data for the plants in the region.

Materials and Methods

The study area of Munda Khazana is situated in the district Dir Lower. Ethnobotanical information and data regarding the valuable plant were collected from January 2019 to December 2020. Information about the use and locally prepared recipe data were collected through interviews, structured questionnaires, and mutual discussion (Khan et al., 2011). About four hundred people were interviewed for ethnobotanical data, the ages of these people ranged from 25- to 65 years old. Males and females were equally interviewed (Parvaiz et al., 2013). The collected information was cross-checked in every survey. Plants were also composed in these trips chasing the typical process with minor alters (Ullah et al., 2018; Qureshi et al., 2009). The study has gathered detailed data on plant habitats, growth habits, local names, usage areas, and ethnobotanical practices in Manda Valley, District Lower Dir. This enhanced understanding of the region’s biodiversity and cultural plant uses and supports conservation and sustainable use efforts (Rahim et al., 2023).

Plant collection, preservation and identification

The collected plants were dried properly and labeled on herbal cards using standard methods (Sahar and Ali, 2024). The plants were identified using standard methods, and the tropics project and flora are accessible online with the assistance of Philippa of Pakistan (Rashid et al., 2015; Subhan et al., 2024). Preserved plant specimens were collected at the herbarium of Botany Bacha Khan University, Charsadda.

Tabulation and analysis

The collected data were organized and tabulated. Plants were classified into six groups based on local information: Timber, fuel, furniture, thatching, edible, agricultural tools, and other uses (Ullah et al., 2019a; Sarangzai et al., 2012).

Important quantitative indices

Some important quantitative indices were calculated from the collected data i.e., relative importance, relative frequency citation, and use of vale (Ullah et al., 2019b, 2021b; Shah et al., 2013).

Relative importance

RI is a measure of the common practice of a species. It was calculated as RI=NUC+NT Where NUC shows the Number of utilized classes as well as NT shows the Number of employ attributes. The value of NUC is calculated as NUC=NUCS/NUCVS where NUCS shows some use categories of a particular taxon and NUCVS shows several use classes of the mainly versatile taxon. The value of NT is calculated as NT= NTS/NT.MIT where NTS indicates several entireties uses of every category attributed to a species and NT.MIT indicates several whole uses of every classis of mostly versatile species (Siraj et al., 2018; Ullah et al., 2024).

Relative frequency citation

This guide explains the local significance of individual taxon. It was calculated through the following formula. RFC = FC/N, Where FC = Frequency Citation and N is the total number of interviewees. The FC signifies the number of uses mentioned by all the users of a meticulous species. Value of RFC deceit amid 0 and 1; 0 shows the plant not mentioned via still a single individual, and 1 shows that each candidate mentioned the meticulous plant chosen helpful (Ullah et al., 2023b; Subhan et al., 2024).

Use value (UV)

To know the relative significance of a plant species, Use Value is a good quantitative matrix. Its value was calculated through the following formula. UV = ∑Ui/N Where Ui indicates the total number of uses of a meticulous species stated through one informant as well and N is the whole number of interviewees (Sultan et al., 2020; Tufail et al., 2020; Ullah, 2017, 2023a).

Results and Discussion

In the current study, the ethnobotanical significance of plants in Munda Khazana, District Lower Dir, was investigated. A total of 183 valuable plant species were collected from the study area, representing 73 botanical families. Herbs were the most abundant, with 96 species (52.45%), followed by shrubs (38 species, 20.76%) and trees (49 species, 26.77%). Detailed information on each plant including local names, botanical names, habits, families, plant parts used, and ethnobotanical applications is provided below. The data was showed in the Table 1.

The largest family identified in this study was Asteraceae, represented by 12 plant species. Rosaceae included 10 species, while Fabaceae and Poaceae each comprised 9 species. Lamiaceae and Solanaceae were each represented by 8 species. Families with 5 species included Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Moraceae, Papilionaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Rosaceae. Families with 4 species included Euphorbiaceae, Labiatae, Malvaceae, and Rhamnaceae. Additionally, Amaranthaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Liliaceae, Myrtaceae, Pinaceae, and Polygonaceae each contained 3 species. Families represented by 2 species included Apiaceae, Aceraceae, Convolvulaceae, Cupressaceae, Fumariaceae, Mimosaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Papaveraceae, Plantaginaceae, Portulacaceae, Salicaceae, and Urticaceae. Finally, Acanthaceae, Agaricaceae, Anacardiaceae, Berberidaceae, Betulaceae, Boraginaceae, Cactaceae, Cannabaceae, Cannaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Cyperaceae, Ebenaceae, Fagaceae, Primulaceae, Juglandaceae, Malvaceae, Morchelaceae, Oleaceae, Oxalidaceae, Paeoniaceae, Platanaceae, Podaceae, Pteridaceae, Punicaceae, Rubiaceae, Simaroubaceae, Sapotaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Tamaricaceae, Thymelaeaceae, Typhaceae, Valerianaceae, Violaceae, Vitaceae, and Zygophyllaceae each had one species represented. Among these plants, herbs were the most widely utilized by the local population, followed by shrubs as the second most commonly used plant type. The data is shown in Figure 1.

Of the 183 collected plants, 109 (59.56%) were used entirely. Specific parts were utilized as follows: Leaves in 18 plants (9.83%), seeds in 5 plants (2.73%), and fruits in another 18 plants (9.83%). Roots were used in 3 plants (1.63%), while 3 plants combined seeds and leaves (0.54%). One plant included roots, leaves, and seeds (0.54%), and another used roots and leaves (1.63%). Three plants combined fruit and leaves (7.10%), and 13 utilized leaves, flowers, and latex (0.54%). Other combinations included fruit and seed (0.54%), leaves and flowers (1.09%), root and bark (0.54%), wood and fruit (1.09%), flowers only (1.09%), seed and latex (0.54%), root and fruit (0.54%), root and leaves (1.63%), and leaves and stems (0.54%). The data is shown in Figure 2.

 

 

Plants are used for various purposes, including wood, timber, furniture, fruit, fuel, fodder, and vegetables. Due to the lack of essential health facilities, residents primarily rely on plants for treating ailments. The community uses various plant parts such as leaves, seeds, bark, flowers, fruits, roots, wood, and stems for medicinal purposes. A recent study identified 183 plants, of which 125 have therapeutic properties; these include 64 herbs, 30 shrubs, and 27 trees from 74 families. It was noted that older individuals are more likely to use plants as their primary healthcare compared to younger people. The utilization of plants for medicinal purposes not only showcases the biodiversity within local ecosystems but also underscores the deep-rooted knowledge that community members have acquired over generations. This traditional knowledge, often passed down orally, encompasses various preparation methods such as decoction, infusion, poultice, and tincture, highlighting the complex understanding of plant properties and their therapeutic potential. In particular, the study revealed that the most frequently used plants include well-known species such as aloe vera, neem, and turmeric, valued for their anti-inflammatory and healing properties. The data is shown in Figure 3.

 

In the Munda Khazana area, a total of 183 valuable plants were collected, among which 125 (68.30%) were used for medicinal purposes. Notable medicinal plants included Acacia nilotica, Acacia modesta, Dodonea viscosa, Cucumis propheterum, Mentha longifolia, Fagonia indica, Plantago major, Justicia adhatoda, Amaranthus viridis, Allium sativum, Coriandrum sativum, Funiculum vulgare, Phoenix dactylifera, Calotropis procera, Psidium guajava, Myrtus communis, Teucrium stocksianum, Solanum virginianum, Withania coagulans, and Punica granatum, which are particularly valued by locals (Usman et al., 2021; Ullah et al., 2018). Additionally, research on the ethnobotany of Tehsil Kabal in Swat District, KPK, Pakistan recorded 93 medicinal plants, including Dalbergia sissoo, Pinus gerardiana, Acacia modesta, Acacia nilotica, Alnus nitida, Ailanthus altissima, which were also used as fuel by locals’ peoples. Another study in Hazara Forest, District Malakand, Pakistan, documented 50 collected plant species, 23 of which (12.56%) are used as food. Key species include Praecitrullus fistulous, Luffa acutangula, Cucumis sativus, Cucumis melo, Lagenaria siceraria, Vigna unguiculata, Diospyros kaki, Cymbopogon citratus, Pyrus communis, and Prunus persica, all of which hold significant local value of ethnobotany (Yaseen et al., 2018). Research in Village Thana, District Malakand, KPK, identified several food plants, with 14 (7.65%) also serving as fodder, including Sonchus asper, Cyperus rotundus, Melilotus officinalis, Vicia faba, Pennisetum glaucum, Desmostachya bipinnata, Portulaca quadrifida, and Typha angustata. These findings align with those of (Ullah et al., 2019) researcher, who collected 11 fodder plant species from Kot Manzaray Baba Valley, Malakand Agency, Pakistan (Ullah et al., 2021b; Yaseen et al., 2018). A total of 13 (7.10%) plant species were found to be used for ornamental purposes, with Narcissus poeticus, Plumeria rubra, Tagetes minuta, Ipomoea hederacea, Thuja orientalis, Salvia moorcroftiana, Callistemon acuminatus, and Mirabilis jalapa being the most commonly cultivated by locals (Ullah et al., 2023b). Further ethnobotanical research in Ranyal Hills, District Shangla, Pakistan, recorded seven ornamental species. Populus alba, Morus laevigata, and Platanus orientalis are important species used locally for furniture, a trend also observed in Thana Village, District Malakand, KPK. These findings highlight the need for sustainable management, particularly for the medicinal plants that require conservation in the region (Ullah et al., 2018, 2019a, 2023a; Usman et al., 2021). Ethnobotany is vital in understanding the relationship between local communities and plant resources, especially in regions like Munda Khazana. This field of study provides insights into how indigenous knowledge and practices shape the use of plants for medicinal, nutritional, and cultural purposes. By documenting plant species, their local names, and traditional uses, ethnobotany helps preserve cultural heritage and biodiversity while identifying plants with potential applications in healthcare, agriculture, and conservation. In areas where traditional plant knowledge is deeply ingrained, ethnobotanical research supports sustainable management and conservation strategies, protecting valuable plant species that serve as essential resources for local communities (Sultan et al., 2020; Shah et al., 2013).

 

Table 1: Plant botanical name, family local name ethnobotanical uses, and important values relative to the frequency and use value of the research.

S. No.	Plant name	Family name	Local name	Ethnobotanically uses	Importance value	Relative frequency	Use value
	Justicia adhatoda L.	Acanthaceae	Baikana	For fuels Diarrhea, cough, pain, and asthma	1.16	0.7	1.3
	Agaricus campestris L.	Agaricaceae	Kharery	Used as tonic and food	0.83	0.7	0.9
	Amaranthus viridis L.	Amaranthaceae	Chorlai	For Diuretics, lithiasis, headache swelling, and used food and fodder.	1.58	0.9	3
	Beta vulgaris L.	Amaranthaceae	Chaqandr	Used as a vegetable.	0.41	0.7	0.7
	Achyranthes aspera L.	Amaranthaceae	Sappy booty	It’s used in the treatment of mucus, cough, and asthma.	0.75	0.9	1.9
	Narcissus Poeticus L.	Amayrpidaceae	Goli Nargis	Flowers are used for ornamental purposes.	0.41	0.9	0.9
	Allium sativa L.	Amayrpidaceae	Ouaga.	Use as a food. Arteries, high blood pressure, and heart diseases.	1.16	0.9	1.8
	Asparagus gracilis Royle.	Amayrpidaceae	Tendorry	Used as a tonic, food, and vegetable.	0.83	0.8	1.6
	Mangifera indica L.	Anacardiaceae	Aam (Mango)	Used as a tonic. Dried flower is used for constipation.	0.58	0.8	1.2
	Coriandrum sativum L.	Apiaceae	Dania	Used as food and fodder. skin disease, Asthma, blood purifier, cardiac and respiratory disease.	1.91	0.8	2.1
	Funiculum vulgar Mill.	Apiaceae	Kaaga, Kagelany	Used chest pain, abdominal pain, dysentery	0.75	0.7	1.2
	Nerium odorum L.	Apocinaceae	Gandhari	Use for fodder beatification and shelter. Asthma, heart attack.	1.41	0.8	2
	Plumeria rubra L.	Apocinaceae	Rambil chambil	Used for ornamental purposes	0.41	0.6	0.6
	Rhazya stricta Decne.	Apocinaceae	Ghandechar	Used as animal fodder and also for fuel.	0.83	0.8	1
	Phoenix dactylifera L.	Areaceae	Khajoor	Used as an aphrodisiac and tonic.	0.58	0.6	0.8
	Nannorrhops ritchiana (Griff.)	Areaceae	Mezary	Used for dysentery and diarrhea	0.58	0.7	1.1
	Calotropis procera (Willd.) R. Br.	Asclipdaceae	Spulmay	Remove Intestinal pain, inflammation, and respiratory disease.	0.75	0.9	1.5
	Periploca aphylla Decne.	Asclipdaceae	Barrah	Stem is used as a laxative. Milky juice of shoot is used in fever.	0.58	0.8	1
	Caralluma tuberculata N.E. Brown.	Asclipdaceae	Pamunkey	Vegetable, Juice is used for diabetes.	0.83	0.9	1.4
	Sonchus aspera L	Asteraceae	Shodapii	Used as fodder for cattle	0.41	0.9	0.9
	Xanthium strumarium L.	Asteraceae	Gee shy.	Used as fodder, fuel, tonic, and for digestive problems.	1.41	0.5	0.5
	Teraxicum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg.	Asteraceae	Ziar gully	Roots are used in diabetes and for kidney problems	0.58	0.5	0.8
	Artemisia maritime L.	Asteraceae	Tharkha	Use as shelter, fuel, Cough, cold, and anemia.	1.58	0.6	1.3
	Bellis perennis L.	Asteraceae	Kangaya	Used for ornamental purposes	0.41	0.4	0.4
	Helianthus annuus L.	Asteraceae	Nomar parast	Seeds are used for oil and leaves are used for animal fodder	0.83	0.6	1
	Artemisia scoparia Waldst. and Kitam.	Asteraceae	Jawakay	Used as food and fodder.	0.83	0.6	0.7
				Table continued on next page............
S. No.	Plant name	Family name	Local name	Ethnobotanically uses	Importance value	Relative frequency	Use value
	Cichorium intybus L.	Asteraceae	Kashnee	It’s used as a tonic. Useful in asthma.	0.58	0.6	0.9
	Duchesnea indica (Andr)	Asteraceae	Balmangai	Used as nerve tonic, aphrodisiac, diuretic.	0.75	0.7	1
	Tagetes minuta L.	Asteraceae	Dambar gully	Different plants can be safe from nematodes.	0.41	0.9	0.9
	Parthenium hysterophorous L.	Asteraceae	Zangley tarkh	Fodder and fuel	0.83	0.7	0.9
	Circium arvense (L.)	Asteraceae	Azghakey	Fodder and diarrhea	0.83	0.7	1
	Berberis lycium Royle.	Berberidiaceae	Kwary	Used for fuel. Cough liver diseases, depression, and bleeding.	0.83	0.8	1.8
	Alnus nitida (Spach)	Betulaceae	Gherey	Used as timber. And for fuel.	1.33	0.9	1
	Trichodesma indicun (L.) Lehm.	Boringeaceae	Gulab booty	Use for snake bites and as children with dysentery and used as an antidiuretic.	1	0.5	0.6
	Sisymbrium irio L.	Brassicaceae	Ginger	Seeds used in dropsy.	0.41	0.6	0.6
	Brassica campestris L.	Brassicaceae	Sharrsham	Used as food and fodder. Beautification skin disease, Asthma, cough, disease.	2	0.8	1.9
	Eruca sativa Mill.	Brassicaceae	Toor Pak	Used for humans and fuel. Digestive, tonic, therapeutic.	1.58	0.7	1.5
	Nasturtium officinale R	Brassicaceae	Tarmira	Vegetable used in tetanus.	0.83	0.7	1
	Capsella bursa pastaris (L.) Medik	Brassicaceae	Bmmesa	Used stimulant and antiscorbic.	0.58	0.7	1
	Opuntia dillenii (Ker Gawler)	Cactaceae	Inzar Ghana	Used for diabetics and food.	0.83	0.9	1.1
	Cannabis sativa L.	Canabaceae	Bhang	Pleasant excitement and astringent.	0.75	0.7	1.1
	Canna indica Linn	Cannaceae	Tasfaboty	Used as ornamentally.	0.41	0.6	0.6
	Silene conidial L.	Caryophylaceae	Mangooty	Used as a vegetable.	0.41	0.5	0.5
	Chenopodium album L.	Chenopodiaceae	Sarmay	Use as fodder, urinary problem, and worm killer.	1	0.7	1
	Chenopodium botrys L.	Chenopodiaceae	Kharwa	Vegetables should only be eaten in small quantities.	0.41	0.5	0.5
	Chenopodium ambrosioides L.	Chenopodiaceae	Kamasal Bhang	used for fever, especially for malarial fever.	0.58	0.5	0.7
	Convolvulus arvensis L.	Convonulaceae	Parvathy	Use for fuel young plants are grazed by the cattle and skin disorders.	1.25	0.7	1
	Ipomoea hederacea (L.) Jacq	Convonulaceae	Speaker gul	Used for ornamental purposes.	0.41	0.6	0.6
	Praecitrullus fistulous stocks.	Cucurbitaceae	Tenda	Used for vegetable	0.41	0.5	0.5
	Luffa acutangula L.	Cucurbitaceae	Toray	Used for vegetable	0.41	0.5	0.5
	Cucumis sativus L.	Cucurbitaceae	Badrang	Used as salad		0.5	0.5
	Cucumis melo L.	Cucurbitaceae	Khataky	Used as food	0.41	0.7	0.7
	Lagenaria siceraria Molina.	Cucurbitaceae	Kaddu	Used as a vegetable	0.41	0.6	0.6
	Thuja orientalis L.	Cupressaceae	Warrah Sarwa	Used for ornamental purposes	0.41	0.6	0.6
	Cupressus sempervirens L.	Cupressaceae	Ghata Sarwa	Used as a warming agent and astringent and used for fuel	1	0.7	1
				Table continued on next page............
S. No.	Plant name	Family name	Local name	Ethnobotanically uses	Importance value	Relative frequency	Use value
	Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.	Cuscutaceae	Mencha Boty	Used for liver, and stomach relaxation and fever problems	0.75	0.7	1
	Cyperus rotundus L.	Cyperaceae	Drab	Used for fodder and fuel	0.83	0.5	0.6
	Diospyros kaki L. F	Ebenaceae	Amlook	Fruit is edible; Leaves are used as food as well as for fuel.	0.83	0.8	1.1
	Ricinus communis L.	Euphorbiaceae	Arhanda	Leaves are narcotic, poisonous, and purgative.	0.75	0.6	1
	Euphorbia heloiscopia L.	Euphorbiaceae	Manddaro	Used as fuel and skin disease, analgesic, and respiratory disease.	1.16	0.7	1
	Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) A. Juss.	Euphorbiaceae	Sheengatay	Used for panting and flavonoids.	0.58	0.6	0.7
	Euphorbia hirta Linn	Euphorbiaceae	Orejakai	Used in respiratory infections such as cough, flu, and asthma.	0.91	0.8	1
	Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.	Fabaceae	Shawa	Use for food and fuel.	0.83	0.6	0.7
	Trifolium vesipinatum L.	Fabaceae	Shaftal	Used like food for livestock. The seeds are also utilized for pimples.	0.83	0.6	0.9
	Medicago denticulate Willd.	Fabaceae	Feshtary	Used as food and for sugar control.	0.83	0.8	0.9
	Vigna unguiculata L.	Fabaceae	Lobya	Used as food and for kidney stone	0.83	1	1.2
	Peterocarpus marsupium Roxb.	Fabaceae	Kenu	Used as food and fuel	0.83	0.6	0.7
	Sophora flavescens Aiton	Fabaceae	Kayay	Used as fuel and also for fodder.	0.83	0.9	1.1
	Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall	Fabaceae	Terangrray	The seeds are eaten by game birds, including grouse.	0.41	0.8	0.9
	Vicia sativa L.	Fabaceae	Mater palli	Fodder, seeds are used for bitter taste.	0.83	0.5	0.6
	Lathyrus aphacal L.	Fabaceae	Marghai khapa	Food and Seeds are used as narcotics.	0.83	0.6	0.7
	Quercus incana Roxb.	Fagaceae	Serray	Used for food fodder and fuel, and used for Diarrhea, and asthma dysentery.	1.5	1	2
	Anagallis arvensis L.	Frimulaceae	Shen goly	Used for cerebral affection, and stomach inflammation.	0.58	0.7	0.8
	Famaria indica (Hausskn.) Pugsley	Fumariaceae	Krachy	Use for blood cleaning and also for fodder.	0.83	0.8	1
	Juglan regiaL.	Juglandaceae	Ghooz	Used for food furniture and fuel also used for Diarrhea, stomach, and asthma disease.	1.5	0.9	1.8
	Mentha longifulia (L.) L.	Labiateae	Enally	Leaves are utilized to relieve abdominal pain as well as to reduce gastric acidity.	0.58	0.6	0.8
	Mentha piprata L.	Labiateae	Fodina	For food and fodder. Skin, abdominal pain, asthma disease, and wound healing.	1.75	0.8	1.6
	Silene moorcroftiana Wall. ex Benth	Labiateae	Kharghwag	Leaves are used to relieve pain.	0.41	0.9	1.7
	Allium cepa L.	Liliaceae	Pyaaz	For food and fodder, and also used sexual, swelling.	1.25	0.7	0.7
	Aloe barbadensis Mill.	Liliaceae	Zooqam	Used for skin diseases	0.41	0.6	0.9
	Tulipa clusiana DC.	Liliaceae	Ghantool	Used as ornamentally.	0.41	0.7	0.8
	Ajuga parviflora Benth	Lamiaceae	Kauri Booti	Used in curing pimples, headache, stomach acidity, and measles.	0.91	0.7	0.7
				Table continued on next page............
S. No.	Plant name	Family name	Local name	Ethnobotanically uses	Importance value	Relative frequency	Use value
	Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex Benth.	Lamiaceae	Gooti	Fuel and fodder. Antioxidant, antipyretic, for chest diseases	1.41	0.6	0.9
	Ocimum bacilicum L	Lamiaceae	Kashmally	Used food, shelter, and fodder. Antioxidants, skin, and antipyretic disease.	1.58	1	1.8
	Teucrium stocksainum Boiss.	Lamiaceae	Speer botay	For used diarrhea, cough, and abdominal pain.	0.75	0.6	0.9
	Micromeria biflora Benth	Lamiaceae	Shomakay	Leaves used as antiemetic and flue.	0.58	0.6	0.8
	Vitex negundo L.	Lamiaceae	Marvandai	Used as digestive problems and fuel.	0.83	0.6	0.6
	Otostegia limbata (Benth)	Lamiaceae	Spenazghy	Used to expel warm.	0.41	0.6	0.6
	Salvia moorcroftiana Wall. ex Benth.	Lamiaceae	Sofeed qarqara	Used as ornamentally	0.41	0.5	0.5
	Lamium amplixicule L.	Lamiaceae	Gulabi gulli	Laxative and stimulant	0.58	0.6	0.7
	Malva neglacta Wall.	Malvaceae	Panerak	Food and pain.	0.83	0.7	0.8
	Abelmoschus esculentus L.	Malvaceae	Benday	Vegetable and stomach cleaning.	0.83	0.6	0.7
	Abuitilom megapotamicum (A.Spreng.)	Malvaceae	Charg starga	Used as a vegetable.	0.41	0.6	0.6
	Grewia optivaJ.R. Drumm.	Malvaceae	Pastawony	Used in stomach gas and fodder for cattle.	0.83	0.7	0.9
	Acacia nilotica (L.)	Mimosaceae	Kikar	Used for fuel and fodder.	0.83	0.6	0.7
	Acacia modesta Wall.	Mimosaceae	Palosa	Used for furniture, fodder and fuel.	1.25	0.6	0.8
	Melia azedarach L.	Meliaceae	Toora shandai	Leaf extract is utilized for antimicrobial agents, blood purification, and also used for animal food.	1	0.6	0.8
	Morus nigra L.	Moraceae	Toor Toot	Used for a cooling agent, astringent, and cleaning throat.	0.75	0.6	1.3
	Morus alba L.	Moraceae	SpenToot	Fruits are addible, wood used for furniture, and throat infection	1.25	0.4	0.9
	Morus lavaegata Wall.	Moraceae	ShahToot	Fruit is suitable for eating. Leaves are used as a food for livestock.	0.83	0.6	1.1
	Myrtus communis L	Moraceae	Manrro	It is used as fodder .it also practiced to cure animal respiratory and digestive disorders.	1	0.6	1.4
	Ficus carica L	Moraceae	Inzar	Use fuel and fodder for the shelter. Diabetic, migraine, diarrhea	1.58	0.6	1.5
	Morchella esculentaL.	Morchelaceae	Khossy	Used as a food and also used for anti-tumor and antiviral effects.	1	0.7	1
	Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.	Myrtaceae	Lachie	Leaves are used to prepare Joshanda to relieve flue. Leaves are used to cure Diarrhea.	0.58	0.6	0.8
	Psidium guajava L.	Myrtaceae	Am rood	Used as a tonic.it is also useful for expelling abdominal worms.	0.58	0.7	0.8
	Callistemon acuminatus Cheel.	Myrtaceae	Batal brush	It is used for ornamental purposes and fuel and shelter.	1.25	0.7	1.2
	Boerhavia procumbense Banks ex Roxb.	Nyctaginaceae	Insat	Used as fodder and rarely used as Sag.	0.83	0.6	0.7
				Table continued on next page............
S. No.	Plant name	Family name	Local name	Ethnobotanically uses	Importance value	Relative frequency	Use value
	Mirabilus jalapa L.	Nyctaginaceae	Gula basi	The leaves are eaten as a vegetable, and also used for ornamental purposes.	0.83	0.6	0.7
	Olea ferruginea Royle.	Oleaceae	Khuna	It is used for fuel, powder, and shelter. Mouth sores, toothache, pain.	1.58	0.8	2
	Oxalis carniculata L.	Oxalidaceae	Turkey	It is used as food, shelter, and also used for fodder. Asthma, digestive, diarrhea, and skin disease.	1.75	0.8	2.1
	Picrorhizav kurrooa Royle.	Paeoniaceae	Mamaikh	It is used for digestive complaints and heart disease	0.58	0.4	0.5
	Papaver somniferum L.	Papaveraceae	Doda, Kash.	Used as fodder, and fuel and also used for Dysentery, diarrhea, and pain.	1.58	0.6	1.8
	Papaver pavoninum Schren	Papaveraceae	Sur gully	Flowers are used as a sedative. and also used as fodder	0.83	0.6	0.7
	Fumaria parviflora Lam.	Papaveraceae	Shahtra	Used fodder and fuel Shoots are used in diarrhea, blood purifiers, and fever.	1.58	0.5	1.6
	Vicia faba L.	Papilonaceae	Marghai khpa	Used as food and also used for fodder	0.83	0.5	0.6
	Indigofera articulate Gouan (L)	Papilonaceae	Ghwarega	Use as fuel and shelter and also used as fodder for cattle. Pain, respiratory diseases, diarrhea, wound healing.	1.75	0.6	2.7
	Pinus roxburghii Sarg.	Pinaceae	Nakhtar	Fuel and furniture. Back pain, anti-filamentary, respiratory disease.	1.58	0.7	1.7
	Cedrus deodara (Roxb)	Pinaceae	Diyar	Used as a fodder and fuel. Diarrhea, dysentery, and urinary problems.	1.58	0.7	1.9
	Pinus gerardiana Wall. ex Lamb	Pinaceae	Chilghoza	Used for Timber, fuel, furniture, and food.	1.41	0.7	1.4
	Plantago lanceolate L.	Plantaginaceae	Ghwa jabbi	Used for Respiratory, skin, insect, and infection.	0.91	0.6	1.3
	Plantago major L.	Plantaginaceae	Aspaghol	Used for Digestive, constipation, vomiting and diarrhea	0.75	0.6	1.4
	Platanus oriantalis L.	Platanaceae	Chinnor	It is used as food, shelter, and also used for fodder. Wound healing and urinary disease.	1.41	0.6	1.8
	Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.	Poaceae	Kabal	Used for animal and also use for cough, dysentery and stones.	1.16	0.6	1.4
	Avena sativa L.	Poaceae	Jawdar	Used for animal food and also for fuel. Anti-flummery and antioxidant.	1.41	0.7	1.5
	Pennisetum glanucum (L.) R.Br.	Poaceae	Bajra	It is used as a food for chicken and also used for animal food	0.41	0.8	0.9
	Zea mays L.	Poaceae	Jowar	Used as a food and fodder and also loss appetites.	1.25	0.8	1.4
	Desmostachya bipinnata L.	Poaceae	Dela	It is used for animal food.	0.41	0.7	0.7
	Oryza sativa L.	Poaceae	Shohola	It is used for heart diseases, and diabetes and also used for a portion of food and fodder.	1.41	0.6	1.2
	Saccharum bengalence Retz.	Poaceae	Sharghasy	The leaf ash is used to cure sore eyes. Stem juice is used to treat sore throats.	0.58	0.6	1.1
	Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf	Poaceae	Shen chai (green tea)	It’s used ornamentally and used for green tea.	0.83	0.6	0.7
	Phalaris minor Retz.	Poaceae	Wakha	Commonly used as fodder	0.41	0.6	0.6
				Table continued on next page............
S. No.	Plant name	Family name	Local name	Ethnobotanically uses	Importance value	Relative frequency	Use value
	Adiantum capillus Sw.	Podiaceae	Aisha Bibi Sana	It’s used for bronchitis problems.	0.41	0.6	0.6
	Rumix hastatus D. Don.	Polygonaceae	Tar okay	Leaves are used as diuretic as well as carminative. Leaves are cooked like vegetables as well as eaten fresh.	1.16	0.8	1.8
	Rumix crispus L.	Polygonaceae	Shalkhy	Cooked like vegetables and used to care for constipation in livestock.	0.83	0.6	0.9
	Polygonum barbatum L.	Polygonaceae	Pulpulak	Used for fish hunting.	0.41	0.8	0.8
	Portulaca oleracea L.	Portulaceae	War harry	Used for food and fodder.	0.83	0.7	0.9
	Portulaca quadrifida L.	Portulaceae	Zangley War Khary	Used as vegetable and for animals’ food.	0.83	0.5	0.6
	Pteris cretica L.	Pteridaceae	Sana	Used as ornamentally	0.41	0.6	0.6
	Punica granatum L.	Punicaceae	Anangorray	Used for human and fuel. Antipyretic and analgesic.	1.41	0.7	1.4
	Ranunculus sceleratus L.	Ranunculaceae	Babonay	The whole plant has anti-inflammatory and analgesic.	0.58	0.7	0.9
	Zizyphus Jujube Mill.	Rhamaceae	Berra	It is used as food and fodder, Shelter, fuel, sugar, and skin disease.	1.83	0.8	2.3
	Zizyphus sativa Gaertn	Rhamaceae	Markhanrry	It is used for humans and Furniture. Blood pressure and wounds.	1.41	0.6	0.9
	Zizyphus nummularia Burm. f.	Rhamaceae	Karkanda	It is used treatment of colds, mental retardation, and fever and is also used in ulcers.	0.91	0.6	1.2
	Sajaretia thea Brongn.	Rhamaceae	Mamanrra	It is used as food and fodder. Asthma, skin, and pain disease.	1.58	0.6	1.3
	Zizyphus oxyphylla Edgew	Rhamaceae	Elanaiy	Used to eye-related diseases and high blood pressure. Use as a fuel.	0.41	0.7	1.2
	Gallium aparine L.	Rubiaceae	Jalakai	Used as Ant diuretic.	0.83	0.6	0.6
	Pyrus communis L.	Rosaceae	Naashpaty	Food is edible and used as fuel	1.66	0.6	0.7
	Prunus dulcis Mill.	Rosaceae	Badaam	Used for food, fuel, and fodder and also to stimulate brain activity.	1.25	0.6	1.1
	Prunus armeniaca L.	Rosaceae	Khobani	Fruit is suitable for eating; wood is used for fuel and leaves are used for food.	1.25	0.6	1.1
	Prunus persica L.	Rosaceae	Shaltalo	Fruit is edible, wood is utilized as fuel and leaves are used for fodder	0.83	0.6	0.9
	Prunus domestica L.	Rosaceae	Aloocha	Fruit is edible, wood is used for fuel as well as leaves are used for fodder.	0.41	0.7	1.2
	Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.	Rosaceae	Law kat	Food and fuel.	0.58	0.6	0.8
	Rosa moschata Mill	Rosaceae	Zangley Gulab	Used for making hedges and for ornamental purposes.	1	0.5	0.6
	Duchesnea indica (Andr) Folke.	Rosaceae	Da Zmake tooth	Fruit is used as a stimulant, especially as a cooling agent.	1	0.6	0.7
	Rosa indica L.	Rosaceae	Gulab	Used for ornamental purposes, used for cough and throat infection.	0.75	0.6	1.2
	Malus pumila Mill.	Rosaceae	Manrra	Used as food, fodder, timber, and fuel.	1.75	0.5	1.2
	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	Rutaceae	Malta	Fruit is used as a stimulant, and appetizer given to constipating patients.	1.58	0.6	0.9
	Citrus medica L.	Rutaceae	Nemboo	Fruits, fuel, shelter. Anti-diabetic, analgesic, healing agent, and cough.	1	0.6	2
				Table continued on next page............
S. No.	Plant name	Family name	Local name	Ethnobotanically uses	Importance value	Relative frequency	Use value
	Zanthoxylum armatum Dc.	Rutaceae	Dambara	It is used as food and fodder. And also used for Blood purification, nerves respiratory and digestive disease.	0.83	0.7	2
	Carthamus oxycantha M. Bieb.	Rutaceae	Kareza Ghana	Young leaves are used vegetables. Flowers are used for male infertility and bronchitis.	1.25	0.6	0.9
	Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.	Rutaceae	Galgal	Used for food and fodder.	0.83	0.6	0.9
	Populus alba L	Salicaceae	Sufedad	Used as timber, fuel, fodder, and furniture.	1.25	0.5	1
	Salix babylonica L.	Salicaceae	Walla	Leaves are used for animal food. The wood used is a fuel and shelter.	0.83	0.6	0.8
	Ailanthus altissima Mill.	Simaroubaceae	Kharra shandy	For fuel and fodder.	0.83	0.6	0.9
	Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC.	Sapotaceae	Gurgora	Fruits are used as human food and fodder Asthma, is antipyretic.	1.41	0.6	1.1
	Verbascum Thapsus L.	Scrophulariaceae	Khurdug	Fruits, fuel, shelter. Tuberculosis, cough, asthma.	1.41	0.6	1.7
	Solanum nigrum L.	Solanaceae	Kaach Maacho	Younger leaves as used for fever curing flue and cough. Desiccated fruits are utilized for stomach diseases.	0.91	0.6	1.4
	Withania somnifera (L.) Dunnel.	Solanaceae	Kotilal	Root paste is applied in painful, bleeding wounds swelling, and ulcers. To treat asthma,	0.91	0.5	1.2
	Datura alba Nees	Solanaceae	Datura	Leaves are smoked to cure asthma.	0.41	0.7	0.7
	Datura innoxia Mill.	Solanaceae	Batura	Fuel and shelter. Tonic Dysentery and diabetic disease.	1	0.6	1.4
	Solanum lycopersicum L.	Solanaceae	Tamater	Used is a salad, also used for a food and gives strength to the muscle.	0.83	0.5	0.6
	Solanum melongena L.	Solanaceae	Bengan	Used as food. Various plant parts are used in decoction and skin infections.	1	0.6	1.2
	Cestrum nocturnum L.	Solanaceae	Rat ki rani	Used for ornamental purposes.	0.41	0.5	0.5
	Solanum surattense Burm.f.	Solanaceae	Maraghoonay	Used for a cure to finish the sterile habit of females.	0.41	0.7	0.7
	Tamarix aphylla (L.) H. Karst.	Tamariaceae	Ghaz	Used for a piece of furniture, fuel, and used for burnt parts of the body.	1.25	0.7	0.9
	Daphne macronata Royle	Thymeleaceae	Lighonay	Shoot is used as a fuel and fruit is used as food for birds	0.83	0.5	0.6
	Typha angustata Bory and Chaub.	Typhaceae	Lokha	The plant is used like thatching substances. Leaves are used as a food.	0.41	0.5	0.6
	Debregeasia saneb F.	Uritiaceae	Karwarra	Used as fruit fodder, fuel, and for blood purification, and stomach.	1.66	0.6	1
	Urtica dioica L.	Uritiaceae	See zonkey	Vegetables and used for the treatment of jaundice.	0.83	0.5	0.6
	Celtis australis L.	Valmaceae	Thaghagay	Used for food and fodder. And wood used is a fuel and shelter.	1.25	0.5	1.2
	Voila canescens Wall.	Violaceae	Benofsha	Used for treatment of fever and flue.	0.58	0.6	0.7
	Vitis vinifera L	Vitaceae	Angoor	Fruit is used as a common stimulant as well as a laxative.	0.58	0.6	0.7
	Tribulus terrestris L.	Zygophylaceae	Markondii	Open the inhalation through the nose.	0.41	0.9	0.9

 

Conclusions and Recommendations

The ethnobotanical study of Munda Khazana in District Lower Dir highlights a rich diversity of plant species, with 183 distinct plants across 73 families, predominantly herbs, followed by shrubs and trees. The study shows that the local population relies extensively on these plants, particularly for medicinal purposes, with 125 species (approximately 68%) being used to treat various ailments. The Asteraceae family emerged as the most represented, while herbs were the primary plant type utilized, underscoring the region’s dependence on plant-based healthcare in the absence of formal medical facilities. Various plant parts, from leaves and seeds to entire plants, are employed through diverse preparation methods, demonstrating the depth of traditional knowledge held within the community. This reliance on plants for health and daily needs highlights the importance of conserving both the plant resources and the cultural knowledge systems in the area. As younger generations appear less inclined toward traditional plant use, documentation and conservation of these practices are crucial for maintaining the region’s ethnobotanical heritage.

Acknowledgments

I thank my supervisor Dr. Fazli Rahim, Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University Charsadda Khyber Pakhtoon Khwa, Pakistan for providing the necessary facilities and cooperation during this research work. We are also thankful to the local guides and assistants for their assistance in identifying and collecting the plant species.

Novelty Statement

This study presents a comprehensive ethnobotanical survey of Munda Khazana, District Lower Dir, documenting an extensive array of 183 plant species used by local communities for medicinal, nutritional, and functional purposes. Unlike previous studies in the region, this research uniquely focuses on the breadth of plant families, individual plant part usage, and preparation methods within traditional medicine, providing new insights into the diverse ethnobotanical practices rooted in the cultural heritage of the area.

Author’s Contribution

Rehan Ullah: Performed research.

Fazli Rahim: Supervision.

Muhammad Sajid: Technical review.

Shakir Ullah: Helped in paper research.

Shahab Ali: Wrote the manuscript.

Lubna Shakir: Helped in statistics and graph-making.

Ghani Subhan: Helped in research.

Mohammad Sohail: Provided technical support.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. They have no financial, personal, or professional interests that could influence the design, execution, or interpretation of the study.

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