Background: Himalayan region of Pakistan has been known as a rich source for valuable medicinal plants. The present work is the documentation of indigenous knowledge of highly utilized plants as natural remedy by the local inhabitants of the northwest part of the country. Methodology: Data on highly utilized medicinal plants were collected during May-September 2012 using semi-structured questionnaire from the elders, local herbalists and medicinal plants collectors. Results: In total about 53, plants belonging to 38, families were highly utilized in the study area, of which majority of those (43), were medicinal plants. The most frequent part used in preparation of different medicinal remedies is leaves (53%). Most of the medicinal plant species (14) were used as antipyretic. The inhabitants of the study area were producing ethno-medicines mostly in crushed form (26%). Most of the remedies (74%), were taken orally within the study area. Ten species were found most valuable from the local's perspective such as Bergenia ciliata, Hedera nepalensis and Viola canescens. Conclusion: In conclusion, traditional healers depend largely on naturally growing medicinal plant species, which are under severe threat. This study can provide a basis for further phyto-chemical and pharmacological studies on the region's medicinal plants. Moreover, documentation of indigenous recipes would serve as preservation of the knowledge for the generations to come.

The Ammi visnaga seeds oil constituents of methyl ester derivatives of fatty acids were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer. The results obtained contain saturated as well as unsaturated fatty acids of A. visnaga seeds oils. A total of 15 different components were identified and quantified. Methyl ester of oleic acid was found in high concentration (13.30%) among the identified analytes of interest. In addition, methyl ester of linoleic acid (11.39%), palmitic acid (7.88%) and stearic acid (1.88%) were found. Concentration of the rest of identified fatty acids analytes were less than 1%. Thus, from the results it is apparent that the therapeutic efficacy of the plant may be due to the presence of high percentage of valuable analytes concentrations detected in the fatty acid of A. visnaga. The reason for the consumption in the pharmaceuticals as well as its wide applications in the prevention of dental carries, for various skin diseases and different infections.