Ethnobotanical assessment of plant resources of Banda Daud Shah, District Karak, Pakistan

Abstract

BackgroundThe Indigenous knowledge of plants is scientifically and culturally very significant. This paper elucidates the empirical findings of an ethnobotanical survey of Banda Daud Shah, District Karak, Pakistan.MethodsData collection was carried out from October 2011 to September 2012. Total twelve survey trips were made, three in each season. About 100 respondents were interviewed; most of them were aged people between 60–70 years. Interviews were conducted using structured questionnaire composed of variety of questions regarding ethnomedicinal uses of plants of the study area. Direct matrix ranking (DMR), informant citations and market survey of multipurpose plants were also carried out.ResultsThe local community was using 58 plant species belonging to 52 genera and 34 families for different purposes. A total of 25 plant species were herbs followed by 18 shrubs. Leaf (45%) was the most commonly used plant part followed by the whole plants (23%). In total, 40 plant species were medicinally used to treat variety of diseases, of which highest number of species being used for gastro-intestinal problems (19 spp.), expectorant (3 spp.) and antipyretic (3 spp.). Beside medicinal values, 25 species were used for fuel and 18 for fodder purposes. Informant consensus showed that gastrointestinal and respiratory infections were ranked highest (FIC = 0.75) among all ailments. According to DMR output, Dalbergia sisso ranked first due to high multipurpose uses among all species and was found most threatened with higher market value.ConclusionThe investigated area is rural in nature and the inhabitants are highly dependent on the native plants for their health care needs and other requirements like fuel wood and fodder due to financial constraints and unavailability of resources. Medicinal plants for high ranked diseases may be phtyochemicaly and pharmacologically investigated to prove their efficacy. The local medicinal flora is facing overexploitation, overgrazing and improper way of collection. Proper conservation strategies such as controlled grazing, reforestation and rangeland management among many others may be adopted to promote the sustainable use of medicinal plants.

Ethnobotanical knowledge and practices of traditional healers in Harar, Haramaya, Bati and Garamuleta, Eastern Ethiopia

“…The current findings are consistent with the findings by different researchers in Ethiopia and elsewhere (Balcha Abera, 2014;Anteneh Belayneh et al, 2012;Getnet Chekole et al, 2015;Abiyu Enyew et al, 2014;Murad et al, 2013;Yared Yigezu et al, 2014). Different from the current findings, studies conducted elsewhere indicated that the root parts were frequently used in preparation of pharmacological substances to cure various human and livestock ailments (Mirutse Giday et al, 2009;Fisseha Mesfin et al, 2009;Haile Yinger et al, 2007).…”

“…Similar findings were reported in a study done in Jimma zone, Ethiopia (Yared Yigezu et al, 2014) and in Karak district, Pakistan, (Murad et al, 2013). The reasons were as a tradition, women generally not expected to appear in public or discourse with strange men both by the society and family (the husbands and the religious rules did not allow in most cases).…”

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by agro pastoralist Somali people for the management of human ailments in Jeldesa Cluster, Dire Dawa Administration, Eastern Ethiopia

“…Use of other plant parts is as indicated in Figure 5. Latest findings in agreement with this study conducted in Ethiopia indicated that leaf used more than other parts (Megersa et al, 2013;Getaneh and Girma, 2014;Maryo et al, 2015), as well as in other countries such as Pakistan (Murad et al, 2013) and Uganda (Tugume et al, 2016), reported similar findings. Utilization of leaves for drug preparation may not cause detrimental effect on the plants compared to the root or whole plant collections (Megersa et al, 2013;Regassa, 2013;Abera, 2014;Maryo et al, 2015).…”

“…Differences in medicinal plants knowledge among age groups was also reported in other studies (Gebrezgabiher et al, 2013;Tamiru et al, 2013;Yigezu et al, 2014;Chekole et al, 2015;Tugume et al, 2016). This might be attributed to the current expansion of education and health centers to kebele level which has resulted in the young generation focusing on modern medicines (Belayneh and Bussa, 2014) and advancement in science and technology has changed the social values and therefore, transformed the younger generation at a faster rate into the new tradition (Awas, 2007;Murad et al, 2013).…”

Diversity of Ornamental Plants in Pattoki Nurseries, Punjab Pakistan: The Major Floral Business Hub of Pakistan

“…There is a lack of knowledge about medicinal value of all the available plants in Pattoki despite the fact that the most diverse flora of Pakistan is present here. These plants can be used to fight against the emerging diseases of new age if there medicinal value is calculated by precise surveys of Pattoki (Ahmed et al, 2015;Ahmed et al ., 2014;Barkatullah et al, 2015;Bibi et al, 2014a;Bibi et al, 2014b;Ishtiaq et al, 2015;Murad et al, 2013;Rashid et al, 2015;Shah et al, 2016). It was evident from the fact that majority of plants are subtropical to tropical as Pattoki lies in the subtropical to tropical region of Pakistan.…”