Ethnomedicinal appraisal of plants used for the treatment of gastrointestinal complaints by tribal communities living in Diamir district, Western Himalayas, Pakistan

Abstract

Majority of the mountain dwelling communities living in the Himalayas rely on traditional herbal medicines for primary healthcare needs. Present study was conducted in fairy meadows and allied valleys in District Diamir, Gilgit Baltistan autonomous territory in northern Pakistan. Documentation of traditional medicinal knowledge (TMK) of local communities for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders was carried out as a component of a wider medico-botanical expedition conducted in the entire base camp of the great Nanga Parbat peak during 2016–19. Various ethnobotanical parameters i.e. use value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF), Fidelity level (FL), direct matrix ranking test (DMRT) and preference ranking (PR) were applied to evaluate the data collected during field surveys. The plants were also subjected to a comparative review for novelty assessment. A total of 61 medicinal plant species belonging to 55 genera and 35 families are reported here for the treatment of GIDs. Compositae was the leading family with 8 (13%) species. Fourteen gastrointestinal disorders were cured with 32% taxon were reported for stomachic followed by diarrhea (15%) and constipation (14%). Highest use reports (5) and use citations (207) were reported for Mentha longifolia L. while highest UV (1.79) was obtained for Artemisia maritima L. Hylotelephium telephioides (Ledeb.), A. maritima, M. longifolia, M. piperita L., Allium cepa L., and A. annua L. exhibited 100% FL. Highest ICF was calculated against dysentery and flatulence. DMRT ranked Prunus persica L. first for its multipurpose uses. Taking constipation as a reference gastrointestinal disease, PR for ten plant species was calculated where H. telephioides was ranked first followed by A. maritima. Present study concluded that 19 out of 61 plant species were documented for the first time with novel medicinal uses to cure GIDs. These plant species could act as potential reservoirs of novel lead compounds for the treatments of gastrointestinal disorders.

Phytotherapy Used in Ailments of the Digestive System by Andean Inhabitants of Pampas, Huancavelica, Peru

“…However, these inhabitants make their ailments known to parents or elders, who suggest the use of medicinal plants found in the Andean community, another reason being the distance from the Andean communities and the absence or lack of health centers. state health [2].…”

“…These diseases of the digestive system are usually known as gastrointestinal disorders, frequently reported by inhabitants of Andean communities, where poor sanitation practices are more common [1]. These disorders range from mild, such as indigestion, to severe cases such as chronic diseases, which influence mortality and morbidity [2]. In 2021, studies on diseases of the digestive system reported 40.3% of cases worldwide, with a higher prevalence occurring in women than in men [3].…”

“…The use of herbs in traditional medicine is very widespread, for the treatment of ailments of the digestive system [2,11]. In the digestion process, food and liquids are transported in the digestive tract, then they are broken down into tiny parts, called nutrients, at which time the body carries out absorption processes and uses them as an energy source.…”

“…In the digestion process, food and liquids are transported in the digestive tract, then they are broken down into tiny parts, called nutrients, at which time the body carries out absorption processes and uses them as an energy source. Disorders of the digestive or gastrointestinal tract include propulsion, ingestion, mechanical, physical, or chemical digestion, absorption, and defecation [2,5,7,11,12]. In this context, the disorders present in the digestive system are interrelated, where, when using medicinal plants, they have various purposes, depending on the types of symptoms and digestive disorders [12].…”

“…That said, residents can treat diseases related to the digestive system through the regular use of preparations based on medicinal plants, improving the function of the digestive system [2,5,7,11,13]. These preparations act, for example, in healing the lining of the intestine, optimizing the digestive process and stimulating bowel movements, increasing bowel movements, detoxification, relieving stomach discomfort, reducing gas, bloating, and various digestive discomforts [13].…”