Traditional and local plant use in Lower Tanawal, Pakistan Текст научной статьи по специальности «Биологические науки»

Ukrainian Journal of Ecology

Ukrainian Journal ofEcology, 2021,11(1), 121-125, doi: 10.15421/2021_17

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Traditional and local plant use in Lower Tanawal, Pakistan

A. Bibi, Z. Iqbal, Gh.M. Shah

Department of Botany, Hazara University Mansehra-21300, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan * Corresponding author email: [email protected] Received: 12.01.2020. Accepted: 12.02.2021

The inhabitants of Lower Tanawal, Pakistan, depend on plants for various purposes. The indigenous knowledge and traditional uses of plants in the area are threatening fast. Therefore, we intended to document the native uses of various plants of Lower Tanawal, Abbottabad, Pakistan. We recorded information about different medicinal plants, fodder species, fuelwood species, vegetable, and fruit yielding plants.

Keywords: Lower Tanawal; Local uses; plants

Introduction

Ethnobotany can be summarized in four words, i.e., people, plant, interaction, and uses (Hazart et al., 2007). Medicinal plants have a strong connection with human health. Medicinal plants play an essential role in rural areas because they are used as remedies for different ailments (Qureshi and Ghufran, 2005). The increasing use of traditional treatments demands more systematically the principles behind medicines' usefulness (Patwardhan et al. 2005). Herbal medicine is still the backbone of the world population, mainly in developing countries, for health care (Kamraj, 2000). In this regard, forests represent an essential resource for local people who gather and sell these medicinal plants for livelihood (Seth 2003; Adnan and Holscher, 2011). The prehistoric record of plant species used by humans shows their importance in the economy, shelter, food, and health. Fodder is a significant source of food for livestock (Panday, 1982). Traditional and scientific knowledge improves the selection of valuable fodder plants (Nunes, 2015). Fuelwood is the key source of energy. The people use fuelwood for cooking and heating purposes in winter. The fence is a freestanding structure that is made to prevent the movement of livestock and wild animals across an edge to protect agricultural fields (Bhattarai et al., 2005). There are numeral plant species that are used as vegetables. This is also an old practice of inhabitants that they cultivate vegetables for their use.

Material and Method

Lower Tanawal is located in District Abbottabad Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province (Adeela et al., 2019) and occupies the Mansehra basin's intervening area in the north and the south Haripur basin. Lower Tanawal is a component of many villages almost adjoining each other.

The present study was based on the extensive field surveys made to different Lower Tanawal Abbottabad villages, Pakistan, during different seasons of 2016-2018. The equipment used through the field study was a Nikon A-100 camera, stem Cutter, trowel, newspaper, plant presser, and polythene bags. Data was documented in the notebook and plants specimen was tagged. Specimens of each plant species were collected, dried, and fixed on herbarium sheets. The plant specimens were identified with the help of the Flora of Pakistan (Nasir & Ali 1970-1989).

Surveys were done in various villages of Lower Tanawal. From each village, knowledgeable persons were interviewed. During the surveys, participatory interview tools, including group discussions, informal meetings, surveys, and field observations, were used for primary data collection. The informants included men, women, youths, and elders. Most of them were dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Prior consent for the documentation of information provided by informants was obtained verbally from each of them before the interview was taken. During the meeting, questions on medicinal plants, their parts used, and mode of utilization were asked to the villagers. The participants provided information on the medicinal plants, their parts used, fodder species, fuelwood species, vegetable, and fruit yielding plants (Table 1 and table 2).

Table 1. List of medicinal plants and their use.

Botanical name Life Family Medicinal use

form

Acacia modesta Wall. Tree Fabaceae They are used against back pain.

Acacia niiotica (L.)Delile Tree Fabaceae The roots are used against cancer.

Antibacterial, Astringent, liver tonic,

Achyranthes aspera L. Herb Amaranthaceae The root is a diuretic. It is used for the treatment

of rheumatism, stomach problems, cholera, and

Adiantum capillus -veneris L. Herb

Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambess.) Tree Hook.

Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex Benth. Herb

Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. Tree

Amaranthus viridis L. Herb

Anagallis arvensis L. Herb

Arisaema flavum (Forsskal) Schott Herb

Artemisia absinthium L. Herb

Artemisia scoparia Waldst. & Kitam. Herb

Bauhinia variegate L. Tree

Berberis lyceum Royle Shrub

Biden pilosa L. Herb

Boerhavia diffusa L. Herb

Cannabis sativa L. Herb

Cedreia serrata Royle Tree

Carthamus oxycantha Bieb. Herb

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Herb

Chenopodium album L. Herb

Convolvuius arvensis L. Herb

Cichorium intybus L. Herb

Conyza canadensis L. Herb

Daphne mucronata Royle Shrub

Deibergia sisso Roxb Tree

Diospyros lotus L. Tree

Dodonaea viscosa (L) Jacq. Shrub

Tree

Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.)Lindl

Euphorbia hirta L. Herb

Ficus benghalensis L. Tree

Ficus recemosa L. Tree

Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) Pugsley Herb

Galium aparine L. Herb

Hyperccum perforatum L. Shrub

Juglans regia L. Tree

Justicia adhiatoda L. Shrub

Lactuca serriola L Herb

Melia azedarach L. Tree

Mentha arvensis L. Herb

Menthe long/fOl/a(L)Huds. Herb

Micromeria biflora (Buch.-Ham. ex Herb

D.Don) Benth.

Mirabilis jalapa L._Herb

Pteridaceae Sapindaceae

Lamiaceae Fabaceae Amaranthaceae Primulaceae

Araceae

Asteraceae Asteraceae Fabaceae

Berberidaceae Asteraceae

Nyctaginaceae

Cannabaceae

Meliaceae Asteraceae Chenopodiaceae

Chenopodiaceae

Convolvulaceae Asteraceae Asteraceae Thymelaeaceae Fabaceae

Ebenaceae Sapindaceae Rosaceae

Euphorbiaceae Moraceae Moraceae

Fumariaceae Rubiaceae

Hypericaceae Juglandaceae Acanthaceae Asteraceae

Meliaceae

Lamiaceae

Lamiaceae Lamiaceae

Nyctaginaceae

skin diseases. The fresh or dried leaves are used for antidandruff. Seed oil is applied externally in the treatment of skin disease.

The juice of the leaves is used as a blood purifier

and also used for burns & boils. The leaves and seeds are used in the treatment of eye problems. Leaves are cooked and eaten by the people for

urinary disease. The whole herb is a diuretic expectorant. It is used in the treatment of skin infections and disorders of the liver. Juice of the rhizome is applied against snakebite and scorpion sting.

antimalarial, anthelmintic, antipyretic, It is used in the treatment of jaundice, hepatitis. The juice of the flowers is used for the treatment of diarrhea. The root is used as an antidote to the

snake poison. The plant is proved efficient in healing wounds. The whole plant is anti-rheumatic. It is also used

to treat intestinal ailments. It is used in the treatment of gastric disturbances,

asthma, and jaundice. The whole plant is anthelmintic, antiemetic, antiinflammatory. Leaves are used for digestive problems, seeds are used for dressing ulcer and against itch Juice of leaf is used for fever, specifically for malarial fever This plant is used as snake repellent because of its root and fruit, which are known as an antidote to snake poison Beneficial in blood diseases. Leaves are used in hepatic complaints. The herb is used to cure dysentery, diarrhea. Leaves of this plant are used as purgative The leaves are used to treat wounds. Leaf extracts are anti-inflammatory. The fruit is febrifuge Water extracts of leaves are used as antihelmintic The leaves of the plant are analgesic, antibacterial.

Seeds of these plants are used for the treatment of diarrhea. The leaves of the plant are used to remedy dysentery and diarrhea The leaves of the plants are used in the treatment of diarrhea

Used as a blood purifier and for pimples The whole plant is used for diuretic and urinary tract problems. Antiviral, wound healing, The fruit is edible. Leaves of these plants are used for cough. The plant is used for roundworms and also used for removing threadworms from the small intestine.

leaf juice is anthelmintic and diuretic. The leaves are used to treat skin The whole plant is an aesthetic, aromatic, carminative. Antiseptic, carminative A paste of the root is used to treat the toothache

_Root is diuretic and purgative_

Morus alba L. Tree Moraceae The leaves are antibacterial, astringent. They are

taken internally in the treatment of colds,

influenza.

Morus nigra L. Tree Moraceae The leaves are antibacterial, astringent,

diaphoretic.

Oxaiis comicuiata L. Herb Oxalidaceae Leaves are applied as a poultice to the skin during

inflammation.

Otostegia iimbata (Bth.) Boiss Shrub Lamiaceae Fresh leaves are applied to gums, and extract of

leaves is used in ophthalmic.

Pistacia integerrima Tree Anacardiaceae Fruits of this plant are used against liver disorders

J.L.Stewart.ex.Brands.

Plantago lanceolata L. Herb Plantaginaceae Leaves are astringent

Polygonum piebeium R.Br. Herb polygonaceae The seeds are cooked and eaten as a remedy for

bowel complaints

Prunus persica( L).Batsch. Tree Rosaceae The leaves are astringent, demulcent, diuretic,

expectorant, laxative. They are used internally in

the treatment of gastritis, cough.

Punica granatum L. Tree Punicaceae The flowers are used in the treatment of

dysentery, stomach ache, and cough. The fruit is

a mild astringent and refrigerant in some fevers.

Pyruspashia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don Tree Rosaceae The juice of the ripe fruit is used in the treatment

of diarrhea

Ricinus communis L. Tree Euphorbiaceae the seed is anthelmintic, cathartic, emollient,

laxative, purgative[

Rosa moschata(Herrm) Shrub Rosaceae The plant is said to be beneficial in the treatment

of burning of the skin and eye diseases

Rubus fruticosus L. Shrub Rosaceae Root and leaves are strongly astringent,

depurative, diuretic.

Rumex dentatus L. Herb Polygonaceae The root is used as an astringent.

Rumex hastatus D.Don Herb Polygonaceae The leaves are applied on cuts for their astringent

properties.

SHene conoddea L. Herb Caryophyllaceae The juice of the plant is used in the treatment of

ophthalmia

Salvia moorcroftiana Wallich ex Benth. Herb Lamiaceae Rhizomes are crushed and mixed with wheat flour

and given to buffalos to increase milk

Saussurea heteromalla D.Don Herb Asteraceae Seeds are known as carminative, used as a tonic

for horses and other animals.

Sisymbrium irio L. Herb Brassicaceae Leaves are used for throat and chest infections

Stellaria media (L)Vill. Herb Caryophyllaceae Plant is carminative, diuretic, and expectorant.

Taraxacum officinale Weber Herb Asteraceae The leaves are cooked and eaten to release

constipation and also to purify the blood.

Trifolium repen L. Herb Fabaceae The plant is anti-rheumatic, depurative.

Trichodesma indicum L. Herb Boraginaceae Leaves are effective against snakebite; the plant is

diuretic and used in urinary diseases

Vitex negundo L. Shrub Verbenaceae The leaves are useful in dispersing swellings of the

joints from acute rheumatism.

Verbascum Thapsus L. Herb Scrophulariaceae The leaves are warm and then tied to the joints to

relieve the pain and soften the boils.

Woodfordia f-uticosa( L.)Kurz. Shrub Lythraceae The flowers are used in the treatment of

dysentery.

Xanthium strumarium L. Shrub Asteraceae They are used internally in the treatment of

allergic rhinitis, rheumatism.

Zanthoxylum armatum Dc. Shrub Rutaceae The seeds and the bark are stomachic. The fruits,

branches are carminative.

Table 2. Non-medical plant species.

Botanical name Life form Family Use

Rubus fruticosus L. Shrub Rosaceae Fodder species/Fencing

Convolvulus arvensis L Herb Convolvulaceae Fodder species/Vegetable uses

Olea ferruginea Royle. Tree Oleaceae Fodder species/Fuel wood/ sheltering

Cynodon dactyion (L.)Pers. Herb Poaceae Fodder species

Melia azedarach L. Tree Meliaceae Fodder species/Fuelwood

Morus abba L. Tree Moraceae Fodder species/Fuelwood/Fruit yielding

Morus nigra L.

Berberis lyceum Royle

Grewia optiva J.R. Drumm. ex Burre

Rubus eliipticus Sm.

Pinus roxburghii Sarg.

Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq.

Quercus incana Bartram

Pyrus pashia,

Punica granatum L.

Bauhinia variegata L.

Chenopodium album L.

Rumex dentatus L.

Rumex hastatus D.Don.

Amaranthus viridis L.

Solanum nigrum L.

Aescuuus indcca (Wall.Ex Cambess.)

Hook

Prunus amricana Marsh Juglan regia L. Prunus perscca (L). Batsch. Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm).Nak. Pyrus communis L. Diospyros lotus L. Acacia modesta Wall. Gymnosporia royleana Wall. ex M.A.Lawson

Rosa moschata Herrm.

Tree Shrub Tree Shrub Tree Shrub Tree Tree Tree Tree Herb Herb Herb Herb Herb Tree

Chenopodiaceae Polygonaceae Polygonaceae Amaranthaceae

Berberidaceae

Solanaceae Sapindaceae

Tiliaceae Rosaceae Pinaceae Sapindaceae Fagaceae Rosaceae Punicaceae Fabaceae

Moraceae

Fodder species/Fuelwood/Fruit yielding Fodder species/Fencing.

Fodder species Fodder species/Fencing. Fuelwood/Sheltering Fuelwood/Sheltering Fuelwood Fuelwood Fuelwood/Fruit yielding Fuelwood/Vegetable uses Vegetable use Vegetable use Vegetable use Vegetable use Vegetable use Veterinary use

Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Shrub

Rosaceae Juglandaceae Rosaceae Rosaceae Rosaceae Ebenaceae Fabaceae Celastraceae

Fruit yielding Fruit yielding Fruit yielding Fruit yielding Fruit yielding Fruit yielding

Fencing.

Fencing.

Shrub

Rosaceae

Fencing.

Results and Discussion

The study area results indicated that 71 medicinal plants distributed in 36 families represent 20 trees, twelve shrubs, and 39 herbs were reported from different localities of Lower Tanawal, Pakistan. We observed that leaves of twenty-seven taxa, seeds of seven taxa, roots of ten taxa, fruits of seven taxa, flowers of two plants, gum of two taxa, rhizome of two taxa, and whole plant of seventeen taxa were used for different remedies and disorders. The present study provides detailed information on the traditional practices of medicinal plants. The older people of Lower Tanawal, Pakistan, have more awareness regarding these plants which were collected for their uses. Mostly, the area plants were commonly used against different diseases viz. hepatitis, diabetes, skin problems, fever, nausea, cuts and wounds, vomiting, piles, asthma, typhoid, jaundice, kidney and bladder stones, dysentery, diarrhea, and various other diseases.

The same results agree with the ethnobotanical study from Kohistan valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Jan et a., 2010), an ethnobotanical study from Tehsil Kabal, Swat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ( Ahmad et a., 2011), and ethnobotanical review from Neelum Valley, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (Mahmood et al, 2011). Indigenous knowledge and use of medicinal plants by the tribal communities of Malakand District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (Murad et a/., 2011), the ethnobotany of Chitral Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan (Ali and Qaiser, 2009).

It was revealed that 31 plant species belonging to 20 families represent 18 trees, six shrubs, and seven herbs used for other purposes. In this connection, ten species belonging to 8 families, in which five tree species - three shrubs and two herbs are used for fodder purposes. Similarly, ten species belonging to 9 families, in which nine trees and one shrub are used as fuelwood species. Further, seven species belonging to 6 families in which six herbs, one tree is used as vegetable species, nine tree species belonging to 5 families used as fruit yielding trees. Also, six plant species are used for fencing and three species for sheltering in different localities of Lower Tanawal, Pakistan.

Our results are agreed with Barakatullah et a. (2009), who documented 18 fodder species from Charkotli Hills, District Batkhela, and reported that Cynodon dactylon and Acacia modesta as fodder species. Similar findings were reported by Sher et a. (2011), who stated 66 fodder species from Chagharzai Valley, District Buner, Pakistan. Deka et aI. (2007) documented ten native fuelwood species. The leaves of wild plants are used as a vegetable like Chenopodium album, Amaranthus viridis . These are known as saag in the local language. Our results are similar to Sher et a. (2011), who documented 36 vegetable species. Peoples of the study area use Aescu/us indica ( in a local language called Bankhor) for cattle diseases. Our results are agreed with Yousifzai et a. (2010). Different plants are used for fruits in the study area. Our findings are in line with Ibrar et a. (2007), who reported 18 fruit plant species from Ranyal Hill, Shangla. Plant species with bush and spines are used for fencing. Our findings are agreed with Durrani et a. (2009), Sher and Al-Yemni (2011).

Due to overexploitation and habitat degradation, the population of the most important species is decreasing fast. Due to the overexploitation of roots, seeds, fruits, flowers, and barks of most of the species in Lower Tanawal may lead to their early disappearance.

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Citation:

Bibi, A., Iqbal, Z., Shah, Gh.M. (2020). Traditional and local plant use in Lower Tanawal, Pakistan. Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, ll(i), 121-125. I (CI)E^^MI This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. License