Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Botany, Government College University, Lahore Pakistan
2
Department of Biology, College of Science, Jazan University, P.O. Box. 114, Jazan 45142, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
3
1Department of Botany, Government College University, Lahore Pakistan
4
Tribhuvan University, Trichandra Multiple Campus, Nepal
Abstract
For countless generations, humans have incorporated plants into their daily lives for a variety of purposes, particularly in traditional medicine. The objective of the present study was to ascertain, document, and investigate the cultural significance of medicinal plants and the associated indigenous knowledge among the population of Tehsil Arifwala, Punjab, Pakistan. An analysis of the indigenous knowledge regarding these plants was conducted through interviews with the local population using a semi-structured questionnaire, supplemented by group discussions and field observations. Quantitative indices, including Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Utilization Value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL), Relative Popularity Level (RPL), and Rank Order Priority (ROP), were employed in the analysis. A total of 148 plant species, representing 129 genera and 58 families, were recorded. The study involved 120 participants (70 men and 50 women), revealing 148 medicinal plant species across 58 families. Among these, monocots accounted for 26 species from 8 families, while dicots comprised 122 species from 50 families, with Poaceae being the most prevalent monocot family (17 species). The dominant growth form identified was herbs (52%), followed by trees (16%), shrubs (15%), grasses (12%), creepers (3.30%), and climbers (3.30%). The most commonly utilized plant parts were whole plants (35%), leaves (33%), and fruits (10%). Extraction methods primarily included extracts (19%), followed by powders, pastes, decoctions, oils, infusions, teas, and syrups, with values of 14%, 11%, 9%, and 8%, respectively. Respiratory disorders were the most frequently reported ailments (78 occurrences), followed by joint pain (59 occurrences) and gastrointestinal issues (56 occurrences). The ICF varied significantly, ranging from 0.13 for asthma to 0.96 for digestive problems. Utilization Values ranged from 0.07 for Pistia stratiotes to 0.66 for Withania somnifera L. Popular plants, including Mentha spicata and Ocimum basilicum, exhibited RPL values between 0.8 and 0.9, while less commonly utilized species, such as Alhagi maurorum Medik and Withania somnifera L. had RPL values of 0.33 and 0.36, respectively. Based on the ROP, Mentha spicata L. and Ficus palmata ranked the highest with scores of 90 and 88, respectively, whereas Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Veronica persica were less utilized with ROP scores of 63 and 64, respectively. This study aims to bridge the gap between scientific and traditional medicinal practices, supporting drug development and conservation efforts for endangered medicinal plants. The high RPL values for popular plants suggest their viability for further research and potential therapeutic applications.
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