Descriptive study of the medicinal plants resources used by the ihibatants residing in tehsil darora district dir upper khyber pakhtunkhwa pakistan

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Abstract

Background: The people in remote areas primarily depend on the folk knowledge of medicinal plants to
cure various diseases. This study was conducted to document and analyse the traditional use of medicinal
plants among Tehsil Darora, Distirct Dir Upper.
Methods: A systematic sampling method was applied in the selection of informants, semi-structured was
designed to collect the folk knowledge regarding the medicinal flora of the concern area. The collected data
were analysed by using quantitative indices such as FC, RFC, UR, FIV, FL, ICF, MI and CII. Medicinal
plant conservation status has been listed using categories and criteria of the International Union for Nature
Conservation Red List (2001). The collected specimens were deposited at the Herbarium of Botany
Department, University of Peshawar for future reference.
Results: A total of 130 participants were recruited using open end questionnaires, face-to-face interviews,
and group discussions, which include 33 farmers, 19 household, and non-professional older people, 16 herb-
gatherers, 18 healers, 9 hunters, 12 shepherds, 13 dealers and 10 salespeople. Interviewees from different

 

professions and age groups were interviewed during different seasons of the year. The informant's age
ranged from 20 to 60 years. Thirty-five informants were between the ages of 21-40 and 30 were above the
age of 60. Among the four male informant groups, 35 aged 21-40, 75 aged 41-60 and 30 aged over 60 years
old. Of the female respondents, 12 were from 21–40 years of age, 20 were from 41–60 years of age and 06
were over 60 years of age. The inhabitants provided information about 79 medicinal plants species used for
the treatment of 55 different aliments. The participants reported maximum plants species used for the
Gastrointestinal diseases (61 species) followed by Dermatological problems (33 species), Musculoskeletal
disorders (32species), respiratory diseases (31), blood disorders (27species) and to treat Urogenital problems
(25 species) etc. decoction (18 species, i.e., 22.78%) was the common method of preparation of remedies.
The use Report (UR) of the most famous medicinal plants species were Tecrium stocksianum Boiss. (84),
Taraxacum officinale L. (84) and Berberis lycium Royle, (81) respectively. The hihgest Use Value (UV)
were recorded for Taraxacum officinale L. (0.90) followed by Brassica campestris L. (0.86) while the
lowest UV was recorded for Boerhavia diffusa L. (0.14). The highest Family Importance value (FIV) were
assigned to family Lamiaceae (92.30) follwed by Solanaceae (86.15) while the lowest FIV were recorded by
family Caryophyllaceae (11.53). Based on Use Report the maximum Informants consensus Factor (ICF)
values were highest for Neurological disorders (0.77) followed by Antidote (0.75) while lowest ICF were
recorded for Gastrointestinal diseases (0.44) respectively. Fidelity level (FL) were calculated for each
species, the maximum FL were documented for Isodon rugosus Wall. Ex (Benth). (95.69) and lowest FL
were recorded for Carthamus oxyacantha Bieb (12.50). Fimilarity Index (FI) were recorded for each
species, the peak MI value were recorded for Tecrium stocksianum Boiss. (0.39) while Zanthoxylum
armatum. DC (0.046). The culture import Value (CIV) were also calculated for each species, the highest
CII were recoedred for Tecrium stocksianum Boiss. (3.74) while the lowest for Salvia moorcroftiana Wall.
Ex Benth (0.086). Medcinal Importance (MI) were find-out for each disease’s category, the MI for category
Antidote were highest (14.77) while lowest MI were assigned to Muculoskeletal disorders category (0.96).
Conclusion: The ethnomedicinal flora of teshil Darora, District Dir Upper was unexplored, and this is the
first ever descreptive research to discover the medicinal plants thriving in the concern area and to make it
available publicly. The vast use of medicinal plants reported shows the significance of traditional herbal
preparations among tribal people of the area for their health care. Knowledge about the medicinal use ofplants is rapidly disappearing in the area as a new generation is unwilling to take interest in medicinal plant
use, and the knowledgeable persons keep their knowledge a secret. Thus, the indigenous use of plants
needs conservational strategies and further investigation for better utilization of natural resources.

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