Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 10: 285-293. 2006. Indigenous
Uses of Some Important Ethnomedicinal Herbs of S. Aneel
Gilani, Dr. Rizwana
Aleem Qureshi and S. Javaria Gilani Department of Plant Sciences
E.mail: s_aneelgilani@hotmail.com, or
s_aneel@yahoo.com Issued Abstract This paper is based on the results
of an ethno botanical research project conducted in Key Words: Ethnomedicinal herbs; Ayubia National Park; enthnomedicinal use; indigenous use; collection; preservation; storage; processing; medicines; local recipes. Introduction The investigated area Ayubia National Park lies between 34-38 North latitude and 73-22.8 to 73-27.1 East longitude, over and area of 1684 hectares. The area has been expanded through northern extension in 1998 to make a total of 3312 hectares. The people and plants have a strong interrelationship as they depend upon plants for their various needs. The area has been included in the moist temperate forest and been under severe threat for fuel wood and fodder collection by the local people. Firewood is mostly collected from the park and although deadwood is preferred, many live branches are cut and some young trees felled (Ayaz 1998:42-56). There are several important medicinal plants e.g. Paeonia emodi, Podophyllum emodi Wall. ex Royle and Valeriana jatamansii Jones (V. wallichii DC.) which are restricted to the park. (Aumeeruddy Y. 1998:9-15). The field of Ethnobotany in Medicinal plants used by the local people ethno botanically are of great importance that is the reason a lot of people are engaged in the trade of important medicinal herbs, shrubs and tree species in and out side the country. (Elisabetsky 1990:313-320) reported that annual world market value for medicines derived from medicinal plants by indigenous people is US $ 43 billion. Material and Methods Before starting the research work
on indigenous use of enthnomedicinal herbs of Results Achillea millefolium L. Family: Asteraceae Voucher specimen No: 97 Part used: W.P Indigenous use: The plant is used as diaphoretic, stimulant and tonic. The plant is also used in fever and cold. Atropa accuminata Royle Family: Solanaceae Voucher specimen No: 27 Part used: R.L Indigenous use: The plant is used as sedative, stimulant, antispasmodic. It is also used in cough. Althea rosea L. Family: Malvaceae Voucher specimen No: 07 Part used: R Indigenous use: The root of the plant is used in jaundice, stomach, urinary ulcers and in liver disorders. Arisaema flavum Forssk. Family: Araceae Voucher specimen No: 86 Part used: Rh Indigenous use: The plant is poisonous and used against snake’s bites. Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. Family: Saxifragaceae Voucher specimen No: 14 Part used: Rh and L Indigenous use: The rhizome is crushed and used in all kinds of ulcers mainly stomach and duodenal and also in internal infections. It is also anticancerous in action. Berberis lycium Royle Family: Berberidaceae Voucher specimen No: 49 Part used: R.L Indigenous use: Root is used in jaundice and diarrhea. The bark of the root is used in diabetes, also used as tonic. Cannabis
sativa L. Family: Cannabinaceae Voucher specimen No: 17 Part used: L Indigenous use: The leaves are narcotic and is used as stimulant Chrysanthemum
leucanthemum L. Family: Asteraceae Voucher specimen No: 95 Part used: W.P Indigenous use: It is used as fodder. The plant is also used as insecticide and pesticide. Fragaria nubicola Lindl. Family:
Rosaceae Voucher
specimen No: 78 Part used: Fr and L Indigenous use: The leaves and fruit are mixed with the leaves of Berberis lycium and used in cure of stomach ulcers, also used as antiseptic. Geranium wallichianum D. Don Family: Geraniaceae Voucher specimen No: 82 Part used: R Indigenous use: The root is dried and is crushed then it is mixed with milk and sugar and is used in backache, gout and also used in strengthening of the body muscles and bones. Gentiana kurroo Royle Family: Gentianaceae Voucher specimen No: 75 Part used: R Indigenous use: The root is used in stomachache and is used in urinary infections. Gallium aparine L. Family: Rubiaceae Voucher specimen No: 63 Part used: WP Indigenous use: Leaves are used in jaundice, externally used on wounds as antiseptic. It is also anticancerous. Hedera nepalensis K. Koch Family: Araliaceae Voucher specimen No: 02 Part used: L Indigenous use: Leaves are used in diabetes. Impatiens
bicolor Royle Family: Balsaminaceae Voucher specimen No: 13 Part used: Fr. S Indigenous use: It is diuretic, tonic and has cooling effect. Indigofera
heterantha Wall. Family: Leguminoseae Voucher specimen No: 55 Part used: L.W Indigenous use: Leaves are crushed and the extract is used in the internal body disorders. Polygonum
amplexicaule D. Don Family: Polygonaceae Voucher specimen No: 70 Part used: R.L Indigenous use: Root is used in fever and diarrhea. Podophyllum
emodi Wall. Ex Royle Family: Berberidaceae Voucher specimen No: 07 Part used: Fr Indigenous use: Fruit is used in liver disorders and also used as tonic. Paeonia emodi
Wall. Family: Paeoniaceae Voucher specimen No: 68 Part used: R Indigenous use: The root is crushed and mixed with milk, sugar and roots of Geranium wallichianum, and is used in backache and internal body pains. Urtica dioca
L. Family: Urticaceae Voucher specimen No: 57 Part used: R.L Indigenous use: The roots and leaves are used to make medicine for the cure of chambal (A disease in which white spots are formed on the body). Valeriana jatamansii
Jones (V. wallichii DC.) Family: Valerianaceae Voucher specimen No: 73 Part used: R.L Indigenous use: Root is carminative, stimulant and antispasmodic. It is also used as insecticide by placing the leaves in the clothes. Viola canescens
Wall ex Roxb. Family: Violaceae Voucher specimen No: 05 Part used: W.P Indigenous use: Flowers and leaves are used in cough, cold, fever and jaundice. Collection and Preservation of enthnomedicinal herbs The collection is done mostly by traditional approach not scientifically that is why some very important species of enthnomedicinal herbs are becoming extinct. After collection the herbs are dried by the local people, mostly women are involved in this activity. They usually store the herbs in the shade for 2-7 days for complete drying. Storage is mostly done by the whole sellers in the cities and not by the local people because they try to sell the herbs as early as possible to get some money. The processing is done by the traditional methods, which mostly causes contamination in the material. Discussion The present study provides information on the indigenous uses of 21 important medicinal herbs belonging to 19 families. Most of the plant species are reported to be quite effective remedies for different diseases such as diarrhea, diabetes, jaundice, backache, stomachache, ulcers, cold and even cancer. These plants are also used by the local herbal healers and hakims as traditional medicines. The important objective of this study is to record the precious indigenous knowledge about plants especially the enthnomedicinal herbs of the area. Actually Ethnobotany tells us the methods for working with the local communities, to learn about their knowledge and uses of plants world. It helps us in identifying conservation issues such as cases where a rate of harvest exceeds the rates of re-growth. It is a collaborative venture between people in local communities and various scientists and specialists. A tragedy of the modern times is that the precious ethno botanical knowledge is disappearing very fast. Westernization, breakdown of traditional cultures and even the extinction of whole tribal groups are responsible. A chief goal of such a study is to ensure that local natural history becomes a living tradition in communities, where it has been transmitted orally for many years. The results of this work can later be applied to biodiversity, conservation and community development. (Martin G.J. 1995:23-29) All over the world the medicinal
plants are used with great interests and are active participants in the trade
and economy of the country. In Table 1. List of Plants
used as Medicines, Food Source and Fodder.
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