Ethno-medicinal survey of plants of Soon Valley, Khushab District, Punjab, Pakistan

摘要

The present investigation aimed to document medicinal uses of plants utilized by local communities of Soon Valley, Khushab District, Punjab, Pakistan. The purpose of this study was to collect information about the interaction of various communities of the area with plant wealth. The study presents data on 15 species belonging to 10 families. It was found out that local communities of the area have a rich tradition of using natural plant resources for their common day ailments and also to get many other value added products. People believe that these plants based medicines are easily available, inexpensive and have no side effects. It was found that common disorders such as fever, cold, cough and diarrhea could be treated with simple herbal teas and herbal powders by using a single herb or mixture. The reason for using medicinal plants by the local people of the area was that they are simple living, poor and cannot afford expensive synthetic drugs, and their knowledge about medicinal plants has been passed on from their ancestor’s for generations. It was concluded that local authorities and other funding agencies should promote the cultivation and conservation of such natural resources of medicinal plants by involving the local communities of the area. It is also suggested that plants based industries and markets should be promoted in the area to alleviate the poverty problems of local communities and to improve their lives and economy. Most of the plants that have ethnobotanical uses have been categorized into rare and endangered. This lack of effort to sustain the resources may result in their depletion from natural habitats. There is a great need to create awareness among the indigenous communities about endangering of medicinal plants. It is believed that the present status of the economically and medicinally important plants of the study area needs to be determined in order to develop plans for their protection. For sustainable and long term conservation of natural resources of the area, there is a need to actively involve the quiescence of local people in evaluation, planning, implementation and monitoring processes as they are the best judges of the area.