Exploring the economic value of underutilized plant species in Ayubia National Park.

摘要

The economic values of selected underutilized plant species in Ayubia National Park, Pakistan, were studied, namely Adhatoda vasica Justicia adhatoda, Artemisia scoparia, Galium aparine, Amaranthus viridis, Hedera nepalensis and Urtica dioica, the most prominently used medicinal and food species that gain little attention by scientific research and local community. Approximately 50 informants were interviewed to study their ethnomedicinal and ecological properties. Amaranthus viridis, H. nepalensis and U. dioica were also analysed for ash, total proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The 6 selected underutilized species had great medicinal and nutritional importance, and could be good sources of some important nutrients for humans and a source of poverty alleviation of poor local community of the study area.