Indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants in Kotli Sattian, Rawalpindi district, Pakistan

J Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Feb 3;151(2):820-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.034. Epub 2013 Nov 25.

Abstract

Aim of study: The present study aimed to report the ethnomedicinal information from Kotli Sattian, district Rawalpindi for detailed medicinal uses and to inform the community about conservation of medicinal plant diversity and ethnomedicinal knowledge of plants.

Material and methods: Ethnomedicinal data were collected via Rapid Appraisal Approach (RAA) along with interview, group meetings with local people having awareness about medicinal knowledge of plants and individual meetings with local healers.

Results and discussions: This study reported eighty seven (87) indigenous medicinal plants, distributed among fifty five (55) families and seventy nine (79) genera. Among these, herbs contributed 43%, trees 28%, shrubs 21% and climbing plants 8%. About 34% of herbal preparations were made from whole plants followed by the leaves (27%), fruits (08%), bark (06%), seeds (05%), root (05%), rhizome (04%), stem, flower, gum, pod and tubers (02%) and milky latex (01%). Justicia adhatoda showed the maximum use value (0.91) while Cuscuta reflexa showed the least use value (0.11).

Conclusion: Elder people in the study area still rely on herbal remedies although the modern heath care facilities are present in the study area; thus, the indigenous plants remain important medicines in solving health problems.

Keywords: Etno-medicines; Indigenous knowledge; Kotli Sattian; Local healers; Rapid appraisal approach.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medicine, Traditional*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pakistan
  • Plants, Medicinal* / classification
  • Population Groups