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Traditional ecological knowledge, linguistic, and sociocultural perspectives are key contributors to environmental sustainability. Therefore, it is essential to identify and preserve this biocultural heritage, especially that of indigenous communities and minorities. We conducted an ethnobotanical survey to document the plant species used by the Balti and Shina communities living in the buffer zone of Deosai National Park (DNP), western Himalayas, Pakistan. A combination of random and purposive sampling techniques was adapted, targeting middle- and old-aged informants. A total of 46 semi-structured interviews were conducted and the gathered data were evaluated using relative frequency of citation (RFC) and through comparison with the ethnomedicinal literature. In total, 47 medicinal plant species belonging to 42 genera and 23 families were recorded. Baltis and Shinas cited 42 and 38 plant species, respectively, that were used to treat various diseases. About 60% of species were common among both communities, but 27.7% and 12.8% were exclusive to Baltis and Shinas, respectively. Considerable heterogeneity was noted in vernacular names, plant part(s) used, preparation, and administration. Ribes alpestre, Aconitum violaceum, Delphinium brunonianum, Thymus linearis, and Swertia petiolata were highly utilized species having RFCs > 50. In addition, 46% of medicinal uses, specifically that of Allardia tomentosa, A. tridactylites, Jurinea dolomiaea, and Gallium boreale, were reported for the first time from the region. Cross-cultural analysis revealed sociocultural gaps between both groups. Relatively, Baltis retained more ethnomedicinal knowledge and their traditional medicinal system is more closely associated with traditional Tibetan medicine. Generally, Balti and Shina communities retain substantial biocultural and ethnological diversity, which has been reflected in the present study. Our findings underline the importance and need for sustainable utilization of natural resources, specifically the plant species of this region. However, an in-depth ethnobotanical investigation may underpin the holistic comparative medical ethnobotany of the entire region.
Zaheer Abbas; Shazia Kousar; Muhammad Aziz; Andrea Pieroni; Ali Aldosari; Rainer Bussmann; Ghulam Raza; Arshad Abbasi. Comparative Assessment of Medicinal Plant Utilization among Balti and Shina Communities in the Periphery of Deosai National Park, Pakistan. Biology 2021, 10, 434 .
AMA StyleZaheer Abbas, Shazia Kousar, Muhammad Aziz, Andrea Pieroni, Ali Aldosari, Rainer Bussmann, Ghulam Raza, Arshad Abbasi. Comparative Assessment of Medicinal Plant Utilization among Balti and Shina Communities in the Periphery of Deosai National Park, Pakistan. Biology. 2021; 10 (5):434.
Chicago/Turabian StyleZaheer Abbas; Shazia Kousar; Muhammad Aziz; Andrea Pieroni; Ali Aldosari; Rainer Bussmann; Ghulam Raza; Arshad Abbasi. 2021. "Comparative Assessment of Medicinal Plant Utilization among Balti and Shina Communities in the Periphery of Deosai National Park, Pakistan." Biology 10, no. 5: 434.
An ethnobotanical field study focusing on traditional wild food botanical taxa was carried out in Kaniguram, South Waziristan, Pakistan, among Ormur (or Burki or Baraki) peoples, which represent a diasporic minority group, as well as among the surrounding Pashtuns. Through sixty semi-structured interviews, fifty-two wild food plants (taxa) were recorded, and they were primarily used raw as snacks and cooked as vegetables. Comparative analysis found a remarkable overlap of the quoted plant uses between the two studied groups, which may reflect complex socio-cultural adaptations Ormur speakers faced. Ormur people retain a rich knowledge of anthropogenic weeds and the phytonyms reveal important commonalities with Persian and Kurdish phytonyms, which may indicate their possible horticultural-driven human ecological origin from the Middle East. Some novel or rare food uses of Cirsium arvense, Nannorrhops ritchiana, Periploca aphylla, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Viscum album, Oxalis corniculata and Withania coagulans were documented. Since the Ormuri language represents a moribund language, still spoken by only a few thousand speakers in NW Pakistan and Afghanistan, it is recommended that the traditional bio-cultural and gastronomical heritage of this minority group be appropriately protected and bolstered in future rural development programs.
Muhammad Aziz; Zahid Ullah; Mohamed Al-Fatimi; Matteo De Chiara; Renata Sõukand; Andrea Pieroni. On the Trail of an Ancient Middle Eastern Ethnobotany: Traditional Wild Food Plants Gathered by Ormuri Speakers in Kaniguram, NW Pakistan. Biology 2021, 10, 302 .
AMA StyleMuhammad Aziz, Zahid Ullah, Mohamed Al-Fatimi, Matteo De Chiara, Renata Sõukand, Andrea Pieroni. On the Trail of an Ancient Middle Eastern Ethnobotany: Traditional Wild Food Plants Gathered by Ormuri Speakers in Kaniguram, NW Pakistan. Biology. 2021; 10 (4):302.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Aziz; Zahid Ullah; Mohamed Al-Fatimi; Matteo De Chiara; Renata Sõukand; Andrea Pieroni. 2021. "On the Trail of an Ancient Middle Eastern Ethnobotany: Traditional Wild Food Plants Gathered by Ormuri Speakers in Kaniguram, NW Pakistan." Biology 10, no. 4: 302.
Recent ethnobotanical studies have raised the hypothesis that religious affiliation can, in certain circumstances, influence the evolution of the use of wild food plants, given that it shapes kinship relations and vertical transmission of traditional/local environmental knowledge. The local population living in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan comprises very diverse religious and linguistic groups. A field study about the uses of wild food plants was conducted in the district. This field survey included 120 semi-structured interviews in 27 villages, focusing on six religious groups (Sunni and Shia Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Ahmadis). We documented a total of 77 wild food plants and one mushroom species which were used by the local population mainly as cooked vegetables and raw snacks. The cross-religious comparison among six groups showed a high homogeneity of use among two Muslim groups (Shias and Sunnis), while the other four religious groups showed less extensive, yet diverse uses, staying within the variety of taxa used by Islamic groups. No specific plant cultural markers (i.e., plants gathered only by one community) could be identified, although there were a limited number of group-specific uses of the shared plants. Moreover, the field study showed erosion of the knowledge among the non-Muslim groups, which were more engaged in urban occupations and possibly underwent stronger cultural adaption to a modern lifestyle. The recorded traditional knowledge could be used to guide future development programs aimed at fostering food security and the valorization of the local bio-cultural heritage.
Muhammad Majeed; Khizar Bhatti; Andrea Pieroni; Renata Sõukand; Rainer Bussmann; Arshad Khan; Sunbal Chaudhari; Muhammad Aziz; Muhammad Amjad. Gathered Wild Food Plants among Diverse Religious Groups in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan. Foods 2021, 10, 594 .
AMA StyleMuhammad Majeed, Khizar Bhatti, Andrea Pieroni, Renata Sõukand, Rainer Bussmann, Arshad Khan, Sunbal Chaudhari, Muhammad Aziz, Muhammad Amjad. Gathered Wild Food Plants among Diverse Religious Groups in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan. Foods. 2021; 10 (3):594.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Majeed; Khizar Bhatti; Andrea Pieroni; Renata Sõukand; Rainer Bussmann; Arshad Khan; Sunbal Chaudhari; Muhammad Aziz; Muhammad Amjad. 2021. "Gathered Wild Food Plants among Diverse Religious Groups in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan." Foods 10, no. 3: 594.
The documentation of local food resources among linguistic/cultural minorities is essential for fostering measures aimed at sustaining food biocultural heritage. Moreover, interdisciplinary studies on food cultural heritage represent a vital aspect of promoting environmental and social sustainability. The current study aimed to record the traditional foraging of wild food plants (WFPs) among three minority groups (Kalasha, Muslim Ismaili Yidgha, and Muslim Sunni Kamkata-vari speakers) as well as the dominant (Sunni Muslim) Kho/Chitrali people in the Kalasha and Lotkoh valleys, Chitral, NW Pakistan. A field survey recorded fifty-five locally gathered wild food plants and three mycological taxa. Most of the WFPs were used raw as snacks or as cooked vegetables, and Yidgha speakers reported the highest number of WFPs. Although the wild food plant uses of the four considered groups were quite similar, Yidgha speakers exclusively reported the use of Heracleum candicans, Matricaria chamomilla, Seriphidium brevifolium, and Sisymbrium irio. Similarly, Kalasha speakers reported the highest number of use reports, and along with Yidgha speakers they quoted a few WFPs that were frequently used only by them. The results of the study showed a remarkable degree of cultural adaptation of the minority groups to the dominant Kho/Chitrali culture, but also some signs of cultural resilience among those linguistic and religious minorities that were historically more marginalized (Kalasha and Yidgha speakers). The recorded food biocultural heritage should be seriously considered in future development programs aimed at fostering social cohesion and sustainability.
Muhammad Abdul Aziz; Zahid Ullah; Andrea Pieroni. Wild Food Plant Gathering among Kalasha, Yidgha, Nuristani and Khowar Speakers in Chitral, NW Pakistan. Sustainability 2020, 12, 9176 .
AMA StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz, Zahid Ullah, Andrea Pieroni. Wild Food Plant Gathering among Kalasha, Yidgha, Nuristani and Khowar Speakers in Chitral, NW Pakistan. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (21):9176.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz; Zahid Ullah; Andrea Pieroni. 2020. "Wild Food Plant Gathering among Kalasha, Yidgha, Nuristani and Khowar Speakers in Chitral, NW Pakistan." Sustainability 12, no. 21: 9176.
Background Ethnoveterinary medicine is crucial in many rural areas of the world since people living in remote and marginal areas rely significantly on traditional herbal therapies to treat their domestic animals. In Pakistan, communities residing in remote areas, and especially those still attached to pastoralist traditions, have considerable ethnoveterinary herbal knowledge and they sometimes use this knowledge for treating their animals. The main aim of the study was to review the literature about ethnoveterinary herbals being used in Pakistan in order to articulate potential applications in modern veterinary medicine. Moreover, the review aimed to analyze possible cross-cultural and cross regional differences. Methods We considered the ethnobotanical data of Pakistan published in different scientific journals from 2004 to 2018. A total of 35 studies were found on ethnoveterinary herbal medicines in the country. Due to the low number of field studies, we considered all peer-reviewed articles on ethnoveterinary herbal practices in the current review. All the ethnobotanical information included in these studies derived from interviews which were conducted with shepherds/animals breeders as well as healers. Results Data from the reviewed studies showed that 474 plant species corresponding to 2386 remedies have been used for treating domestic animals in Pakistan. The majority of these plants belong to Poaceae (41 species) followed by the Asteraceae (32 species) and Fabaceae (29 species) botanical families, thus indicating a possible prevalence of horticultural-driven gathering patterns. Digestive problems were the most commonly treated diseases (25%; 606 remedies used), revealing the preference that locals have for treating mainly minor animal ailments with herbs. The least known veterinary plants recorded in Pakistan were Abutilon theophrasti, Agrostis gigantea, Allardia tomentosa, Aristida adscensionis, Bothriochloa bladhii, Buddleja asiatica, Cocculus hirsutus, Cochlospermum religiosum, Cynanchum viminale, Dactylis glomerata, Debregeasia saeneb, Dichanthium annulatum, Dracocephalum nuristanicum, Flueggea leucopyrus, Launaea nudicaulis, Litsea monopetala, Sibbaldianthe bifurca, Spiraea altaica, and Thalictrum foetidum. More importantly, cross-cultural comparative analysis of Pathan and non-Pathan ethnic communities showed that 28% of the veterinary plants were mentioned by both communities. Cross-regional comparison demonstrated that only 10% of the plant species were used in both mountain and plain areas. Reviewed data confirm therefore that both ecological and cultural factors play a crucial role in shaping traditional plant uses. Conclusion The herbal ethnoveterinary heritage of Pakistan is remarkable, possibly because of the pastoral origins of most of its peoples. The integration of the analyzed complex bio-cultural heritage into daily veterinary practices should be urgently fostered by governmental and non-governmental institutions dealing with rural development policies in order to promote the use of local biodiversity for improving animal well-being and possibly the quality of animal food products as well.
Muhammad Abdul Aziz; Amir Hasan Khan; Andrea Pieroni. Ethnoveterinary plants of Pakistan: a review. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2020, 16, 1 -18.
AMA StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz, Amir Hasan Khan, Andrea Pieroni. Ethnoveterinary plants of Pakistan: a review. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2020; 16 (1):1-18.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz; Amir Hasan Khan; Andrea Pieroni. 2020. "Ethnoveterinary plants of Pakistan: a review." Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 16, no. 1: 1-18.
A wild food ethnobotanical field study was conducted in the Ishkoman and Yasin valleys, located in the Hindukush Mountain Range of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan. These valleys are inhabited by diverse, often marginalized, linguistic and religious groups. The field survey was conducted via one hundred and eighty semistructured interviews to record data in nine villages. Forty gathered wild food botanical and mycological taxa were recorded and identified. Comparative analysis among the different linguistic and religious groups revealed that the gathered wild food plants were homogenously used. This may be attributed to the sociocultural context of the study area, where most of the population professes the Ismaili Shia Islamic faith, and to the historical stratifications of different populations along the centuries, which may have determined complex adaptation processes and exchange of possibly distinct pre-existing food customs. A few wild plants had very rarely or never been previously reported as food resources in Pakistan, including Artemisia annua, Hedysarum falconeri, Iris hookeriana, Lepidium didymium and Saussurea lappa. Additionally, the recorded local knowledge is under threat and we analyzed possible factors that have caused this change. The recorded biocultural heritage could, however, represent a crucial driver, if properly revitalized, for assuring the food security of the local communities and also for further developing ecotourism and associated sustainable gastronomic initiatives in the area.
Muhammad Abdul Aziz; Arshad Mehmood Abbasi; Zahid Ullah; Andrea Pieroni. Shared but Threatened: The Heritage of Wild Food Plant Gathering among Different Linguistic and Religious Groups in the Ishkoman and Yasin Valleys, North Pakistan. Foods 2020, 9, 601 .
AMA StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz, Arshad Mehmood Abbasi, Zahid Ullah, Andrea Pieroni. Shared but Threatened: The Heritage of Wild Food Plant Gathering among Different Linguistic and Religious Groups in the Ishkoman and Yasin Valleys, North Pakistan. Foods. 2020; 9 (5):601.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz; Arshad Mehmood Abbasi; Zahid Ullah; Andrea Pieroni. 2020. "Shared but Threatened: The Heritage of Wild Food Plant Gathering among Different Linguistic and Religious Groups in the Ishkoman and Yasin Valleys, North Pakistan." Foods 9, no. 5: 601.
Muhammad Abdul Aziz; Amir Hasan Khan; Habib Ullah; Muhammad Adnan; Abeer Hashem; Elsayed Abd_Allah. Traditional phytomedicines for gynecological problems used by tribal communities of Mohmand Agency near the Pak-Afghan border area. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia 2018, 28, 503 -511.
AMA StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz, Amir Hasan Khan, Habib Ullah, Muhammad Adnan, Abeer Hashem, Elsayed Abd_Allah. Traditional phytomedicines for gynecological problems used by tribal communities of Mohmand Agency near the Pak-Afghan border area. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 2018; 28 (4):503-511.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz; Amir Hasan Khan; Habib Ullah; Muhammad Adnan; Abeer Hashem; Elsayed Abd_Allah. 2018. "Traditional phytomedicines for gynecological problems used by tribal communities of Mohmand Agency near the Pak-Afghan border area." Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia 28, no. 4: 503-511.
The pastoral lifestyle of Indigenous communities of Bajaur Agency is bringing them close to natural remedies for treating their domestic animals. Several studies have been conducted across the globe describing the importance of traditional knowledge in veterinary care. Therefore, this study was planned with the aim to record knowledge on ethnoveterinary practices from the remote areas and share sit with other communities through published literature. Data was gathered from community members through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through informant consensus factor (Fic) to evaluate the consent of current ethnoveterinary practices among the local people. In total, 73 medicinal plants were recorded under the ethnoveterinary practices. Most widely used medicinal plants with maximum use reports (URs) were Visnaga daucoides Gaertn., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Solanum virginianum L., Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, Glycyrrhiza glabra L., and Curcuma longa L. New medicinal values were found with confidential level of citations for species including Heracleum candicans and Glycerhiza glabra. Family Apiaceae was the utmost family with high number (7 species) of medicinal plants. Maximum number of medicinal plants (32) was used for gastric problems. High Fic was recorded for dermatological (0.97) followed by reproductive (0.93) and gastrointestinal disorders (0.92). The main route of remedies administration was oral. Current study revealed that the study area has sufficient knowledge on ethnoveterinary medicinal plants. This knowledge is in the custody of nomadic grazers, herders, and aged community members. Plants with new medicinal uses need to be validated phytochemically and pharmacologically for the development of new alternative drugs for veterinary purposes.
Muhammad Abdul Aziz; Amir Hasan Khan; Muhammad Adnan; Habib Ullah. Traditional uses of medicinal plants used by Indigenous communities for veterinary practices at Bajaur Agency, Pakistan. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2018, 14, 11 .
AMA StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz, Amir Hasan Khan, Muhammad Adnan, Habib Ullah. Traditional uses of medicinal plants used by Indigenous communities for veterinary practices at Bajaur Agency, Pakistan. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2018; 14 (1):11.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz; Amir Hasan Khan; Muhammad Adnan; Habib Ullah. 2018. "Traditional uses of medicinal plants used by Indigenous communities for veterinary practices at Bajaur Agency, Pakistan." Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 14, no. 1: 11.
Plant-derived products have an imperative biological role against certain pathogenic organisms and were considered to be a major source of modern drugs. Rural people residing in developing countries are relying on traditional herbal medical system due to their strong believe and minimum access to allopathic medicines. Hence, ethnomedicinal knowledge is useful for the maintenance of community’s based approaches under this medical system. Present study was carried out in an unexplored remote tribal area of Pakistan to investigate and document the existing ethnomedicinal knowledge on local flora. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires from the community members and local herbalists. Use reports (URs) were counted for each species and analyzed through Linear Regression between the number of URs per family and number of plant species per family. A total of 64 medicinal plant species were recorded belonging to 60 genera and 41 families. Most frequently used plant families in ethnomedicines were Lamiaceae (8 species) and Asteraceae (7 species). Highest URs were recorded for Caralluma tuberculata N.E. Br. (49 URs) being followed by Thymus serphyllum L. (49 URs), Fagonia cretica L. (47 URs), Plantago lanceolata L. (45 URs), Periploca aphylla Decne. (44 URs), Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (44 URs), and Sideroxylon mascatense (A.DC.) T.D.Penn. (44 URs). New ethnomedicinal uses were reported for Boerhaavia elongata Brandegee and Fumaria officinalis L. with confidential level of URs from the study area. Nineteen groups of health conditions were recorded during the course of study being treated with medicinal plants. Maximum number of 30 plant species was used to treat digestive problems. Most widely practiced mode of drugs’ preparation and administration was powder. Leaves (30% plants) were the most frequently used plant parts in the preparation of ethnomedicinal recipes. Current study is an important addition to the field of ethnomedicines. The study reports important medicinal plants from an area, which has not been investigated previously. Traditional knowledge is restricted to health practitioners and elder community members. This knowledge is at the verge of extinction because younger generation is not taking interest in its learning and preservation process. Hence, there is a dire need to phytochemically and pharmacologically test the investigated taxa for the validation of traditional knowledge.
Muhammad Abdul Aziz; Muhammad Adnan; Amir Hasan Khan; Abdelaaty Abdelaziz Shahat; Mansour S. Al-Said; Riaz Ullah. Traditional uses of medicinal plants practiced by the indigenous communities at Mohmand Agency, FATA, Pakistan. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2018, 14, 1 -16.
AMA StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Adnan, Amir Hasan Khan, Abdelaaty Abdelaziz Shahat, Mansour S. Al-Said, Riaz Ullah. Traditional uses of medicinal plants practiced by the indigenous communities at Mohmand Agency, FATA, Pakistan. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2018; 14 (1):1-16.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz; Muhammad Adnan; Amir Hasan Khan; Abdelaaty Abdelaziz Shahat; Mansour S. Al-Said; Riaz Ullah. 2018. "Traditional uses of medicinal plants practiced by the indigenous communities at Mohmand Agency, FATA, Pakistan." Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 14, no. 1: 1-16.
In remote areas, medicinal plants have an imperative role in curing various livestock's ailments. In Pakistan, people residing in remote areas including South Waziristan Agency and Bajaur Agency depend on traditional herbal remedies for treating their domestic animals. Medicinal plants are an important part of the medical system in these Agencies. The prime goal of the current study is to explore the ethnoveterinary practices in the two regions and discuss cross-cultural consensus on the use of medicinal plants. In this study, we have given detailed description on the ethnoveterinary usage of certain medicinal plants and their recipes. Moreover, we have also elaborated the ethnoveterinary potential of certain plants in relation to their ethnomedicinal, pharmacological and phytochemicals reports.
Muhammad Abdul Aziz; Muhammad Adnan; Amir Hasan Khan; Muhammad Sufyan; Shahid Niaz Khan. Cross‐Cultural Analysis of Medicinal Plants commonly used in Ethnoveterinary Practices at South Waziristan Agency and Bajaur Agency, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2018, 210, 443 -468.
AMA StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Adnan, Amir Hasan Khan, Muhammad Sufyan, Shahid Niaz Khan. Cross‐Cultural Analysis of Medicinal Plants commonly used in Ethnoveterinary Practices at South Waziristan Agency and Bajaur Agency, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2018; 210 ():443-468.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz; Muhammad Adnan; Amir Hasan Khan; Muhammad Sufyan; Shahid Niaz Khan. 2018. "Cross‐Cultural Analysis of Medicinal Plants commonly used in Ethnoveterinary Practices at South Waziristan Agency and Bajaur Agency, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 210, no. : 443-468.
Traditional knowledge on folk medicines is directly linked to the local culture, faith and perception. This knowledge is gaining high threat of extinction because of its limitation to a small portion of the society in the region. Therefore, future studies are recommended in similar regions for the documentation of this precious knowledge. Moreover, our study has also identified some important and newly reported medicinal plants from the ethno-medicinal perspective, which needs to be studied pharmacologically and toxicologically.
Muhammad Abdul Aziz; Amir Hasan Khan; Muhammad Adnan; Izatullah Izatullah. Traditional uses of medicinal plants reported by the indigenous communities and local herbal practitioners of Bajaur Agency, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas, Pakistan. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2017, 198, 268 -281.
AMA StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz, Amir Hasan Khan, Muhammad Adnan, Izatullah Izatullah. Traditional uses of medicinal plants reported by the indigenous communities and local herbal practitioners of Bajaur Agency, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas, Pakistan. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2017; 198 ():268-281.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz; Amir Hasan Khan; Muhammad Adnan; Izatullah Izatullah. 2017. "Traditional uses of medicinal plants reported by the indigenous communities and local herbal practitioners of Bajaur Agency, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas, Pakistan." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 198, no. : 268-281.
Medicinal flora plays a vital role in treating various types of ailments in living beings. The present study was planned to investigate and document systematically the indigenous knowledge in a scientifically little explored area of Ladha sub-division, South Waziristan agency, Pakistan. Hence, this study would contribute positively to the field of ethnopharmacology. Prior to ethnomedicinal data collection, regular field visits were conducted during the month of May and June 2015 to locate the sites and respondents from where the traditional knowledge was to be recorded. Ethno-medicinal data was collected during the month July and August 2015 through rapid appraisal approach (RAA) based on direct interaction with the indigenous communities by making group discussions, corner meetings and semi-structured interviews. Data was evaluated statistically by using the index of Use value (UV) and Frequency of citations (FC). A total of 82 medicinal plants belonging to 42 families were reported in the study. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts. Highest use values were recorded for Peganum harmala (0.93), Punica granatum (0.91), Thymus mongolicus (0.90), Chenopodium album (0.89), Coriandrum sativum (0.87), Mentha longifolia (0.87), Lactuca serriola (0.87) and Portulaca oleracea (0.87). Medicinal plants used for the gastro intestinal complexities and respiratory diseases were more than 9% followed by skin and diarrhea (7% each), liver disorders (5%) cough and cold fever (5%). People of the area mostly still rely on traditional herbal therapies. Keeping in mind the dependence of the indigenous community for their primary health care on such herbal remedies, pharmacological and critical toxicological investigation of certain flora is necessary. Moreover, projects should be designed to analyze the existing issues and problems related with medicinal plants conservation.
Muhammad Abdul Aziz; Muhammad Adnan; Amir Hasan Khan; Atiq Ur Rehman; Rahmatullah Jan; Jafar Khan. Ethno-medicinal survey of important plants practiced by indigenous community at Ladha subdivision, South Waziristan agency, Pakistan. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2016, 12, 1 -14.
AMA StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Adnan, Amir Hasan Khan, Atiq Ur Rehman, Rahmatullah Jan, Jafar Khan. Ethno-medicinal survey of important plants practiced by indigenous community at Ladha subdivision, South Waziristan agency, Pakistan. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2016; 12 (1):1-14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz; Muhammad Adnan; Amir Hasan Khan; Atiq Ur Rehman; Rahmatullah Jan; Jafar Khan. 2016. "Ethno-medicinal survey of important plants practiced by indigenous community at Ladha subdivision, South Waziristan agency, Pakistan." Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 12, no. 1: 1-14.
Substantially, plants produce chemicals such as primary and secondary metabolites, which have significant applications in modern therapy. Indigenous people mostly rely on traditional medicines derived from medicinal plants. These plants have the capacity to absorb a variety of toxic elements. The ingestion of such plants for medicinal purpose can have imperative side effects. Hence, with regard to the toxicological consideration of medicinal plants, an effort has been made to review the elemental contents of ethno medicinally important plants of Pakistan and to highlight the existing gaps in knowledge of the safety and efficacy of traditional herbal medications. Literature related to the elemental contents of ethno medicinal plants was acquired by utilizing electronic databases. We reviewed only macro-elemental and trace elemental contents of 69 medicinal plant taxa, which are traditionally used in Pakistan for the treatment of sundry ailments, including anemia, jaundice, cancer, piles, diarrhea, dysentery, headache, diabetes, asthma, blood purification, sedative and ulcer. A majority of plants showed elemental contents above the permissible levels as recommended by the World health organization (WHO). As an example, the concentrations of Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) were reportedly found higher than the WHO permissible levels in 43 and 42 medicinal plants, respectively. More specifically, the concentrations of Pb (54 ppm: Silybum marianum) and Cd (5.25 ppm: Artemisia herba-alba) were found highest in the Asteraceae family. The reported medicinal plants contain a higher amount of trace and toxic elements. Intake of these plants as traditional medicines may trigger the accumulation of trace and toxic elements in human bodies, which can cause different types of diseases. Thus, a clear understanding about the nature of toxic substances and factors affecting their concentrations in traditional medicines are essential prerequisites for efficacious herbal therapeutics with lesser or no side effects.
Muhammad Abdul Aziz; Muhammad Adnan; Shaheen Begum; Azizullah Azizullah; Ruqia Nazir; Shazia Iram. A review on the elemental contents of Pakistani medicinal plants: Implications for folk medicines. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2016, 188, 177 -192.
AMA StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Adnan, Shaheen Begum, Azizullah Azizullah, Ruqia Nazir, Shazia Iram. A review on the elemental contents of Pakistani medicinal plants: Implications for folk medicines. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2016; 188 ():177-192.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Abdul Aziz; Muhammad Adnan; Shaheen Begum; Azizullah Azizullah; Ruqia Nazir; Shazia Iram. 2016. "A review on the elemental contents of Pakistani medicinal plants: Implications for folk medicines." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 188, no. : 177-192.
M Adnan; A Tariq; R Bibi; Nm Abdelsalam; H Rehman; W Murad; S Ahmad; M Israr; S Sabahat; R Ullah; A Akber; J Ud Din; Muhammad Abdul Aziz. Antimicrobial potential of alkaloids and flavonoids extracted from Tamarix aphylla leaves against common human pathogenic bacteria. Africa Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015, 12, 27 .
AMA StyleM Adnan, A Tariq, R Bibi, Nm Abdelsalam, H Rehman, W Murad, S Ahmad, M Israr, S Sabahat, R Ullah, A Akber, J Ud Din, Muhammad Abdul Aziz. Antimicrobial potential of alkaloids and flavonoids extracted from Tamarix aphylla leaves against common human pathogenic bacteria. Africa Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015; 12 (2):27.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM Adnan; A Tariq; R Bibi; Nm Abdelsalam; H Rehman; W Murad; S Ahmad; M Israr; S Sabahat; R Ullah; A Akber; J Ud Din; Muhammad Abdul Aziz. 2015. "Antimicrobial potential of alkaloids and flavonoids extracted from Tamarix aphylla leaves against common human pathogenic bacteria." Africa Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine 12, no. 2: 27.