Ethnobotany

Ethnobotany

The knowledge of plants usage by the native people is called Ethnobotany, which provide opportunities for better understanding of the traditional uses, find new ways of transffering this knowledge to future generations, make improved use of the available resources, and explore new pharmaceuticals for biomedicine (Tor-Anyiin et al., 2003; Kufer et al., 2005). Some of the ethnobotanical studies reported from Pakistan are,

Dar (2003) explored ethnobotanical information of Lawat and its allied areas (District Muzzaffar abad and reported 52 species consisting of 35 angiospermic families (49 species) and2 Gymnospermic families (3 species). The plants were used medicinally and for other purposes singly or in mixtures by the local inhabitants. Most of the medicinal plants have become endangered due to unplanned exploitation.

Wazir et al. (2004) carried out ethnobotanical study of Chapursan Valley (Gilgit) comprises of 41 species of wild shrubs, trees, and herbs belonging to 29 families. The inhabitants use these plants for medicinal purpose in the valley.

Iqbal & Hamayun (2005) explored ethnobotanic of Malam Jabba (Swat) and reported a total of 187 species belonging to 75 families. These plants were categorised as medicinal plants, agricultural tool making, agro forestry based plants, ornamental, honey bee attracting, vegetable and pot herb, fencing and and sheltering, poisonous, timber yielding plants and plants yielding edible fruits. Due to high biotic pressure, many important medicinal plants like Valeriana Jatamansi, Paeonia emodi, Acorus calamus, Podophylum hexandrum and were at the edge of extinction. Hamayun et al (2005) explored ethnomedicinal study in Hindukush-Himalayan valleys of Gabral and Utror (...

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...miscellaneous species 5% household utensils species, 5% food species, 3% species for increasing milk production in cattle.

Ajaib et al. (2010) explored the ethnobotanical profile of shrubs from District Kotli, (Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan). Thirty eight species of thirty six genera belonging to twenty five families were used traditionally by local inhabitants as medicinal, forage/fodder, shelter, fuel, and agricultural tools species.

Sher & Al-Yemeni (2011) reported economically important plants in different parts of Malam Jabba (Swat). A total of ninety species were recorded having medicinal, fruit, food, fuel timber, fodder, and many other uses.

Review of literature reveals a lot of ethnobotanical references about traditional usage of plants. Therefore detailed ethnobotanical studies about the research plants were therefore carried out in various localities.